How Can man Get underground information From My Computer?

From the "Ask Booster" column in the June 17, 2005 issue of Booster's Auction News, a free ezine for online auction sellers and enthusiasts.

Dear Booster,

How can someone get hidden data from my computer?

How Can man Get underground information From My Computer?

Thank you,

Evan S.

Minnesota U.S.A.

Dear Evan,

Hackers can get your hidden data from your computer in a estimate of ways. Here are the top ways they do it:

* Computer viruses, spyware and adware from e-mails you've received and/or websites you've visited.

* Hacker programs that find unprotected Ip addresses are field to attack. An Ip address is a series of any numbers (ex. 65.129.37.84) that identifies your location on the internet. It's like your "internet" telephone number.

* Entering your financial data (i.e., prestige card info) into a website that does not offer derive order processing. Your internet browser should show you that you've entered a derive site.

* Having your financial data "intercepted" by a hacker while shopping online at a legitimate website. This is called "pharming" and is becoming a more worrisome threat.

* You downloaded software from that contained a malicious program.

* You fall victim to a "phishing" or "spoof" scam, whereby you Give your personal data away.

* Phishing and spoof e-mails appear as if they are advent from a legitimate website. The e-mail ordinarily alarms the recipient with a message such as "your catalogue has been suspended" or telling you that you need to "verify your account." Most eBay and PayPal users have received at least one (if not any more) spoof e-mails appearing to come from whether eBay or PayPal.

eBay has data showing you how to spot spoof. I extremely suggest your take a few moments and visit http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/index.html for this brief tutorial.

* other growing threat is called "malware" which is a spyware. Malware is a malicious software which logs your keystrokes and forwards the data to a hacker. This type of software can come straight through viruses and is often included in downloaded applications.

Knowing how to safe yourself can greatly sacrifice your risk of identity theft. Following are some suggestions to help you safe yourself. The programs listed below are just a few of the many options available.

* Use an anti-virus software such as Norton AntiVirus (www.norton.com) or McAfee AntiVirus (www.mcafee.com) and commonly modernize it. Updating is honestly requisite if you want the software to safe you. For approved spyware and adware scanning, popular software choices are Spy Sweeper (http://www.webroot.com) and SpyCop (http://www.spycop.com).

* Using a firewall software such as Zone Alarm (www.zonelabs.com), Norton Personal Firewall (www.norton.com) or McAfee Firewall (www.mcafee.com).

This is a good choice for dial-up modem users. Why? Dial-up modems are slower, so a firewall software will often see the strike advent and prevent it. Most hackers don't like the slowness of a dial-up because they can't honestly get in and out of your computer without being detected. It is also requisite that your firewall software be commonly Updated!

* Those accessing the internet with broadband (i.e., Dsl, cable modem, etc.) need the added security of a firewall hardware such as a Linksys Router (www.linksys.com), NetGear Router (www.netgear.com) or Dlink Router (www.dlink.com). The imagine why is because the speed is higher on broadband which allows the hacker quicker entrance into your computer without being detected. The router is what will be "on the internet" versus your computer. Since the router is not a computer, there is nothing for the hackers to strike (i.e., no hard drive, no processor, etc.). The router naturally acts as a "bodyguard" that only allows those with permission to come in.

* In the event that you unintentionally "bring in" a hacker (as explained above) or you had the misfortune of being the victim of a very clever hacker, it's still smart to have a firewall software (in increasing to firewall hardware) to make it difficult for the hacker to "exit" with your data.

If you want to check the vulnerability of your motor for free, visit the well-respected Grc's Shields Up website at [https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2]. This website will exertion to break into your computer in order to expose vulnerabilities. Click on the individual options (i.e., file sharing, common ports, etc.) for a vulnerability analysis.

Keeping recent with internet scams is also helpful in keeping your hidden data safe. Here are just a few reference websites you may want to bookmark for time to come reference:

* Scam Busters: http://www.scambusters.org

* Anti-Spam Help & advice Website: http://www.spamhelp.co.uk

* AuctionBytes Online Fraud argument Forum: http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBb/viewforum.php?f=28

* Internet Fraud Complaint Center: [http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp]

* Anti-Phishing Working Group: http://www.antiphishing.org

* Microsoft - Help Safeguard Your Personal data Online: http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/spoof.mspx.

Lastly, check out the better firm Bureau & Javelin Strategy's Id Quiz to see how safe you are from identity theft: http://www.javelinstrategy.com/Idsafetyquiz.htm.