December 21, 2007
- Internet Security Threats Are Moving To The Web
According to Symantec (the Norton Internet Security people) the biggest threats are going to come from the web instead of email in 2008.
Websites that take advantage of security holes in our web browsers are becoming more of a threat than unknown attachments and the like coming through email.
I guess it makes sense. As more people [...]
December 20, 2007
- Physical Security
Most people who have been online for any length of time are familiar with the usual internet security threats - viruses, spyware, adware, etc.
But something they don’t often think about is their computer’s physical security. How about you? Is your computer safe?
Physical security is related to the computer itself - not its connection to the [...]
December 15, 2007
- The Various Types Of Malware
Malware is a general term covering a bunch of different internet security threats. Viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware, and spyware are all considered malware.
Let’s take a quick look at each one of them.
Viruses
A virus is a type of computer program that can make copies of itself and infects other computers, much like a human virus [...]
December 3, 2007
- Why You Need To Use Strong Passwords
Anyone who uses a computer these days probably has a bunch of passwords they need to use. Passwords to log into websites, connect to the internet, check your email - and many others.
In some cases, your computer “remembers” your passwords so you don’t have to enter them every time you log in.
But in a lot [...]
November 30, 2007
- Norton Internet Security 2008 Review
Norton has long been one of the most widely used internet security suites, following the antivirus software well before that. I used many versions of Norton over the years, up until 2004 when I decided I would quit paying the annual subscription/upgrade fee and start using free software such as AVG Antivirus and Zone Alarm [...]
November 29, 2007
- Internet Security Risks Where You Wouldn’t Expect
Most of us realize there are security risks with things like web browsers and email, but there are plenty of other things that can put you at risk as well.
For example, when was the last time you updated your version of Microsoft Office? Not by buying a new version, but by checking for updates to [...]
November 28, 2007
- Apparently Spyware Has Spread Beyond The US Border!
I got a bit of a chuckle from this article on ITBusiness.ca:
Spyware surge afflicts Canadian businesses
Apparently the spyware problem is going global…
I’m sure they didn’t intend it to sound as if it’s a new problem for Canadians - after all being a .ca site they’re obviously focused on Canada - but come on…
Spyware is a [...]
November 26, 2007
- Do You Download Music, Movies Or Other Copyrighted Materials?
Ever since Napster came onto the scene back at the end of the last century (the original version, not the current incarnation) sharing music has been commonplace on the internet.
Over the last few years it has extended to sharing movies, TV shows and other types of content as well.
Many people don’t realize that this is [...]
November 25, 2007
- Protecting Your Kids From Identity Theft
According to the FTC, almost 5 percent of all cases of identity theft filed last year were for children under the age of 18.
A sobering thought, isn’t it?
It’s not something that most parents would think too much of, and in many cases it may not even come to light until years later when those kids [...]
November 23, 2007
- Re-Activating Security Manor
If you take a look over in the right column, you’ll notice I haven’t posted here since (holy cow!) September 2006.
There are various reasons for that, but it’s about time that I reactivated this blog and started getting things back in motion.
So, you won’t see big breaks like that anymore. Starting from now, I’ll be [...]
September 11, 2006
- Home Network Security Simplified
Some home computer users have become experts without knowing it. Just a short time ago terms such as “wireless” and “router” were only known by computer professionals and experts. Not so any more. These days switches, hubs, Ethernet cards, firewalls, routers, and other buzzwords related to networking have become common in many homes.
Vendors have created [...]
August 26, 2006
- An Introduction To Firewalls
Network firewalls are an important resource for any computer. They work to control and monitor data access from both sides, the Internet and the computer. Computer firewalls take their name from real life firewalls which prevent fires from spreading.
While there are two types of firewall, hardware and software, however some type of software [...]
August 21, 2006
- Fighting Viruses — Beyond the PC
Most computer users know that they need to use antivirus software on their home PC. However, many times the software and hardware that they use has other issues. Exactly what are these issues and what can you do to protect yourself from unwanted viruses?
Different types of servers are attacked by computer viruses including e-mail, ftp, [...]
August 16, 2006
- How To Spot Common Email Scams
There are many email scams which are out to get your money from you. This includes online gambling, the selling of prescription medicines, the cheapest mortgage rates, and other advertisements.
For example, one well known scam is known as the “Nigerian bank” scam. The person sending you this email claims that they are the wife or [...]
August 14, 2006
- Will Parental Control Software Help Keep Your Kids Safe?
With the age of the Internet comes many advantages and many disadvantages. While there is a world of information just a few clicks away, there are also many dangers that lay in wait for our children. Without proper parental supervision what is to stop a child from stumbling on age inappropriate website that [...]
August 11, 2006
- Not All Viruses Are What They Seem
Computer viruses have caused countless problems for people all over the world. Some steal personal information from your computer; others can destroy your files. Not only can computer viruses be a small annoyance, but they can cost millions in lost time and even actual money. While most people think virus hoaxes are [...]