Post by Lesa on Jun 30, 2004 18:58:32 GMT -6
The subject of internet security can get extremely involved, so I'll try to give you the Clif Notes:
Install anti-virus software, and update it regularly.
New viruses come out all the time, and last week's virus definitions won't catch today's viruses. To date, my computer has been infected by three viruses, so yes, it can happen to anyone. Luckily, I was able to get rid of all three viruses easily by using AVG and TrendMicro's Housecall.
If you don't have the money to buy anti-virus software, AVG has a free version out (file size: 6.93mb). You can also scan your computer online with TrendMicro's Housecall.
Install a firewall, update it regularly, and keep it in stealth mode at all times (high security level).
In about a year's time, my firewall has protected my computer against 12733 access attempts and 567 intrusions. Without a firewall, crackers (the actual term for hackers with malicious intent) could gain access to your computer, which includes all your personal information and passwords that could be stored on it. They can send you viruses through a back door that's "unattended," or they could simply use your computer along with thousands of others to launch a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.
ZoneAlarm offers a free firewall, and is highly rated.
Install spyware-scanning software, scan your computer often, and -- you guessed it -- update it regularly.
I use AdAware, but Spybot Search & Destroy is highly rated as well.
More Prevention Tips
Now that I've probably scared the living daylights out of you, read on...
It's not always a virus:
Any time a friend forwards a virus warning to you, immediately go to Snopes.com and search for the filename they are telling you to delete (example: JDBGMGR.EXE). If you discover that it's a hoax, you may even want to "reply all" to that email and tell them it's a hoax, in case they haven't already deleted an important file from their computer.
I'm sure I'm probably missing about 101 tips off the top of my head, but this should get you on your way to securing your computer a little better.
Install anti-virus software, and update it regularly.
New viruses come out all the time, and last week's virus definitions won't catch today's viruses. To date, my computer has been infected by three viruses, so yes, it can happen to anyone. Luckily, I was able to get rid of all three viruses easily by using AVG and TrendMicro's Housecall.
If you don't have the money to buy anti-virus software, AVG has a free version out (file size: 6.93mb). You can also scan your computer online with TrendMicro's Housecall.
Install a firewall, update it regularly, and keep it in stealth mode at all times (high security level).
In about a year's time, my firewall has protected my computer against 12733 access attempts and 567 intrusions. Without a firewall, crackers (the actual term for hackers with malicious intent) could gain access to your computer, which includes all your personal information and passwords that could be stored on it. They can send you viruses through a back door that's "unattended," or they could simply use your computer along with thousands of others to launch a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.
Distributed Denial of Service Attacks and the Zombie Ant Effect
The recent spate of DDoS attacks made victims not only of their Web site targets but also of the computers that hackers mind-controlled into making the attacks.
The recent spate of DDoS attacks made victims not only of their Web site targets but also of the computers that hackers mind-controlled into making the attacks.
ZoneAlarm offers a free firewall, and is highly rated.
Install spyware-scanning software, scan your computer often, and -- you guessed it -- update it regularly.
I use AdAware, but Spybot Search & Destroy is highly rated as well.
More Prevention Tips
- Never open email attachments unless you are expecting them. Even if it looks like your friend sent it, it could be a worm.
- Beware of any email with a large file size. Not all viruses and spyware come in the form of attachments, and can sometimes be found in the body of an HTML-based email. As an extra precaution, you may set your email preferences to receive emails in plain text only, instead of HTML (HTML is the foundation for all web pages, but people can also add malicious scripts with it).
- Note that Microsoft's Outlook mail client has a lot of security loopholes that crackers love to breech, and consider using something else instead. If you insist on using Outlook, be extra careful, and follow these helpful hints:
- Make sure it's not configured to automatically download messages when you click on them. To change this setting, go to Tools » Options » Read, and uncheck the box next to "Automatically download message when viewing in the preview pane," then click [ OK ].
- Check the properties of any email you're not sure of before opening. Just highlight the subject line, right-click, choose properties, and go to the General tab. There you will see the file size. Short emails without images or other attachments should be around 1-5KB. You can also see who the sender is by clicking on the Details tab in the same window.
- It's a good practice to scan messages before opening them.
- Make sure it's not configured to automatically download messages when you click on them. To change this setting, go to Tools » Options » Read, and uncheck the box next to "Automatically download message when viewing in the preview pane," then click [ OK ].
- Every time you download something, whether it be a new program or a media file, scan your computer for viruses and spyware. Comet Cursor, KaZaa, and Bonzai Buddy are just a few of many popular downloads that contain spyware.
- Check your internet's security preferences, and make sure they're at a good level.
From ComputerCops:Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK.
Now press "Custom Level."
In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'.
Be sure to follow that link to ComputerCops and read that post, because it has other useful information. - No protection is 100% effective, so also make sure to NEVER store important passwords, bank account, or other personal information on your computer's hard drive. If you must store these things on disk, put it on a floppy or removable hard drive, and always remove it while you're connected to the internet. Or, if you can afford it, get a 2nd computer that's not connected to the web.
- Don't keep an address book, because this is the most common way worm viruses are spread. [More info...]
Now that I've probably scared the living daylights out of you, read on...
It's not always a virus:
Computer Virus FAQ for New Users
... "Just because your computer is acting strangely or one of your programs
doesn't work right, this does NOT mean that your computer has a virus."
1. If you haven't used a good, up-to-date anti-virus program on your
computer, do that first. Many problems blamed on viruses are actually
caused by software configuration errors or other problems that have nothing
to do with a virus... [More]
... "Just because your computer is acting strangely or one of your programs
doesn't work right, this does NOT mean that your computer has a virus."
1. If you haven't used a good, up-to-date anti-virus program on your
computer, do that first. Many problems blamed on viruses are actually
caused by software configuration errors or other problems that have nothing
to do with a virus... [More]
Virus Hoaxes
Virus name: JDBGMGR.EXE.
Status: Hoax.
Origins: Like the SULFNBK.EXE hoax, this bogus virus warning (also known as the "Bear Virus") attempts to lure gullible users into deleting perfectly innocuous, standard Windows files from their systems.
Virus name: JDBGMGR.EXE.
Status: Hoax.
Origins: Like the SULFNBK.EXE hoax, this bogus virus warning (also known as the "Bear Virus") attempts to lure gullible users into deleting perfectly innocuous, standard Windows files from their systems.
Any time a friend forwards a virus warning to you, immediately go to Snopes.com and search for the filename they are telling you to delete (example: JDBGMGR.EXE). If you discover that it's a hoax, you may even want to "reply all" to that email and tell them it's a hoax, in case they haven't already deleted an important file from their computer.
I'm sure I'm probably missing about 101 tips off the top of my head, but this should get you on your way to securing your computer a little better.