Thursday, February 27, 2014

Don't Get Lured Into This Phishing Scam

One good thing about writing articles for a living is that I get to learn about new things. Since I spend most of my time in front of a computer, it seems I don't get out much and unless it's on the nightly news, I don't usually hear about computer scams. That's how I found out about Phishing Scams. I had never heard of such a thing until I was asked to write an article about it, and I'm glad that I was asked. I now know what a Phishing scam is and I'm happy to share this information with you, in case your not very computer savvy either. Now most of us know enough not to openly give out personal information online to just anybody, and common sense tells us when something looks a little shaky when we see it. However, Phishing scams are hard to see because they are made to look like things we are used to. We do a lot of things online today, banking, paying bills, shopping, stock trading, etc. We usually don't give it a second thought to give our information in doing any of these activities. That's what these Phishing scams are hoping for, that you won't give a second thought to giving them your personal information.

Phishing scams usually come as emails or pop-up messages to lure your personal information from you. “We suspect an unauthorized transaction has occurred in your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.” Have you received an e-mail that looks like that one? Or how about; “During our regular verification of accounts, we could not verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information.” Both of these scams are called phishing, and it involves Internet schemers who send email or pop-up messages that lure you into giving them your personal information. Credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, and passwords, any information or sensitive material you think is safe. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishers claim to be from a business or organization that you deal with, including Internet service providers, online payment services and even government agencies. The messages can ask you to update or confirm your account information, or threaten you if you don't respond immediately. The messages will then direct you to a website that looks just like the one you're used to dealing with, but it's not, it's a fake website and its only purpose is to trick you into giving out your personal information.

FTC recommends never give out personal information to email or pop ups that ask you for it. Legitimate companies never ask for this information via email. Don't cut and paste a link from the message into your Internet browser. Don't “click” on a button or web address given to you via email unless you're absolutely sure of were its going. For more information, look for websites pertaining to phishing scam information.




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Summary:
One good thing about writing articles for a living is that I get to learn about new things. Since I spend most of my time in front of a computer, it seems I don't get out much and unless it's on the nightly news, I don't usually hear about computer scams. That's how I found out about Phishing Scams. I had never heard of such a thing until I was asked to write an article about it, and I'm glad that I was asked. I now know what a Phishing scam is and I'm happy to share this inf...

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Don't Get Caught by a Phishing Scheme

You receive an email from your bank warning you that your account information needs to be updated urgently or else it will be suspended.  In a panic, you click on the link in the email and are brought to your bank's web site.  Without giving it a second thought, you enter your user name and password to access your account online.  In that moment, you have just handed an unknown criminal the keys to your banking account.  You've been the victim of a phishing1 scheme.

Phishing has become one of the most common methods of electronically stealing people's identities.  During the period between May 2004 and May 2005, over 1.2 million individuals were victims of these attacks and have lost approximately $929 million.  Clearly, phishing is a big problem, but the question is how can you protect yourself from being reeled in?

One way is to increase your suspicion.  The emails and web sites used in these phishing schemes are often remarkably accurate in appearance and tone to the real thing.  That can make it difficult for you to recognize a fraud.  However, there are a couple of things that can alert you to danger.

First, check how the email is addressed.  Does it say “Dear Paypal Customer” or does it include your name?  Legitimate emails from these companies will use your name in the salutation.  If the email begins with a generic salutation that could have been sent to anyone, then you should think twice before following any links in the email.

Second, consider what the email is saying.  Phishing schemes frequently use scare tactics, such as telling you that your account is being suspended, to make you act quickly and without thinking.  Don't fall into their trap!  If you receive an email stating that some problem exists with your account, contact the organization by email or, preferably, by phone to check the status for yourself.

Finally, never click on a link in the email.  These links will redirect you to the attackers' web site.  Instead, go to the organization's web site on your own.  For example, if you received an email supposedly from Ebay about your account, you would type www.ebay.com into your browser instead of using the link.  That way you can check the status of your account safely because you'll know you are at the right location.


Of course, phishing is only one method of stealing your identity.  If you want to learn how to protect yourself from phishing and other methods or if you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take now, you need to read Identity Theft:  A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com.  The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.




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Summary:
Do you know what phishing is?  Do you know how to prevent it from happening to you?  Explore this article on how to identify a phishing scheme and how to protect yourself.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Don't Fall For The Latest Internet Identity Theft Scam

Q: I use PayPal to accept credit cards for my online collectibles business. I recently received an email that my PayPal account was going to expire in five days if I didn't click a link in the email and give them my PayPal account information. Being naturally paranoid I decided not to give this information and I'm happy to say that my PayPal account did not expire. Was this a scam?
-- Brenda A.

A: Be thankful that your paranoia kicked in, Brenda, because you were about to fall victim to the scam of the week, this one aimed at the 35 million merchants and individuals who use http://Paypal.com as their online payment processor.

The email you received was not from PayPal, but from an Internet bad guy behind a forged email address using the http://PayPal.com domain. You should understand that no reputable online company will ever ask you to provide your account information. Think about it. They already have this information. Why would they ask you to provide it.

Since I use PayPal for several of my online ventures, I, too, received the email in question. The email first seeks to instill fear in you by saying that your PayPal account will be closed if you do not provide personal information. You are then directed to open an attached executable file and enter your PayPal account information and other personal information that PayPal doesn't even require, including your social security number, checking and savings account information, driver's license number, and other personal information that can be used to clean out your PayPal account and perhaps even steal your identity.

If you're not familiar with PayPal, it is a hugely successful, web-based company (purchased by eBay in 2002) that many online retailers and eBay sellers use to accept electronic payments for everything from newsletter subscriptions to consulting services to just about any product for sale on eBay.

The allure of PayPal is that it does not require the seller to have a bank merchant account through which to process credit cards. Anyone with a verifiable email address and bank account can use PayPal and the service can be implemented almost immediately after registering. When someone places an order on a website that uses PayPal for online payments, that customer is directed to http://PayPal.com to complete the payment process using a credit card or electronic check. The merchant can transfer the money collected in his PayPal account to his checking account any time he likes. Since many larger merchants make this transfer just once a week or so, their PayPal accounts are ripe for the picking from those who have the cunning and lack of ethics required to gain access.

The shear number of PayPal customers is one reason it has become a popular target of scam artists trying to steal personal information from individuals and businesses alike. Identify theft is on the rise. Thanks to the Internet stealing someone's identity has never been easier. At any given moment, there are any number of Internet thieves using all manner of high tech wizardry to steal personal and business information from unsuspecting souls, and many times they can gain access to this information simply by asking the person to provide it through fraudulent means.

The PayPal scam is just the latest in a long line of sophisticated attempts to steal personal information through online means, Amazon, eBay, Dell Computer, and many others have been the brunt of many such scams in recent years.

Identity theft is what's known as "a knowledge crime," which means that the criminal doesn't have to break into your house to rob you blind. If you have a bank account and a social security number, you are susceptible to identity theft.

While most people are familiar with identity theft, most business men and women never think about it happening to them, at least on a professional level. Consider this: if a criminal can learn your business checking account number or the number of your company credit card, they can steal far more from your business than if they had simply knocked down the door and carted off your desk.

The Internet aside, most business and personal identity theft is still the result of stolen wallets and dumpster diving. You should guard your business records closely and be very careful what you throw away. Stop and think for a moment what a criminal might find in the dumpster behind your office.

There's a good chance that dumpster has, at various times, contained scraps of paper with your social security number, driver's license number, credit card number, old ATM cards, telephone calling cards, and other pieces of vital business information like bank statements, invoices, and purchase orders. A dumpster-diving thief could literally rob your business blind in a matter of hours.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from business and personal identity theft.

· Never give out your first name, last name, business name, email address, account passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, PIN number, social security number, or driver's license number.

· Change your online account passwords every 30 days. Believe it or not, a hacker who steals your personal information can guess your online account passwords in about two minutes. If your Charles Schwab online account password is your birthday or the name of your first born or family pet, count on a hacker cracking that code faster than you can say "Bill Gates."

· Never provide personal information in response to an email or telephone call. Just because someone calls and says they are from Dunn & Bradstreet and need to confirm your business information does not mean they are really from Dunn & Bradstreet.

· Never give your business credit card number over the phone to place an order with someone who has called you unsolicited. If you are interested in what they are selling get their number, check out their company, then call them back to place the order.

If you think that you have become the victim of identity theft or think someone is trying to steal your identity or personal information you should report them immediately to the Federal Trade Commission. You will find more information on their website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. For more information on what to do if identity theft happens to you visit http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm.

So, if you ever receive an email from PayPal, Amazon, eBay, or any other ecommerce website asking you to update your account information by email you can pretty much bet the farm that it is a scam.

Here's to your success.




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Summary:
Q: I use PayPal to accept credit cards for my online collectibles business. I recently received an email that my PayPal account was going to expire in five days if I didn't click a link in the email and give them my PayPal account information. Being naturally paranoid I decided not to give this information and I'm happy to say that my PayPal account did not expire. Was this a scam?
-- Brenda A.

A: Be thankful that your paranoia kicked in, Brenda, because you were about to...

Friday, February 21, 2014

Don’t Be Bugged - Get Bug Detectors

You are walking along, sweeping back and forth, area after area, searching. You are continuing searching when suddenly a sound begins to click, faster and faster. Is it a Geiger counter? No, it is your bug detector. That is right. If you suspect that someone is listening in on your private conversations, strategic development meetings, covert operations, or whatever your reason for secrecy might be, you can stop it instantly and for good with bug detectors.

These handy devices promise you peace of mind and are capable of detecting, locating, and verifying hidden transmitters regardless of where they might be. These work not just in your office or home, or only on your telephone, but even in or on your car.

You may be asking yourself what the difference is between detecting and verifying a hidden transmitter. Obviously, if you detect and locate a bug, you are verifying that you are being bugged, right? Well, verifying in this instance means something else entirely. Let us say that you are sweeping for bugs and the bug detectors you are using begin to squeal or vibrate, telling you that a bug is present. There is a possibility that what it is picking up is not a bug but an ordinary television or radio transmission.

You could drive yourself nuts trying to find a non-existent bug you believe is planted somewhere on your television or radio. But since you are also able to verify with your bug detectors, you will then know that it is not a bug but just a regular, non-threatening transmission.




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Summary:
You are walking along, sweeping back and forth, area after area, searching. You are continuing searching when suddenly a sound begins to click, faster and faster. Is it a Geiger counter? No, it is your bug detector. That is right. If you suspect that someone is listening in on your private conversations, strategic development meetings, covert operations, or whatever your reason for secrecy might be, you can stop it instantly and for good with bug detectors.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Do You Want Someone To Know Your Secrets? Protect Yourself with a Firewall

With more and more small and home based businesses getting high speed, full time Internet connections, like Cable modem and DSL, there is an increased need for firewall software and/or hardware.

A firewall can be many things, but the main thing you need to know is that without one you are at risk of someone breaking into your computer. With people staying connected to the Internet full time with Cable modems or a DSL line, you are at a MUCH greater risk of someone accessing your computer from a remote location.

Basically a firewall limits the access to your computer from the Internet. This has nothing to do with your website. That's your webhost's responsibility to protect your site (which is another reason to make sure you have a reputable firm hosting your website). We're talking about someone accessing the computer that's sitting on your desktop right now.

I was amazed at the number of alerts I got when I first installed my firewall. Each alert meant that someone or some automated robot was trying to access my computer. Admittedly, if you are a small business just beginning e-commerce operations, you are not a prestigious target for a hacker to attack. But you might be a fun target for some 8th grader who wants to see if they can get into your computer.

Begin by immediately downloading and installing some free firewall software: You could visit http://www.firewall.com/ for many choices and more technical articles about firewalls.

I got my free firewall at http://www.zonelabs.com . It provides a good beginners level of protection. http://store.mcafee.com/ has a popular firewall for about $40.00. So does http://www.networkice.com/ that has one called Black Ice Defender.

As your business grows, you probably will want to graduate to more sophisticated software and hardware solutions. Just know that you MUST do something and you must do it NOW!
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Summary:
Protecting your computer is just as important as protecting your home. In order to do what's necessary to prevent hackers from getting personal and private information, a firewall is a must for internet users.

Disguising Spy Bugs

If you are going to be using spy bugs in order to collect information or gather evidence, it is very important that you find the proper disguise. You do not want to raise suspicions. Simply placing a small electronic device in an area is a bad idea. It obvious looks like a spy bug. Even if it is not noticed immediately, eventually someone will see it and get suspicious. And once those suspicions enter, it is harder to use spy bugs in the future to find the information you need.

Spy bugs can easily be disguised in a variety of ways. They are best used in the form of objects that look nothing like spy tools. Ordinary items are the best, especially items that one would expect to see in almost any setting. To complete the illusion, it is best if the spy bugs you use perform their ostentatious functions, like writing if you use a pen, or the ability to make a phone call if you use a cell phone. 

Pens and cell phones are among the most common and popular of spy bugs. This is because a pen is welcome just about anywhere, and nearly everyone has a cell phone. Additionally, pens are easily left behind, “forgotten,” and they can even be given away without arousing suspicion. Cell phones are great because you can plug them into a wall to “charge,” or they can also be “forgotten” when you set them down.

Spy bugs are convenient for many reasons. They are often very small, and this makes it possible to slip them onto your target. They fit easily into briefcases, purses, wallets, backpacks, and can be left in cars in the pockets or under the mats. In addition to pens and cell phones, other types of bugs come disguised as buttons, hats, makeup compacts (anything from powder cases to lipstick tubes), and even reading glasses. 

Whether you want to know what is being said after you leave a room, or whether you are performing reconnaissance, whether you are collecting evidence for use in a civil case or simply recording your conversations in order to protect yourself down the line, you can more effectively get the information you need with the help of cleverly disguised spy bugs.
(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Bugs.


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Summary:
If you are going to be using spy bugs in order to collect information or gather evidence, it is very important that you find the proper disguise. You do not want to raise suspicions. Simply placing a small electronic device in an area is a bad idea. It obvious looks like a spy bug. Even if it is not noticed immediately, eventually someone will see it and get suspicious. And once those suspicions enter, it is harder to use spy bugs in the future to find the information you need

Monday, February 17, 2014

Disguises for Spy Bugs

When you are using spy bugs, it is important that they are properly disguised. It is a good idea to make sure that they look like ordinary items that aren’t normally associated with spying. These items can be nearly anything, and the greatest thing about disguised spy bugs is that they often fulfill their “normal” functions in addition to helping you gather information or evidence.
The use of spy bugs is very helpful because most of the information you get as a result of using them is information that someone would not normally just tell you. The whole point of using covert listening devices is to be able to listen in when the subject’s guard is down, and when she or he might reveal something of use to you. When you are serious about making sure that you are not being kept in the dark, it is time to use disguised listening devices.

Spy bugs come in many guises. They can be in the form of pens or other similar objects. Pens are portable, so your subject may take them along, allowing you to listen in on a variety of settings. Other small and ordinary seeming objects that can be used as bugs include reading glasses, buttons, and makeup compacts. You can leave them laying around to pick up what is going on in a room, or you can actually slip them into a backpack, purse, or briefcase.

Another disguise that works well as far as spy bugs are concerned is the cell phone. You can have a cell phone that does not work, but looks innocent enough, sitting in a drawer or “charging.” Or you can have a phone that allows you to pick up on subject’s conversations if they are within 50 yards of you. The best cell phone spy bugs actually work like real cell phones and allow you to listen in on what is going on in the room, or even connect you to a conversation between different parties, as long as one of the parties has the cell phone bug.

No matter how you disguise them, however, anyone interested in surveillance needs to be well-versed in how to use various spy bugs.
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Summary:
When you are using spy bugs, it is important that they are properly disguised. It is a good idea to make sure that they look like ordinary items that aren’t normally associated with spying. These items can be nearly anything, and the greatest thing about disguised spy bugs is that they often fulfill their “normal” functions in addition to helping you gather information or evidence.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Did I Hear You Say, Mama, Help Me! I Lost My Websites!

This simple reminder is dedicated to all Webmasters (and Webslaves like me). Don't sleep tonight without reading this. Find out why below...
Have you seen people cried out loud for help because they lost their websites?

I have seen this many times in several forums and have personally experienced the same not long ago. I am a living testimony on this one.

And so I cried out, "Mama help! I lost my websites!"

But no one can help me... Sad but true...

So I face mounting problems that escalates each day as I am rebuilding my websites. Lost sales, lost customers, lost files and lost hairs (it's very stressful you know).

If it did not happen to you just yet, good for you. Otherwise, you already know how painful it is to wake up in the morning just to see your website was wiped out on the face of the internet.

Scary eh?

Webmasters lose their websites for a variety of reasons. This may be due to either one or the combination of the following:

1) Server hardware breakdowns or failures
2) Datacenter disasters (fires, electrical, etc)
3) Software updates and failures
4) Hacking and malicious intents
5) Transfer or server movement problems
6) Your webhost human errors
7) Your own human errors
8) Other accidents I might have missed
Except for your own mistakes (admit it, nobody's perfect) from time to time, all the other reasons
are beyond your control. And it's not good news.

It's a good thing that you NOW know that it's not a question of "IF" it will happen to you. It's
just a matter of "WHEN" disaster will strike YOU.

- Are you ready for this?

- Can you deal with the consequences and trauma?

- Is your website insured if disaster falls today?

Luckily, most of us know the solution but we keep on ignoring this. Admit it. I know.

The only way to really have peace of mind is to do one simple thing... Just ONE simple thing...

Backup!

Backup!

Backup!

Most of us knew this all along but we don't do it.

Are we crazy? Nope. We are just busy.

We are so busy online we don't have time for this simple thing. No challenge eh?

But you see, this is your ONLY true insurance from the shaky internet platforms and uncontrollable mishaps.

You can't just rely on someone to do this for you.

- Not with your web host.

- Not your programmer.
- Not your website designer.

- Not even your Mom!

YOU, the website owner should do this for yourself.

BACKUP.

I pray that you will not be stricken with this sad online tragedy. Because I really can't help you even if you email me a million times for help.

Remember, accidents strike when you least expect it. (Or it will not be called accidents right?)

So don't forget to BACKUP your websites from time to time. And your vital files in your computer too.

You'll have peace of mind and I tell you, that's a great and wonderful feeling.

Tell your Mom about it. She'll be happy to know...


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Summary:
This simple reminder is dedicated to all Webmasters (and Webslaves like me). Don't sleep tonight without reading this. Find out why below...

Have you seen people cried out loud for help because they lost their websites?

I have seen this many times in several forums and have personally experienced the same not long ago. I am a living testimony on this one.

And so I cried out, "Mama help! I lost my websites!"

But no one can help me... Sad but true...

So I fa...

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Developing a Standard AUP

Adware and spyware have become a world-wide computer problem from using the World Wide Web. They have turned into malware because of their viral and extremely hostile behavior. Along with the hazards of identity theft and deceit at hand on the Internet, adware and spyware can be other than merely irritating. Here are some methods to detect spyware and adware and remove or merely avoid the adware and spyware and not outlay a dime on the most recent "anti-virus" software, such as Spyware Nuker.
1. USE Firefox. If you don't use the Internet very much, then maybe you don't understand a good deal concerning Firefox. All you need to comprehend is that it is a browser that performs VERY nicely and has excellent security protection.

2. DO NOT USE Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is similar to Swiss cheese. It seems to have an endless supply of security holes. Microsoft is ceaselessly sending out patches to fix all the flaws in the Internet Explorer 6.X and prior versions of the browser. Even though it can be "secured" by adding to thesecurity it may give away much of its functionality when set to highest security when specific exploitable features are turned off.

3. Use a software or hardware firewall (not only Windows XP Service Pack 2's firewall). This may be thought to be expensive and difficult to do but it is not. If you use a DSL or broadband cable connection your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have issued you a DSL/Cable router that has a a firewall included with it. All you need to do is switch it on. This may force you to spend a few minutes to read the instructions.

If your ISP did not deliver you a DSL or Cable broadband router that includes a firewall you can shell out anywhere from $20 -$60 (or occasionally even cheaper when it includes a mail-in rebate) to get a router. If you use DSL you would require a DSL router. If you use Cable broadband ISP you would need a Cable Router. Brands such as Linksys have already built in firewalls and a feature known as NAT, Network Address Translation, which is extremely effective because it hides your actual IP address from the Internet. All routers are sold with directions on how to hook them up. If you desire to maintain you computer security free, merely use a free software firewall.
4. Detect Spyware and Adware using free Anti-spyware, anti-adware software. Lavasoft's Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy are two superb methods of restoring your system for free. Majorgeeks.com is a favorite and trustworthy freeware website that has these and several additional outstanding spyware/adware cleaning and malware preventing software (including free downloadable firewalls).

The best approach is to use ALL of the options. Remaining proactive by surfing using a suitable browser and obtaining a firewall is critical, but it likewise helps to beware of other good anti-adware/spyware applications. If you get hit with a genuinely foul bit of malware that can not be cleaned using Adaware or Spybot, dig up yourself a geek. There are numerous big forums on the Internet committed to accomplishing nothing but to detect spyware and adware and remove them and other malware. In all likelihood if your computer is contaminated with it, hundreds of others prior to you have been contaminated and have previously figured out how to get rid of the malware.

===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Spyware - Learn how to detect spyware and remove it using resources that are either free or very little cost, such as Spyware Nuker.

Detect Spyware and Adware and Remove It Without Spending a Dime

Adware and spyware have become a world-wide computer problem from using the World Wide Web. They have turned into malware because of their viral and extremely hostile behavior. Along with the hazards of identity theft and deceit at hand on the Internet, adware and spyware can be other than merely irritating. Here are some methods to detect spyware and adware and remove or merely avoid the adware and spyware and not outlay a dime on the most recent "anti-virus" software, such as Spyware Nuker.
1. USE Firefox. If you don't use the Internet very much, then maybe you don't understand a good deal concerning Firefox. All you need to comprehend is that it is a browser that performs VERY nicely and has excellent security protection.

2. DO NOT USE Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is similar to Swiss cheese. It seems to have an endless supply of security holes. Microsoft is ceaselessly sending out patches to fix all the flaws in the Internet Explorer 6.X and prior versions of the browser. Even though it can be "secured" by adding to thesecurity it may give away much of its functionality when set to highest security when specific exploitable features are turned off.

3. Use a software or hardware firewall (not only Windows XP Service Pack 2's firewall). This may be thought to be expensive and difficult to do but it is not. If you use a DSL or broadband cable connection your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have issued you a DSL/Cable router that has a a firewall included with it. All you need to do is switch it on. This may force you to spend a few minutes to read the instructions.

If your ISP did not deliver you a DSL or Cable broadband router that includes a firewall you can shell out anywhere from $20 -$60 (or occasionally even cheaper when it includes a mail-in rebate) to get a router. If you use DSL you would require a DSL router. If you use Cable broadband ISP you would need a Cable Router. Brands such as Linksys have already built in firewalls and a feature known as NAT, Network Address Translation, which is extremely effective because it hides your actual IP address from the Internet. All routers are sold with directions on how to hook them up. If you desire to maintain you computer security free, merely use a free software firewall.
4. Detect Spyware and Adware using free Anti-spyware, anti-adware software. Lavasoft's Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy are two superb methods of restoring your system for free. Majorgeeks.com is a favorite and trustworthy freeware website that has these and several additional outstanding spyware/adware cleaning and malware preventing software (including free downloadable firewalls).

The best approach is to use ALL of the options. Remaining proactive by surfing using a suitable browser and obtaining a firewall is critical, but it likewise helps to beware of other good anti-adware/spyware applications. If you get hit with a genuinely foul bit of malware that can not be cleaned using Adaware or Spybot, dig up yourself a geek. There are numerous big forums on the Internet committed to accomplishing nothing but to detect spyware and adware and remove them and other malware. In all likelihood if your computer is contaminated with it, hundreds of others prior to you have been contaminated and have previously figured out how to get rid of the malware.

===========================================
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===========================================
Summary:
Spyware - Learn how to detect spyware and remove it using resources that are either free or very little cost, such as Spyware Nuker.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Deliver Your Web Site From Evil (Part 1)

1. Backup your website on the server.
If you have more than one important web site, put them on different web hosts. Don't rely on your web host for backups.

Find two different hosts which allow SSH access. Get an account with each. FTP the backup of one site to the other server directly, and vice versa. Download copies to your home computer as well.

2. Put a file called 'index.html' in every major or important directory in your website, if it doesn't already have one.

This stops people trying to peek at other files in the same directory.

3. Do not use old versions of FormMail. Do not use scripts that are newly released, unless you know how to check for security holes.

They should filter input like \# or >. Search on the terms 'Script Name bug' or 'Script Name security'.

4. Rename any email scripts you download before installing them.

Why give a spammer a clue as to what your script is, and what it can do?

5. Do not give files or directories obvious names, like 'pass', 'emails', 'orders' and the like.

Again, why make it easy for snoopers?
6. Do not leave unencrypted, confidential information on your server.

It's only a computer in a room God knows where, with God knows who having access to it.

7. Use a popular web host.

That cheapo one might be an un-committed reseller. Their Google PageRank gives a clue as to how popular they are. Send them an email or two. See how long it takes to get a reply. Check out their forums; how busy are they? They don't have a forum? Next!

8. If you are setting up .htaccess files or any other type of password protection, use long and varied passwords.

"Ch33s3And0n10n" is a lot more secure than "cheeseandonion", and just as memorable. Make your password at least 8 characters in length, containing both letters and numbers, and both upper and lower-case letters. Ordinary words can be guessed by brute-force cracking programs.

9. Strip scripts down to the bare essentials. Upgrade them regularly.

Programs like PHPNuke have lots of features in the default install. They allow webmasters and users a lot of control of website content. This creates vulnerabilities. A 'Nuke site of mine was hacked during Christmas 2005, by an Arabian group. Fortunately, I had a backup. I didn't have fast internet access, at the time, to upgrade it. I only needed one module working, so I removed the inessential ones, and changed file permissions on the admin section. At the time of writing, I'm waiting to see what happens next!

If you don't truly need it, turn it off.

10. Be careful what you say about other people or products on your site.

Not really security, but... people are very touchy about criticism. 'Flame wars' are a waste of time and energy, so avoid them.
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===========================================
Summary:
1. Backup your website on the server.

If you have more than one important web site, put them on different web hosts. Don't rely on your web host for backups.

Find two different hosts which allow SSH access. Get an account with each. FTP the backup of one site to the other server directly, and vice versa. Download copies to your home computer as well.

2. Put a file called 'index.html' in every major or important directory in your website, if it doesn't already have...

Friday, February 7, 2014

Cyber Bingo Security

Let's look at why websites place a high priority on maintaining the best cyber bingo security and privacy policies for their players.

Playing cyber bingo is really fun and many players are logging onto bingo websites to gain access to their favorite online game. The reason this game is so popular is because the game is readily available to anyone around the world. To begin playing online bingo all you need to do is deposit money into your bingo account and purchase a few bingo cards.

Becoming a member of an online bingo hall like http:www.bingodrome.com takes less than 2 minutes. You simply need to enter some of your personal details, deposit money into your account and you're ready to play.

Online bingo sites need to safely store the personal information about all their members and therefore every online bingo site places a high priority on developing or maintaining the best cyber bingo security systems.

If someone were to break into a database containing details of every member they would have access to thousands of different credit card details and other important information.

Most online bingo halls employ a number of security levels into their cyber bingo security systems to ensure that no one can gain unauthorized access to their databases.

1) A completely separate server is used to store the personal details of the bingo sites' members.

2) Every online bingo site employs secure socket layer (SSL) encryption software. SSL uses 128-bit encryption to protect all data sent between the casino and the player and to protect the data sent between the bingo site and credit card companies.

3) To further protect your details, most online casinos do not store your full credit card number. Only the first and last four numbers are stored in their database.

4) The casino tracks the IP addresses of all it members and will be able to trace anyone who accesses your account.

In many ways online bingo gaming is a lot safer than playing at a live bingo hall. You can enjoy your online bingo experience safe in the knowledge that your personal details are kept 100% secure.


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===========================================
Summary:
Let's look at why websites place a high priority on maintaining the best cyber bingo security and privacy policies for their players.

Playing cyber bingo is really fun and many players are logging onto bingo websites to gain access to their favorite online game. The reason this game is so popular is because the game is readily available to anyone around the world. To begin playing online bingo all you need to do is deposit money into your bingo account and purchase a few b...
cyber bingo, online bingo, internet bingo, play online bingo, bingo, free online bingo

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Check The Internet Forecast Before You Go Online

According to a recent survey conducted by the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), more computer users are becoming increasingly insecure about using the Internet. Forty-eight percent of those surveyed avoid making purchases on the Internet because they are afraid their financial information might be stolen. Fewer than one in five of the 1,150 U.S. adults surveyed believed that existing laws can protect them from fraud, identity theft and other crimes on the Internet. More than two-thirds (70 percent) want Congress to pass stronger data- protection legislation.

Consumers have clearly taken notice of Internet threats and scams, but there have been few resources they can use to understand what the immediate risks are and what they can do to more safely participate in their favorite online activities. Consumers want to be informed of the risk levels associated with common online activities and the precautions they can take to protect themselves. One such tool is The Symantec Internet Threat Meter, which helps computer users become aware of the most recent Internet threats and educates them about the steps they can take to safeguard their computers and personal data while online.

While high-profile computer worms and other online attacks are not as visible as they have been in the past, Internet threats have changed shape and present even more risks to consumers. Today's threats spread in many ways-through Web sites, instant messaging and e-mail-but use more silent, targeted methods than before. Many attacks are launched with criminal intent to steal users' personal data or to take over computers in order to launch targeted attacks that result in financial gain for cybercriminals.

The Symantec Internet Threat Meter helps consumers better understand the Internet landscape by taking an activities-based approach. The index rates the four main online activities-e-mail, Web activities, instant messaging and file sharing--on a low-, medium- or high-risk level based on triggers related to malware, spyware, phishing/online fraud, vulnerabilities, online attacks and spam.

Consumers want to feel more confident about their security when they are online, whether they are communicating via e-mail, conducting financial transactions on the Internet, chatting over instant messaging or sharing files. Just as prepared travelers check the weather forecast for their destination city, consumers who are online now have a tool they can use to help them prepare for a safe and productive experience on the Internet.

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Summary:
According to a recent survey, more computer users are becoming increasingly insecure about using the Internet. Consumers want to be informed of the risk levels associated with common online activities and the precautions they can take to protect themselves.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Can Web Service Companies Do Without 24x7 Dotcom-Monitor support?

The background
Enterprises worldwide have embraced ‘Web services’ as the preferred middleware technology for integrating their Web-enabled, e-business applications. Hundreds of Web service sites offer very useful services that provide essential components for running B2B or B2C e-business applications. Many enterprises outsource items ranging from security services for their plants and offices to outsource packing and forwarding, or even cleaning services. Specialized Web service companies provide the latest exchange rates for any combination of the 100+ countries they cater to. Web service companies have hundreds of B2B or B2C e-commerce/e-business clients who need their services (on a 24x7 basis) for running their non-stop global businesses.

Some examples of Web services include:

    * Providing access to FedEx tracking information by taking a tracking number and returning shipment status from FedEx
    * Credit card maintenance and management
    * Providing authentication
    * Returning real-time flight information for flights in the air, given an airline code and flight number, using current information from online service.
    * Calculating and providing postage requirements in any currency
    * A monthly lease payment calculator service
    * Sending text messages to mobile phones, when provided a list of countries and their international dialing codes
    * Providing Internet time
    * Retrieving news headlines from sites like CNN, CBS, or MSNmoney and supplying them to news portals
    * Providing up-to-the-minute sports updates to various channels
    * Offering Web site management system by providing 100+ functions
    * … and many more!

Vital Issues involved in Web services business
As Web service companies integrate with hundreds of important B2B/B2C clients, they become vital components in hundreds of billions of dollars of international trade and e-commerce, manufacturing, and service business. Since a transaction cannot be completed without their service input, any disruption of service, delayed response, or system error could spell disaster and incalculable loss from deferred shipments, cancellations, and even business operations stoppage. Thus, it is imperative that Web services work correctly and efficiently every time.

Web service companies therefore must consistently perform within acceptable framework. There is little margin for error. That is why Web service companies typically have SLA agreements signed with clients for proper functional and performance delivery. Any deviations could mean attracting censure, penalties, or both.

What must be done to prevent exposure?
Clearly, automatic and constant monitoring of the functionality and performance of a Web service site is necessary. This website monitoring should not only check that correct functionality is delivered, but also, how efficiently it is being delivered. If the turnaround time is consistently beyond the SLA norms, it must be recorded and the service company notified of the anomalies, so that the company can examine inside and outside of their firewall to rectify the situation.

Dotcom-Monitor.com has the solution.
Dotcom-Monitor.com can provide customized monitoring through its highly respected and acclaimed Dotcom Monitoring Service. This automated, non-stop (24x7) service caters to a site’s specific functional and performance monitoring needs, automatically alerting and reporting deviations to site management, in real time, through the built-in Dotcom-Monitor reporting system. This prompts site management for immediate remedial action.

How Dotcom-Monitor works
Dotcom-Monitor has remote agents strategically positioned around the world, each acting as an Internet browser. After a customer creates an account, he or she supplies the URLs of the Web service site, along with functions to be monitored with inputs, algorithms, expected results, and performance norms. Then, the process starts immediately. Dotcom-Monitor’s global agent checks the Web service(s) to ensure that it is accessible and maintaining acceptable levels of performance. If any of these fall outside the specified parameters, the customer is notified.

1. Functional Monitoring: Dotcom-Monitor constantly checks the functionality of the service by making specifically tailored, functional calls to the site (application) server to monitor the accuracy of the results obtained in real time. It uses representative input from transactions/messages, algorithms, and results provided by the Web service company for this purpose. The monitor performs Dotcom-Monitor’s service at pre-defined intervals. Any deviations from the supplied results are promptly reported for appropriate action.

2. Performance Monitoring: Most Web service companies use SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) technology to architect service transactions’ receipt, de-serialization, processing, serialization, and delivery. SOAP is a lightweight, stateless, XML communication protocol that lets applications exchange structured messages/transactions across the Internet. Most current SOAP implementations use HTTP binding due to SOAP’s wide availability and ability to pass through firewalls.

One of Dotcom-Monitor’s features is to determine the level of performance available from SOAP implementations using appropriate test transactions/messages. First, Dotcom-Monitor checks for latency, the round-trip time taken to send and receive a single transaction/message from the monitor server to the service server and back. High resolution timers are used to measure the time taken for each round-trip. Dotcom-Monitor repeats this check at a defined interval. For throughput, Dotcom-Monitor conducts checks to find the peak throughput available from each SOAP implementation using a number of concurrent driver threads, records the number of round-trips completed per second, and compares it to supplied norms.
Dotcom-Monitor conducts a separate exercise to measure SOAP serialization and de-serialization overheads. The test driver sends a number of customer detail records to the server. The monitor captures the times required by the server to perform serialization and de-serialization of SOAP transactions/messages. Any overall performance degradation beyond the Web service-defined boundaries are recorded and reported. A proper log of the checks made is maintained for later analysis.

In Conclusion
Just as business is vital to economy, Web services are crucial to e-business. Web services must consistently perform with absolute integrity and deliver sustained, non-stop performance to B2B or B2C e-business sites. Since these sites are concurrently concatenated with hundreds of e-business Web sites providing functions vital to each business they serve, there is no margin for error or for failure.

Web service sites must plan for zero tolerance. While it is easy to plan and implement redundant hardware and network infrastructure, exposure lies in making flawless functional delivery within desired turnaround time, every single time. That is only possible if constant monitoring for correct functional output(s) and response time performance are maintained, and any deviations highlighted in real time for remedial action. A 24x7 website monitoring solution from Dotcom-Monitor.com is the real answer.




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Summary:
The article explores the dependence of e-business efficiency on the web services fault tolerance.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

CASE STUDY: How Website Monitoring Saved an Online Auto Parts Retailer

<b>PROBLEM: </b>  Customers complaining about site outages and slow site response times. Hosting company claiming that the problems had been resolved.  Customers remaining dissatisfied.
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<b>METHODOLOGY: </b>  External website monitoring on a page-by-page basis at one-minute intervals pinpointed the problems.
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<b>SOLUTIONS: </b>   Realigning shared hosting, fixing database indexing, DNS server upgrade, altering the web host's BGP configuration and regular website monitoring.
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<b>THE STORY: </b>  
Once seen as an alternative marketing channel, online shopping has carved its own niche in the marketplace. The online shopping sector has grown rapidly, outstripping other sectors and opening new business prospects. The factors contributing to the continuous growth of online shopping include wider product ranges, convenience, lower prices, and availability of clear product information. Recent large investments in e-commerce by companies large and small have further energized the sector and strengthened its roots.
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This growth has not come easy. Although most shopping sites feel that they have rid themselves of persistent growing pains, some remain. A recent <a href="http://www.clickz.com/stats/sectors/retailing/article.php/265191">Andersen Consulting Services survey</a> reveals that more than 25 percent of online shopping experiences fail during holiday seasons due to site outages. <a href="http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/6534.html">Another survey by the NDP Group</a> reveals that up to 23 percent of online shoppers still experience temporary website outages, late shipments, and customer service issues.
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Dotcom-Monitor website monitoring network specializes in ensuring performance and uptime in online transaction processes, including shopping carts, sign-ins, and form submission. By simulating end-use actions, Dotcom-Monitor.com verifies each step within a transaction, not only for proper content, but also for requested performance. If any test parameters fall outside of the specified range, responsible personnel are immediately notified.
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One of Dotcom-Monitor’s recent customers, a large online auto parts retailer, approached Dotcom-Monitor with concern about website performance issues. Even after aggressive marketing campaigns, this retailer of name brand parts was still noticing a decline in their online business. Customers persistently complained about site outages and slow site response times. Despite repeated complaints by the IT department to the ASP provider and reassurances from the hosting company that the problems had been resolved, customers remained dissatisfied.  
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Realizing a potential disaster for their online business, the IT department sought a third-party external monitoring service provider to monitor their e-commerce site 24/7 and identify the issues and dependencies that were causing website outages.
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After one-minute monitoring each day for 7 days, the following issues were identified:
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<b>1. Slow Website Response</b>
Dotcom-Monitor’s “report by hour” feature discovered quickly the issues causing poor performance. The collected one-minute performance data was aggregated on an hourly basis into a single weekly report. This report provided summary statistics about transaction by hour. Information such as average response time (in seconds), required time to access the website, and the number of successes and failures, provided a clear picture about site performance during different daily intervals. Using Dotcom Monitor’s proprietary algorithm, it was possible to calculate the site’s slow response periods. Dotcom-Monitor found that, although the e commerce site was hosted on a dedicated shared server, during certain times in a day, other applications on the server consumed most of its resources. This led to slow site response. This happened only during certain hours, as the conflicting application was run only a few times a day.
<p>
<b>2. Slow Web Page Response</b>
The retailer’s IT department also discovered that several pages within a transaction, such as shipping history and “Invoice printout” were extremely slow. They took a long time to load, causing shoppers to abandon the site and instead call customer service. Unfortunately, the other pages within the same transaction were extremely fast to load. Dues to this discrepancy within the network, Dotcom-Monitor was able to identify the specific online pages that were slow and traced the problem to the database table that those pages were accessing. Once proper indexing was performed, the issue was resolved.
<p>
<b>3. Problem in Accessing the Website</b>
During certain intervals in a day, the retailer’s site became inaccessible altogether. A number of services, such as mail servers, websites, and proxy servers, would become unavailable to the online world. To make matters worse, the ISP could not find any issues, but customers were still complaining. After a “ping pong game” to determine the problems between the ISP and customers, Dotcom Monitor enables its “DNS Monitoring.” Dotcom-Monitor tested the retailer’s DNS servers by querying specified servers performing Every minute, website monitoring showed that one DNS server was occasionally unable to resolve the address. This implied that the DNS server supporting the organization was not working consistently. The retailer upgraded the DNS server and the problem was resolved.
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<b>4. Varying Website Response from Different Geographical Locations</b>
Persistent monitoring showed that this retailer’s shopping cart website responded at varying speeds from different locations. Some customers complained that the site took too long to open, while others had no issues. Using Dotcom-Monitor’s “Report by Location” feature, which gathers data from multiple remote agents at different locations, a traceroute snapshot was recorded. This report was accompanied by the error message from every location where slowdown was detected. After analyzing the data, it was found that the ISP hosting the site used several providers that did not peer properly with certain networks. This network peering problem was identified and brought to the ISP. They took the necessary actions to resolve the problem by altering their BGP configuration.
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<b>5. Website Downtime required frequent monitoring</b>
The retailer’s website occasionally suffered downtime, which led to customer dissatisfaction. The outages were mostly related to software glitches that the customer was unable to fix in a short period of time. These glitches usually required manual intervention. Enter Dotcom-Monitor. The goal to reduce downtime was to alert key personnel of any issue immediately. Once website monitoring detected any problems with the web server, immediate alert by phone and SMS would be sent to on-call personnel. This decreased downtime periods from an average of 25 minutes to less than 5 minutes.
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In today’s highly competitive environment, customer expectations about website availability and performance grow daily. What was once acceptable a few years back is no longer the case today. Website monitoring features, such as immediate alerts, detailed reports, and aggregated statistics, help clients find and address issues, and thus enhance the customer experience.
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<b>External website monitoring services</b> offered by companies like Dotcom-Monitor have helped customers explore issues and discover otherwise elusive data required to take corrective actions well before receiving customer complaints. Dotcom-Monitor.com services extend into all industries. It is important to note that website monitoring services are a must for all mission-critical services, and are not just limited to the current example of shopping cart customers. In industries such as finance, insurance, medical, and manufacturing, or any industry that requires high website uptimes and excellent website response, it is becoming essential to employ external website monitoring services.
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Summary:
An online retailer is unable to identify the problems at the root of website outages and slow shopping-cart performance.  An external monitoring service gathers the data, identifying five problems in order to take corrective action.