Internet Security Summary
From our Internet Security Specialist

Anti-virus | Spyware | Firewall
Mac computers | Windows updates | Web browser

Anti-virus - Information & Programs

• Please protect your own computer and those of your friends and acquaintances by using an anti-virus program on your computer, and keeping it updated. New viruses appear quickly, and spread through unprotected computers, usually without the knowledge of the computer owner.
  
  
• Recent versions forge the "from" line to one of the addresses in the infected computer, so it appears to be coming from someone else's computer or even yours. It might also appear to be a "bounced" message from a postmaster, saying you sent it out, and it couldn't be delivered. It could also appear to be a message from your Internet Service Provider, saying there is a problem with your account or your email.
  
  
• Many message sent "from" financial institutions are an attempt to get your login and password. DO NOT click on links in these emails. Instead, type the email address of your bank's website into your browser. These messages are often referred to as "phishing". Few banks actually email their clients, instead they have messages on their websites both before login (general) and after (personalized).
  
  
• We recommend NEVER opening an attachment unless you have specifically asked for a file, unless you know what it is and why you are receiving it. Most of the viruses these days spread through the virus sending copies of itself to everyone in your address book, and are especially directed at attacking through Outlook or Outlook Express. Most people affected have no idea that their computer is spreading the virus to their friends, who think it's safe to open an attachment coming from someone they know.
  
  
• Please note that few people are aware that spyware is as much a danger to your computer as viruses. Please see below for information on controlling spyware.

Top

• Update your anti-virus program at least daily, and always before opening your email program, to give you the best protection.
• We recommend the use of the free AVG antivirus program. First, if you have Windows XP, be sure to turn off "System Restore" if it's on - go to start, (then settings if you have that showing), then control panel, then system - click on the "System Restore" tab, and click the little box beside "Turn off system restore" and "Apply". This could take a few minutes. Then click "OK". The program is available at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads?prd=aff
• Update daily by double clicking on the tray icon (yellow/black/green/red square), then on "Check for updates" in the window that pops up. Once completed, clicking OK when directed will install the updated list of the latest viruses for AVG to monitor.
• We recommend the use of a second anti-virus program, running in conjunction with AVG. This free (for personal use) program is available from Avast at http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html and please note that it requires a registration, which is free, but is required each year.
• You can also do an online scan of your computer at www.antivirus.com/free_tools - this only works when connected to the Internet, of course. Please don't depend on this as your only virus defense. We have seen it miss virus infections.

Top

Spyware Detectors - "Pest control" for your computer

• Spyware is used as a catch-all term for many kinds of malicious software. Adware programs pop up ads in your face, sometimes even when you don't have a browser open and may also watch your online activities, profiling you for targeted advertising or more sinister purposes. Literal spyware gathers information about you and what you do with the computer, possibly enabling identity theft. Keyloggers are the ultimate spies, recording everything you type (including passwords). All of these are lumped under the term spyware.
• Many people don't realize all the extra "stuff" that ends up on their computers just by visiting websites. In addition to the Temporary Internet Files (which should be cleaned out regularly), many websites place "cookies" on the computer, _most_ of which are harmless, and they also can put "spyware" programs into your computer as well.
• You can remove the Temporary Internet Files in Internet Explorer by going to "Tools", then "Internet Options", then on "Delete Files" to clear what is stored already. Then click on the "Advanced" tab at the top, and scroll down to the "Security" section at the bottom of the popup window. Click to put a check mark beside "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed".
• Beware emails promoting programs that will "clean" your spyware - these are often programs that remove other companies' spyware, replacing it with their own!
• We recommend The use of a free spyware detection program "Spybot Search and Destroy". It not only cleans the "spyware" on computers, but "immunizes" them against almost 2,000 programs, to prevent websites from putting their programs on your computers without your consent. "Spybot" is available at www.spybot.info - or from our courtesy download area at www.computertamers.ca/download
  Install the program, be sure to "immunize" the computer, then check for problems, finally clicking on “Fix selected problems”. There is a tutorial available by clicking on Help on the top menu.
• Check for problems weekly by double clicking on the desktop shortcut, first checking for updates - if found, click to select them all, download and install. Then to go "Immunize" (click on the green cross at the top of the Immunize screen), and go to "Search and Destroy" to check for problems. Then "Fix selected problems" (making sure they are all selected if not done automatically); then go to "Recovery", select any/all there, and click "Purge" to finish cleaning.
• We also recommend the use of AdAware in additon to Spybot for better protection. It is also free, and available from www.filehippo.com/download_ad-aware but if you only want to use one program, we recommend Spybot.

Top

Firewalls - The "keys" to your computer

• Computers connected to the Internet are at risk of attack from unscrupulous hackers, especially those connected via high speed connections (cable or DSL). Hackers may attempt to take control of your computer for their own use. In the worst case, this could include the placing of child porn on your computer for distribution without your knowledge.
• We recommend the use of the free ZoneAlarm firewall program, available at www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
• During installation, it can pre-configure your computer for Internet access, but you will have to give permission for each program outside the standard connection. If it is a program you know (your email program or web browser or antivirus programs), click on "Remember this setting" so you won't be asked again for that program. You can change settings program by program at any time by clicking on Program Control, then Programs. Click under Access to set "Allow, Block or Ask" status for each program.
• Please note that you can review the tutorial at any time by double clicking on the tray icon (ZA or red/green traffic bars) then on Overview, Status and finally Tutorial. Clicking on Preferences will allow you to check for updates to the program.
• If you have given permission for a program you don't want, or denied access to a program you do want, double click on the ZA in the task bar, then when it opens ZoneAlarm, click on Program Control on the left, then on Programs - it will show you a list of those allowed (green check mark) and denied (red x). Blue question marks mean the program asks each time. To change a setting, just click on either the check mark, x or question mark, then change to what you want.

Top

Mac (Apple) computers

• Despite what many people believe, Mac/Macintosh/Apple computers also need protection. As of Dec/07 security experts at F-Secure say Fortress Mac is under attack. “Over the past two years, we had found one or two pieces of malware targeting Macs,” said Patrik Runald, an F-Secure security researcher. “Since October, we’ve found 100-150 variants.”
• There is a good page of information specific to Mac computers at www.sophos.com/support/knowledgebase/article/95.html which includes the information "There are a number of Macintosh specific file viruses and worms, in addition to several thousand macro viruses which affect programs which run on Macintoshes."
• Read "Keeping Your Mac Safe In An Unsafe World" from Information Week at www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199902443&pgno=1&queryText= in which "A Mac expert takes you through the threats, holes, and exploits swirling around Mac OS X, and offers up some tips and tactics to protect your system".
• There are products available for virus, firewall and spyware protection for Macs, although we have not found a reliable free program yet. Good sources for Mac software information are Version Tracker at www.versiontracker.com/macos - use the "Search for software" box at the top to find what you need, and Pure Mac at www.pure-mac.com
• Antivirus programs are available for the Mac from Sophos, McAfee and Norton, among others.
• Firewalls are also available from Norton and others, and a spyware detector , MacScan is available at macscan.securemac.com

Top

Windows Updates

• Be sure to check at least monthly for new “Windows Updates” from Microsoft. These are NEVER sent by email. If you receive email that says it contains a “patch” for Windows, delete it immediately!
• To check for updates, click on Start, (in XP/2000 you must also click on Control Panel) then on “Windows Update”. Follow the instructions on screen to download and install them; it often requires restarting the computer.
• Select "Custom Install" and review the updates before downloading them, and for now, we are recommending avoiding Internet Explorer 7 if you can.
• Microsoft has now started the release of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). We are advising the avoidance of Service Pack 3 (SP3), due to the risk to computers when upgrading. If you have an HP computer, DO NOT do the SP3 install until HP releases a patch, or your computer could go into a "blue screen of death" and continual reboot. To ensure a good install, the registry (the "card catalogue" of Windows) must be pristine, there can be no spyware on the computer, and no pirate programs. This is a huge install, requiring many hours to download on dialup.

Top

• And finally, our advice is to get a better browser! Unfortunately, most people use Internet Explorer, which is not safe to use in its standard format - experts advise either turn off some Internet Explorer features by setting all security zones to "high" or switch to another browser as the best immediate fix.
• It is our opinion that Mozilla's Firefox is a much better, faster, and safer web browser, and it is updated far more often.
• Try it - you'll like it! www.mozilla.com

Top