Threats on the Internet

The stories at the links below are just two examples of the dozens of articles I get every month.

Trove of 68,000 stolen logons in hands of 'amateur' hackers

Chuck Norris botnet karate-chops routers hard

The second article is particularly troublesome for small business and home computer users. Few reset the DSL or cable modems default administrative password, something that everyone should check.

The Internet is a dangerous place. Be sure you and your company are protected. And if you are on a business computer, or access financial or business data from your home computer, then protection should be redundant and up-to-date. You can't be too cautious! If you don't know for sure, contact a computer professional and ask for help.

Correction - bad link re: Spam

Sorry for the confusion. The link on the previous post was wrong. Here is the corrected link:



Click here.

Do your part to prevent Spam

Do you receive emails with dozens of email addresses scattered throughout the message. You can do your part to help prevent spam by eliminating them before forwarding, and by using the Blind Carbon Copy option when you send a message. Click here for a great article with some instructions.

Password Woes

Is the task of trying to keep track of all your passwords got you in a bind. Try installing LastPass with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Then when you save a password when using your office computer with Internet Explorer or Firefox, it is available on your home Mac using Safari. The process is much safer than writing down passwords or trying to remember what password you used on which site. It is also more secure than using the built-in password managers it the various browsers.

Malware

First let me define Malware. From Wikipedia:

"Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent."

I spend a great deal of time trying to "protect and defend" my clients computers from malware. It is a never ending, ever escalating battle. And there is no silver bullet. You probably aren't interested in all the details of the attacks that confront every one of you, so let me just get to my recommendations.

First, have a good security software suite. There are probably several good products out there, but the only one I recommend is Kaspersky Internet Security. This changes frequently, but today it's Kaspersky. You can buy it at one of the links below:

Single Computer Version ($30 as of 12/2/2009)

3 Computer Version ($40 as of 12/2/2009)

Another tool you can use is OpenDNS. The process that controls your navigation about the Internet is DNS, or Domain Name System. I won't go into the details, you can go to http://www.opendns.com/ to read more.


Lastly, you can get and install a Host file. This is pretty drastic measure, but it will do alot to keep you safe. You can download a host file and read more about it here. Don't forget to update it periodically.


That's it for today. I am sure I will have more on malware in the days ahead.

Internet Explorer 8 Welcome Wizard

The first time you open Internet Explorer 8 after install you will be greeted with the screen below. Click “Next”

The next screen has to do with “Suggested Sites.” Suggested Sites uses your browsing history to make web suggestions. I suggest that you select “No…” Answering “Yes…” will make surfing slower. Then click “Next”

In the screen beloow select the “Custom…” option.

Microsoft will set your search provider to their search engine by default. I prefer Google, but you will be given a choice of several at the end.

The IE 8 search box can be modified (new programming). If you want to allow search providers to install updates, click yes. I would click no because I don’t want Microsoft to install updates for Live (their search engine). More on that below.

I turn off all the “Accelerators.” You might select the “Show me...” option.

Definitely turn on “SmartScreen Filter”

Also say “Yes…” to “Compatibility Settings”

Then Internet Explorer opens with three tabs. One of the tabs is for search engines. As I said, I like Google.

For a more detailed look at Internet Explorer settings, follow this link.

Merry Christmas to All!

Twas the night before Christmas, and Oh, what a fervor,
It seems that the staff did not backup the Server!
The power went down and the battery failed,
the hard drives quit spinning, W-2’s must be mailed!
You called your technician, in hopes of relief,
and the magic he worked was beyond your belief!
Your Christmas is happy, ‘cause your computers are working,
May God Bless you and keep you from troubles yet lurking!



Merry Christmas!