Every Web Site is Malicious?
I was going to write this week’s security article about the patches Microsoft released yesterday (February 10, 2009), but they weren’t very exciting this month. So, instead, I’ll just start this tip by saying if you haven’t already installed the patches, you should do so now. You should always install your Microsoft updates. Even if they’re boring, they’re always absolutely necessary!
Okay, now that I’ve… Continue reading
Google Privacy Concerns
Ever since the Google Street View program was released in May 2007, many people have been complaining about the privacy issues associated with it. Apart from seeing their houses on Google’s Web site, people have reported seeing themselves on the Internet as well. Now, I’d say that’s taking it a bit too far. If you agree, here’s how you can keep your home and yourself a little… Continue reading
Monster.com: Hacked
With the economy the way it is these days, I’m sure there are a lot of you out there who are looking for jobs. Many people who are on the job hunt begin their search by using the Web. Often, the first place to start looking for a job on the Internet is the very popular job site of Monster.com.
Unfortunately, in times like this, when people are… Continue reading
PayPal Security Key
PayPal has recently introduced the new PayPal Security Key service and that’s what I’d like to talk to you about today! The PayPal Security Key service is essentially designed to add an additional layer of security to the existing PayPal authentication, which uses a username and password. If a user signs up with the PayPal Security Key service, they’ll be authenticated by using not only their username… Continue reading
Who out there has way too many passwords? I know I do! In my average day, I log in to about 15 different areas with different passwords and usernames for all of them. Now, I know that may be higher than what most people do, but it still shows that passwords are everywhere in our lives.
The issue with passwords is they can be stolen… Continue reading
Worm Infects Thousands of Computers
I often find myself saying, “Please keep your computer up to date!” Well, today is another one of those days, but it may be too late for some of you.
As you may or may not recall, back in October 2008, Microsoft released an emergency security patch to protect computers from a worm that could exploit the Windows Server service. That service, while it sounds… Continue reading
UnChrome
That’s right, I said UnChrome! I don’t know about you, but I don’t use Google Chrome very much anymore, because I’m a bit concerned that Google is collecting my information and storing it. Don’t get me wrong, Chrome is a great Web browser, but I just don’t feel the safest using it. Luckily, the other day, I stumbled across a great piece of software called UnChrome. Apparently, Google Chrome… Continue reading
Securing Your E-mail – Part 1
Did you know that when you send an e-mail, it’s not secure? I’m sure you’ve heard people say you should never send personal information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers and sensitive files through e-mail, but do you know why? Well, today, I’m going to explain all of that and give you options for sending e-mails that are safe for sensitive data… Continue reading
Windows Updates: December 2008
It’s that time again! Yep, the Windows Updates for December 2008 were released on December 9, 2008 and if you haven’t already installed them, I urge you to do so soon. This time around, it looks like there were six vulnerabilities labeled as “critical,” while two of them were deemed “important.” There were also several exploits revealed, which were taken care of by the… Continue reading
Everyone knows there are a ton of Web sites out there that can be harmful to your computer, unsafe for your children and just simply unwanted by everyone. I’m sure all of you have come across a site you wish you would have never seen. People are always asking me how they can filter their Internet access so that those sites are blocked from their computer. While there are many… Continue reading
Google Flu Trends
Did you know that Google is not just a search engine company? Everyone knows about www.google.com and all of the programs and features it offers to help the everyday computer user, but many people don’t know about the other part of Google called www.google.org.
Google.org is a part of the company that uses its technology to help the world in many ways. The newest part… Continue reading
I have written several different articles about securing your wireless connections. Having an insecure wireless network is like getting a megaphone and announcing your social security number to your whole neighborhood. When your wireless network is not encrypted, anyone within range can gain access to your data fairly easily.
A few days ago, some bad news came through the line. It seems like one method of wireless… Continue reading
Twenty Years of Worms
You may not know it, but just yesterday, we celebrated a very sad milestone in the world of computing. On November 2, 1988, the first Internet based worm was released to the public. The worm wasn’t really intended to do any damage, as it was just there to try and find out how many computers were using the Internet. If only they were all that harmless!… Continue reading
Critical News: Security Patch
Please listen up! You don’t want to miss this important announcement!
Last Thursday (October 23, 2008), Microsoft released a critical Windows security patch, which is something they haven’t done since April 2007. And of course, it quickly started raising eyebrows in the technology community. The security patch fixes a vulnerability that allows a remote program to be run in Windows without any authentication. A worm that… Continue reading
You all know there are millions of malware infections out there today. It seems as if there are tons of new infections that pop up everyday. In the past, I’ve written about how antivirus software and anti-spyware software don’t always find all of the infections on your computer. After writing that article, I received several e-mails asking, “How do I know if I have a virus?” Well, today, I will… Continue reading
A reader asks: My antivirus software says it has “real time” protection. Since it’s always monitoring for virus activity, do I ever need to run a full virus scan on my whole system?
Well, the quick answer is yes. You still need to run a full virus scan about once a week.
Now, I’ll give you the long answer with full explanations!
Most antivirus… Continue reading
As I’m sure some of you know, not all antivirus programs will find every virus. Some antivirus programs will call a virus by a different name, while other programs miss a virus threat altogether.
The makers of antivirus software do their best to make sure their product will detect every virus out there, but that’s not always 100 percent possible. While it would… Continue reading
Antivirus 2009
Just a few weeks ago, Erin wrote about a fake antivirus program called XP Antivirus 2008. That program forces itself onto your computer and starts causing all kinds of trouble.
Now, it looks like there’s another program out there doing the exact same thing. I have received several phone calls and e-mails about a program called Antivirus 2009. That program does the same thing XP Antivirus 2008 did… Continue reading
So, tell me, how much spam do you get in a day? I know that if it weren’t for my spam filter, I would have over 50 spam messages in my Inbox everyday. The amount of spam you get depends on a lot of things. Of course, you will get more spam if you sign up for untrusted newsletters, post your e-mail address on Web sites or if you respond… Continue reading
Internet Explorer 8: More Security Features
It seems as if Microsoft just keeps pumping more and more security features into Internet Explorer 8. A few days ago, Microsoft released the second beta version of IE8 for testing. The newest release includes even more security than what I’ve written about before. Let’s check it out!
On top of domain highlighting and anti-spyware being built in, Microsoft has added a feature called… Continue reading
Firefox 3: Too Secure?
Over the past few weeks, I have received many e-mails about an issue with Firefox 3. So, today, we’re going to sort this mess out!
How many of you Firefox users out there have seen this screen before?
I know I have. When I first saw that screen, I thought, “I better get away from this site!”
I would expect that if you saw a… Continue reading
New Spam: From CNN and MSNBC?
I have received several phone calls this week from readers saying they have been getting a ton of spam e-mail from CNN and MSNBC. The e-mails have headlines indicating they are breaking news alerts from either of the very popular news companies. Now, I’m sure all of you are smart enough to know that CNN and MSNBC would not actually send out spam, but… Continue reading
Q:
Can you please tell us what all was included with the Windows Updates for August 2008?
A:
I would love to! I was going to do that today anyway, so I’m glad you asked. Just like this time every month, the Windows Updates for August 2008 were released this week and if you haven’t installed them yet, you really should do so soon. And just like the… Continue reading
Socially Engineered Attacks
Do you use the popular social Web site of Facebook.com? I’m sure if you don’t, you probably know someone who does. Facebook is one of the best Web sites out there for keeping in touch with friends and family. You can share your interests, pictures, ideas and happenings with everyone you know on the site.
Now, I’m sure if you’ve read any of my other articles, you… Continue reading
XP Antivirus 2008
I’m willing to bet that a lot of you started groaning as soon as you read the title for today’s Quick Tip. Several of you have been e-mailing me the last few weeks about the XP Antivirus 2008 ordeal, so I figured it was about time I go over it. I know the whole issue has put many of you in a panic, but I… Continue reading
Sing Your Password
I know we featured a password tip in the newsletter just the other day, but in the meantime, one of our loyal readers (thank you Mr. Kenneth J. Roberts!) sent me another great password idea. It’s the method he uses for all of his passwords and I thought it was so great, I just had to pass it along to all of you as well… Continue reading
Vishing: A New Type of Scam
Just when you thought there couldn’t be another way to get ripped off on the Web, along comes a new scam for stealing your personal information. This scam is called vishing and it combines an older type of scam with a new twist. Let’s see what we’ve got!
I’m sure by now you all have heard of phishing scams. They are the ones that… Continue reading
