Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.
1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.
3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.
4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.
5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.
7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.
8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.
Showing posts with label Internet Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet Security. Show all posts
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Phishing For Your Identity
Who hasn’t received an email directing them to visit a familiar website where they are being asked to update their personal information? The website needs you to verify or update your passwords, credit card numbers, social security number, or even your bank account number. You recognize the business name as one that you’ve conducted business with in the past. So, you click on the convenient “take me there” link and proceed to provide all the information they have requested. Unfortunately, you find out much later that the website is bogus. It was created with the sole intent to steal your personal information. You, my friend, have just been “phished”.
Phishing (pronounced as “fishing”) is defined as the act of sending an email to a recipient falsely claiming to have an established, legitimate business. The intent of the phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering their private information, and ultimately steal your identity.
It is not at easy as you think to spot an email phishing for information. At first glance, the email may look like it is from a legitimate company. The "From" field of the e-mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in the e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to the company's website, when in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the legitimate site.
Many of these people are professional criminals. They have spent a lot of time in creating emails that look authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting personal information carefully. When reviewing your email remember that the "From Field" can be easily changed by the sender. While it may look like it is coming from a .com you do business with, looks can be deceiving. Also keep in mind that the phisher will go all out in trying to make their email look as legitimate as possible. They will even copy logos or images from the official site to use in their emails. Finally, they like to include a clickable link that the recipient can follow to conveniently update their information.
A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to point at the link with your mouse. Then, look in the bottom left hand screen of your computer. The actual website address to which you are being directed will show up for you to view. It is a very quick and easy way to check if you are being directed to a legitimate site.
Finally, follow the golden rule. Never, ever, click the links within the text of the e-mail, and always delete the e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the e-mail, empty the trash box in your e-mail accounts as well. If you are truly concerned that you are missing an important notice regarding one of your accounts, then type the full URL address of the website into your browser. At least then you can be confident that you are, in fact, being directed to the true and legitimate website.
Phishing (pronounced as “fishing”) is defined as the act of sending an email to a recipient falsely claiming to have an established, legitimate business. The intent of the phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering their private information, and ultimately steal your identity.
It is not at easy as you think to spot an email phishing for information. At first glance, the email may look like it is from a legitimate company. The "From" field of the e-mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in the e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to the company's website, when in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the legitimate site.
Many of these people are professional criminals. They have spent a lot of time in creating emails that look authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting personal information carefully. When reviewing your email remember that the "From Field" can be easily changed by the sender. While it may look like it is coming from a .com you do business with, looks can be deceiving. Also keep in mind that the phisher will go all out in trying to make their email look as legitimate as possible. They will even copy logos or images from the official site to use in their emails. Finally, they like to include a clickable link that the recipient can follow to conveniently update their information.
A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to point at the link with your mouse. Then, look in the bottom left hand screen of your computer. The actual website address to which you are being directed will show up for you to view. It is a very quick and easy way to check if you are being directed to a legitimate site.
Finally, follow the golden rule. Never, ever, click the links within the text of the e-mail, and always delete the e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the e-mail, empty the trash box in your e-mail accounts as well. If you are truly concerned that you are missing an important notice regarding one of your accounts, then type the full URL address of the website into your browser. At least then you can be confident that you are, in fact, being directed to the true and legitimate website.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Website Security Rules of the Road
In 2004, online consumer spending was at a record $65.1 billion. More and more people are attracted to the ease of online shopping and are spending higher amounts. Unfortunately, the chances of becoming a victim of Internet fraud are also increasing. The Internet National Fraud Center Watch reported that the average loss to fraud victims for just the first six months of 2005 was $2,579. This is compared to the $895 average for all of 2004. Complaints relating to general merchandise purchases (goods never received or misrepresented) accounted for 30% of Internet fraud complaints, and auction purchases (goods never received or misrepresented) topped the list at 44%.
While many e-commerce Websites are reputable and have taken the necessary safety precautions to protect you, it never hurts to always proceed cautiously. If you are making an online purchase consider these easy steps:
1. Use only one credit card, preferably with a low credit limit, when making online purchases. Avoid using an ATM or debit card.
2. Be wary of unsolicited offers by sellers. The Internet National Fraud Information Center Watch reported that email, as a method of contact by Internet scammers was up 22% in 2004.While the offer may be legitimate, spammers like to use this tactic to side-step reputable sites that provide consumer protection for online purchases.
3. Use only reputable e-commerce websites that list a street address and telephone number in case you need to contact them directly.
4. Read the website’s privacy policy. Some websites may reserve the right to sell/give your information to a third party. Check the document to see if they allow an opportunity to “opt-out” of receiving special offers from third-party vendors or for permission to share your personal information.
5. Check for a lock symbol in the status bar at the bottom of your Web browser window. Also, do not provide your personal information if the website address doesn’t start with “https” (a sign that the site is using a secure server).
6. Choose only verified sellers. Check to see if the vendor is a verified member of a reputable third party such as the Better Business Bureau, VeriSign, or Guardian eCommerce. These third-party sites help to ensure online consumers will be protected when shopping or conducting e-commerce transactions.
7. Check that the delivery date posted is reasonable. If you have not dealt with the vendor on a regular basis, be wary of any Website that states the shipment will be delayed 20 or more days. Delivery dates of 7-10 days are more common.
8. Keep a paper trail of all online transactions. Print out a hard copy of the transaction and keep it in a file for future reference.
9. Be wary of website offers that just sound too good to be true. The Internet is littered with get rich quick scams and false advertising claims. Investigate all claims thoroughly before proceeding.
10. If you do not receive what you paid for, and the vendor will not return your emails or calls, contact your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs for further assistance.
While many e-commerce Websites are reputable and have taken the necessary safety precautions to protect you, it never hurts to always proceed cautiously. If you are making an online purchase consider these easy steps:
1. Use only one credit card, preferably with a low credit limit, when making online purchases. Avoid using an ATM or debit card.
2. Be wary of unsolicited offers by sellers. The Internet National Fraud Information Center Watch reported that email, as a method of contact by Internet scammers was up 22% in 2004.While the offer may be legitimate, spammers like to use this tactic to side-step reputable sites that provide consumer protection for online purchases.
3. Use only reputable e-commerce websites that list a street address and telephone number in case you need to contact them directly.
4. Read the website’s privacy policy. Some websites may reserve the right to sell/give your information to a third party. Check the document to see if they allow an opportunity to “opt-out” of receiving special offers from third-party vendors or for permission to share your personal information.
5. Check for a lock symbol in the status bar at the bottom of your Web browser window. Also, do not provide your personal information if the website address doesn’t start with “https” (a sign that the site is using a secure server).
6. Choose only verified sellers. Check to see if the vendor is a verified member of a reputable third party such as the Better Business Bureau, VeriSign, or Guardian eCommerce. These third-party sites help to ensure online consumers will be protected when shopping or conducting e-commerce transactions.
7. Check that the delivery date posted is reasonable. If you have not dealt with the vendor on a regular basis, be wary of any Website that states the shipment will be delayed 20 or more days. Delivery dates of 7-10 days are more common.
8. Keep a paper trail of all online transactions. Print out a hard copy of the transaction and keep it in a file for future reference.
9. Be wary of website offers that just sound too good to be true. The Internet is littered with get rich quick scams and false advertising claims. Investigate all claims thoroughly before proceeding.
10. If you do not receive what you paid for, and the vendor will not return your emails or calls, contact your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs for further assistance.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Free Download Internet Security Software
Internet Security Software: Free Downloads To Secure Your PC
The internet is considered as the information superhighway where you can gather the information you need for school and work. In fact, the internet is so useful that people have begun to use it for businesses.
The internet can even be a great way to entertain yourself with downloadable movies, comics and music. Another benefit the internet gives is that you can do your shopping for your clothes and groceries right in the comforts of your own home. You no longer need to go out to the supermarket or to the mall to buy the things you need. All you need to do is log in to an online shopping website and purchase the items you need.
Unfortunately, useful as the internet may be, it also has its dangers. Since more and more people are purchasing goods and services in the internet, it also paved the way for new kinds of criminals. These criminals will try and get your financial and personal information and use it to steal money from you without you knowing about it until it’s too late.
These people develop programs or softwares that can invade your personal computer silently and will start gathering information for the developer. With these programs, they will have access to your files and know every key you type in your keyboard and every click of your mouse. Sometimes, these programs simply destroy the files inside your computer.
Here are the different programs cyber criminals use to destroy your files, or obtain your personal information:
• Spyware
• Adware
• Viruses
• Spam emails
In order to protect yourself and your PC from the different malicious software circulating the internet, you have to purchase a kind of internet security software. However, since there is a lot of security software available in the internet, you will be confused on which one you should purchase.
This is why there are trial periods for softwares in order for you to determine which software is better. Trial or demo versions of the different internet security software are free and can be downloaded instantly from the company’s website. You can download it for free, install it in your computer, and test it if it would be worth your time and money to purchase the full version of the software.
However, these demo versions can only protect your personal computer at a limited time only. After the trial period expires, the software will be locked and you will need to purchase the full version of the software in order to use it again.
Some trial versions have full capabilities while others have only limited capabilities. These free software versions can also be very useful. You can try and use these versions until you find the internet security software you want. Think of it as a temporary fix until you find the right software.
So, if you are looking for a way to protect your computer from malicious software at least temporarily, you can try out the free versions of internet security software until you find the software that is right for your computer. You have to find the software that offer full capabilities against the growing threat in the internet today. It should be able to fight off viruses, spyware, adware, spam emails, and hackers.
With the right kind of software, you will be sure that you can surf the internet without worrying about the different malicious software circulating the internet today.
The internet is considered as the information superhighway where you can gather the information you need for school and work. In fact, the internet is so useful that people have begun to use it for businesses.
The internet can even be a great way to entertain yourself with downloadable movies, comics and music. Another benefit the internet gives is that you can do your shopping for your clothes and groceries right in the comforts of your own home. You no longer need to go out to the supermarket or to the mall to buy the things you need. All you need to do is log in to an online shopping website and purchase the items you need.
Unfortunately, useful as the internet may be, it also has its dangers. Since more and more people are purchasing goods and services in the internet, it also paved the way for new kinds of criminals. These criminals will try and get your financial and personal information and use it to steal money from you without you knowing about it until it’s too late.
These people develop programs or softwares that can invade your personal computer silently and will start gathering information for the developer. With these programs, they will have access to your files and know every key you type in your keyboard and every click of your mouse. Sometimes, these programs simply destroy the files inside your computer.
Here are the different programs cyber criminals use to destroy your files, or obtain your personal information:
• Spyware
• Adware
• Viruses
• Spam emails
In order to protect yourself and your PC from the different malicious software circulating the internet, you have to purchase a kind of internet security software. However, since there is a lot of security software available in the internet, you will be confused on which one you should purchase.
This is why there are trial periods for softwares in order for you to determine which software is better. Trial or demo versions of the different internet security software are free and can be downloaded instantly from the company’s website. You can download it for free, install it in your computer, and test it if it would be worth your time and money to purchase the full version of the software.
However, these demo versions can only protect your personal computer at a limited time only. After the trial period expires, the software will be locked and you will need to purchase the full version of the software in order to use it again.
Some trial versions have full capabilities while others have only limited capabilities. These free software versions can also be very useful. You can try and use these versions until you find the internet security software you want. Think of it as a temporary fix until you find the right software.
So, if you are looking for a way to protect your computer from malicious software at least temporarily, you can try out the free versions of internet security software until you find the software that is right for your computer. You have to find the software that offer full capabilities against the growing threat in the internet today. It should be able to fight off viruses, spyware, adware, spam emails, and hackers.
With the right kind of software, you will be sure that you can surf the internet without worrying about the different malicious software circulating the internet today.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Internet Security Software Review
Reviews for Internet Security Software: Know All About the Different Internet Security Software Available
It is a fact that more and more people are using the internet to purchase the items they need in their everyday lives. Some people even shop for their groceries online to save travel time. There are also people who prefer paying their utility bills over the internet.
Since more and more people are using the internet to purchase goods and services, there are also increasing numbers of people who also wants to take advantage of the internet to make money illegally. Cyber criminals are a new breed of criminals that steals money from people through the use of the internet. They develop softwares that enables them to know about your personal and financial information. This software is called spyware.
Some develops viruses to make money out of it by simultaneously selling a program that get rids of the virus. Others are pure hackers who develop viruses just for the sake of fun in destroying other people’s computer files.
Because of this growing threat, it is now recommended that people should install internet security software in their personal computers. This particular software can fight viruses, prevent spyware from invading your computer, and it can also prevent a hacker from taking control of your computer.
It is recommended that you should at least have all the protection features in just one software since the programming of the different malicious software in the internet is very different from one another. Viruses and spyware are very different; therefore, antivirus software will not be effective in protecting your computer against spyware.
There are different kinds of internet security software available in the market today. Because of this, it would be very difficult for you to choose which internet security software you should purchase. Since all of the companies claim that they are the best in the business, it can be very confusing for you in choosing which software is really the best.
In order for you to at least have an idea on which software is the best, you have to take a look at the software review in order to know about the different opinions of different people who have used the software before. Of course, the more people who say positive things about the software, the more likely the internet security software is one of the best software available that offers optimum protection against malicious software and hackers popping out of the internet everyday.
Reviews are an important part of purchasing anything. With a review, you can strengthen your opinion and your decision in whether you want to buy the software or not. It is important to read the user reviews for internet security software in order to know if the particular brand of the software is really worth your money.
Reading user reviews is like getting to know the software better. Besides, who else would have better knowledge about the software than the people who have used the software before? With a user review, you will know about the different capabilities of the software and know about the pros and cons.
So, if you are confused on which internet security software you should purchase, you should consider reading the user reviews in order to get an idea on which one you should buy.
It is a fact that more and more people are using the internet to purchase the items they need in their everyday lives. Some people even shop for their groceries online to save travel time. There are also people who prefer paying their utility bills over the internet.
Since more and more people are using the internet to purchase goods and services, there are also increasing numbers of people who also wants to take advantage of the internet to make money illegally. Cyber criminals are a new breed of criminals that steals money from people through the use of the internet. They develop softwares that enables them to know about your personal and financial information. This software is called spyware.
Some develops viruses to make money out of it by simultaneously selling a program that get rids of the virus. Others are pure hackers who develop viruses just for the sake of fun in destroying other people’s computer files.
Because of this growing threat, it is now recommended that people should install internet security software in their personal computers. This particular software can fight viruses, prevent spyware from invading your computer, and it can also prevent a hacker from taking control of your computer.
It is recommended that you should at least have all the protection features in just one software since the programming of the different malicious software in the internet is very different from one another. Viruses and spyware are very different; therefore, antivirus software will not be effective in protecting your computer against spyware.
There are different kinds of internet security software available in the market today. Because of this, it would be very difficult for you to choose which internet security software you should purchase. Since all of the companies claim that they are the best in the business, it can be very confusing for you in choosing which software is really the best.
In order for you to at least have an idea on which software is the best, you have to take a look at the software review in order to know about the different opinions of different people who have used the software before. Of course, the more people who say positive things about the software, the more likely the internet security software is one of the best software available that offers optimum protection against malicious software and hackers popping out of the internet everyday.
Reviews are an important part of purchasing anything. With a review, you can strengthen your opinion and your decision in whether you want to buy the software or not. It is important to read the user reviews for internet security software in order to know if the particular brand of the software is really worth your money.
Reading user reviews is like getting to know the software better. Besides, who else would have better knowledge about the software than the people who have used the software before? With a user review, you will know about the different capabilities of the software and know about the pros and cons.
So, if you are confused on which internet security software you should purchase, you should consider reading the user reviews in order to get an idea on which one you should buy.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
ZoneAlarm Internet Security
Keeping Evil Away From Your PC with ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite
When you surf the internet or download files from it, there is a chance that someone may be watching your every move in your computer. Every key you press in your keyboard and every click of the mouse are recorded without you knowing about it. It could be anyone, and it could be someone from halfway around the world who has invaded your computer with a particular software called spyware.
Spywares may look harmless but what if you use your computer for purchasing goods over the internet? You will be typing your credit card information and personal information in order to purchase something over the internet. The thought of someone using your account without you knowing about it can make you cringe.
Today, the use of internet is getting more and more popular. Not only is the internet a great tool for communication, but it is also a tool where you can purchase goods and services right in the comforts of your own home. By just opening an online credit card account, you will be able to purchase anything you want over the internet.
However, there is a kind of software that can invade your computer and record your financial and personal information. This information will be recorded and sent to the spyware developer somewhere in the world and use this information to commit identity theft.
In order to prevent this, you have to purchase a kind of software that will be able to protect your computer against malicious software circulating around the internet today. Viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious software can be very dangerous.
One kind of software that has a good reputation is called the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is developed by Zone Labs and is a very effective security system for your PC. It can effectively ward off different malicious softwares existing in the internet today.
Here are some of the features that you can take advantage of with ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite:
• Firewall – This program intercepts any incoming threats from hackers and viruses.
• Antivirus – This program scans files and email attachments for known computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms and effectively cleans or deletes the files.
• Identity Theft Protection – This program secures your personal and financial information in your PC. Therefore, preventing your personal information and financial information from getting stolen.
• Anti Spyware – This program will block and remove spyware software in your computer. This is an additional protection against identity thieves.
• Spy Site Blocking – Spyware get into your PC by visiting spyware distribution websites. This feature will prevent you from ever visiting website that distributes spyware through downloadable files.
With the different security that ZoneAlarm can provide, you will definitely get your personal and financial information secured as well as get your PC protected from malicious software circulating the internet today.
This particular internet security software is also very easy to use.
So, if you are considering protecting your computer against malicious software, such as computer viruses, spyware, adware and others, you should consider purchasing ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite by Zone Labs. This software will effectively protect your PC from the malicious software circulating the internet today.
With ZoneAlarm Internet Security, you will definitely sleep more comfortably with the thought of having security for your personal computer.
When you surf the internet or download files from it, there is a chance that someone may be watching your every move in your computer. Every key you press in your keyboard and every click of the mouse are recorded without you knowing about it. It could be anyone, and it could be someone from halfway around the world who has invaded your computer with a particular software called spyware.
Spywares may look harmless but what if you use your computer for purchasing goods over the internet? You will be typing your credit card information and personal information in order to purchase something over the internet. The thought of someone using your account without you knowing about it can make you cringe.
Today, the use of internet is getting more and more popular. Not only is the internet a great tool for communication, but it is also a tool where you can purchase goods and services right in the comforts of your own home. By just opening an online credit card account, you will be able to purchase anything you want over the internet.
However, there is a kind of software that can invade your computer and record your financial and personal information. This information will be recorded and sent to the spyware developer somewhere in the world and use this information to commit identity theft.
In order to prevent this, you have to purchase a kind of software that will be able to protect your computer against malicious software circulating around the internet today. Viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious software can be very dangerous.
One kind of software that has a good reputation is called the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is developed by Zone Labs and is a very effective security system for your PC. It can effectively ward off different malicious softwares existing in the internet today.
Here are some of the features that you can take advantage of with ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite:
• Firewall – This program intercepts any incoming threats from hackers and viruses.
• Antivirus – This program scans files and email attachments for known computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms and effectively cleans or deletes the files.
• Identity Theft Protection – This program secures your personal and financial information in your PC. Therefore, preventing your personal information and financial information from getting stolen.
• Anti Spyware – This program will block and remove spyware software in your computer. This is an additional protection against identity thieves.
• Spy Site Blocking – Spyware get into your PC by visiting spyware distribution websites. This feature will prevent you from ever visiting website that distributes spyware through downloadable files.
With the different security that ZoneAlarm can provide, you will definitely get your personal and financial information secured as well as get your PC protected from malicious software circulating the internet today.
This particular internet security software is also very easy to use.
So, if you are considering protecting your computer against malicious software, such as computer viruses, spyware, adware and others, you should consider purchasing ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite by Zone Labs. This software will effectively protect your PC from the malicious software circulating the internet today.
With ZoneAlarm Internet Security, you will definitely sleep more comfortably with the thought of having security for your personal computer.
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