Phishing For Your Identity

Who hasn't received an email directing them to visit a familiar website where they are being asked to update their personal information? The website needs you to verify or update your passwords, credit card numbers, social security number, or even your bank account number. You recognize the business name as one that you've conducted business with in the past. So, you click on the convenient "take me there" link and proceed to provide all the information they have requested. Unfortunately, you find out much later that the website is bogus. It was created with the sole intent to steal your personal information. You, my friend, have just been "phished".

Phishing (pronounced as "fishing") is defined as the act of sending an email to a recipient falsely claiming to have an established, legitimate business. The intent of the phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering their private information, and ultimately steal your identity.

It is not at easy as you think to spot an email phishing for information. At first glance, the email may look like it is from a legitimate company. The "From" field of the e-mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in the e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to the company's website, when in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the legitimate site.

Many of these people are professional criminals. They have spent a lot of time in creating emails that look authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting personal information carefully. When reviewing your email remember that the "From Field" can be easily changed by the sender. While it may look like it is coming from a .com you do business with, looks can be deceiving. Also keep in mind that the phisher will go all out in trying to make their email look as legitimate as possible. They will even copy logos or images from the official site to use in their emails. Finally, they like to include a clickable link that the recipient can follow to conveniently update their information.
A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to point at the link with your mouse. Then, look in the bottom left hand screen of your computer. The actual website address to which you are being directed will show up for you to view. It is a very quick and easy way to check if you are being directed to a legitimate site.

Finally, follow the golden rule. Never, ever, click the links within the text of the e-mail, and always delete the e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the e-mail, empty the trash box in your e-mail accounts as well. If you are truly concerned that you are missing an important notice regarding one of your accounts, then type the full URL address of the website into your browser. At least then you can be confident that you are, in fact, being directed to the true and legitimate website.

E-Mail Security

HTML E-Mail

Disable HTML for e-mail or choose to view all messages as plain text if your e-mail client has such options - the better ones do; or use an e-mail content filter for web bugs and embedded content originating from a server other than the one belonging to the sender of the e-mail. Today's cleverly-coded e-mail worms can execute just by viewing HTML-formatted e-mail.


E-Mail Attachments

• Never allow your e-mail client to "View Attachment Inline" ...unless you are sure it arrived from a trusted sender.

• Never open e-mail attachments from strangers.

• Use encryption software for sending your most private e-mail messages. If you don't, keep in mind that what you are sending is the equivalent of a postcard.

• Never, ever use e-mail to send confidential information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or your Social Security number.

• Never respond to e-mail asking for confidential information. Any e-mail you receive requesting your credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or Social Security number either via e-mail or a web site link is surely an identity theft or phishing scam.

2006 Security Watch - What is this year going to have in store for us?

There is a lot going on in the information security space. 2006 looks to be an interesting year in these regards. Below are some things to watch for in 2006, some of them are good and, unfortunately, some aren't.


First the good news:

• We are getting a lot more serious about our security. This has a lot of reasons behind it. For example, new privacy laws are mandating organizations to tighten their security. Look to see more consumer privacy laws passed in the coming year and more tightening of security systems.

• Authentication requirements are increasing. This is closing in large security holes. Corporations are requiring a great deal more of authentication to get into secure systems (this also is on the bad news side)

• There is a plethora of sophisticated programs to help us be more secure and they will continue to get better. Competition right now is strong in the security industry sparking a lot of innovation.

• ISPs are now taking on the responsibility to help us with our security. Take AOL's recent commercials as a good sign that others will follow the trend.

Now the bad news:

• Securing our networks is costing us. Most companies are globalizing their organizations and making them secure costs a lot of money. It will get worse before it gets better.

• Authentication requirements are increasing. This is getting claustrophobic. Corporations are requiring a great deal more authentication to get into secure systems (This is also on the good news side) Unfortunately, for the end user, it is one more thing to be unhappy about, not unlike airport security lines.

• Hackers are getting more sophisticated. For example, Botnets are becoming more complex and harder and harder to catch and stop. Do a search on botnets on the Internet. They really are causing a whole lot of problems, but it does not stop there. The number of viruses and malware out there is staggering.

• Spammers keep finding more creative ways to fill our email boxes. Don't look for this trend to stop anytime soon.

Protect Your Privacy

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.

Home Computer Security

A personal computer connected to the Internet without a firewall can be hijacked in just a few minutes by automated hacker ''Bots''. The only way to make your computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. The real issue is how to make your computer 99% secure when it is connected. Not having protection is like leaving your car running with the doors unlocked and the keys in it which a thief might interpret as "please steal me". Stated another way, when was the last time you handed a stranger your wallet and encouraged them to take your social security card, drivers license, cash and credit cards? Locking a car, using a "club" or installing a security system makes stealing a car more difficult. Internet security and privacy products provide adequate protection by making it difficult for "outlaws" to find and take control of your computer.

A layered approach is best to protect your security and privacy:

• Use personal firewall, anti-spyware, anti-virus, anti-Trojan, anti-spam, anti-phishing, and privacy software on your desktop computer.
• Update and tighten Windows before installing new security software.
  
• To avoid conflicts, do not use two software firewalls or two anti-virus products at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another.
  
• After installing any security software, immediately check for updates at the vendor's website.
  
  
  

Securing Your Computer System

Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.
3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.
4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the "internet zone" to High, and your "trusted sites zone" to Medium Low.
5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.
   
7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.
8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to "hide file extensions for known file types". Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
   
9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.