Jack’s Newswatch

To begin, there is no such thing as a “secure” computer if it is hooked to the internet.  People should be aware and govern themselves accordingly.  As in all things in life, there are certain risks to human activity — walking across a street might be one.  You could get hit by a “Mac” truck but on the other hand (and in most cases) you will arrive safely on the other side of the street.

Same goes for the net.

You might get hit but the odds are that you won’t and so most take the chance, hook up and head off down the information highway.  Many, like the wise pedestrian who looks both ways before crossing, take measures to increase their safety but some do not and when I consider what can happen for those who “walk without looking” I am breathless.

“Electronic Jaywalking” is epidemic as more seniors and children head out.

For people on the information highway be aware that as soon as you open a connection, electronic traffic moves in both directions and it’s not always visible to you, the user.  Here are a few things you  should know:

1.  I NEVER do my banking through my  computer!  Here’s the reason…

“Keylogger is a software program or hardware device that is used to monitor and log each of the keys a user types into a computer keyboard. The user who installed the program or hardware device can then view all keys typed in by that user. Because these programs and hardware devices monitor the keys typed in a user can easily find user passwords and other information a user may not wish others to know about.

Keyloggers, as a surveillance tool, are often used by employers to ensure employees use work computers for business purposes only. Unfortunately, keyloggers can also be embedded in spyware allowing your information to be transmitted to an unknown third party.”

Scary stuff!!

2.  I am always aware of Spyware and “net citizens” should be also:

“Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent.

While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user’s behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit, sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, accessing websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Spyware can even change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software.”

Spyware is becoming a huge problem not only because it compromises your personal security.  It also steals “bandwidth” without your knowledge.  Have you ever had the feeling that your connection is very slow even though you are paying big money for that high speed connection?  You shrug your shoulders reasoning that the problem is due to the high traffic rate in your area and it will get better later.  That may be so but it could also be literally HUNDREDS of spyware programs sending out information from your machine to people who are tracking your movements — most times to try and figure out your shopping habits. 

It used to be that “spyware” was distinct from such things as “Trojans” and “Worms“.  That’s not so anymore.

“Spyware” is beginning to cross the line from innocuous to dangerous and people should know how to protect themselves (at least a little bit). 

Here’s how I do it (for free):

1.  You need a decent antivirus program which runs in the background and checks your machine for suspicious activity.  It is important that the program has an “autoupdate” feature which installs new virus signatures as they become available.  Important BECAUSE there are hundreds of new viruses coming on the net weekly, not to mention variants of the old ones.  Kids play you know. 

I use Avast (Home Edition) which is free.  You have to register it periodically but you get a new serial number within minutes through your mail when the old one expires. 

Avast will immediately halt your computer if something is amiss and help you to fix the problem.  I like the service and depend on it.

2.  You also need a “Firewall” which locks down all the free ports on your machine (there are thousands) and spyware depends on them to exploit your machine without your knowledge.  I use Zone Alarm (free) which also updates itself regularly.  The point — you may have spyware but as soon as this baby is plugged in they can’t send out information anymore without your “say so”.  Neither can any of your other programs and you have to train the Zone Alarm (popup messages will appear) to allow them to access the net.  Your computer will “remember” this info if you tell the program to do so.  Get it and use it.

3.  Finally, I deal with “Spyware” regularly.  Often several times a week.  Because the spyware can’t “send” doesn’t mean it is not slowing my machine or interfering with other programs.  You can tell because you get these annoying little popup messages telling you something is wrong.  If everything else is working properly the chances are good that spyware is the culprit and all should be aware that you can pick up several of these little beasties each day as you surf the net.  That’s not your fault — it’s the fault of the site you visit.  And sometimes, as in my case the other day, the site owner may not even be aware.  That’s just the way things are as new toys get added to the net that are attractive to webmasters.

Here’s the program (free) I use to disinfect myself.  I caught over seventy today and that was two days surfing.  Get it and run it.  Trash everything it picks up and then reboot.  You won’t be sorry you did.  You may have to login again on certain sites because the “cookie” is gone but the security you gain is worth the effort.

That’s about it.

A decent anti-virus program, a firewall and a good program to kill “pests” should about do it but always keep in mind the possibility of someone dropping a keylogger onto your machine without your knowledge.  The best protection you have is simple, common sense and “common sense” dictates that you don’t put information on your machine that is confidential. 

Like that truck I wrote about earlier…the chances are remote that you will get hit.  But if you do it may take months or even years to repair the damage.  And it can happen.  Do your best to ensure it doesn’t.