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
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
I didn’t realize that there are still a lot of people who do not really pay attention to securing their WiFi at home. I guess that I have always taken it for granted that once you set up any connection for home use, you install passwords and other measures to protect it. Apparently, in this day and age, not everyone has the same idea.
My colleague was telling me, just last week, that his connection at home seems to be running exceptionally slowly. First thing I asked him: are you using a wireless router? When he said yes, I asked him about a password. Just as I guessed, he said “What password?”
I moved to a new building a month or so ago and have been having problems having wired Internet hooked up. I have a mobile dongle which I can use to a certain extent but guess what? One day, I turned my WiFi on and voila, the laptop automatically connected to some fella’s wireless connection.
The fact is that this is such a common thing. Hotels, shops, and other establishments are also guilty of this neglect. I have a friend who works from home and is entirely dependent on the Internet. When her connection goes down, she simply gets in her car and drives to a nearby hotel where she can mooch.
It may seem funny or amusing, but if an unscrupulous individual gets wind of your unsecured WiFi, you just might get your bum bitten. If I were you, I’d make sure my WiFi is secure. How to do this? Let’s look at this in the next post.
Categories: Wireless Security
Two posts ago, I wrote something about British people NOT paying much attention to security on their mobile phones. If the results of the Pwn2Own smartphone hacking contest are to be relied on, then there might not be much too worry about – unless someone physically steals your phone.
According to a story ran by Apple 2.0, hackers were kind of stymied during the contest. Here is a snippet of the feature:
The contest, sponsored by 3Com’s (COMS) TippingPoint computer security division, pitted some of the world’s sharpest hackers and computer security experts against five smartphones: an Apple (AAPL) iPhone, a Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry and phones running on Google’s (GOOG) Android, Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows Mobile and Nokia’s (NOK) Symbian operating systems.
Although the rules were relaxed each day to make hacking easier, the phones managed to withstand the few attempts that were made to “pwn” them — Internet-gamer slang meaning to conquer or gain ownership.
I believe this was the same convention where the Safari was hacked by Miller. Luckily for the smartphones, though, none were cracked by the time the contest ended. This spells good news to smartphone owners like me and you. I was just thinking about searching for more security applications for my Nokia smartphone but perhaps it is not that urgent.
So are the phones just that good? Perhaps. Or maybe, they are still new and they have not really been the focus of hackers. While this is good news, I am thinking that pretty soon, they will become the targets. What do you think?
Photo from 3g
Categories: Real-World Issues, Wireless Security
The average person spends a lot of time and money on making sure that his personal laptop or desktop computer is secure. From firewalls to anti-virus software to spyware removers – all these kinds of software are installed onto computers to make sure that any kind of malware is kept out. But do you pay as much attention to security on your mobile phone?
According to a recent survey conducted in the UK, mobile phone users do not really pay that much attention to security. IT Pro has this story:
Results from a survey of UK mobile phone users has found too many of us are playing fast and loose with sensitive data stored on our mobile phones.
More alarmingly though, it also found that the majority (99 per cent) of those questioned also used their mobiles for business use, creating a potentially weak security link to their employers’ corporate systems.
So what kind of sensitive data is stored in mobile phones? I think that you can answer this yourself but let’s take a look at some of them:
• Bank account details
• PINs
• Passwords
• Social security numbers
More than these things, mobile phone users also admitted to accessing and storing business data on their phones. This includes downloading spreadsheets and other business documents.
The worst part is that despite the fact that this information is stored in mobile phones, the units themselves do not have passwords and other forms of security measures.
The bottom line? At the very least, we have to put passwords on our mobile phones. Even better, enable encryption.
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/osde-info/763025492/sizes/s/
Categories: Real-World Issues, Tips, Wireless Security
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
Oh how we love to talk about technology and the lives of public figures, don’t we? I guess that while we’re at it, there is none better to talk about than the new US President and his affinity for his Blackberry?
As much as a lot of people might love this revolutionary device, it cannot be denied that it does present some security issues. As any other wireless device that transmits data over the airwaves, there is a certain degree of risk. Anyone can intercept the signals emanating from the devices as well as the signals going to it. If we’re merely talking about you and me, it should not be that much of an issue – I got nothing to hide, really. But then again, if you’re talking about the leader of the greatest nation on earth (albeit subject to argument), it’s a totally different matter.
All throughout his campaign Obama was seen fiddling with his Blackberry. Now that he is president, will the status quo be maintained? Rumor has been going around that he is now to use a really high tech gadget, the Sectera Edge, which is made by General Dynamics, a defense contractor. This baby is no ordinary smartphone and costs more than your usual computer. At $3,350, it runs on Windows but is NSA certified to be as secure as secure can be.
But is Obama really using the Edge? Sorry to disappoint tech fans out there but it seems that Obama is still using the BlackBerry 8830.
Categories: General, Wireless Security
It should not really be surprising at how mobile phones would be the target of most viruses today. For one, they are the hot commodities we hear of today and similar to PC computing before, they are the hot target viruses want to wreck havoc on.
It is not really constrained to creating a mess. They are a challenge. Their wireless means of surfing the web and using programs that may be hard to penetrate with the basic security features is the penetration issue that any hacker today would want to conquer.
Spammers are bound to have their teeth in as well. These two juvenile delinquents of the cyber world are bound to be aggressively aching to get their name in the mobile internet issues. The opportunity is simply too tempting to pass up.
According to its annual Emerging Cyber Threats report, cybercriminals will start targeting smartphones as they are being used more frequently by users when it comes to financial matters and therefore are a source of sensitive personal data such as credit card and bank account details.
Source
Tags: cyberworld, mobile phones, viruses
Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware, Wireless Security
Here should be a piece of good news to WiFi networks. Apparently, finding a solution to how hackers are able to use wireless access to do their dirty work has been a growing concern. For some reason, they are able to access vital information and computers and then create havoc as they wish. Apparently they have a modus operandi to which do-gooders often have something malicious in mind, mostly to do something foolish such as injecting viruses or even accessing another computer and perhaps deleting some files without them knowing it.
But now, the Perspective System is being groomed as a low cost that will answer these issues. Apparently the biggest targets are the websites and online businesses and security in transactions is definitely in question. One this system is installed, security for various issues that include domain names system software will hopefully be covered.
“It’s very, very, very easy for someone to convince you to go through their computer” when making connections through public WiFi, said David Andersen, assistant professor of computer science. A user who thinks he is linked to an airport or coffee shop “hot spot,” for instance, might actually be linked to a laptop of someone just a few seats away. “A lot of people wouldn’t even know they’ve been attacked,” he added.
The Perspectives system is designed to aid in authenticating Web sites for financial services, online retailers and other transactions needing secure communications. By independently querying the desired site, the system can double check whether each is receiving the correct authentication information, called a digital certificate.
Source
Tags: domains, hackers, perspective system, software, wifi
Categories: Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Wireless Security
Wireless networks which are normally evident in homes right now does provide a lot of comfort as far as Internet options that we see common these days. The same is likewise present in companies, doing away with the standard cable infrastructure and making it easier to clean up your homes without having to worry about tripping on any cable for that matter.
But while such a privilege is another fruit of technology, duty calls as far as limiting network access. Passwords are still the wise investment for securing your wireless network and at the start it does look like a lot of work and a bit complicated. Limiting access by providing a (Media Access Control) MAC address and disabling the SSID broadcast can help in making sure your wireless network cannot be found or detected.
With various technology means today, practically anyone is trying to look for wireless internet. That is how much Internet is being demanded these days. But this includes both sane and malicious people who may want to give problems.
So for people who want to protect their wireless networks, here are some tips you can consider:
Don’t use defaults. It is almost always a good idea to change default usernames and passwords and your wireless router is no exception. One of the first things you should do when setting up your wireless network is to change the default administrator username and password.
Additionally, most routers have a default name, or SSID, for your wireless network (i.e. belkin54g). It’s a good idea to change this for several reasons. First, if you don’t change it, it will serve as a hint to intruders that you probably left the defaults in place everywhere. Second, once an intruder knows what model router you’re using, it’s not difficult to find the default username/password and to look for known exploits.
Use encryption. Every good router supports encryption and if you’re not using it, your network’s security is likely to be compromised. If you have newer equipment, use WPA or WPA2 encryption. WEP encryption is less secure.
Use MAC address filtering. Every network card, whether it’s wireless or wired, has a unique Media Access Control address (MAC address). A good wireless router will allow you to specify that only certain MAC addresses be allowed to access the wireless network. This can help prevent unauthorized computers from accessing your network.
Be sure to read your router’s documentation to find out how to set up MAC address filtering. To find out how to determine the MAC address of your network cards, click here.
Use your firewall. Most good routers have some sort of firewall built in and it should be used in addition to a good software firewall that is installed on the devices accessing your wireless network.
Disable SSID broadcast. By default, most routers “broadcast” their existence to the world. This makes it easier for devices to detect their presence and connect automatically. But this broadcast also gives intruders a target. By making your network “invisible” and setting up devices that need to access it to connect manually when in range, you can make your network less of a target to less-savvy intruders.
Source
Tags: firewall, home, mac, networks, ssid, Wireless
Categories: Network Security, News, Wireless Security
