Feds Finally Get The Picture February 13, 2006
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The Federal Trade Commission will host hearings this fall on emerging technologies being exploited by Internet spies and identity thieves.
The FTC last held similar hearings in 1995, when the technology to create now familiar problems such as spyware and spam was still in its infancy.
Did You Know…. February 6, 2006
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Some interesting internet security snippets:
Spyware in the news:
- “A hacker was able to access potentially 40 million credit card numbers by infiltrating the network of a company that processed payment data for MasterCard International and other companies.” InfoWorld, July 17, 2005
- “About 10 million Americans have their personal information pilfered and misused in some way or another every year, costing consumers $5 billion and businesses $48 billion annually.” Federal Trade Commission, June 21, 2005
5 Signs….. February 2, 2006
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5 tips that spyware may be compromising your internet security:
1. Your computer began running extremely slow
2. Homepage changes without you doing it
3. Suddenly you are being bombarded with popup advertisements
4. A large increase in the amount of unsolicited email (commonly known as SPAM)
5. Your computer experiences frequent crashes
Deleting Cookies Won’t Help January 31, 2006
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Question: Why clutter a computer with adware and spyware? Each evening before shutting down, I delete all the cookies stored in my browser. I use a firewall and antivirus software. This procedure takes less time than using those two products. Granted, it takes away acceptable cookies, but they are replaced. — Tom Jordan
Answer: Deleting the cookies doesn’t do a thing when it comes to spyware and adware. So you’re not protecting your computer.
Besides, cookies got a bad rap years ago when they first came on the scene. I wish controlling spyware and adware were as simple as deleting cookies. You need to use a special program, as is true with fighting hackers and viruses, to tackle the problem.
I consistently recommend one of two free programs: SpyBot Search & Destroy or Ad-Aware. You can download either at www.download.com.
Now, more about cookies: Some hacker and porno sites can be dangerous when it comes to cookies. If you stay away from places like that, cookies from most mainstream sites should not be a concern.
A cookie is a tiny text file that lets a Web site identify you on your next visit. So the cookie makes it possible to — for instance — customize the Weather Channel’s opening page at www.weather.com to give you the temperature in your old hometown each time you log on. Once you’ve customized the site, the cookie lets the site pull up the correct page just for you.
Question: Having heard and read the admonitions to be careful about what to do to avoid e-mail spam, I wonder whether there is there a list or source that does enumerate those specific spots on the screen on which not to click in order not to expose the e-mail address to a spammer?
— Fred Lutz
Answer: It isn’t a case of finding the right spots on the screen. Clicking or not clicking on some spot won’t make any difference. However, there are ways to at least minimize the amount of spam you get. Here’s a list of tips:
• Avoid listing your e-mail address on Web pages. Spammers use software that harvests addresses.
If you must use your e-mail address on the Web, avoid using the AT symbol — it’s what spamming software looks for. Type an address this way — bill(at)spamstory.com — on a Web page.
• Get a free e-mail account at Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) or Hotmail (www.hotmail.com). Use it to order merchandise or leave public comments. You’ll still get spam, but most of it will go to the free account.
• Never answer a spam e-mail. Don’t order, don’t write to complain, don’t use the link that offers to remove your name from mailings. Answering proves the e-mail account is active and may generate more spam.
• If you participate in online contests or fill in registration forms on the Web, use your free account.
• If your Internet provider offers free anti-spam software or services, use them.
• Don’t check that box: When you sign up at a Web page, look for text toward the end of the form that says something like: “Yes, I want to be contacted by select third parties concerning products I might be interested in.” If the box has already been checked, remove the check mark.
• If you receive a spam offer that sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Bill Husted
Palm Beach Post.com
January 30, 2006
Don’t Think It Can’t Happen To You January 28, 2006
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When the network administrator of one U.S. company ran a routine Web activity report on the firm’s 250-plus users, he noticed that some computers were logging thousands of hits a day to the same IP address – a Web site with no connection to the company’s business.
Spyware was tracking employees’ computer usage habits and was sending the information back to a third party Web site automatically.
Spyware compromises computer security and slows down computer performance.
Why should you be concerned about spyware? It is very easy for your PC to become infected with it. Many casual intenet users never don’t know that simply by clicking on a Web site or downloading a free screensaver they could also be installing spyware on their PC, at work or otherwise.
There’s no such thing as safe web surfing anymore.. You need to proactive in protecting your PC against Spyware before something happens..installing an anti-spyware program or restricting access to high-risk sites such as those offering free screensavers and the like.
Protect yourself and your PC..learn how to Detect Spyware.
Spyware Examples January 26, 2006
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In general, any technology that gathers information about you without your explicit permission is considered spyware. A look at some types of programs that may be spying on you:
Adware:
Some software applications track where you go on the Web, report the information back to advertisers, and then allow advertisers to target you with relevant ads. This type of adware often comes bundled with a free program you’re downloading, such as clocks, weather forecasts or programs that offer to remember information — such as your address, passwords, phone numbers — and fill out forms for you. In exchange for the free program, you’re trading information about you and your browsing habits. Most of these programs tell you what they’re doing in the fine print on their user agreements. Surveys show, of course, that most people don’t read these agreements.
Cookies:
Many Web sites have “cookies” — a file that downloads to your computer when you visit a site. Most cookies are innocuous, or even helpful. Companies read cookies that they’ve placed on a user’s computer to help them learn what pages were visited and other information. For example, NPR uses cookies to remember a user’s member station or what audio player is preferred. But some cookies can be used to help gather more information than you’re comfortable sharing.
Drive-by Download:
A software program that is automatically saved to your computer when you visit certain Web sites. Most of these programs are spyware. Programs that actively change your homepage and other browser settings to take you to Web sites you had no intention of visiting often are delivered by drive-by downloads.
Avoid being a victim of identity theft. To learn the essential steps to protecting your personal information online and get a free trial spyware scan, visit our Spyware Removal Tool website.
Feds Demand Over 1 Million Search Engine Records January 20, 2006
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Big Brother is watching. It appears that the U. S. Government wants the internet community to “assist” them in what should be their job, online surveillance. In fact, it our friends in the Bush Administration want the search engines to hand over records of what the general public has been searching for on the internet! (yes, this means you!)
Google appears to be the only search engine that has refused to comply with the White House subpoena, which was first issued last summer. It has been widely and apparently correctly, reported that Yahoo! has already turned over such records to the Feds.
MSN won’t say if it has complied or not (draw your own conclusions on that one.). For its non-compliance, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales this week asked a federal judge in San Jose for a court order compelling Google hand over the records.
The government wants a list of all requests entered into Google’s search engine during one week (for now) results that could include tens of millions of queries. In addition, it seeks 1 million randomly selected Web addresses from various Google databases.
The Feds say that they aren’t asking for any data that will tie search requests to personal data (okaaaayyy…). Even if that is true, personal data is not hard to get, and is often tied to search requests. And given the tendency of the Federal Government to completely disregard the privacy of individuals in order to advance its own interests, how can we be sure how they will be using the information collected?
Is it just me, or does it feel like we live in a dictatorship? That giant sucking sound you hear is your personal information going into a black hole.
Since obviously the Feds have no intention of honoring the U.S. Bill of Rights, it’s time to take your security, and your privacy, into your own hands. We have uncovered a product that will erase your tracks on the internet completely. The most effective privacy software in the market, this complete tool offers 100% guaranteed protection. After identifying and analyzing your surfing habits and the unwanted data hidden in your drives, this software destroys it with proven methods of secure disposal similar to US Department of Defense standards for destruction of classified material.
It’s time to stop leaving your privacy to chance. Its a shame you have to protect yourself from your own government, but now it is no longer optional, it is essential.
For absolute privacy protection, go to our internet security software website.
Stay safe!
To read more about this story, click Here
Spyware Used For Industrial Espionage January 18, 2006
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Did you know that recently a Trojan Horse program was developed and used for industrial espionage?
The Trojan Horse was used in the illegal hacking into scores of computers in Israel, including computers belonging to large and leading companies. The perpetrators developed spyware programs that extracted computer files and entire directories from infected computers. This material was then sent to servers abroad. The spyware was sold to private investigators, which offered their industrial espionage services to various companies.
In this case, the perpertrators (a husband and wife team!) were eventually caught and deported. But by that time, the damage had already been done. Those corporations that had been victimized already had their sensitive corporate secrets floating around in cyberspace and who knows where else!
If spyware can compromise even the most sophisticated computer systems, then those of us who have small businesses and even more to lose can’t afford to take our internet security lightly!
For the entire story, click this link:
What is Spyware and Adware? January 17, 2006
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Spyware and Adware viruses have rapidly become the number one threat to your computer with over 90% of computers already infected. These include “Trojans”, Web Bugs, Advertiser Software, Monitoring Software and more. Fortunately there are good spyware protection and adware spyware virus removal tools available. Sorting through them all to find the right one is a challenging task and an important decision to make.
Consequences From Spyware: hijacked browsers, reset home pages, changed search results, spam emails sent to you, slow browsers, toolbars added to your browser, and many more.
You Need To Understand What Spyware Is!
Spyware and Adware, also called “Malware”, are files made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, see what you purchase and send you “pop-up” ads. They can slow down your PC, cause it to crash, record your credit card numbers and worse. If you’re like most Internet users, chances are your PC is probably infected with these files. Simply surfing the Internet, reading email, downloading music or other files can infect your PC without you knowing it.
Some Spyware Q&A:
Q. So What is Spyware?
A. Spyware are individual programs that embed themselves within your computer and monitor your internet browsing activites. They can spy on your confidential information (passwords, credit card info, etc).
Q. What is Adware?
A. Adware are software applications that display advertising banners and popups. If you get inundated with popups chances are you have been infected by Adware.
Q. What is Malware?
A. It is the short term for malicious software. Malware are more commonly referred as viruses, trojans, and worms.
Q. What is a Trojan virus?
A. A Trojan virus is software that breaks through computer security and disguises itself as something benign (harmless).
Q. What are Computer Viruses?
A. Destructive programs that disrupt the normal functioning of computer systems.
Is Your Computer Infected?……..
On our website, www.alertcomputer.com, you can read more about how to detect spyware.
