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Security Information |
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How Can Someone Get Private Information From My Computer?
From the "Ask Booster" column in the June 17, 2005 issue of Booster's Auction News, a free ezine for online auction sellers and enthusiasts. Dear Booster, How can someone get private information from my computer? Thank you, Evan S. Dear Evan, Hackers can get your private information from your computer in a number of ways. Here are the top ways they do it: * Computer viruses, spyware and adware from e-mails you've received and/or websites you've visited. * Hacker programs that find unprotected IP addresses are subject to attack. An IP address is a series of several numbers (ex. 65.129.37.84) that identifies your location on the internet. It's like your "internet" telephone number. * Entering your financial information (i.e., credit card info) into a website that does not offer secure order processing. Your internet browser should show you that you've entered a secure site. * Having your financial information "intercepted" by a hacker while shopping online at a legitimate website. This is called "pharming" and is becoming a more worrisome threat. * You downloaded software from that contained a malicious program. * You fall victim to a "phishing" or "spoof" scam, whereby you GIVE your personal information away. * Phishing and spoof e-mails appear as if they are coming from a legitimate website. The e-mail generally alarms the recipient with a message such as "your account has been suspended" or telling you that you need to "verify your account." Most eBay and PayPal users have received at least one (if not several more) spoof e-mails appearing to come from either eBay or PayPal. eBay has information showing you how to spot spoof. I highly recommend your take a few moments and visit http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/index.html for this brief tutorial. * Another growing threat is called "malware" which is a spyware. Malware is a malicious software which logs your keystrokes and forwards the information to a hacker. This type of software can come through viruses and is often included in downloaded applications. Knowing how to protect yourself can greatly reduce your risk of identity theft. Following are some suggestions to help you protect yourself. The programs listed below are just a few of the many options available. * Use an anti-virus software such as Norton AntiVirus (www.norton.com) or McAfee AntiVirus (www.mcafee.com) and regularly UPDATE it. Updating is absolutely CRITICAL if you want the software to protect you. For thorough spyware and adware scanning, popular software choices are Spy Sweeper (http://www.webroot.com) and SpyCop (http://www.spycop.com). * Using a firewall software such as Zone Alarm (www.zonelabs.com), Norton Personal Firewall (www.norton.com) or McAfee Firewall (www.mcafee.com). This is a good option for dial-up modem users. Why? Dial-up modems are slower, so a firewall software will often see the attack coming and prevent it. Most hackers don't like the slowness of a dial-up because they can't easily get in and out of your computer without being detected. It is also critical that your firewall software be REGULARLY UPDATED! * Those accessing the internet with broadband (i.e., DSL, cable modem, etc.) need the added protection of a firewall hardware such as a Linksys Router (www.linksys.com), NetGear Router (www.netgear.com) or DLink Router (www.dlink.com). The reason why is because the speed is higher on broadband which allows the hacker quicker access into your computer without being detected. The router is what will be "on the internet" versus your computer. Since the router is not a computer, there is nothing for the hackers to attack (i.e., no hard drive, no processor, etc.). The router simply acts as a "bodyguard" that only allows those with permission to come in. * In the event that you unintentionally "bring in" a hacker (as explained above) or you had the misfortune of being the victim of a very clever hacker, it's still smart to have a firewall software (in addition to firewall hardware) to make it difficult for the hacker to "exit" with your data. If you want to check the vulnerability of your machine for free, visit the well-respected GRC's Shields Up website at https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2. This website will attempt to break into your computer in order to expose vulnerabilities. Click on the individual options (i.e., file sharing, common ports, etc.) for a vulnerability analysis. Keeping up-to-date with internet scams is also helpful in keeping your private information safe. Here are just a few reference websites you may want to bookmark for future reference: * Scam Busters: http://www.scambusters.org * Anti-Spam Help & Advice Website: http://www.spamhelp.co.uk * AuctionBytes Online Fraud Discussion Forum: http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=28 * Internet Fraud Complaint Center: http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp * Anti-Phishing Working Group: http://www.antiphishing.org * Microsoft - Help Safeguard Your Personal Information Online: http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/spoof.mspx. Lastly, check out the Better Business Bureau & Javelin Strategy's ID Quiz to see how safe you are from identity theft: http://www.javelinstrategy.com/IDSAFETYQUIZ.htm. Great question, Evan. Thanks! Wet kisses & tail wags, Booster BoostYourBids.com is a free information website for online auction sellers and enthusiasts. BoostYourBids.com publishes a free opt-in ezine called "Booster's Auction News" every Friday. Subscribers of this newsletter are automatically entered each month in Booster's Monthly Prize Drawing featuring valuable prizes geared towards online auction sellers. Booster's Auction News is written by Angela Saul, webmaster of BoostYourBids.com. Angela has been selling on eBay and other online auction sites for more than five years. http://www.BoostYourBids.com - The FUN Internet Destination for Online Auction Sellers & Enthusiasts!
MORE RESOURCES: The forgotten Black woman who invented the video home security system The Washington Post Bellingcat Chief Forced to Leave Vienna Following Security Threats The Moscow Times The WordPress Security Guide To Keep Your Site Safe Search Engine Journal Gem Security emerges from stealth with $11M, unveils industry-first Cloud TDIR platform for faster response to cloud threats Yahoo Finance Dayton police want access to live video from private security cameras Dayton Daily News US. Department of Homeland Security and Finnish Ministry of the ... Homeland Security US enterprises hit hard by short-staffed security operations centers Security Magazine Israeli startup Gem Security nabs $11m in seed round led by Team8 The Times of Israel Enforcement of Fisheries Rules Will Enhance Maritime Governance ... The Pew Charitable Trusts Early Edition: February 1, 2023 Just Security What Does Security Lockout Mean on iPhone? The Mac Observer Russia is preparing for 'maximum escalation,' top Ukrainian security ... Washington Examiner Woodall: Food security is national security brownfieldagnews.com Security dangers of key fobs KSDK.com WebAssembly vs. JavaScript: Security, Speed, Flexibility The New Stack Vanta Names Security Leader David Eckstein as CFO Business Wire ABC15 takes a closer look at Phoenix Zoo's security ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix 2 rural Wisconsin utilities receive federal loans for modernization ... Wisconsin Public Radio CNCF to Add Another Security Certification Container Journal Opinion | A Nationwide Ban on TikTok Won’t Make Us More Secure The New York Times Readout of Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs ... Joint Chiefs of Staff Public entry to courthouse in Anderson has security The Herald Bulletin In Hindsight: The Security Council, One Year after Russia's Invasion ... Security Council Report Heights High increases security, limits tickets to basketball games following brawl Cleveland Jewish News ImagineIF hires security guard in response to escalating incidents Daily Inter Lake The Beginning of Airport Security - WSJ The Wall Street Journal Make Change Your Password Day an impetus to boost overall ... Security Magazine Kansas ballot drop boxes need to be more secure, lawmaker says ... Kansas Reflector A first-hand look inside Walmart's robust security operations Cybersecurity Dive CISA provides guidelines to safeguard K-12 groups from cyber threats Security Magazine Westfield Public Schools to pay veterans to patrol schools, increase security Western Massachusetts News TUSD 'taking essential steps' after data security incident Arizona Daily Star A new way to measure the government’s supply chain security ... Federal News Network USENIX Security ’22 – ‘Backporting Security Patches Of Web Applications: A Prototype Design A... Security Boulevard Local School Security - FOX8 Fox8tv Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense DHS Continues to Prepare for End of Title 42; Announces New ... Homeland Security Remarks by Ambassador Richard Mills at a UN Security Council ... United States Mission to the United Nations More Than $3 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine Department of Defense |
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