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Staying safe on the Internet requires some help from you
For lots of information of threats and what you can do about them visit Microsoft's http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
If you are unsure what parts of your sofware are not up to date and
therefore vulnerable to attach take a look at
http://www.softwarepatch.com/.
This is no good to you if you do not have Windows XP or Vista. But
it may be a help to people whose machines fail the Microsoft Genuine Application
(WGA) test. Another site, which will tell you which software is out
of date is www.secunia.com
A report has shown that many people are using old, vernerable versions of
web browsers, some as old as Internet Explorer 4 (!) The current version
is 7. Anyone not using the latest version and its updates are not only
likely to be affected by viruses and spyware but may be the unwtiing propagators
of such attacks.
In view of the fact that Internet Explorer continues to be vulnerable to attack many people reckon that an alternative Internet browser such as Firefox is preferable :
I now feel that no-one should be paying for Anytime dialup access, as broadband is about the same price. It is not just the speed of access to the net which is so much better but the size of security downloads these days (M'soft and Antivirus) must put off an awful lot of people when they go on for so long. Recently I had to update a laptop with 42 security updates (on pay-as-you-go dialup !) It took hours and that did not include Service Pack 2 for XP, which I loaded from a disk. If I had downloaded that I would have to let it run all night. So, call me a Internet snob if you like, I really feel that there is NO alternative to Broadband (and Windows XP/Vista for that matter). As for Pay as You Go dialup, that is no longer economic. Programs such as Zone Alarm Free (firewall) are now 27 Mb and frills like Quicktime and iTunes updates are as much as 65Mb.
Some people will say " Well I only use it for the occasional e-mail". If so, they are not on line long enough to get the security updates that are so essential these days - and are thus prone to virus infection and doomed to face endless trouble just to stay on line (and likely to infect others) . It is a shame, but that is a fact. It might be better to consider getting one of the Amstrad telephones that are capable of e-mail.See HERE
Definitions
Malware. A general term for any harmful program
Viruses. Software (programs) that get onto your computer with the intention of causing trouble. They take various forms. They are mostly written by people trying to prove they are clever with computing. Some have the intention of stopping a website working by inundating it.
Anti Virus program. One which is resident in the memory of your computer which is alert to viruses and can stop, clear or quarantine viruses which it recognises from its data file
Spam Unwanted advertising that is sent to you as emails
Popups Small screens which appear on top of the main page usually advertising something. But can be associated with Malware
Popup Stopper. A program that stops unwanted popups
Adware Advertising which is sent to your computer without your agreement but more often a marketing tool. See Spyware.
Spyware Often linked to Adware but with the intention of reporting back to someone or an organisation as to your activities Usually kept in the Cookies folder.
Anti Spyware /Adware program. One which will clear spyware from your machine, when run
Cookie . A small text file of unintelligible letters and numbers, which is used by honest and dishonest organisations to send information to them. When you agree to your details being kept, so you don't have to re-enter them, they are kept in a Cookie. But if you would prefer to clear cookies regularly you should turn off Browsing History in your web browser. In Firefox the setting is under Tools, Options, Privacy. In Internet Explorer, Tools, Internet Options, History, History.
Keylogger. A program (usually installed by a virus) that keeps a log of your keystrokes so that someone can retrieve this information later, usually with the intention of finding your (bank ?) passwords.
Temporary Internet Files. Records of your visits to various websites. The original intention was to make a repeat visit to the page open more quickly but, frankly, they are a nuisance, using space on your hard disk.
Scams . Various criminal methods used to try to obtain money or goods from you
Phishing A scam which specifically uses a false e-mail or website (which may look like your bank) with the intention of obtaining information to rob your bank, building society, credit or debit card accounts accounts.
Diallers or dialers. A method by which your dialup number is changed without your knowledge so it telephones a premium number in this country or abroad. This may or may not be linked to pornographic sites.
Firewall. Software or hardware that makes your computer invisible to unwanted outsiders.
Identity Theft. Procuring enough details about you to be able to pose as you, get credit cards, passports, passwords, bank details. etc. See http://www.howtowipeyourdrive.com/.
Should you care and, if so, what should you do?
It IS important to address these issues to ensure that you don't pay out cash unnecessarily but also to help prevent the breakdown of what is an important communication medium. Doing nothing to safeguard your machine will make you very unpopular with the people your virus is passed on to.
Mind you, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has some responsibility, too. The quality of the protection you get varies enormously. Why, if Lycos can offer "Advanced spam protection, Personalised spam filters, Virus protection when sending and receiving and a Privacy guarantee:" , why should you put up with any ISP that has let through malware of any kind. In this day and age it is just not on. So why have I just come back from hours of work getting rid of Trojans on Tiscali and NTL machines? When asked "How did they get on there ?" I was unable to say. Without protection it is very easy to get infected. In fact I will guarantee it.
So what should you do? Apart from being vigilant it is ESSENTIAL that you ensure that your machine is protected against these unwanted intrusions. To do this you need at three types of software.
1) Anti Virus software
2) A Firewall
3) An anti spyware program
4) If you use Internet Explorer get Mcafee's excellent Site Advisor
http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html.
You may also like to use spam blocker and a popup blocker. Whilst these are
not normally a security issue they are annoying and, if you get many popups,
it MAY mean you have a Trojan lurking in there. Worst of all, clicking on
a popup may then install the nasty software. It is regularly used as
a marketing technique by very dubious companies. Once installed this
type of software requires considerable skill to clear it out.
Because viruses and spyware are constantly changing the preventative software needs to be regularly updated.
What software should you get ?
NB. In July, 2006, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 98 and ME platforms. No more security updates, no more technical support, nothing. You are now, officially, on your own. Guru Patrick Crispen recommends that, if you continue to use Win 98 you should be sure to have good security protection such as anti virus and firewall. He also adds that, in his view Internet Explorer will continue to be a vulnerable Browser, he recommends that you change to Mozilla Firefox. See my Searching Engines page Here
For Windows XP and 2000 users Microsoft has a new, and very thorough,
anti Spyware program which you can download (free) from
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx
There is an explanatory video.
If you think you have a virus you can run The Microsoft Windows Malicious
Software Removal Tool which helps remove specific, prevalent malicious software
from computers that are running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows
XP, or Windows 2000. You can download it from
HERE.
It is updated regularly.
But most people can use the excellent Spybot Search and Destroy from http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ .You can use it free but there is a donations section.
You can buy a SUITE of software which will do all of these things The most famous are Norton Internet Security (£55) and Mcafee Internet Security (£50) Zone Alarm Suite (£35) PC-Cillin (£38) There is an additional subscription each year. You may occasionally see these on special offer.
Once installed on your computer these will automatically be updated when you connect to the Internet for any length of time
You can also protect your computer with very effective free alternatives. These include Clamwin, AVG7 Free (anti virus), Avast! Anti virus from www.avast.com (my current favourite - it just takes care of itself) Ad-aware and Spybot (anti spyware) and Zone Alarm Firewall (although latterly Comodo free firewall has proved more effective). Each of these excellent programs can be downloaded from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads and searching for them but they may have fewer features than the paid versions.
Windows XP also has an integral Firewall, which is normally turned
on but Zone Alarm is rated higher. A thorough firewall not only stops someone
'polling' your computer (using a piece of software to scan the internet to
see which computers are vulnerable) but also stops your computer sending
information out. Of course you require your computer to send out e-mail
and also to contact the net, so each program you want to use must be added
to an 'exceptions' list. You will be asked, the first time this happens,
to agree (or decline) to let the program through. A good alternative is the
free Comodo
Firewall. You can download it from
HERE
Even the free Zone Alarm gives you statistics. It is not long
since I reinstalled Zone Alarm. If you wonder whether a firewall is
important look at this !
Whereas firewalls are only occasionally updated both anti virus and anti spyware software must be, due to the fact that new threats are continually developing.
Unfortunately, it is not enough to leave everything to clever software. You can still get a virus or invoke a dialler merely by clicking on a link on your screen or in a website. The usual technique is to have a popup say that you have a vulnerable computer and click here to check it. Whether you click Yes, No or even the close X in the corner you may fall for it. Close the screen with Ctl + W.
You can also get caught out by various scams.
The most common are
Phishing : You are told to connect to your bank site to clear up some problem and are then asked for your bank details
The pleading email : This unfortunate person is unable to get at his rightful (or even criminal) millions unless you agree to help. People who fall for this (and it is a major industry in Nigeria) are usually spurred on by greed (or debt)
The offer you can't refuse : You have advertised something (anywhere) and someone will kindly send a you a cheque for much more as long as you send them the difference (for one obscure reason or another). The bank clears the cheque/bankers draft etc and only reneges on it after you have sent your cheque to the miscreant. Banks do NOT take responsibility for this (even if they should)
Diallers are a common ruse, if you have a dialup (not Broadband) connection. Although someone changing your dialup number without your knowledge may seem to be illegal this is difficult to prove and you will usually only find out too late. Telecom companies will NOT reimburse you. You can ask your Telecom company to block all outgoing UK premium numbers from the number you use for the net but most charge for blocking foreign premium numbers. Broadband people, who do not dial up, are not caught out with this one. BT has now issued some software that will warn you if your computer is dialling a premium number. Such simple technology and they only just found it ! Get it from www.bt.com/btprivacyonline You do have to be a BT subscriber. If you do get caught (in the UK) get in touch with ICSTIS (Now called Phonepayplus) They may be able to help and have the power to fine companies that use this practice.
When you finally dispose of your computer you are advised to wipe the
hard disk clean. See
http://www.howtowipeyourdrive.com/.
Otherwise people may find your details, even though you have deleted them.
Many recycled computers are sent to third world countries to help them. But
you do not want them to help themselves to your bank account ! If you
lose a phone, PDA or laptop which has your details on there, change all your
passwords immediately.
So, I hope you stay safe because, I can tell you, getting rid of these pesky
little critters is skilled work and exceedingly time consuming..
Site Navigation Links :- Please click on SITE MAP
Please note that the Google Pack incudes Firefox and the free Norton Security Scan and Spyware Doctor. You can choose which to download
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