Cookies
Companies try to personalize web site experiences for their visitors. Some remember your login name and password for your convenience upon subsequent visits. Others offer news, stock quotes, and weather tailored to people's interests and location. This is done with a cookie, a small file created by the site, that collects specific information about your preferences or web browsing activities and stores it on your PC. Allowing all cookies, however, is unacceptable for those who care about privacy.
Tracking networks such as DoubleClick and MSN LinkExchange use cookies to monitor which site you were on when you clicked a particular banner ad and what you did once you got to the advertiser's site. They can put cookies on your PC and then read them across many sites - tracking your surfing habits and building a profile about your preferences.
Though this can be alarming, you are not left without the option to take control of the cookies that are used to invade your privacy. You can completely close this privacy gap as long as you apply basic cookie management techniques. Cookie filters will allow you to accept or deny each cookie upon arrival. Cookie filters can also be instructed to always deny "third-party" cookies - those that do not directly originate from the site you are currently visiting. Third-party cookies are most often used by advertisers and marketers.
Handling Spam
Take advantage of the built-in junk mail filters inside your e-mail client. In addition, configure your own filters to automatically trash or delete incoming e-mail that contains certain keywords. By using a combination of various filters you can noticeably reduce the amount of spam reaching your inbox.
You can set up as many filters as you like in your e-mail client. It is always wise, though, not to automatically delete the filtered mail until you are certain the filter is properly configured. You can always change it later.
ActiveX and Java Class
Never accept and run an "ActiveX Control" or "Java Class" unless it comes signed and from a trusted site. It is best to force your browser to prompt you for permission. If you are using Internet Explorer, these settings are located under Control Panel - Internet Options - Security - Internet, Custom Level. Mozilla, Opera, and Netscape users are prompted by default.
Install on Demand
Disable "Install on Demand" if you are using Internet Explorer so your browser will be forced to prompt you if additional components are needed in order to display certain content. This setting is located under Control Panel - Internet Options - Advanced.
Use a Personal Firewall
Use a good bi-directional firewall that will monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic and will alert you for access permission if such traffic is detected. It also has the ability to hide your presence from intruders by completely blocking access to the ports that are used for the transfer of information. Select the highest security level for your Internet zone and set all programs to prompt you for access - even those you use frequently. When in doubt, deny access of a program until you know for sure its identity.
It also has the ability to hide your presence from intruders by completely blocking access to the ports that are used for the transfer of information. A firewall plus anti-virus protection are rule number 1 to Internet security. For Windows XP users, be aware that although its Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) will detect inbound traffic, it is useless for detecting outbound traffic - you need a bi-directional firewall - one that will detect both.
Use Anti-Virus software
Use a virus scanner (anti-virus), keep the virus data files current (check for updates at least once a week), enable the "Heuristics" or "Bloodhound" feature (for detection of virus-like activity of yet-to-be discovered viruses), and set it to scan all downloads and e-mail attachments - before they are opened. Let it quarantine and destroy anything suspicious. If it has settings for scanning ActiveX Controls and Java Classes for potentially harmful content, use that too. For even greater protection and a wider range of configuration options, combine the use of a virus scanner with a trojan scanner.
Installing an anti-virus or anti-virus/anti-trojan program on your system is probably the easiest of all security measures you'll find. Upon detection of a virus, the program will move the infected file to a quarantine area for disinfection or removal before it has the opportunity to make contact with you or any other program. Configuration is simple and detection is reliable as long as you keep the virus data files or rulesets up to date (check at least once a week), and apply all updates and program or scan engine patches as they are released.
Trojan Scanners
Trojans, or often referred to as Trojan Horses, are disguised as innocent programs and most often arrive hidden inside e-mail attachments or programs that are downloaded from the Internet. Upon execution, they place sets of instructions in various places then wait silently until you restart your computer to begin their nasty deeds.
Some anti-virus programs will also detect trojans, yet the use of a separate anti-trojan program is a popular and recommended option that provides you with a wider range of configurations and more extensive Trojan Horse protection. These programs are meant to be used in conjunction with your anti-virus program.
Peer-to-Peer Security
Be extremely careful when using any P2P (peer-to-peer) network service like Kazaa, Gnutella for sharing/swapping files across the Internet. Be sure you are not exposing any drive folder other than the one designated for access by these services, and keep your virus scanner active at all times.
Instant Messenger Security
Secure your IMs (Instant Messengers). It is wise to use an IM encryption utility to secure your AIM, ICQ, MSN, or Yahoo! Messages, but be aware that the encryption will only be effective if the utility is used on both ends.
Disable file transfers in IM programs, as this feature, if configured incorrectly, can enable the sharing of more than you intend. AIM, .NET Messenger, and others let you disable file transfers from the Preferences or Options menus. If someone wants to send you an image or file, use e-mail to verify that the request is legitimate.
Protect Your Registry
Use a registry guard to protect your registry, startup directories, and startup files from malicious programs. Incoming Trojans can go undetected. They will place a specific set of instructions in the registry or other system files and will activate the next time you shutdown/restart your computer. A registry guard will alert you before the damage is done. It is also a useful tool for alerting you of changes when installing new software.
Companies try to personalize web site experiences for their visitors. Some remember your login name and password for your convenience upon subsequent visits. Others offer news, stock quotes, and weather tailored to people's interests and location. This is done with a cookie, a small file created by the site, that collects specific information about your preferences or web browsing activities and stores it on your PC. Allowing all cookies, however, is unacceptable for those who care about privacy.
Tracking networks such as DoubleClick and MSN LinkExchange use cookies to monitor which site you were on when you clicked a particular banner ad and what you did once you got to the advertiser's site. They can put cookies on your PC and then read them across many sites - tracking your surfing habits and building a profile about your preferences.
Though this can be alarming, you are not left without the option to take control of the cookies that are used to invade your privacy. You can completely close this privacy gap as long as you apply basic cookie management techniques. Cookie filters will allow you to accept or deny each cookie upon arrival. Cookie filters can also be instructed to always deny "third-party" cookies - those that do not directly originate from the site you are currently visiting. Third-party cookies are most often used by advertisers and marketers.
Handling Spam
Take advantage of the built-in junk mail filters inside your e-mail client. In addition, configure your own filters to automatically trash or delete incoming e-mail that contains certain keywords. By using a combination of various filters you can noticeably reduce the amount of spam reaching your inbox.
You can set up as many filters as you like in your e-mail client. It is always wise, though, not to automatically delete the filtered mail until you are certain the filter is properly configured. You can always change it later.
ActiveX and Java Class
Never accept and run an "ActiveX Control" or "Java Class" unless it comes signed and from a trusted site. It is best to force your browser to prompt you for permission. If you are using Internet Explorer, these settings are located under Control Panel - Internet Options - Security - Internet, Custom Level. Mozilla, Opera, and Netscape users are prompted by default.
Install on Demand
Disable "Install on Demand" if you are using Internet Explorer so your browser will be forced to prompt you if additional components are needed in order to display certain content. This setting is located under Control Panel - Internet Options - Advanced.
Use a Personal Firewall
Use a good bi-directional firewall that will monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic and will alert you for access permission if such traffic is detected. It also has the ability to hide your presence from intruders by completely blocking access to the ports that are used for the transfer of information. Select the highest security level for your Internet zone and set all programs to prompt you for access - even those you use frequently. When in doubt, deny access of a program until you know for sure its identity.
It also has the ability to hide your presence from intruders by completely blocking access to the ports that are used for the transfer of information. A firewall plus anti-virus protection are rule number 1 to Internet security. For Windows XP users, be aware that although its Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) will detect inbound traffic, it is useless for detecting outbound traffic - you need a bi-directional firewall - one that will detect both.
Use Anti-Virus software
Use a virus scanner (anti-virus), keep the virus data files current (check for updates at least once a week), enable the "Heuristics" or "Bloodhound" feature (for detection of virus-like activity of yet-to-be discovered viruses), and set it to scan all downloads and e-mail attachments - before they are opened. Let it quarantine and destroy anything suspicious. If it has settings for scanning ActiveX Controls and Java Classes for potentially harmful content, use that too. For even greater protection and a wider range of configuration options, combine the use of a virus scanner with a trojan scanner.
Installing an anti-virus or anti-virus/anti-trojan program on your system is probably the easiest of all security measures you'll find. Upon detection of a virus, the program will move the infected file to a quarantine area for disinfection or removal before it has the opportunity to make contact with you or any other program. Configuration is simple and detection is reliable as long as you keep the virus data files or rulesets up to date (check at least once a week), and apply all updates and program or scan engine patches as they are released.
Trojan Scanners
Trojans, or often referred to as Trojan Horses, are disguised as innocent programs and most often arrive hidden inside e-mail attachments or programs that are downloaded from the Internet. Upon execution, they place sets of instructions in various places then wait silently until you restart your computer to begin their nasty deeds.
Some anti-virus programs will also detect trojans, yet the use of a separate anti-trojan program is a popular and recommended option that provides you with a wider range of configurations and more extensive Trojan Horse protection. These programs are meant to be used in conjunction with your anti-virus program.
Peer-to-Peer Security
Be extremely careful when using any P2P (peer-to-peer) network service like Kazaa, Gnutella for sharing/swapping files across the Internet. Be sure you are not exposing any drive folder other than the one designated for access by these services, and keep your virus scanner active at all times.
Instant Messenger Security
Secure your IMs (Instant Messengers). It is wise to use an IM encryption utility to secure your AIM, ICQ, MSN, or Yahoo! Messages, but be aware that the encryption will only be effective if the utility is used on both ends.
Disable file transfers in IM programs, as this feature, if configured incorrectly, can enable the sharing of more than you intend. AIM, .NET Messenger, and others let you disable file transfers from the Preferences or Options menus. If someone wants to send you an image or file, use e-mail to verify that the request is legitimate.
Protect Your Registry
Use a registry guard to protect your registry, startup directories, and startup files from malicious programs. Incoming Trojans can go undetected. They will place a specific set of instructions in the registry or other system files and will activate the next time you shutdown/restart your computer. A registry guard will alert you before the damage is done. It is also a useful tool for alerting you of changes when installing new software.
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