Online
Privacy?
You may be able to do some
surfing anonymously, but
that's about it. Of course, if you absolutely never
send an email to anyone or absolutely never sign up to
view content or anything else, never post anything
anywhere you may have some privacy. If you delete all
your Temporary Internet files very frequently, always
delete all cookies and all emails, then you may have
some online privacy. However, traces and tracks of what
you do will remain somewhere in cyberspace and on your
computer. The best policy is to follow these simple
steps.
1.
Don't turn on your computer and go online, ever. If
you decide to disregard # 1, then create an online
identity. False name, false address, made-up phone #, a
web email address with the false name and be very
choosy about where you go while online.
2.
Totally wipe your drive and re-install your OS every
week (or day). This will remove the stuff on your
computer, although a determined computer forensic
expert can usually retrieve the information.
Now since most of us are not going to go to all of that
nonsense, just use some common sense. Assume that
everything you do online is not private. Just don't
post anything you wouldn't want your mother or employer
to see and you will probably be OK. Emails are likely
to be on someone's server for years, if not forever!
Search engines can find stuff you posted that you think
is trivial and someone will read it.
As a general rule it isn't very smart to give out your
personal details on public forums or web site sign ups,
unless it is a secure site. Even then you need to be
careful and make sure you are signing up on a
legitimate site. If you don't know how to make sure,
then don't sign up. The Internet can be a very useful
tool and if used properly, can help resolve problems
and provide information on just about everything.
However, there is a lot of wrong information out there
and some just plain goofy stuff.
.........Martha
http://www.marthas-web.com/
'Questions
and Answers About Security Programs'
Firewalls
Q. Why do I need a firewall?
Doesn't Windows have a
firewall?
A. You need a firewall to keep spyware
programs from calling out and to keep bad guys from
getting in (to your computer). Windows has a firewall,
but it is a one way firewall. It won't stop spyware
from calling out.
Q. If I have a firewall that keeps
spyware programs
from calling out, why do I need spyware removers?
A. A firewall will not keep spyware off your computer
because many times spyware is installed by you. You may
not realize that the new program you just installed has
a spyware attached. If you don't read all of the user
agreements while you are installing a program, you may
be agreeing to install spyware. However, even if you do
read the user agreements, some user agreements may not
tell you there is spyware being installed. You can also
get 'drive by spyware by going to a site that will
install the spyware without your knowledge. There are
other ways to get spyware as well. A firewall will keep
hackers out, but will not prevent spyware from
installing.
Q. If I have a firewall, will it
keep virus off my computer?
A. A firewall will not keep virus off your computer.
Q. Can I use two firewalls?
A. No.
Q. Where can I get a firewall?
A. There are a lot of third-party firewalls available.
Some of them are free and some are not free. There are
a number of Internet Security Suites available for pay
that include firewalls. Here is a website that will
give some idea about which firewall you may want to
try.
http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php#firewalls-ratings
Since that link will wrap, here is a 'snipped' or shorter link:
http://snipr.com/1nkwx
Virus Scanners
Q. Why do I need a virus scanner?
A. You need a virus scanner to keep virus from
infecting your computer. Virus can just about ruin a
computer. There are thousands of viruses out there just
waiting for a chance to get on your computer. A virus
can get on your computer from an infected website, a
downloaded program or even in an email from a friend.
Q. I think a virus scanner came
with my computer!
A. Nearly all Windows computers come with a virus
scanner, but this is only a trial. If you want to keep
the scanner you have to pay for it. Once the trial is
over, it may keep scanning, but it isn't updating.
There are new viruses released by scummy virus writers
every day! A scanner that isn't updated is next to
useless! There are a lot of good free virus scanners
available. You can download a free virus scanner and
remove the trial scanner. Just remember to check for
updates (some will update automatically) and remember
to scan your computer on a weekly basis.
Q. Where can I get a free virus
scanner?
A. Your friendly Yahoo Group will provide guidance! The
two listed below are the most recommended. AVG
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Avast
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
Q. Can I use 2 virus scanners in
case one doesn't catch a virus?
A. No! Using two virus scanners at the same time will
cause conflicts (mainly with each other) and probably
slow your computer to a crawl. While they are
conflicting with each other, a sneaky virus may get by
both of them.
Spyware Removers
Q. I have a virus scanner, why do I
need a spyware
remover? Won't my virus scanner remove spyware?
A. Virus scanners remove virus and worms and sometimes
Trojans. Spyware is not virus or worms, although some
spywares have characteristics of Trojans in that they
stealthily send your information to someone else. You
need spyware scanners as much as you need a firewall
and a virus scanner. As one site has said, "A virus may
ruin your computer; spyware may ruin your life".
Spyware is usually used to steal your identity or your
financial records like credit cards, etc.
Q. Where can I get a spyware
remover?
A. Again, your friendly Yahoo Group will provide
guidance! Using Google to search for spyware removers
is dangerous! There are a lot of programs that
'pretend' to be spyware removers that may actually be
spyware! Many spyware scanners will advertize as being
a free download, but if they find something, they want
you to pay to clean it! Here are some recommended free
spyware removers.
Ad-aware
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
Since that link will probably break, here is a 'snipped' link
that will work.
http://snipr.com/1nkyg
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Windows Defender
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Ewido
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
AVG (Yes, the same folks
that have the free AVG virusscanner also have a free spyware
scanner)
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Q. Can I use two spyware scanners?
A. YES! In fact you definitely should use two and it
wouldn't hurt to use all of the above! Unless a spyware
scanner is actively running in the background, then you
still can run the others on demand.
.........Martha
http://www.marthas-web.com/
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A Norton
360 Experience.
Hi Folks, I thought I'd share my recent experiences
with Norton.
I was running Norton Internet Security 2007 (NIS) since
September 2006, I purchased it with a 3 computer
license at Stapes (here in BC Canada) for $29.95 with a
$30 rebate if I could prove I was switching from an
other AV program.
During the year it would periodically fail to download
the updates. Norton tech's instructions were to
download the Norton Remover uninstall ALL Norton
products and reinstall NIS. I did this about once a
month:<(
Then in the beginning of September my NIS icon started
displaying a red ! mark. I seems Norton wants to remind
me to renew now.
I called them several times in September to try to turn
off the ! red notification, there response was don't
worry noting is wrong.
Yes something was wrong the program should not be
displaying a red warning.
But after several calls/hours on the phone, they
offered me Norton 360 3 computer license for $29.95. I
took it just to get rid of the red !
During October the red X started popping up on the
Norton360 icon. Live update has a problem. Norton
support = download the Norton Remover uninstall ALL
Norton products and reinstall Norton360.
I did that 5 times in October. Then the Icon started
vanishing from my taskbar down by the clock. I would
have to re boot to get it back. More calls to Norton.
Saturday November 3 3hour on the phone with Norton
support attempting to fix the problem with Remote
Assistance. > uninstall and reinstall.
Sunday Nov 4th 10: AM red X call again. uninstall and
reinstall.
6PM red X Backup failed (even though I had used it's
backup and created the backup to DVD and the program
had ejected the DVD. The contents are readable on my
other computers as well as the computer I made it on).
2 hours on hold with a Norton Priority Support case
number, this time I get a more experiences tech and he
is able to use the remote connection. He
click on the
Norton Backup button and disabled it. "its fixed now he
says" !!!
Then asks me if I'd like to speak to his manager?
You bet I would. I explain all my problems and he
explains that Norton 360 wants me to use Norton
on line
2 gig of backup of my important files. (Are they CRAZY
trust Norton!!)
Then he goes on to tell me that in the future I will
receive Priority support with less than 5 min of wait.
About then Norton 360 Icon vanishes again. He connects
me back to the tech> turn on remote
desktop.
The Tech tells me to reboot> Norton is back on the
Taskbar. He tries to right click on my desktop to view
Display properties> he cannot open it.
Now my Icons are no longer transparent the remote
feature has changed my desktop display!
? anyone remember how to make the text under the
desktop icons transparent?
I explain to him how to go to Start> Control panel>
Display properties But he cant fix my icons display.
He says " it must be a Microsoft problem call them".
Today I call Norton with my "5min" Priority number 45
min on hold.
I asked for my money back.
Removed Norton and installed Nod32 "ESET Smart
Security" suite.
My Norton 360 Experience!.
Mike the mod
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