Want to see your hobby life made public ?
While the latest anonymous hack on celebrities and attorney general may have been a hoax, or least revealed old information, what happens if a hacker focuses on the hobby? How about your ATF ?
* background
Malware can expose our contacts and emails, leak our account id and passwords, publish pictures, empty our bank accounts, broadcast our webcam, record our private conversations, and do anything your computer can do.
Simply, it can cause unwanted attention and problems for our private lives.
However due to the sensitive nature of information on our computers, we can not easily take the computer to a computer repair service when we suspect that our computer is infected. An Infection can be beyond the capability of a computer specialist.
SO... IT IS HEAVILY SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS WHEN WE SURF THE INTERNET AND HANDLE EMAILS IN ORDER TO REDUCE OUR CHANCES OF BECOMING INFECTED.
I have attempted to list suggestions for the computer NOVICE to reduce the chances of becoming infected by malware.
* Use a Tablet
In most cases, you need only a device to interact with websites and emails. IMHO, a full size tablet with a bluetooth keyboard is functional, portable and easy to isolate. Presently, there is not much malware written for these devices, and there are plenty of usefull applications for contact and time management.
Ok, if that is not an option, please continue to read:
* Use an Apple product instead of Microsoft.
Most malware is written for the Microsoft windows platform, so an Apple product would have less chance of getting infected.
* Use Google Chrome or Firefow browser.
It is possible to become infected without your knowledge, just by surfing to a website. The most common browser is Internet Explorer, and it is also the largest target for malware authors. It is suggested to use a Google Chrome or Firefox browser.
* Use a Web based email system.
While you may be hesitant to use a commercial email system, most do have better controls to protect you against malware and spam than smaller systems. Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo are good web based email systems. Their mail apps also work great on smartphones.
* THINK before you click on an email link or view the email attachment.
Be suspicous about any email wanting you to open attachments or click on links. Some of the most successful malware pretend to look like email from UPS/FedEx, IRS, banks, and other large companies.
* Keep your computer up to date
Microsoft and other companies routinely send out patches for security holes in their products.
If you are not routinely doing a "Windows Update" and updating Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sun Java and Adobe Flash applications then you are inviting old malware. (majority of malware can only exploit holes in older software)
* Do you need Java? Probably not, then remove it.
Java is seen on alot of computers but often not needed by any applications. If you do not need it, then uninstalling it will greatly reduce your exposure.
Caution: Instructions can be found at:
http://www.java.com/en/download/uninstall.jsp
but, this suggestion may not be suited for novice users.
* Keep your antivirus software current.
Even if you are cautious and you keep your antivirus subscription paid, you can still become infected. If it is mild infection your antivirus software can usually remove the malware. Most antivirus products will also have features to make it harder for websites to track you by removing your browser cookies. (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie )
* Use a different password for every website.
If you have a problem remembering passwords, then use a password vault app for your smartphone or computer. There are plenty of articles about password management/hints on the net.
* question/answers to do a password resets or alternative email address.
Many sites use a question/answer or alternative email address for password resets.
Use very hard to know questions/answers for password resets on phones. Many websites have an activity log so that you can check if anyone else is using your account.
This is meant as a summary/short article. We can go into details if someone asks.
Tips for safe computer usage?
