Haven't you any anti-virus software? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Abdul Razique Khan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:44 PM Subject: Re: [AI] Protect your PC and personal data from hackers and malware.
> Hello list members, > A few days back I received a mail from an unknown source with 2 > attachments > and I opened those attachments. Reading this article I'm a bit afraid as I > dont have any softwares to stay away from these threats in my computer. > Could anyone suggest me what to do so as to protect my computer from these > types of threats. > > expecting a suggestion > Abdul > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "firoz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> > Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 8:11 PM > Subject: Re: [AI] Protect your PC and personal data from hackers and > malware. > > >> thanks >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Sudhir R (NeSTIT)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:57 AM >> Subject: [AI] Protect your PC and personal data from hackers and malware. >> >> >>> rediff.com >>> >>> December 11, 2007 >>> >>> You do it almost everyday. You login into your computer, send e-mails, >>> open attachments from friends and strangers, shop online, transfer money >>> using your >>> banks secured payment gateway, chat with friends and upload personal >>> information on social networking sites. >>> >>> But have you ever given a thought to someone who is keeping a close >>> watch >>> on all your online activities. Someone, somewhere in some corner of this >>> planet >>> trying to get inside your computer and filch one of the most important >>> resources of information age: personal data. >>> >>> Data that can be abused to make purchases online, send malicious >>> programmes to all those on your contact list and many such things to >>> harm >>> you. Welcome >>> to the age of hackers (these are people who try to gain access to your >>> computer using various hacking tools and misuse your personal data) and >>> spies lurking >>> on the vast Internet highway. >>> >>> But don't worry. There are ways in which you can beat the >>> hackers.However, >>> when it comes to security nothing is 100 per cent secure. Loads of >>> exploits are >>> developed everyday. Updating the knowledgebase should be a regular >>> process. Following could be few of the many measures that could be taken >>> to protect >>> your computer and all things that you do online: >>> >>> ~ Install the latest antivirus software (I recommend Kaspersky, Eset >>> Nod32, Quickheal, F-Secure) on the computer and never ever disable or >>> turn >>> it off. >>> Install a personal firewall ( >>> www.sygate.com >>> and >>> www.zonelabs.com >>> offer free versions) and Spyware Checker (I recommend Spybot Search & >>> Destroy). >>> >>> ~ Keep updating antivirus/anti spywares at least every 15 days. Use >>> separate >>> Trojan >>> removers like anti Trojan shield if possible. Full system scan with your >>> anti virus at least once in a week or better set it to scan periodically >>> and give >>> a small interval say every Friday (the day may vary according to your >>> choice). >>> >>> ~ There are a few free online scanners available at >>> http://housecall.trendmicro.com >>> or >>> http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/partner/us/kavwebscan.html, >>> and >>> http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml. >>> >>> ~ Get System's health checked regularly at >>> http://www.pcpitstop.com/. >>> The site checks the overall system health, tunes up the system and finds >>> out the vulnerabilities. It's a free service. >>> >>> ~ Don't ever download or open attachments whose source you are not >>> certain >>> about. Even if the source is trusted, see if the content is relevant. >>> Even >>> non-executable >>> files like *.Doc files can contain macro viruses and Trojans. There are >>> some special sort of programmes called worms, which don't need human >>> interaction. >>> You just open a mail or visit any website and that's it. So always stay >>> alert. Avoid opening e-mail attachments that contain '.vbs', '.scr', >>> '.exe', or >>> '.pif' file extensions. Files that end in these extensions are most >>> likely >>> to contain some sort of virus. >>> >>> ~ Web browsers like Fire Fox, IE 7 & Opera offer good security features. >>> Test your Web Browser for Vulnerability at >>> http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/. >>> >>> ~ Never download any files specially executables over P2P (peer-to-peer) >>> sharing networks, because you cannot be absolutely certain what they >>> are. >>> P2P file >>> sharing programmes can lead to the installation of a lot of adware and >>> spyware. Try downloading executables from authentic and well-known >>> sites; >>> don't >>> just download files from anywhere. >>> >>> ~ Try not to visit porn sites, Warez, sites of cracks and serials >>> because >>> most of them have hell lot of latest spywares, Trojans and viruses .One >>> visit >>> and you are gone if your virus definitions are not up to date. >>> >>> ~ Be familiar with the installed programmes on your computer. If you >>> notice a new programme installed, which you didn't in the first place, >>> possibilities >>> are that it might be something malicious. >>> >>> ~ Read the installation agreements carefully when you download something >>> from the Internet. Pay attention to the terms and conditions or EULA >>> (end-user >>> license agreements) of the program being installed. Reference to third >>> party installation should be given more attention. Some EULA's tell you >>> that, if >>> you install the program, you have also agreed to install some spyware >>> with >>> the software. Do check the independent sources as some EULA's do not >>> mention >>> about the Spywares. >>> >>> ~ Back up your computer data on a regular basis, at least weekly. Copy >>> your important documents and files onto a floppy disk, removable drives, >>> CD or a >>> DVD for safekeeping. Don't wait for the disaster to happen, take the >>> precaution before hand. Create system restore points periodically >>> >>> ~ Use e-mail encryption like PGP to send important information via >>> emails. >>> Don't send important information in plain text. >>> >>> ~ Never respond to unsolicited e-mail. To those who send spam, one >>> response or 'hit' from thousands of e-mails is enough to justify the >>> practice. Additionally, >>> it validates your email address as active, which makes it more valuable, >>> and therefore opens the door to more spam. >>> >>> ~ Beware of phishing attacks. Sites like >>> www.antiphishing.org >>> offer latest updates on phishing along with good security tips >>> >>> ~Don't chat with strangers just for fun. Don't ever accept any file, >>> especially executables from an unknown person on chat. Don't click on >>> any >>> links given >>> by someone you don't know. >>> >>> ~ Do not accept links or downloads from strangers even if it is >>> tempting. >>> There have been cases where spywares like Trojans, keyloggers etc. have >>> been hidden >>> in simple picture files with '.jpg' extensions. You never really know >>> what >>> is contained inside a file which looks attractive. >>> >>> Today people use binders to club two different files and send you the >>> mixture. Once you click on the file both file gets executed. >>> >>> ~ Be cautious while displaying your profile, especially your personal >>> details, photographs, videos and contacts on social networking sites. >>> Your >>> profiles >>> and contacts may be misused by other people. >>> >>> ~ Install parental control softwares like netnanny that helps you choose >>> what the kids see on the Internet and monitor the activities of >>> children. >>> For more >>> details visit >>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/children. >>> >>> Wireless security >>> >>> ~ If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC >>> filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP/WPA/WPA2 with the >>> biggest >>> key you can get. >>> >>> Online shopping safety tips >>> >>> ~ While purchasing online, look for signs that online purchases are >>> secure >>> (SSL secured sites or 128 bit encryption) like >>> Ebay.co.in. >>> At the point that you are providing your payment information a golden >>> coloured lock appears (for SSL secured sites) or the beginning of the >>> Web >>> site address >>> should change from http to shttp or https, indicating that the >>> information >>> is being encrypted -- turned into code that can only be read by the >>> seller. >>> >>> Your browser may also signal that the information is secure with a >>> symbol, >>> such as a broken key that becomes whole or a padlock that closes. >>> >>> ~ Carefully use credit card and online banking for online shopping. >>> Check >>> your credit card and bank statements at regular intervals. Notify the >>> bank >>> immediately >>> if there are unauthorised charges or debits. Avoid using credit card >>> details and online banking on public computers and in cyber cafes. It is >>> very unsafe >>> because most of them are infected with viruses, Trojans and key stroke >>> loggers. >>> >>> Banks such as HDFC [ >>> Get Quote] >>> have launched their services like Net Safe to create temporary credit >>> cards with a limited value to transact online. This way, in the worst >>> case >>> scenario, >>> your damages are limited. >>> >>> Password security >>> >>> ~ Use two different passwords. One for mail, work and other important >>> access and other for routine purposes like subscribing to websites or >>> public viewing. >>> But remember to switch between them when you start doing transactions >>> after mere browsing. Create another e-mail ID providing false >>> information >>> and crazy >>> usernames like 'whitecat_4u', 'kkk320' etc. which you use exclusively >>> for >>> subscription to sites. That will prevent spam from coming to your main >>> ID. >>> >>> ~ Create a difficult-to-guess password by taking the first alphabet from >>> each word of a phrase. What is a good password? It is a password which >>> is >>> at least >>> 8 characters long, not easily guessable, contains mixture of uppercase >>> and >>> lowercase letters as well as numbers, and preferably contains special >>> characters >>> like $, *, %, !, * etc. Some examples of a good password are: >>> &(^.1234*cRack&.^). >>> >>> ~ Always use alphanumeric passwordwith special characters and try to >>> adopt >>> phrasing technique to construct passwords which are easy to remember, >>> hard >>> to >>> guess and impossible to crack. Create a unique acronym. Never use a >>> dictionary based password like guest, home etc. It takes little time for >>> a >>> good cracker >>> to crack the password. >>> >>> Vineet Kumar is the founder and CEO of >>> National anti-Hacking Group. >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please visit the list home page at >>> >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please visit the list home page at >> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. 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