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Is the Internet Insecure Because of You?
Long gone are the days that we could feel secure and know for certain that we had privacy. With the digital age upon us we can no longer be so sure that our privacy is secure. Recently Google has admitted their organisation holds user data indefinitely. This causes concerns as now we know Google has information on us that we do not want anyone to know about. We can simply blame this all on the big corporate companies; they seem to be a very good escape goat however, this is not the case; your privacy is totally up to you. Certificates ensure that all the data that is transferred between you and the internet is secure and encrypted. Recently in New Zealand there was a short certificate outage on a banks website. During this outage only one out of 300 users took this security warning seriously. This is a rather large concern, as many users on the internet have the same belief that their data is safe and secure. By the end of 2005 it is estimated identity fraud will cause up to 5 trillion dollars world wide. We, the users of the internet must keep ourselves safe, secure and pay attention to those security warnings. I have compiled some good tools and tricks that will help keep you much more anonymous and secure. 1) Get rid of the internet explorer: First and foremost Microsoft Internet Explorer is the highest risk to your internet experience. Not only is the most popular internet browser, but is also the most popular for attacks from Viruses and Spyware. Internet explorer is also too integrated with the windows operating system. Have you ever wondered how a dialler or online casino got onto your desktop? I personally recommend Opera; they have a nice clean browser. The usability is easy and best of all, it uses tabbed browsing. 2) Protect your Connection. Make sure you have an active firewall operating; Firewalls stop intruders from entering your connection and causing havoc. Hackers can easily gain access to an unprotected network and steal private information. With the release of SP2 for Windows XP, Microsoft have incorporated a free personal Firewall. If you have broadband your router should have an inbuilt Firewall, and make sure this is enabled, Zonealarm also offer a free Firewall. You must always do what you can to protect yourself. 3) Don't share those files: One of the most common security flaws besides running Windows XP, is having File sharing enabled. To disable File Sharing please do the following: Click Start Menu, select settings. Click on Network Connections. Right-click on the Local Area Connection icon and on the menu that appears, choose Properties. In the General tab under "This connection uses the following items", highlight "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks". (If File and Printer Sharing is not listed, then file sharing has not been setup). You may skip the rest of these instructions. Click Uninstall. When you are asked if you are sure you want to Uninstall File and Printer Sharing Click Yes. You may now close the Local Area Connection Properties window. You must restart for your computer for the effects to work. 3) Hide your IP address: Your IP address is just like your phone number, it links directly back to you. There are many reasons you may wish to hide your IP address. Preferable you do not want to be tracked around the web, it's just as bad as having a GPS in your mobile phone. I have found a great tool that gives free anonymous surfing: Primedius. This tool is free for a limited time. I don't guarantee this service but I believe it performs to basic anonymous web-surfing standards. 4)Check those certificates: Your internet connection is not secure, the data that travels between you and the site you may be browsing may pass through over 25 other computers. If you are sending very confidential information such as credit card payments, make sure the address starts with an https. Also check that the padlock on your browser is locked, and is valid for the specific site. This will ensure that you have a 128 bit encrypted connection with the website. If you want secure email you may also have your emails encrypted too. A good free vendor is Hushmail. Your email security is more at risk than your web browsing; you must ensure your emails are safe. 5) Kill the spyware Spyware are little programmes that can easily be picked up by surfing any website or downloading files. Spyware can pickup information from where you surf to your credit card details, this information then can be sold. Microsoft has released a beta version of their upcoming anti spyware removal tool. This too works well, and I highly recommend this tool. Zonealarm also offer a free online spyware detector. The information I have passed to you should be seriously considered. The internet is a very unsecure environment; you must ensure your data is safe from outside prying eyes. Make sure you are careful with any transaction you make. Never fool for any kind of email promotion, anyone who tries to sell to you through spam advertising is not trustworthy. Also make sure to check the links from anything you click on, I have found numerous fake Paypal sites that try to steal your login and password. Remember... it is up to you! Copyright 2005 Private Mail Services Steve is the owner and operator for Private Mail Services.http://www.private-services.com We endeavour to keep your personal life totally safe and private. © Private Mail Services 2005
MORE RESOURCES: Officials detail increased D.C. security for certification, inauguration The Washington Post Homeland Security Department to Release New A.I. Guidance The New York Times Nuclear power for military bases will increase our national security Breaking Defense U.S. ambassador bashes Mexico’s security efforts. Mexico’s president pushes back Los Angeles Times Homeland Security Department releases framework for using AI in critical infrastructure The Associated Press New 'spectral fingerprint' atlas of satellites aims to improve space security University of Arizona News Opinion | Trump’s national security wrecking crew The Washington Post Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security The Associated Press St. Francis Seraph hires security guards for Christmas, Nativity display visitors as crowds still plague area WCPO 9 Cincinnati Trump’s National Security Team Keeps Getting More Extreme The New Republic Video: How The Fortinet Security Fabric Is Combatting Cybersecurity Threats And Talent Shortage Channel Insider The Fastest Airport Security Line You Don’t Know About The Wall Street Journal AI’s impact on the future of web application security Help Net Security The campus will be closed to anyone who is not a student, faculty or staff member. WVTM13 Birmingham Tuskegee president releases security updates following shooting WIAT - CBS42.com Do Titans QB, Coach Have Job Security? Sports Illustrated Inside The 2024 Security Benchmark Report Security Magazine Your favorite security leadership podcasts Security Magazine The UN cybercrime convention threatens security research. The US should do something about it CyberScoop 3rd Annual U.S.-Mexico Defense and Security Roundtable smallwarsjournal France draws with Israel in high-security operation to reach Nations League quarterfinals with Italy The Associated Press Tuskegee University Shifts Security, Facilities Leadership Tuskegee University Endpoint Security from BlackBerry BlackBerry An Interview With the Target & Home Depot Hacker Krebs on Security Akamai: 84% of security professionals experienced an API security incident in the past year SecurityInfoWatch Trump names Florida’s Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser Nebraska Examiner ESA opens registration for 2024 Town Hall Broadcast SecurityInfoWatch Mexican Officials Arrest Top Security Official in Mayor’s Beheading The New York Times ‘We’re just a target’: Pickleball players call for more security - Camas Washougal Post Record ‘We’re just a target’: Pickleball players call for more security Camas Washougal Post Record New infosec products of the week: November 15, 2024 Help Net Security After student allegedly threatens classmate with gun, Ambridge Area School District makes security changes CBS Pittsburgh Linn County’s Food for Health pilot program aims to improve food security, support local economy KEZI TV South Florida campus security officer arrested after attempting to meet minor for sex WPBF West Palm Beach Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘Border Czar,’ on Border Security The New York Times Microsoft Patch Tuesday, November 2024 Edition Krebs on Security Trump Picks Kristi Noem for Homeland Security Secretary The New York Times Silverfort Buys Rezonate to Fortify Identity Security Muscle BankInfoSecurity.com Rand Paul Will Continue His COVID-19 Investigations From Atop the Senate Homeland Security Committee Reason NIST report on hardware security risks reveals 98 failure scenarios Help Net Security Who Is Michael Waltz, Trump’s Pick to Be National Security Adviser? The New York Times |
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