Johnny Doe, meet the McGeeks.
Internet Safety
Examples of Spyware
Feb 19th
We talk a lot here about how to prevent or remove spyware, but I thought it might be a good idea to also talk about just what spyware is, who is using it to watch your actions and even key-strokes, and what they do with that information.
So, I found this great article from a spyware researcher which I think gives some fantastic insights into spyware and hope you will find it as informative and thought provoking as I did.
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Top 5 Examples of Spyware
by Michael King
Did you know that advertising companies and individuals have the ability to watch and track your every move on your personal computer? Did you know that you could be targeted by these groups or individuals to push advertisements based on information that has been breached from your computer? Most importantly, did you know that you could be a victim to identity theft and fraud due to these technologies? To me this is very scary, the fact that a company or individual can gain access without my knowledge to my computer and personal information and take it without me even knowing. To hack into my property to gain an edge in advertising is one thing, but to be able to steal personal account information such as bank account information is a hair-raising feeling.
I want to provide you with the top 5 examples of spyware on the web today. These may not be the official names that the creators of these evil technologies call them, but these are what they have been labeled by the anti-spyware community. Getting familiar with these 5 groups is something I highly recommend so you can protect yourself from fraud that can snatch away your identity and drain your wallet.
Here is a list of the top 5 spyware groups to watch out for:
1.) CoolWebSearch. This is a group of programs that has the ability to exploit the weaknesses of Internet Explorer. This spyware can manipulate direct traffic to advertisements on coolwebsearch.com. Also, it has the ability to display pop-up ads, manipulate search engine results, and alters your computer’s host files to direct DNS lookups to these sites.
2.) Internet Optimizer (also known as DyFuCa). Ever see an error page by internet explorer? Well this spyware takes you to advertisements instead of the error page. For example, when a user follows a broken link or enters a wrong URL, they are directed to a page of advertisements that are strategically placed. However, one weakness of this spyware, is that it can’t access password-protected sites because of HTTP Basic authentication.
3.) Zango (formerly 180 Solutions). This spyware transmits detailed information to advertisers about the Web sites which you visit. Also, it has the ability to alter HTTP request for affiliates linked from a web site, so the advertisers can make unearned profits. It can smother any competitor by opening pop-ups that cover over competitor websites. Therefore you may never get to visit a website of one of their competitors because they can cover them up.
4.) HuntBar (also know as WinTools). Used by ActiveX, which is downloaded at affiliate websites, or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. This is a prime example of how spyware can install more syware. These spyware can add toolbars to internet explorer, track your browsing behavior, and redirect you to affiliate references, which display even more advertisements.
5.) Zlob Trojan. This spyware downloads itself to your computer via ActiveX code and reports your information back to control server. Some of this information that is stolen from you can be your search history, keystrokes, and the Zlob Trojan can hijack routers set to defaults. Now can you see how easy these people can easily snatch important personally information from you.
I hope you will find this information useful and will protect yourself from the evils of spyware. Last year alone over 27.3 million Americans fell victim to identity theft. I want you to be fully aware of spyware and its capabilities so you can become educated on this ever-growing problem. The last thing I want to see is your wallet become light due to expenses caused by a spyware program that is running on your personal computer. My advise to you, “never let your guard down,” because spyware is a very powerful threat, one in which you can’t ever see coming if your not prepared.
I have reviewed some of the top anti-spyware software available to help people defend against becoming a victim. Check out my reviews at:
http://kinmic81.bezoogle.com/pp/anti-spyware/
About the Author: I am a avid anti spyware researcher. I provide streams of information for people to protect themselves against spyware. I have tested and reviewed tons of anti-spyware software. I really enjoy helping people especially with serious matters such as identity theft.
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Pros and Cons of Cookies and How To Get Rid of Them
Feb 12th
Browser cookies have been around forever, yet few people seem to really understand what they are, how they work and what security or privacy implacations they carry.
I believe that based on the number of questions I get about Cookies from friends in social gatherings, and from people who read a blog posting or article I write from time to time.
Here is a great article on Cookies with everything (and more) the average person needs to know about them. I think the writer’s first language is not English based on the wording, however it’s still an easy read to follow and understand so I felt worthy of offering here.
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How to remove Cookies?
by Tangfeng Chen
What is Cookies?
A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at a later time. Typically, a cookie records your preferences when using a particular site. Such information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for further use. The next time you visit the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie recorded information to the Web server. The server can use this information to display you the desired Web pages. So, for example, if you customize web pages, register for services, cookies help to recover your personal information. This may be useful to simplify the process of login your personal information, such as email address, name etc.
Pros and Cons of Cookies
Pros
• Cookies help web sites customize their site for you. The information stored on that cookie can help you track a wish list so you can easily refer these items later. • Cookies retain web site options or preferences information so you don’t have to change these items every time you go back to a web site. • You may browse some advertisements that you find interesting from the web pages cookies retain for you. • Cookies can be used to detect illegal activities on the web that is used to promoting products.
Cons
• Cookies easily expose your privacy. Hardly any of people want to be identified on the web and have their moves tracked. • Cookies indirectly guide marketers to track browsers’ moves and impose advertisements on the web pages. • Your browser and cookies can tell web sites such information: your pc brand and size; pc applied software and hardware; e-mail address or account information. Some web sites may request your identity when you surf their pages. Usually firewalls block this request but if you are not protected, you may easily expose this information.
Cookies can make the browsers enjoy a more convenient experience but if you are concerned about your privacy and potential unwanted disturbance, we remind you to check browser options to turn them off.
How to Remove Cookies?
You can easily remove cookies from being saved on your computer by modifying your Internet Explorer settings. To do this, perform the following steps:
1. Open Internet Explorer. 2. On the Tools menu, select the Internet Options command. 3. On the General tab, in the Browsing History section click the Delete button. Note: The way information is only applied to Internet Explorer 7. 4. In the displayed Delete Browsing History dialog box, select the Delete Cookies button.
Cookies may also save part information on the system registry. This is the reason why, after you have detected the cookies from the system, it is still recommended that you clean your registry using a reliable registry cleaner tool.
Thus we recommend you a reliable registry cleaner tool called registry cleaner tool.It can not only perform an all-around scan of your Windows registry to detect and fix invalid references and incorrect errors, which also helps streamline your pc registry without expensive hardware upgrades. Most importantly, Registry Winner protects your privacy by ensuring all traces of your online Internet especially cookies and computer activities permanently to be erased and unrecoverable on your PC which speeds up system performance and retrieves more hard drive space.
How to remove cookies by Registry Winner?
To remove currently stored cookies from your computer, perform the following steps:
1. Open Registry Winner 2. On the Evidence Cleaner menu, in the Internet Browsing History section, click Cookies When you do this, this tool will perform a system scan and remove all cookies that are stored on your computer. Meanwhile, you could also use Registry Winner to delete some other personal information: Temp Internet Files folder; History(Visited sites);Favorites(Bookmarked sites);Start page and secondary tabs. After you clean up the cookies and other stored Internet Explorer information, your Web site preferences will be lost at last.
About the Author
http://www.registrywinner.com/regwinner.asp?mk=ctf
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Internet Security in 2009
Jan 13th
Well, its a brand new year and yet not all that much has changed when it comes to online security.
So, here’s some great information for helping you to stay safe and keep your system clean while browsing the Internet.
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How To Avoid Trojan Malware, And Other Internet Security Viruses
by Remy Na
Trojan software programs are just one of the threats that affect Internet security, and any malicious software program can cause a wide variety of problems and weaknesses in your PC. Anti virus software programs are critical, because of the large number of Internet security threats out there on the world wide web. Some of the more serious programs can hijack your computer, access everything that is on your system, or even cause physical damage and system failures that will not allow your system to start up ever again. A new PC can be quite costly, so it is essential that you protect your system against Trojans and other Internet security threats.
The best way to avoid any malicious programs, including Trojans and viruses, is to be very careful about clicking anything. Many Trojans do not use force to enter your computer, instead they trick you into believing that the program or prompt is legitimate. Once you click the agreement or okay button, the Trojan will download, and may have the ability to download or activate other harmful programs as well. Always read the entire agreement, warning, or prompt, and think carefully before you agree. If you are not sure what a program is or does, do not allow it to run or install. This will protect you against Trojans and viruses that may cause irreparable harm to your system and your data.
Anti virus programs that are legitimate can help identify these harmful programs, many times before the Trojan can even get on your PC. It is important that these programs are updated daily, to prevent against any new threats recently identified. You also need to scan your system at least once a day for the best Internet security and computer protection. It may be necessary to scan more often if the program detects problems. Anti virus software can prevent Trojans and viruses, and increases your level of Internet security.
Use care when surfing on the web to prevent Trojans and other malware programs from gaining access to your PC. Some websites may be infected, either intentionally or without the site being aware of a third party infection, and if you visit one of these sites you may get a prompt that is misleading, or spyware may be downloaded secretly in the background, so you do not even realize it. Use caution and common sense when surfing the web. Only visit sites that you know are legitimate and infection free. This will minimize the risks of a Trojan or virus infecting your system.
To prevent viruses, Trojans, and other malicious software from causing problems on your computer, you should have Internet security programs and processes that are layered. Start by being careful to read everything before allowing a program to install or run. Make sure you have a quality anti virus program installed and updated, and that this program runs a daily scan to detect these infections. Be careful which sites you visit, because some sites can have harmful components. These steps will help you protect your system and Internet security.
To know more on trojan and if you want the best internet security tools do visit our site.
Browsing the Web Safely
Nov 24th
You’re probably aware that malicious people have devised some pretty creative ways to gain access to your sensitive information online.
That includes various methods which are being employed without your knowledge right on web sites you may visit routinely. It all happens “behind the scenes” and often is allowed because of some hole in your browser or Internet security settings.
It’s important to point out that while threats online are very real and serious, which is why Heather and I started this blog, we also don’t want to generate a sense of “the sky is falling” among our readers.
There are threats online, but they aren’t any more dangerous than those you face in the offline world, and statistically don’t appear to be any more prevalent than offline threats either.
In other words, online or offline, being aware of your surroundings and applying common sense to your own actions is always the best advice–and that’s what we’re trying to help you with here.
Part of your online surroundings when surfing the web is your browser, and while web sites may look the same in different browsers, that doesn’t mean browsers are all created equally. Here is a great article I found which talks about 2 newer web browsers and examines them for safety and security:
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New Better Browsers To surf the Web Safer
by Larry Miller
New Better Browsers To surf the web Safer
We all can use a better browser, to surf the web faster and with better security. There are two new browsers one from Google and one from Microsoft.
Lets check out some features of google’s Chrome first. The features that are very unique I will go over here,the rest I will include a external link because it being a google project It includes videos.
One box for everything- this is cool you type into your address bar and the browser will recommend searches or sites that you have visited.
Importing settings- Just click on the wrench up at the top right of the google chrome window and scroll down to import settings then un check what items you do not want and scroll down to the browser you want to import from.
Crash Control- This is great chrome has a built in task manager just right click an open area up top and it will bring up a menu,to say close a misbehaving tab or more.
Incognito mode- This mode enables the user to surf in a session that is not saved in the browser making it more private.
Safer Browser- Chrome has built in warnings of sites that may contain malware or that are phishing sites. Phishing site is one that Imitates another site or is a copycat site to trick you into giving your info, look for simple miss-spellings on the page.
Internet Explorer 8
In Private- This is a feature that can be turned on in the safety menu or a new tab. what is its ability? it is to surf without storing your session in the browser so its a more private surf.
Caret Browsing- Caret Browsing is new Accessibility feature that allows users to navigate a web page using a movable cursor thats on the screen and the keyboard. Users can select and copy text down to a single character using only the keyboard. Other content types, like table or images, can also be selected and copied.
Web Slices- Web Slices a new feature that allows users to connect to a web site by subscribing to content directly within a web page on that web site. Web Slices behave just like feeds, where users can subscribe to get updates and notifications of changes.
Automatic Crash Recovery- The Automatic Crash Recovery (ACR) feature of Internet Explorer 8 helps prevent the loss of work in the unlikely event of browser failure or nonresponse. ACR takes advantage of the Loosely Coupled feature of Internet Explorer to provide new crash recovery capabilities, including tab recovery, that will minimize interruptions to a browsing session.
Tab Grouping- This new feature of Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 allows users to put up related tabs–the tabs that originate from the same web page–into groups. Users can form tab groups in one of a few different ways, such as by opening a link from within a web page in another tab, or by right-clicking a specific tab and clicking New Tab. If, for example, a user chooses to queue up several different search results, the related tabs will not only open next to the original search result page (as opposed to the end of the tab band) but will also be put all in one group represented by a solid color. Different colors for different browsing tasks–for example, a research project, an online shopping spree, or a set of news articles opened from the same newspaper web site–allow users to quickly identify the tabs.
These two new browsers will improve the speed and security of your surfing and possible make it more enjoyable. Both are still in beta but are looking good.
Google has always had a good stable beta I have used gmail in beta and google earth both programs I had no problems.
About the Author
I have been building computers and upgrading them for about 7 years. I have been working at internet marketing for about a year and a half. I enjoy finding ways to help others with their computer problems and new marketing ideas.
All About Protecting Yourself From Online Scams
Nov 19th
We all like to think we’re smart or savvy enough to not get caught up in one of those silly sounding Internet scams we hear about on the news or TV shows all the time. But if we’re all so smart then why are scammers still running these schemes?
Simple, because most of us, while feeling safe and secure in our homes or offices and browsing the web, can get engrossed in the copy we’re reading and let down our guard just enough to get suckered.
I like to think that as sad as that is for us when it happens, it reflects a positive character trait that we’re basically optimistic and wanting to trust in each other.
Image by ToastyKen via Flickr
Still, it would be better if we weren’t being duped to show our good nature, so here are some recent resources for educating yourself on the scams that are going around right now and how to avoid them.
- Online Scams and Their Prevention : Scams are very common in our daily lives now. Be aware of them, and know as much as you can about it.
- Phishing and Email Scams on the Internet : While the internet has provided many benefits in the form of information and commerce, it has also produced new types of fraud. Phishing and scams from Nigeria both use email to deliver their message. The Nigerian scams are also known as 419 fraud.
- Hook, Line and Sinker – 9 Proven Methods You Can Use to Keep From Being Caught in an Email Scam : Phishing can be simply defined as an attempt to obtain personal and sensitive information, generally accomplished with a fraudulent e-mail or website. The scam artists, who we’ll call “phishermen,” falsely present themselves as legitimate persons and organizations via e-mail or a website (the bait) and reel the victim into believing they are communicating with a trusted source.
- Spotting a Scam Before it Hits You : If you are going to go through life oblivious of the dangers of scams, then more than likely you are going to be a target. Spotting a scam can be the best way to ovoid falling into a nasty financial trap where you are the one snared and have no way of protecting yourself.
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