Your computer didn't come with a padlock?
Browse these links to learn about computer security and privacy and what you can do
to protect your computer and your privacy..
Computer Security and Protecting Your Online Privacy
What kind of malware could be bugging your computer?
- Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Rootkits..read more
- Spyware, Adware...read more
- Spam, Phishing...read more
- Keyloggers...read more
- Rogue Security Software, Fraudware, Malware...read more
What can I do to protect my computer and my privacy?
Protection Alert!
We recommend Windows users download and install all patches and updates from Microsoft on a regular basis to avoid loss of secure information and costly disruptions.
What Are
Computer Viruses?
Nasty little critters
that can imbed themselves
so deep into your computer
system, the only cure is a complete re-installation of
your operating system.
Yikes...better stay away
from those free music
sites and unknown
e-mail offers. Click here to learn about it.
What is
Rogue Security
Software?
A window pops up
while you are surfing alerting you that your computer has been infected and then tries to
scare you into buying fake software.
Click Here to
learn about it.
What kind of malware could be bugging your computer?
Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Rootkits, Keyloggers
Viruses, Trojans and Worms are malicious software programs that actively work inside a personal
computer and are capable of deleting data or changing legitimate software programs to accomplish
unlawful or harmful enterprise. These programs are generally inadvertently downloaded from the
Internet and automatically program themselves to operate surreptitiously and unknown to the PC user.
Rootkits allow intruders to get and maintain access of your system without your knowledge. They are designed to hide their presence from you and are often not detected by common security, anti-virus and
anti-spyware scans. In addition, a rootkit can be used to hide other malware tools which seek to compromise your system and security.
Spyware and Adware
Spyware and Adware are software programs that operate surreptitiously and unknown to the PC user to track Internet usage and/or to report Internet activity and surfing preferences to Internet marketing companies. These programs are generally not programmed to accomplish unlawful or harmful purposes but are considered invasive, nevertheless. While tracking browsing habits and inundating the PC user with annoying pop-up ads, their presence and operation can result in significant slowing of a PC's computing power and speed.
Spam
Spam is generally unsolicited, unwanted e-mail messages sent from advertisers. However, spam can also be used to trick the PC user into downloading Spyware, Adware or Virus, Trojan and Worm software programs. By looking totally legitimate, an e-mail can be used to outwit you into giving up personal information. Beware of e-mails that ask you to click on a link within the e-mail.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of spam where e-mail or instant messages are sent specifically for the purpose of gaining private information such as a PC user's logins, passwords, account numbers, social security numbers or other personal information for unlawful use. An unsuspecting PC user may receive an e-mail or instant message from what appears to be a legitimate site such as a trusted financial institution, retailer or social networking site like Twitter, Facebook or MySpace. The recipient is mislead into clicking a link to get more information, confirm an account, download an update, view a photo or video, etc. Once a user clicks the link they are taken to a phony web site where information is gathered and used without consent. Giving up your personal information allows the cyber crook to accomplish such missions as draining your bank account, committing identity theft or hijacking the resources of your computer.
Keyloggers
Keyloggers can track and record your keystrokes or take snapshots of your screen and are intended to provide the instigator a record of the computer user's personal computer use habits and information often for malicious and unlawful uses. They can be present on your system without your knowledge.
Rogue Security Software, Fraudware, Scareware
Don't fall for fake anti-virus schemes.
Rogue Security Software also known as scareware or fraudware invades your computer by sending up what looks to be a "Windows Security Alert"
or other messages
claiming that your computer has been compromised. It impairs your computer in an attempt to scare
or trick you into giving your personal information to buy bogus or useless software online.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue security software
What can I do to protect my computer and my privacy?
Steps to protect your computer and your privacy:
- Download and Run Windows Security Updates as soon as they become available.
- Use Mozilla's Firefox Browser whenever possible. Whatever browser you ultimately choose, make sure you become familiar with the custom tools available to limit access to your private data. Configure your settings to reject malware popups, cookies, and choose auto settings to empty cache or temp files whenever the browser window is closed. No matter how legitimate or provocative a popup window may seem, beware. It may have been designed solely to scare or entice you into a response. Don't click any of the buttons, yes or no in the popup window. Go straight to the "X" in the upper right corner and click to close the popup or browser window. This is a good time to observe the old adage "if it's to good to be true..." Note: Don't be fooled, if you are surfing and get a popup that says "Windows Security Alert" or something similar. If the message did not come from your own anti-virus or security software, click the X in the upper right corner to close the popup.
- Don't go to web sites or pages of which you are unsure. Don't download "Free" music. If you use social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook, don't download unknown files from other people's profiles. Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails or instant messages from sources personally unknown by you.
- Use reputable "free" or purchased anti-spyware programs such as Ad-aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Microsoft Defender, A-Squared and/or Superantispyware to remove and protect from unwanted malware. Run scans on a regular basis. Read before you arbitrarily delete files.
- Learn the marketing techniques of the search engine you are using. For instance, Google returns paid or sponsored ads to the upper shaded area and the right hand column of the link return page. Whether legitimate or not these advertisers have paid to get shown. Look in the white area beneath the sponsored links for the best, organic returns considered by Google as the most relevant to your search. Then be picky when clicking. If it looks at all suspect to you, don't go there.
- Use Mozilla Thunderbird as your e-mail client to organize your pop and web mail. If you use Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express be sure to run Windows updates whenever they become available. Configure filters to eliminate spam before it reaches your e-mail box.
- Opt for Web based e-mail instead of, or, in addition to pop mail. Services such as Yahoo and Google have many screening options at the server level. You will have access to your mail from any computer and the added benefit of your messages stored on your provider's mail server should your computer fail.
- Save your primary e-mail addresses for your personal contacts. Use a disposable e-mail address for sites that require sign up or registration. A disposable e-mail address will forward your e-mail to your primary address. If you start receiving spam, simply deactivate your disposable address and get another.
- If you use a local e-mail client, set your anti-virus to scan all incoming messages. Configure your e-mail settings so you do not auto open attachments. Set up message filters to dispose off or re-route unsolicited spam messages.
- Do not open suspect or unsolicited e-mails no matter how provocative the subject or offer. Do not open unknown attachments or click on unknown hyperlinks within your e-mail messages. Responding to unsolicited spam e-mail or asking to be removed from a spammer's mailing list can compound the spam you receive. Spammers often make money by reselling valid e-mail addresses. By responding, you not only confirm that your e-mail address is valid, you also unwittingly show that you do not filter and are willing to read and respond to unsolicited messages, an even more valuable resale item for spammers. Delete unopened spam messages immediately from your mailbox.
- Do not respond to e-mails that request personal information of any sort, especially bank information or credit account numbers even if the mail looks legitimate. Instead go directly to the business site and open your account using your user name and password to communicate information. Change your passwords on a regular basis.
- Subscribe to a reputable antivirus program and keep your subscription up to date. Configure your antivirus program to run regularly scheduled virus scans and to auto scan all incoming e-mail. Note: Do not install more than one anti-virus program on your computer at a time. If you want to change programs or providers, uninstall your current anti-virus program first to avoid conflicts.
- If you are networking your computers, install a router (available for $50.00 or less) between your cable modem or DSL modem and your PC.
- If you use a wireless router, set up security to restrict outsiders from access.
- If you don't have a specific need, turn off all file sharing or turn on just the file sharing necessary such as your printers.
- Use a personal firewall software program or Windows firewall, but beware of conflicts with some antivirus programs.
Back Up Your Data:
- Who needs to back up data? You do! Backing up your Data is the single most important action you can take should you need to recover your system and/or files. It's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when your computer will have a system fatal crash or mechanical failure leaving you helpless and unable to access the most important data on your computer such as family photos, your favorite music, tax records, business documents, or e-mail, etc. It happens to all of us and if you own a computer, it will happen to you.
- Why backup my data? If you have taken the time with a few simple steps to backup your files or perhaps your entire system depending on your personal needs, whether you choose to buy a new computer or repair your existing machine, you will be able to quickly restore all of your important information with nothing more than a "whew" and a quick wipe of your brow.
- When should I back up? Routinely, on a daily or weekly basis depending on your personal use, anytime you are installing new software that my cause a problem or whenever you are ready to transfer your data to another computer.
- What should I back up? If you have the original installation disks for your computer, it is not necessary to back up your applications (software programs) unless you have the space and want the simplicity of a "mirror" copy of everything on your computer. You should, an minimum, back up all of your personal files, templates, e-mail address book and saved messages, browser bookmarks and settings including those used for any peripherals connected to your computer such as a printer or scanner.
- What media should I use for a back up? It is possible to partition your hard drive for space reserved for backups. A better choice would be an external hard drive or removable media such as CDs, DVDs, or any of the USB portable storage drives. In addition, there are services available that will allow you backup online to an outside location.
- Do I need special software to back up my data? Backing up your files can be as simple as dragging your files onto a flash drive or external hard drive. You could also burn the data to a CD or DVD. Using this minimalist approach to back up your data would at least protect your most important personal files. However, it is too cumbersome to use on a regular basis and not a good choice for backing up your entire system. Backup software is available that will allow you to backup select files or make a complete "mirror image" copy of the entire contents of the PC internal hard drive including all programs and settings along with a "boot" disc. These programs allow you to restore your system and data should you have a complete an irreparable failure of software or hardware.
- Do I need more than one copy of my data? Protect your computer data the same way you would protect those special hard copies of personal records, family photographs or other irreplaceable items. What would you do in the event of a fire or flood if you store the deed to your house, bank records or photos in the file cabinet in your basement. Treat your computer data the same way. A second copy in a safe place is good insurance.
