Computer interface with various developed programs and most would have an assigned file name extension tagged to it. There are the usual files that would have a doc, xls, ppt, jpg and bmp file extensions. There are also the compressed files such as zip and amr. The compressed files offer some potential risk since they are usually zipped to group files into one manageable file. Program scripts and installation software are the common contents of these zipped folders to save on space and to make it easier for distribution and transfer.
It is best to proceed with caution before totally unzipping the contents to any directory of your computer. It is the executable files such as the setup.exe that may garner much doubt. Once executable files are double clicked, it will immediate process and try to install itself on the machine. Once finished, there is no telling what effects it may do or create, thus the need for people to think twice before clicking on the files.
[tags]filename extensions, filenames, zipped, scanning, virus scan, spyware, trojans[/tags]
Tags: filename-extensions, filenames, scanning, Spyware, trojans, virus-scan, zipped
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Operating Systems, Review, Spyware, Storage
The operations of any company would stem from compiled years of operation, the data of which would usually be stored in the system that is in implementation. But creating historical databases, implementing cut-off dates as well, is a practice that most administrators must focus on. For one, the enormous amount of data a database would have will need to be archived at some point so as to identify cut-off dates and make room for new data and transactions that any company should expect every time.
All storage devices need to be backed up periodically. The amount of data that a system and its servers can hold will always be defined. There may come a point when enormous encoded data may become too much for application servers wherein upgrading hardware is not always the option.
Cleaning storage data and keeping at least the current fiscal year’s transactions is a good way to make a cut-off date for reference data.
[tags]archiving, backup, storage devices[/tags]
Tags: archiving, backup, storage-devices
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Physical Security, Programming, Storage, Tips
The main gist of security conscious and malicious programmers is to play with the known algorithms where most of the problems can be created and avoided. The never ending search for understanding algorithms has been a given today. Malware development has been obviously aggressive and the issues and plagues that it has continued to spread is really something that keeps technology people up on their feet.
The best way is to be aware of possibilities. The Internet is known to be always up to date with such risks, but overall, a person aware of the capabilities of such should know beforehand that spyware, malware and Trojans can easily penetrate systems without notice if they are not secured properly.
Such security breaches and issues are placed under the tutelage of network administrators and officers. Being aware of such potential risks beforehand is something that they should be aware of. Besides, it is also a given that most of these professionals are aware of such risks since they are always logged on the web.
Tags: administration, algorithms, Malware, Network Security, Spyware, trojans
Categories: Cryptography, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Programming, Security Policies, Spyware
Slowly but surely, communication has grown entirely advanced. At first, it was mainly done through keystrokes called chatting conversations with some emoticons in tow to spice up the supposed conversation. Next came the web cam era wherein a person can now see the person he is talking to, being more relieved that the person they are communicating to is really existent.
Today, voice messaging has been added to the fray, making it all the more enticing for people who put premium on the web with regards to communicating with friends and associates anywhere in the world. One can just imagine the savings that such voice calls can provide compared to the old practice of making calls by phone. Indeed the latter was very expensive to the point that people would have problems settling their accounts payable to such providers.
Voice messaging today over the Internet is free as long as it is a PC to PC call. However, leaning on the trends and developments, it is not far fetched to see that one day that such offered voice calls would charge minimal amounts which would gradually increase as demand does too.
[tags]im, instant messaging, video conference, voice messaging[/tags]
Tags: IM, Instant Messaging, video-conference, voice-messaging
Categories: IM, Instant Messaging, Privacy & Anonymity, Wireless Security
Among the conflicts that a person would encounter today is that of determining which among the vast array of software packages such as Mcafee, Norton and Symantec, to use. Each of this anti-virus software has their own line of specialty with regards to the high-risk infections and intrusions that can be harmful to any workstation of server.
With the rampant influx of different kinds of viruses and Trojans that have spread all over the world today, the proper anti-virus to safeguard computers has been an issue. For one, the lack of detection policies that each software has been customized does not readily cater to a general approach. If there is one setback for such is the fact of the lack of coverage with regards to the general protection that each person would be comfortable with today.
If there is something that is lacking today, this is the fact that developers have limited themselves towards simply catering towards specific categories of intrusions rather than overall software that can address such security issues of most companies today.
[tags]anti-virus software, firewall, computers, networks, wan, lan[/tags]
Tags: anti-virus-software, computers, firewall, lan, networks, wan
Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Operating Systems, Security Policies, Spyware, Wireless Security
Valentines day is fast approaching and one has to recall the events that transpired when the “I Love You Virus” hit the Internet by storm and created havoc all over the world. To refresh memories, this is what the virus did in May, 2004:
If you receive email with a subject line with the phrase ILOVEYOU (all one word, no spaces) in it… DON’T OPEN the attachment named Love-Letter-For-You.txt.vbs.
Over a five-hour period, during May 4, 2000, this virus spread across Asia, Europe and the United States via e-mail messages titled “ILOVEYOU.” The menace clogged Web servers, overwrote personal files and caused corporate IT managers to shut down e-mail systems. (taken from http://www.jrwhipple.com/virus_iloveyou.html).
Knowing that Valentines day is the day of hearts and I Love You’s, one has to think of this when it comes to the virus world. Only thing is, the virus does the exact opposite rather than help and provide affection to the workstations that it has penetrated.
Tags: attachments, emails, hoaxes, i-love-you-virus, virus
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, News, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Tips
The different instant messenger services that sites such as MSN and Yahoo offer are no longer limited towards the need of having to subscribe towards each network individually. Thanks to the efforts by all the networks today, regardless if you are a member of Yahoo or MSN only, you can communicate with other people as well. This makes it more convenient for people to message other people from one network to another, taking away the need to create separate accounts.
It was only a matter of time before such possibilities could be made. Take into consideration the cross communication that cellular networks were able to do, only thing is that messaging does not really need spending issues. Messaging over the Internet is entirely free and all that was solved was really more of convenience and creation of dummy accounts just to avail of such service.
Such not only becomes an inconvenience for the networks but for the subscribers as well since they have to go between services just to see their buddies online.
[tags]yahoo messenger, msn messenger, instant messaging[/tags]
Tags: Instant Messaging, msn-messenger, yahoo-messenger
Categories: IM, Instant Messaging, Real-World Issues
Downloading files on the web can be done at will but the proper identification of file extensions should be taken into account as well. While most of the programs are compressed in zip and rar files so that downloading can be done easier and faster, being cautious with regards to the contents such executable files must also be exercised.
Most of the viruses and contaminations that most files have would be initiated once installation ensues. Ordinarily, tracing the harmful effects cannot be seen until after the full installation has transpired. Only then would a user be able to identify that such programs that are supposedly to be helpful, would turn from aiding to being a destructive means towards a computer workstation.
Files sent through emails are another way of receiving distressing program files that will create mischief and havoc in any computer. It is best to look for alternatives or gather information first before actually pushing through with the download, for the sake of ensuring the overall safety and peace of mind of computer users today.
[tags]filenames, file extensions, zipped, archived, viruses, spyware[/tags]
Tags: archived, file-extensions, filenames, Spyware, viruses, zipped
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware
Downloading practically anything on the web is only normal. It is the primary basis and tag that the Internet has gained over the years, especially if one talks about music and images available over the Internet. While downloading practices by people have no limit whatsoever, it would be wise for people to stick towards the reliable and suggested sites such as that of Tucows and Download.com for programs and files needed. The Internet simply has too much unknowns that places workstation at risk.
Viruses and infected sites are normal over the web as well. Phone dialers usually associated with pornographic sites may soon be installed on the computer desktop of any person without their knowledge. Further, the presence of malware and worms may be lurking around simultaneously with the actual download. Symptoms such as slower browsing and peculiar pages that appear on start-up should keep anyone worried. It may just so happen that they have been intruded by untoward programs and viruses gotten online.
[tags]downloads, music, graphics, images, applications, malware[/tags]
Tags: applications, downloads, graphics, images, Malware, music
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Programming, Spyware, Storage
It is evident that most people have had their share of untoward incidents of opening their browsers and being re-directed towards another site other than their set homepage. Nope, the computer settings are not to be blamed, but rather possibly visiting a site which automatically changes the start page towards a site which is up to no good.
Avoiding such browser hijacking will be of different norms. For one, watch the clicking of pop-ups or queries that would usually ensue from an unknown site. Once a computer is infected, the need to resort to third party tools such as Adaware or Spyware Doctor to fix the problem would be needed.
For extreme measures, manual removal of such implanted files can be done as well. But for people who have issues with these, the best way is to delete all the Internet Cookies and Temporary folder initially. This alone will show the infected files so that they can be identified and contained.
[tags]spyware, malware, adaware, browser hijack, pop-ups[/tags]
Tags: adaware, browser-hijack, Malware, pop-ups, Spyware
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Operating Systems, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware, Tips
