Viruses and malware issues are far from being a thing of the past. On the contrary, they seem to grow large by numbers as each day passes. Thus the works of security software companies have their work cut out for them. There is not definite date to which such threats and intrusions would wholly be resolved.

For the time being, it would be advisable for people to scan third party storage devices such as diskettes, USB drives and mobile storages to be safe and sound. These wandering viruses can attack at any time and this is a fact anywhere computer related materials are concerned.

Files can go as far as infecting the executable files, hence document, excel and compiled scripts are baits for immediate infection and malicious intrusions. Software applications also have their limits as their development teams cater only to a specific genre for known harmful files. But it is better to lower the risk of intrusion than not having protection at all.

[tags]scan, spyware, virus, infections, spyware, malware, trojans[/tags]

Tags: infections, Malware, scan, Spyware, trojans, virus

Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Operating Systems, Programming, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware, Storage, Tips, Wireless Security

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The world of cyber-crime has grown so much in these past few years due to the explosion of growth with respect to the number of internet users the world over. It has not only expanded on the side of normal people but on the side of cyber-criminals who now operate on their own networks, spanning the globe and ready to spread their products, malicious code that first scans the globe for weak points in the security net that we all put up to somewhat give us a sense of security from the ever-growing threat which is actually futile to some extent. Read the rest of this entry »

Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, News, Real-World Issues, Security Policies

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You’d think that men, who are supposed to be better at maths and similar subjects, would be better at online security as well. According to an online survey, though, the opposite is true. Carrie Anne Skinner reports:

When it comes to online security, men are less savvy than women, according to PC Tools.

Research by the security firm revealed that 47 percent of men use the same passwords when signing up to online banking and shopping facilities, compared to just 26 percent of women.

I can think of several reasons for this. One, men are notorious for forgetting details, and passwords are one of them. If you think about it, it is only understandable that the men would tend to use one password for most of their accounts. Two, men tend to have this feeling of invincibility. It’s that machismo factor that gets them into fights. They think that they’re not going to get hurt. Yes, it happens to others, but not to them. The same article confirms this:

Men have a more cavalier attitude to email attachments, with 60 percent admitting to opening them immediately without checking to see if they are legitimate, but only 48 percent of women do the same thing.

This is not to say that they are not AWARE of the potential threats. In fact, the same study showed that men knew more about the threats than women did. It really is just the attitude that makes a big difference. Well, maybe that’s why men have more viruses and other malware in their toys.

Categories: E-mail, General, IT Security Basics

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So you’re convinced that you have to secure your WiFi. Good, now we can make some progress. In the previous post, I mentioned using a password. This is the first step is making sure that unauthorized users will not be able to connect easily.

In most cases, people use WEP, or Wired Equivalent Privacy. While this provides a certain level of protection, WEP is relatively easier to crack. If a hacker is persistent enough, WEP will give way quite easily. As such, I suggest using WPA (Wireless Protected Access) or WPA2 instead. Either way, you will need to indicate an encryption key. As with other instances wherein you have to choose a password, choose one that is hard to guess. Long encryption keys that are combinations of letters and numbers are the best kind.

Another thing that you should do is to change the default SSID (Service Set Identifier) name. This is what computers used to detect available wireless networks. Most laptops and mobile phones are set to automatically detect available SSIDs. If you change the default name, and turn of SSID broadcasting, users who want to connect will have to enter the name manually.

Last, you might want to disable DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This will require you to assign IP addresses manually. If you can do this, then you will have added security. However, if you think it’s too complicated, you can leave it. The first two tips above will already give you good enough security for everyday purposes.

Categories: IT Security Basics, Wireless Security

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If there is one thing that a lot of people do but deny doing so, it is buying fake software. This is actually understandable if you think about it. Licensed software is just so expensive and with the way things are going financially right now, people are always looking for ways to save a dime here and there. And if you buy unlicensed software, you will definitely save more than a dime!

Then again, if you are talking about security software, I do not really think that it is such a good idea to buy fake software. After all, you are talking about staying safe here, and who knows where all that fake software comes from?

Microsoft has actually issued statements regarding fake security software. Naturally, many will be skeptical about the statements – it is from the largest software company in the world. Of course they will tell you to stay away from fake products, right?

But they do have a very valid point, one which we will all benefit from. Canada.com has a report on this:

Fake computer security software, created by cyber criminals as smokescreens for viruses, is the No. 1 threat to computer security in Canada, software giant Microsoft said Wednesday in its latest biannual security report.

And experts blame hackers for playing on people’s fears of infectious malicious software, such as the Conficker worm.

According to Microsoft’s report, rogue security software, also called scareware, was found in 5.9 million computers, a rise of 66 per cent in the last six months.

What should you do? Make sure you are buying 100% legit software.

“If you see a message pop up (from a website) no matter how dire it is don’t click on it because almost 100 per cent of the time that message is a fake message,” said Mohammad Akif.

“Norton, Symatec, Microsoft — none of these companies sell their software this way.”

Sounds like a plan to me!

Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Spyware, Tips

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Seems everybody is out for cheap deals on just about everything and who wouldn’t be in this recession where cash is hard to come by and jobs are being shed by the thousands. Now, there are truly some honest cell phone deals out there but you have to be sure you’re getting the right stuff. Having the latest phone gadget might be one thing but keeping that new phone secure from hacks is another. Sure you can get it cheap from the internet but how sure are you you’re getting the real stuff.
Criminals are becoming craftier than ever and they have even managed to copy branded products complete with all the security stickers and holographic security seals with them. They can also be pre-loaded with malware for the amount of computing power they pack is enough to emulate an ultraportable, in function that is. Just how dangerous are these hacking attempts, for mobile devices using Windows very dangerous for there is a group bent on exacting damage on the software giant.
ensuring you have the latest updates to your operating system is vital to maintaining your ability to fend off attacks. Having intrusion prevention systems installed is also a good thing for like your PC, they also need protection. Given the power of these gadgets and their ability to connect to the internet, they are not immune to attack. Let’s set this as an example, an unprotected PC connected to the internet for the first time will last an average of 15 minutes before it is hacked and compromised. Now you do the math for your mobile!

Categories: Cryptography, E-mail, General, IM, IT Security Basics, Malware, News, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Spyware, Tips, Web browsers, Wireless Security

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Blogs are the in-thing today and everybody on the planet wants to have one. Wordpress being one of the most trusted and used platforms has suffered a great deal from the relentless attacks conducted by hackers who use it for spreading malware to the millions of users on the platform. Another weak link in the blogging trends are the millions of hosting companies, who all want to host as many people on earth they can so they earn as much profit as possible. These hosting servers and service providers might smell good on the outside but can be quite rotten on the outside so getting the right information on the hosting service you aim to use is vital for the survival of your blogging efforts. Web hosting review sites have sprung all over the place and are proving to be the best source of information for budding bloggers and SEO marketers. They offer unbiased information regarding the several or so hosting services giving you the tools to determine the best web hosting information around. These analytical tools may spell success or failure for your blog and thus SEO efforts, so don’t go out without them.

Tags: Cost Analysis, Hosting Information, Web Hosting, Web Hosting Reviews

Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Real-World Issues, Tips

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We know for a fact that the battle towards malicious software and viruses released on the web has caused a lot of pain as far as pinpointing and remedying them but apparently nothing has been done to really resolve them. We buy licensed software but we have to ask ourselves on the extent of their coverage. Are they up to date and can they really save us from all these uncertainties of getting online?

Microsoft has been a prime target, being one of the widely used operating systems we know of today. But while Bill Gates and company are doing their part in being able to address the various intrusions and headaches that they can do with a simple click, you just don’t know who to trust these days. Even the software companies have the ability to manipulate and do some foul work and they are occurring right under our very noses.

Security researchers concede that their efforts are largely an exercise in a game of whack-a-mole because botnets that distribute malware like worms, the programs that can move from computer to computer, are still relatively invisible to commercial antivirus software.

So with all these things set on the table, is the cyber world safe for anyone? We can fend off threats but the question is are we resolving the situation or merely providing a temporary solution to the problem? Sad to say, it is the latter. We are content with detecting them but it is really the cleaning and protection part that needs improvement.

Tags: cyber wars, internet, Malware, trojans

Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Security Policies, Spyware

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If you are in charge of network security, one thing you may want to consider as far as laying down the law in safeguarding your network is the regular change of user passwords to avoid potential hackers and cracks based on how their passwords can be easily guessed.

For some users, it is easy to figure out their passwords. The normal passwords that people use include:

1. Birthdays
2. Anniversaries
3. Car Plate Numbers
4. Mobile Phone Numbers
5. Adding 123 to their names, or
6. Using “PASSWORD” as their password

Now there will be a lot of potential combinations depending on the length of the password. That is why the longer passwords (8 alphanumeric characters) are encouraged for users who access the network.

But while the probabilities of guessing or cracking passwords offer a lot possibilities, employing a regular maintenance as far as changing them is indeed something ideal to combat these hackers or malicious people from gaining access to the network and the programs in use.

Once cannot avoid the fact that some people’s curiosity and call for fame are the main reasons for wanting to be a hacker or code cracker. It is evident in people who are looking to try out their skill. They don’t think of the outcome which can cause a lot of problems.

So one good tip to avoid being hacked is to think like one. Once you do, think of security policies that can make it hard for you to breach a system. That is the best way to stay efficient in your line of duty in any organization.

Tags: network, passwords, security, systems

Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Security Policies

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Emails are supposed to make life easier but sometimes, it may be wise to choose who you give out your email to. Today, a lot of mischief can be done and normally this comes in forms of email attacks or email bombs. In such scenarios, don’t be surprised if you find your email downloading hundred to a thousand emails in one sitting. That is not the best part. You would be lucky if this was done only once since others would schedule it daily.

Why do they do it? One is for trials of these foolish software and the other can perhaps be for malicious reason. It is a fact that while many people on the web cannot be harmed physically, they can create headaches for you in the form of discomforts from the privileges you get from the web. One of the main elements an online user would need to use is his email and by doing these email attacks, it burdens the person on how to get important information usually sent through the web.

One cannot avoid such instances. But the best way to prevent it is to choose the people you give it too. For people you meet on the web, it would be wise to use free mail accounts from Gmail or Yahoo over your personal one. Avoid the troubles of such since it will not only be a discomfort, but a forgettable experience as well.

Tags: emal, explosion, security, spam

Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Security Policies, Spyware, Tips

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