Archive for the ‘Security’ Category
How to stop pop-ups?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Pop-ups are an extra window which opens on your computer screen without asking you. We’ve all seen them on our screens. They can be quite annoying and many people frown on them as a form of spam. Pop-ups have become quite prolific on the internet, ranging from being a minor annoyance to being a major annoyance. There are several reasons why a pop-up is used, advertising being the most common. The best way to block pop-ups is to use a pop-up stopper like ID AntiPopup.
A variant of a pop-up is the pop under. This is the same type of intrusive window but rather than appearing on top of the screen you are working on, it appears behind it. It lurks in the background until you close all windows on top of it. The hope of the pop-under is that you will not recognize it, and that you will fall for it without realizing what it is. Although it may not seem as intrusive, it is rather devious!
When you use a pop-up blocker, it prevents the new window from opening automatically, eliminating these annoyances from your screen. Some of the browser toolbars provide limited protection from pop-ups. The best way to stop these annoying pop-ups is to use ID AntiPopup. It is a great choice with superior blocking capabilities.
There are also pop-up killer programs. The pop-up killers are much more aggressive allowing no second windows to open. This creates problems for anyone that may want to have more than one browser or browser window open at the same time. A standard pop-up blocker is more convenient for most users.
Pop-ups can also occur as messenger service advertisements. If the title bar reads Messenger Service with gray ads appearing on your screen out of nowhere, this will be a messenger service pop-up, more commonly referred to as messenger spam.
Don’t confuse this with MSN’s Instant Messenger. They are not the same. In Windows NT, 4.0, 2000, and XP the messenger function was designed to broadcast messages across a network. Previously it was quite popular, but these days, email is used more often. If you are not connect to a network, the messenger function is useless
Some spammers have decided to abuse this open port by sending pop-ups through. Imagine ones surprise when your browser is closed, you are busy working in your program, and this pop-up appears on your screen. Windows 95, 98, and ME do not have this problem. The best way to rid yourself of this spam is to increase the security on your system.
Adware and Spyware also create pop-ups on your browser. These are usually powered by malware, utilizing activex controls. They not only waste band width, they pose a security risk to your personal information which could be transmitted to someone else without you knowing.
To stop these annoying pop-ups and ensure your personal information stays safe you should only connect to the internet if you are protected by a firewall and anti-virus software. You can also increase the settings in your browser so that activex won’t automatically run. Keep your windows updated and use software like ID AntiPopup to block unwanted pop-ups.
The majority of computer users operate under a windows operating system which is extremely vulnerable to pop-ups. Running the Linux operating system is another way to avoid those nasty pop-ups. The disadvantage to Linux is it is not a user friendly platform, and the average user finds it is too complicated.
How many pop-ups you get also depends on which browser you are using. If you are using Internet Explorer be prepared for a barrage of pop-ups. Use the ID AntiPopup to control this annoying spam.
Opera and Mozilla both have a built in option for blocking pop-ups which can be used stand alone, but are best used in conjunction with an aftermarket pop-up blocker. Safari, the browser for Apple computers, also has a built in pop-up blocker, that works best when combined with an aftermarket blocker.
Another way to avoid pop-ups is to limit the sites you visit. Stay away from sites that you don’t recognize or that have a reputation as being non-reputable. Of course this may not be that easy to accomplish. When you’re surfing the net, it’s pretty hard to determine who is going to throw pop-ups at you and who is not.
Pop-up blockers allow you to configure them to meet your personal needs. You can turn them completely on or off with the click of a button. If you visit a site where you want to see a pop-up, you can allow the pop-up from just that site. You can set it to allow pop-ups from a certain site always, or just for one occurrence. They provide plenty of flexibility.
So if you are tired of those annoying pop-ups, install ID AntiPopup on your system. It’s like having your very own advertising police!
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How to remove viruses?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
As people spend more and more time online, the risk of getting a virus increases. It happens to all of us at some point in time. If you are not able to detect viruses and remove viruses immediately, your computer system could come crashing down. That’s why you need to use a good anti virus software program, like Eset Nod32 to keep your computer virus free.
You turn on your computer, pick up your mail, and then your worst nightmare comes true. Your computer has just been given a deadly virus that’s erasing your hard drive. You quickly call your computer tech. As you are explaining what happened, your hard drive is being wiped out sector by sector. You get that gut wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach, because you know you are about to have a “really bad day!”
This whole scenario could have been avoided if you had been running an antivirus software. You know there’s no excuse for not running an anti virus program. You’ve heard it on the news, read it in the paper, and see the warnings on line all the time. You just didn’t think it would happen to you.
Believe me when I say these hackers don’t care who they strike. Rich or poor, young or old, corporations or individuals, we are all targets. The mission of those that deliver viruses is to seek out and destroy. Their sick minds find this an amusing game that hurts innocent people along the way.
Don’t be a victim a second time, take the necessary steps to keep your computer virus free. There are some simple steps you can take, but remember without a good piece of virus software you are still at risk. These steps will simply lower the risk of getting a virus.
Before you can protect yourself you need to understand what a virus is. A virus is a piece of code written to create a negative affect. They can be attached to a program or a file. Most often they are disguised as being something positive. It’s only when you open them that you discover you’ve just been infected.
Since viruses can attach themselves to files you download off the internet, be sure you know what you are downloading and that the company you are downloading from is trustworthy.
If you are putting a floppy disk or CD in your drive or receiving attached files via email be sure you know they are from a reliable source.
If at all possible do not open file attachments with an exe or vbt extension. Watch the email subject header. Many of the most deadly viruses come in the form of an email with a pleasant header: Happy Birthday, Congratulations From Me. If you do not know who the sender is, do not open an attachment. In most cases, as long as you don’t open the attached file you will be safe. If it looks suspicious simply delete it.
The best way of making certain your computer is safe from viruses, is to install antivirus software. The antivirus software is like hiring a personal body guard for your computer. Antivirus software quickly identifies virus files, and either denies the download, or quarantines the file instantly.
Your antivirus software will keep watch over all files that are placed on your computer. It will scan your hard drives, floppy diskettes, CDs, files that you transfer, and email attachments to make sure you are virus free. If your virus software finds a virus during its regular scan it will either delete it or quarantine it to prevent the infection from spreading. How it handles the virus will depend on your choices during configuration.
If you are running antivirus software but not updating it daily, then you are going to become outdated very quickly, and once again be at risk to getting a virus. If possible, configure your antivirus software to do automatic updates. If this is not an option than you must update your software every day!
Don’t fall for hoaxes. Almost all of us have received one of those emails that say, “I’m sorry I have infected your computer, to get rid of virus x delete this file.” Most come with specific instructions. The problem is, most of these hoaxes have you delete a file that windows uses, so if you follow their directions you could cause your computer to crash. If you receive one of these messages, run a quick check on the internet to find out whether it is valid or a hoax.
Learn to back up regularly. Prevention is the best medicine. Running anti virus will keep you 99% safe, but there is always that 1% chance something might still go wrong. So back up your operating system and important data on a regular basis. If you do a lot of work on your computer or store lots of important data files. It would be a good idea to back these up daily. That way if you are hit by a virus, you will be able to get your system up and running much quicker.
Don’t you think it’s time to give your computer the protection it deserves? Check the Nod32 review and decide for yourself.
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How to erase your internet traces?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
In today’s high tech world it seems anything we want is only a keystroke away.
Sadly this is the same for the crooks out there. Every time you use your computer you leave files behind that can be stolen by a hacker. Often, these files will contain personal information. To protect privacy and stay secure, you will need to use a trace washer, which will erase traces of all your internet activity.
With the click of a button, or a few keystrokes we can now make instant purchases half way around the globe. The world of information has arrived at our desk. Convenience is right at our finger tips. But with that convenience comes some risks. In the electronic age we live in, everything from our credit card information, to our medical information is stored on a computer somewhere.
Large companies are fully aware of the security risks, and are constantly working to enhance their security measures. These companies have full teams of IS staff dedicated to keeping your information secure. Large budgets allow for the purchase of only the best security equipment. Still, even they experience the wrath of a hacker. We often hear on the news of a major corporation who has had our personal information exposed or stolen from their systems, causing the security of our personal information to be compromised.
The home user often doesn’t give security much thought. Many incorrectly people believe they have nothing on their computers that a hacker would want. This is simply not true!! The home user is more at risk than any of the large companies, because they are not prepared. Home users are a hackers dream. Information is readily available with virtually no security to infiltrate.
Each time you connect to the internet your risk your privacy. Even when you use a firewall and anti-virus software you still run the risk of your privacy being compromised. Firewalls and anti virus software do the job they were designed to do very well, but there is other security protection needed to keep you personal information safe. That is why it is so important to use ID Privacy Shield.
ID Privacy Shield will provide you with enhanced privacy protection for all of your online surfing. You can feel secure in knowing that ID Privacy Shield is on the job. ID Privacy Shield will delete temporary files off your computer, clear the cache, delete cookies, and remove all traces of files that could compromise your personal information.
Your computer stores more information that you might think. Every email you send, every file you open, and every site you visit is recorded somewhere on your computer. It could be in the registry, the cache, temp files, or a host of other places. It could even be in a hidden file.
If you are thinking you are safe because you empty the recycle bin, clear your cache and delete your cookies after every use, think again. You are as vulnerable as you were before deleting those files. A file that has been deleted manually is only deleted from your view. It still resides on your computer, leaving a trace behind that can easily be restored by a hacker, compromising your personal information. A few key windows commands will very quickly uncover your habits, your files, and your personal information.
Each time you access the internet small packets of files are left behind on your computer. Think of these packets as bread crumbs that build a trail. These small packets, or bread crumbs build a trail that others can follow to trace your activity. This is why you often hear about some employee getting fired for surfing inappropriate material on the internet. There activity was followed by someone in their companies IS Security department. Even though they deleted the information a few commands by a pro and they were completely exposed.
Many popular programs that we all use on a regular basis, record the users history. Programs such as Netscape, MSN Messenger, AOL, Kazaa, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, as well as many other programs, track all of your activity by placing files on your system. They do this to provide you with a better user environment, building smarter applications that can know your needs on demand. However, the collection of this information can also put you at risk, because your personal information may be compromised by a hacker.
Don’t become a victim! The only sure way to be safe is to use ID Privacy Shield to sweep up behind you. By using ID Privacy Shield you cover your tracks automatically. It will destroy all data related to your surfing. It’s like sweeping up the trail of crumbs as fast as they land. No more traces of where you’ve visited, logins, or any other personal information.
All traces of your online internet and computer activities will be permanently erased and they will not be recoverable by anyone. Files written to the temporary directory, cookies, registry entries, and files that have been hidden, will all be removed by ID Privacy Shield.
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How adware works and how to remove it?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Browser hijacked, strange pop-ups appearing for no reason? Is your computer running really slow? It’s time you knew how to protect yourself!
These days, the adware threat to your computer, is no laughing matter. Not only is it annoying, it can create havoc with your system, and jeopardize your personal information. That is why it is so important to detect adware, and remove adware as soon as possible.
So what exactly is adware? Just as the name indicates, adware is a term used for many different forms of advertising that appear on your computer. Adware is a software application that is programmed to display a banner, a popup ad, or some other form of advertising. When you load a web page it appears. Sometimes it’s quite obvious, other times much more subtle and you have no idea that files or tracking cookies have been placed on your system.
Adware is used by developers to generate revenue. The adware threat to your computer is dependant on what has been coded into the advertising. In some cases it’s simply an annoyance that produces pop-up ads. In other cases the threat is more critical, because the ad has been coded to upload personal information from your computer, or to download information to your computer without your permission. Adware can be as simple as an annoying add, or so serious your personal information is in jeapordy.
Both spyware and adware install files on your computer without you knowing, giving the ability to change advertising campaigns based on your personal surfing habits. Adware downloads to your computer usually involve tracking your movements on the net, and collecting information about you. It’s like a huge survey of where users go and how long they stay. Put bluntly, it is an invasion of your privacy. That is why it is so important to detect adware and remove it immediately. When you remove adware from your system, you remove the ability of the advertiser to follow your movements on the internet.
Malware is also a form of adware and is often seen attached to freeware or shareware software. When you install the software, it generates advertising within the software. This in itself you might be able to tolerate, after all you did get the program for free. But the annoyance and danger run much deeper.
Malware will run even when you are not using the software it came with,. It will collect information and send it back to the originating server, jeopardizing your privacy. Malware can also create system problems. If you computer seems to be running slower and slower, it could be a result of one or more malware programs running in the background. These programs are constantly accessing the internet and using your system resources.
You also need to be aware that most peer to peer file sharing programs come bundled with Adware. Always read the End User License Agreement, to see exactly what you are agreeing to for the privilege of using their software. Too many of us just click yes and have no idea that we have just agreed to their adware campaign.
One of the most common ploys used by software companies is to tell you they need to have a peer to peer connection to provide you with updates, and for their software or website to run correctly. Screensavers are a perfect example of this type of marketing.
Popup ads may not be as malicious but they are extremely annoying. Using a popup blocker will eliminate 90% of these little devils from popping up on your screen. You can use a popup browser provided with a search engine toolbar, but we recommend a more powerful popup blocker.
Some adware is difficult to remove, and in the worst case scenario removing the adware will cause the software to stop operating or your computer to crash or freeze. With other software the removal is easy and does not interfere with any functions.
Ad-aware will keep you and your computer safe. It is a privacy tool that scans your computers memory, the registry, and all of your drives - hard, removable, and optical, for known aggressive, data mining advertising and tracking elements. This includes tracking cookies.
After your system is scanned, the antispyware application will provide you with a list of the results and choices. You can remove or quarantine all or some of the components. Sometimes there will be a reason to keep a specific file or cookie, so Ad-aware allows you to ignore certain files in future scans.
With the growing threat of identity theft, computer hijackings, and other security threats, it’s important that you don’t delay purchasing good adware software. If you don’t want your system overrun with adware, install Ad-aware to keep your system clean and healthy, and your personal information secure!
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How to secure your emails?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Securing your digital life takes on a new level of importance. Most people would rather lose their phone line than their email service; this explosion of email has comes a parallel rise in email-based threats. This threats range from minor nuisance to major resource drains and create serious vulnerabilities. No computer user can afford to ignore the problem. Spam, viruses, worms, phishing, blended threats and inappropriate use of email; they are all part of the same issue: content security.
Spammers obtain email addresses by a number of means: harvesting addresses from web pages, guessing common names at known domains (dictionary attack); and e-pending or searching for email addresses corresponding to specific persons. Some spammers utilize programs called web spiders to find email addresses on web pages.
Spam wastes time, it is very difficult to get rid of. Most mailboxes today are constantly flooded with spam, unwanted advertising of any kind. Today more than 50% of all emails are spam mails. Email worms and viruses can reach your system and infect your users through harmful attachments. Some viruses are transmitted through harmless looking email messages and can run automatically without the need for user intervention (like Nimda or Love Letter virus).
You need to secure sensitive information, deal with spam, reduce spam; protecting your email is making all information more secure. The most deadly viruses, able to cripple your email system in minutes, are being distributed via email in a matter of hours, even minutes.
We all know that spam is here to stay, but it doesn’t have to invade your inbox and waste your time; we all want to make the email secure, reduce or even block spam.For any user, an every day problem is block spam, reduce spam, and delete spam. Spam costs you money; according to recent report from an independent company, a computer user receives up to 13 spam mails per day.
ID AntiSpam helps you to make your email secure, protected from spam and viruses.ID AntiSpam is designed to reduce or block spam; it is the first line defense in securing your email and your computer. In today’s world email is a necessity, but thanks to ID AntiSpam, computer owners can now effectively manage email security.
Messages and attachments are unpacked and scanned; emails that our software determines to be spam or contain viruses get trapped in a user accessible quarantine. The user has complete access to the quarantine so he can confirm the spam and valid emails.
The user never misses a valid email, and never has to be subjected to unwanted again. ID AntiSpam uses a blended set of proven anti spam filters to maximize its spam fighting power. You’ll have complete control over the way in which you handle and dispose of spam and unsolicited email; it includes black list / white list, users can build their own personalized while list and manage heir own quarantine areas.
The methods and algorithms used by ID AntiSpam software are comprehensive and advanced, constantly updated, to keep up with changes that spammers and virus writers are constantly making. ID AntiSpam is helping you to keep the garbage out of your inbox; our software has been designed for one purpose: win the war against spam.There is also the possibility to report spam to the internet service providers. Reporting unsolicited spam will improve the security information and also helps feed spam filtering systems.
ID AntiSpam intelligently knows which emails you have received are good and which are spam by using artificial intelligence and black lists. ID AntiSpam quickly and easily helps you stop spam from polluting your inbox with advanced rule-based and list based filtering; blocks specific addresses of knows spammers, just as other programs do; but ID AntiSpam goes far beyond lists. Its filters also watch for subject lines and text within messages. ID AntiSpam can filter in the sender’s address, subject line, body text, message header and can even block spam based on its country of origin.
ID AntiSpam comes with many filters already installed and new filters are released regularly, based on serious analysis. ID AntiSpam ensure security information directly supporting multiple client-based email applications and web based email clients; ID AntiSpam enables you to benefit from its advances filtering without forcing you to change how you access and read your email.
Makes sure good emails make it to your Inbox. Fight spam with ID Blocker Spam, easy
to use and efficient! Optionally you can adjust delete spam messages instead or sorting them to a spam folder. You never have to see a spam message again. The email program will be a happy place again; no more hours spend each day sorting through the garbage!
By giving users ID AntiSpam, for effective spam filtering, a stable product and a polished usable interface, further confidence is assured with future enhancements for email security.
End your spam nightmare and make email enjoyable again by keeping your email box free of annoying spam! Our software reduce and even block spam, analyzes email so effectively that in many cases it is more accurate than filtering by hand.
ID AntiSpam will give you the freedom to once again enjoy reading your email!
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Tracking cookies and how to delete them
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Cookies, not so long ago they were something we ate, a delicious snack. Now it’s a term for files that arrive on your computer when you surf the web. Computers are filled with both good and bad cookies. A common bad cookie is known as the tracking cookie. It is important to detect tracking cookies and remove tracking cookies from your computer as soon as possible. For a smooth and hassle free removal of these bad guys, use the Ad-Aware software.
The use of the internet has skyrocketed, and with the increased usage comes increased concerns about privacy. These concerns are fueled by what we hear on the news, and read in the paper. The fear is real, but for many there is no understanding of how the web works and what kind of tracking is possible with these cookies.
Most of us have heard the term HTTP. This stands for hypertext transfer protocol, and this is what makes it possible for different computers to talk to each other on the web. If the site you are visiting uses cookies the HTTP header will tell your browser what information it needs to be placed in the cookie. Your browser adds this cookie to the many other cookies which already reside on your computer.
Each time you visit a site, your browser checks the existing cookies on your system. If you already have a cookie for that site it will use that cookie. If you do not have an existing cookie it creates a new one based on the HTTP instructions it is given. This process happens so fast you are never aware it is occurring.
Most claim that they use cookies so they can personalize their website to your tastes and needs. However the real truth is tracking cookies are mainly used to target advertising. Targeted advertising attempts to match the product with the consumer that is most likely to purchase that product.
There are many online advertising companies, but doubleclick is by far the biggest. Even if you have never heard of them, there is a good chance that you have a cookie on your computer from DoubleClick. Cookies you receive from sites you’ve never been to are called third party cookies. These are usually a type of tracking cookie.
Doubleclick isn’t the only one placing tracking cookies on your computer, they just happen to be the one doing a billion dollar a year business. They are used by many companies.
Any time you visit a website by clicking on a link, the information is recorded, in an attempt to create online profiles about your interests. Lycos, AltaVista, and Infoseek, all use cookies to record what terms a user searches for.
Privacy has become an increasing concern, as more and more websites use tracking cookies to build market profiles. In fact it has become such a big concern that the FTC has been forced to begin to address the issue with new legislation.
Online businesses argue that profiling does not invade the individuals privacy rights because there is no personal information attached to the tracking. Only your likes and dislikes, and your buying habits are tracked. However, this has been proven incorrect. Online businesses are able to attach your personal information to the profiling information.
Initially browsers were able to block these tracking cookies but the advertisers were quick to overcome this obstacle. Sometimes we very willingly give out personal information online. For example if we are placing an order at a major department store or our favorite online bookstore, we will need to provide our personal information such as name, address, and credit card number, so that they can process our order. The problem is the consumer never knows if their information is sold to another website. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. You purchase something online and next thing you know you are receiving email or snail mail for similar products, yet you’ve never visited their site or shopped with them before.
There are bills being passed that address how your information is collected, and what can be done with it. The government has new laws to control this type of tracking, but who is going to enforce these new laws? Rather than relying on the government to protect you, I would recommend you take action to protect yourself.
The best solution to keeping your information safe is to use Ad-Aware. It will automatically block and delete cookies that pose a threat to your privacy. You can configure the software to allow cookies from certain sites, or block all cookies. There is plenty of flexibility in the set up. It’s like having your own internet police 24 hours a day.
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Common Internet scams and phishing schemas
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers is continuing to increase dramatically. While online banking and e-commerce is very safe, as a general rule you should be careful about giving out your personal financial information over the internet.
Phishing is the act of attempting to fraudulently acquire sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business with a real need for such information in a seemingly official electronic notification or message, most often an email or an instant message. It is a social engineering attack.
The term “phishing” comes from the fact that internet scammers are using increasingly sophisticated lures as they “fish” for users financial information and password data. ID Security Suite is offering you the possibility to stop phishing: the ID AntiPhishing, to wiping out internet scam and fraud.
Problems like phishing scams change from phenomenon to endemic threat, technology companies are launching products and services to end or great reduce the threat of online. ID AntiPhishing software from ID Security Suite is effective against the use of spam to direct internet users to websites controlled by thieves but designed to look like legitimate
sites.
Phishing attacks use both social engineering and technical subterfuge to steal consumers’s personal identity data and financial account credentials. Social engineering schemes use spoofed emails to lead consumers to counterfeit websites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data such as account usernames, credit cards numbers, passwords and social security numbers. Hijacking brands names of banks, e-retailers and credit card companies, phishers often convince recipients to respond. Technical subterfuge schemes plant crime ware onto PCs to steal credentials directly, often using Trojan key logger spy ware. Pharming crime ware misdirects users to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, typically through DNS hijacking or poisoning.
As scam artist become more sophisticated, so do their phishing email messages and popup windows. They often include official looking logos from real organizations and other identifying information taken from legitimate web sites. Consider installing the tool bar from ID AntiPhishing from ID Security Suite to help protect you from known phishing fraud websites. ID AntiPhishing alerts you before you visit a page that is on our list of known fraudulent phisher web sites.Every internet user must be suspicious of any email with urgent request for personal financial information.
Always ensure that you are using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your web browser, to make sure you are on a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your web browser. Don’t use the links in an email to get to any web page, if you suspect the message might not be authentic, instead, call the company on the telephone, or log onto the website
directly.
Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information; you should only communicate information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure website or the telephone. Unless the email is digitally signed, you can’t be sure it wasn’t forgotten or spoofed. Phishers typically include upsetting or exciting, but false statements in the emails to get people to react immediately.
At first glance, it may not be obvious to the recipients what is in their inbox is not a legitimate email from a company with whom they do business. The “from” field of the email may have the “com” address of the company mentioned in the email, and the clickable link may also appear to be taking you to the company when site, but will in fact take you to a spoof web site. Looks can be deceiving, but with phishing scams the email is never from who is appears to be!
Regularly log into your inline account; do not leave it for as long as a month before you check each account. Regularly check your bank credit and debit statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If anything is suspicious, contact your bank and all card issues. The phishers’s emails typically ask for information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, back account; these emails are typically not personalized, while valid messages from your bank generally are.
Ensure that your browser is up to date and security patches applied. In particular, people who use the most popular browser should immediately go to ID AntiPhishing to download a special patch relating to certain phishing schemes.
Always report phishing or spoofed to certain phishing groups. ID AntiPhishing tool bar protect your savings from phishing attacks. The tool bar traps suspicious URLs containing characters whish have no common purpose other than to deceive. It enforces display of browser navigational controls (toolbar and address bar) in all windows, to defend against pop up windows which attempt to hide the navigational controls. The ID Security Suite’s ID AntiPhishing tool bar clearly displays sites’s hosting location, helping you to evaluate fraudulent URLs.
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Can spam be stopped?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Worried about safeguarding your computer and your important data in today’s connected world? Our ID Security Suite will help you keep your kids safe on the internet, protect your system from viruses and spy ware, back up and encrypt your important data and more.
Unscrupulous person have taken advantage of the boom in email and web use to attempt everything from selling a large range of products to stealing your personal identity and credit card information. Spamming has become a profitable business, driven by the low cost of sending email compared to other direct marketing techniques.
The high return on investment for spammers has resulted in an over helming volume of unwanted messages in personal and business email boxes. The spammers made a simple evaluation: conducting a direct mail campaign costs an average of $1.39 per person, meaning that a response rate of 1 in 14 is necessary just to break even on a $20 item. Selling the same $20 item via unsolicited spam email costs only $0.0004 per person, meaning that a response rate of 1 in 50000 gets the seller back to break even; anything above that is gravy.
With profit margins like these, it is easy to see why spammers will try anything to get past anti spam technology to deliver their messages to your inbox. The proliferation of spam on email and spy ware in web browser may make you want to throw your hand up in disgust and walk away from the internet.
As we know, spam is an ever growing problem, using and working with them can often prove to be very complex. We must not forget that 50% of all emails worldwide are spam mails. The total volume of email sent in 2004 exceeded two trillion messages, and continue to grow at an exponential rate through 2007. With this sort of massive email volume traveling across the internet, the need for accurate and through spam protection has never been greater.
For many users receiving spam everyday is a nightmare. ID Security Suite response to the spam explosion is ID AntiSpam, to reduce email volume from senders who consistently send spam. It is a powerful tool to fight against spam, and the suite is a real efficient product to fight spam and other email threats.
With ID AntiSpam from ID Security Suite, you can keep your Inbox clean of unwanted emails. It is easy to use software, made to reduce and block spam. Instead of giving up, take ID AntiSpam and have some effective ways to enjoy your online experiences without the hassles of unwanted advertising and intruders. The best solution to avoid it is ID AntiSpam!
An intelligent spam filter studies every email characteristics so seriously that in many cases it is more accurate than filtering by hand. It is mail filter software that is designed to make installation, configuration and maintenance as simple as possible. Using it is possible to fight spam, reduce and stop spam.
ID AntiSpam identifies legitimate emails, in addition to accurately identifying spam. It enhances its effectiveness by employing proven techniques to including black lists, white lists, sender identification.
You can stop the spam flood with ID AntiSpam, your PC or your organization can cope with spam volume explosion and maximize the effectiveness of your email security investment.
You can also evict the spammers from your Inbox, block spam and other email threats from you. You will reduce spam volume explosion and maximize the effectiveness of your email security investment.
ID AntiSpam is software, not a service, so you will use it forever. It stops spam completely, immediately after installation, with no configuration and stops annoying interruptions from spam and repeat offenders.
ID AntiSpam is dealing with spam painless and effortless. Spam Blocker couldn’t be more elegant or simpler to use. It is a spam fighter that stops 100 percent of junk email straight out of the box.
Messages from people you know are delivered to your inbox and all other messages are quarantined. ID AntiSpam automatically builds your white list of approved senders by scanning your saved / sent emails and contacts. As you work with your email, ID AntiSpam automatically updates the list on your behalf.
With ID AntiSpam you can send uninvited email and spam out of your Inbox automatically with an email filter that blocks spam and puts you in complete control over who may send email to you or from preventing emails to reach your inbox. The software blocks spam and filter according to pre-set categories, keywords, domain names, and more! ID AntiSpam provides a safe preview of email, with the ability to turn image display off.
ID AntiSpam is easy to use, no complicated configuration or training necessary.Can spam be blocked? The answer is yes, but it takes the steps from above to have again the possibility to enjoy your email reading everyday.
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Kazaa rates as worst pest
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Program that monitor user’s online behavior, legally or illegally, are a big business and a big headache for computer users. The other top threats are Ezula’s Top Text reference tool, which installs ads on user’s computer, Game Spy Arcade, which installs adware. Download Accelerator Plus, which is changing browser settings, displaying pop-under ads and transmitting information to a web site without the user’s permission.
The most rapidly spreading pests are Gator/GAIN/Claria and Grokster. Spyware is a $2 billion a year industry, judging from rough estimates of the number of adware installations and the amount of money generated by each installation. It is a real industry based on business relationships that tie legitimate advertisers to online marketing companies, small application vendors, and web site operators.
The peer-to-peer application Kazaa is at the top of the list of the unwanted software “pests”. The unwanted spyware, adware and Trojan are called sometimes pests to distinguish them from viruses. The top threat is the Kazaa peer-to-peer application, the prone to degrading network performance, consuming vast amounts of storage and creating security issues.
If you have Kazaa on your computer, the IT administrator has probably stopped you from downloading its content. The spyware has many faces, and the better way to stop there is to remove Kazaa from your system as soon as possible. This program becomes the most powerful distribution vehicle for adware / spyware bundles.
Public peer-to-peer networks have always associated with adware program distributions.Just check if Kazaa begin it’s installation with a complete and truthful disclosure of proposed usage, and obtains explicit, informed, consent for such use. We know that the answer is no.
After using Kazaa you probably have spyware and adware that you don’t even know about. The symptoms are annoying and malicious: unexplainable pop-ups appearing unexpectedly, unwanted toolbars, home page changes, slow computer and internet. Much spyware and adware uses your system resources and internet connection. Some of it even causes your computer to send spam emails behind the scenes, sucking up your internet connection. If your system performance has recently taken a nose dive may be infected.
Suddenly you are unable to visit your favorite search engine and everything you do seems to take you to a search engine you have never heard of. This is just another sign that you may be infected.
What is happening with a user with minor knowledge in spyware domain if he wants to find and share files, and having been told that Kazaa is the best software around?
On every page there is only general stuff. Somewhere, on help section, he will know that his PC and connection will be used. No sign of that it really doing. The novice will find that it is peer-to-peer software, and roughly what that’s about. It includes advert modules; it will use the user’s computer resource, including CPU and net connection. Kazaa assure the user they are complete and truthful in disclosing their proposed use of the owner connection. Great!
Is hard to believe that anyone reasonably come to believe it’s anything but ordinary peer-to-peer software, with adware included. It requires complete and truthful disclosure obtaining informed consent. The reality is different; on the contrary, it’s a deliberate, concerted and fraudulent plan to plant software intended for one purpose, but disguised as only for another, ‘in tens of millions of computers worldwide’. It is a plague, a real pest - a confidence trick on a massive scale.
Other says that Kazaa is the spyware king; despite the fact the Kazaa home page proudly applauds itself for containing no spyware. Marketing industry is already whining about this classification; they want to differentiate spyware from adware to keep their profit party raging (supporting laws that ban spyware, not adware). Users meanwhile don’t care what it’s called, they want only remove Kazza.
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Internet identity theft - Phishing and scams
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
You’ve heard the term internet identity theft. So how does phishing relate to identity theft, and what can you do to block scams and protect your identity?
Phishing is a method of deception, which is designed to steal your identity. In phishing scams, the con artist tries to get you to disclose your personal data.
Their goal is to obtain your credit card number, account information, or login and password so that they can steal your identity.
These scams usually come in the form of emails that look very legitimate. The scammer pretends to be a legitimate business in an attempt to convince you to divulge your personal information. The information they collect from you is then used to steal your identity. This is why it is so important to be able to block scams.
The email they send you, will either ask you to enter your information on a form that appears in the email, or it will use a link to direct you to a web site where you are then asked to update your personal information. The web site you visit is not legitimate and it’s only purpose is to steal your information.
Customers of large companies such as banks and credit cards are regularly targeted. In the past year there have been thousands of attempts to obtain customer information from E-bay and Paypal users. Many people have fallen for these scams believing the email was legitimate.
Most of these scams will indicate an urgency to update your personal information. They will tell you there was unusual activity on your account, or your personal information is no longer valid or that your information has become outdated. They proceed to scare you into acting quickly, by telling you, if you don’t act immediately your account will be suspended.
These emails arrive looking very legitimate. Presented in an HTML format, they look very much like an email you would receive from the company. They can quite easily fool the average user. The scammers send out millions of emails, counting on a small percentage of users to believe them, thus providing the scammer with the personal information they are looking for. Phishing derived its name from fishing. The process is much the same, bate your hook in an attempt to get your catch.
Phishing can also occur in the form of a pop-up windows. Whether the scammers use email or a pop-up, they will often provide you with a link to a website that appears to be official. Unsuspecting surfers visit the link where they are then asked to provide credit card numbers, account information, login information, or other personal data. It’s no wonder many fall into this trap. These are sophisticated operations that can easily fool the average user
Phishing is a sophisticated business. Emails will contain the logos of the company they are pretending to be, and the site you are directed too will look very official, often an exact copy of the original site. This is easily accomplished by stealing the legitimate sites code.
You do not need to directly provide the scammer with credit card information. Many scammers will use more subtle tactics by asking you to confirm your login and password for sites that store credit card or banking information. Once they have your login and password, it’s clear sailing. They’ll have your information faster than you can cancel the account.
Identity theft is big business, and these scammers will stop at nothing to obtain your personal information. The FTC estimates that during 2003 almost ten million Americans were victims of some form of identity theft. These numbers are expected to double as scammers continue to get more creative making their scams very difficult to spot.
Sadly, every day thousands of people fall victim to these scams, providing their personal information including credit card numbers to these scammers. That’s why it’s so important to block scams before it’s too late. ID Antiphishing accomplishes this task very easily, with little intervention by the user.
There are some things you can do to help keep your data safe. Always choose passwords that are a minimum of 7 characters. Mix letters, characters, and numbers with capital and small letters. Never choose a real word. There are software packages that can scan an entire dictionary of words in minutes. Keep yourself current on which scams are going around. Never use a link in an email. If you think you need to update your information, then follow your normal procedure of accessing the site. Most legitimate companies will not ask for your personal information by email or pop up.
Sadly, even if you are diligent and careful you can be a victim of phishing. Some phishing is so sophisticated, that you have given them your information before you ever realize it was a scam. The best way to block scams and stop phishing is to use ID Antiphishing software. Using ID Antiphishing is like placing a padlock on your personal information. It will keep your computer safe and secure!
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