Browsing Category: "Security"
Before you spend a dime on security, there are many precautions you can take that will protect you against the most common threats.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors’ Choice (“Spyware,” April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you’ll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you’re using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. If you’re not willing to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc., w*w.grisoft.com). And doublecheck your AV with the free, online-only scanners available at w*w.pandasoftware.com/activescan and _http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see the expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9. Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as the one found at our own Security Supersite at _http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you learn about emerging threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10. Be skeptical of things on the Internet. Don’t assume that e-mail “From:” a particular person is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it’s that person. Don’t assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don’t give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from “support.”
These days you may or may not be worried about computer security. It’s no lie.
It’s a hot topic but not everyone is worried about it. But what if you are one of those, who are worried about keeping your computer secure
Well, the first thing you need to do is get educated. You need to learn a little about what threats can happen to your computer. In this article I will cover the 3 types of viruses and what hackers really are.
Oh I know, you are asking do I have to fear the reaper. Well, that my friend is up to you. Just a little computer humor there.
Ok, so the three types of viruses are as follows:
1. Trojan or backdoor virus
2. Worm type viruses
3. Macro viruses
It is important to learn what each of these viruses is about and can do to your computer system.
The first virus on the list, the Trojan virus can be used by hackers to access your system. These types of viruses are usually planted through email.
It is important to know that a virus is a program and cannot really do anything to your system unless you run it or click on it.
And mostly what happens is someone receives an email and clicks on an attachment. This in turn opens the virus and runs the program.
One the program is opened or executed. This is where the damage can occur.
If a hacker has access to a program that allows them to scan for these viruses over the internet and they find your computer system unprotected.
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Of all the software products that are installed on our computers, from the web browsers and email programs, to word processors, database and spreadsheet programs, none has a higher importance than a quality anti-virus program. Without a good quality, frequently updated anti-virus program running on your computer, your valuable data, and even your personal financial information, is at constant risk.
If you are not already taking steps to protect your valuable data, then read on and learn what you should look for in anti-virus software.
Many computer users choose an anti virus software product by price alone, or simply stick with the product that came preloaded on their computer. Neither approach is the best way to way to choose an anti virus product, and it is important to look at several different products before making your final decision.
Look at existing options
Now that does not mean that you cannot start with the anti-virus software that came with your PC. In fact, getting that software up and running on a new computer should be a priority. It is vital that your PC is running solid anti-virus protection before you plug it into the internet, so running the product that came with your PC is a good way to get started.
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These days, all communication technology faces the issue of privacy and identity theft, with Bluetooth being no exception. Almost everyone knows that email services and networks require security. What users of Bluetooth need to realize is that Bluetooth also requires security measures as well.
The good news for Bluetooth users is that the security scares, like most scares, are normally over dramatized and blown entirely out of proportion. The truth being told, these issues are easy to manage, with various measures already in place to provide security for Bluetooth technology.
It’s true that there has been some Bluetooth phones that have been hacked into. Most devices that are hacked into are normally those that don’t have any type of security at all.
According to Bluetooth specialists, in order to hack into a Bluetooth device, the hacker must:
1.Force two paired devices to break their connection.
2.Steal the packets that are used to resend the pin.
3.Decode the pin.
Of course, the hacker must also be within range of the device, and using very expensive developer type equipment. Most specialists recommend that you have a longer pin, with 8 digits being recommended.
Ever wonder what’s going on behind that splash screen? Well, now you can find out!
Right click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Startup and Recovery, Edit. Edit BOOT.INI. Add “/SOS” right after “/fastdetect” with a space between. The line will look something like this:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS=”Microsoft Windows XP Professional” /fastdetect /SOS. When you’re finished. The first part, multi(0)….. may not be the same on your machine. Upon restarting, the splash screen will be gone. It can be re-enabled by removing the new switch.
A few years ago, pop-up windows were all the rage in Internet marketing. It seemed that every time one opened a web page they would be bombarded with offers for this or that. It had gotten to the point where surfing the Internet was almost like playing a video game; when the ads would pop-up one would try and close them out before another one came. This is precisely why we have seen the decline in the use of pop-up windows on the Internet today; surfers simply do not even look at the pop-ups anymore. They close the windows out before even reading the ad. Very often, a surfer will even leave your site if there are too many pop-up ads. They simply do not want the hassle of closing those windows while trying to obtain the information that your site has to offer. This information, while valuable, is not as valuable as the surfers time. Studies have shown however, that even with these set backs, pop-up windows are still an effective method of Internet marketing.
Is there some way that pop-up windows can be less irritating and still be effective? Yes! What if the pop ad were seen upon exiting your site instead of entering? This would allow the surfer to obtain the information that they need from your site, feeling that they were able to come and go quickly without being hassled by other ads and offers all the while making the surfer happy. You have left the surfer with a positive attitude and therefore are more likely to respond to the pop advertisement. This is being accomplished more and more by using what is being called pop-under windows. When the surfer comes to your site, the ad is opened discretely behind the your web page. Then, upon leaving your site, after obtaining all the information that they need , will see the ad and therefore be more likely to respond. Since the surfer has the information, he has achieved his objective and is now open to do other things; ideally respond to the pop under advertisement.
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Don’t use passwords that are easy to guess: If you use your Social Security number, an anniversary, a sports team, a maiden name, a date of birth, or the word “password”, be aware that it’s easy to figure out. Keep in mind that there’s password-cracking software out there. Chose a phrase or combination of words or an acronym with a mix of letters and numbers to make your password difficult to crack but easy to remember.
Don’t write down your password: Use your memory. If you must put your password in writing, use your brain. Keep your password away from your computer and separate from the account name, preferably in a locked or secure location.
Don’t share your passwords with anyone: Just say no to such requests, no matter how difficult it is. “Anyone” includes your spouse or significant other, co-workers, and even the system administrator. And remember, no legitimate person will ever ask you to reveal your password.
