The Internet is Scaryby: Joshua Swift

What kind of risks are there?

How to detect problem programs

Prevent problems before they happen

STOP!

Top 5 Excuses I don't have anything valuable on my

computer anyway Running a firewall slows down my computer

or video games The programs are too complicated I am broke and programs are expensive I have never used security programs and

have never been infected

Risk by Country (2010)

Types of Malware Virus

Self-replicating General term for “malware”

Worm Self-contained virus Works in conjunction with other viruses

Trojan Disguised at legitimate software

Spy vs. Spy

Spyware Secretly monitors anything and everything

you do Estimated 90% of computers infected Bundled with legitimate software Keyloggers, Screenloggers, Rootkits Tracking cookies (i.e. EverCookie)

Ads run amok

Adware Pop-up advertisements Hijacks web browser homepage Sends spam using your email Slows down computer or makes it unusable Usually just annoying, but may be bundled

with other viruses

Fake Alerts

Scareware Otherwise known as Ransomware Meant to shock and threaten users, causing

anxiety or panic Holds computer hostage, demanding

extortion for restoration Threat is usually fictional and fix is virus

itself Typically behave like legitimate anti-virus or

firewall program

Security Programs

Detection & Response Anti-Virus Anti-Spyware

Scans computer and cleans infections Firewalls

Prevents attackers from in-bound and/or out-bound communication

Alerts users of suspicious internet activity

Free Programs Anti-Virus

AVG Free Edition Avast! Kaspersky Trend Micro HouseCall Panda ActiveScan Microsoft Security Essentials

Free Programs (cont.)

Anti-Spyware Spybot Search & Destroy Malwarebytes SUPERAntiSpyware Ad-Aware Spyware Doctor

Free Programs (cont.)

Firewall ZoneAlarm Comodo Outpost OnlineArmor PrivateFirewall Windows Firewall

Prevention It's obvious: better to prevent viruses than

fix them. Why? The going rate for clean-up is $150 Safe browsing practices

Know what to avoid Disable vulnerable plugins or applications Update! Update! Update!

Web Browsers

Safe Browsing Do not open e-mails or attachments from

users you do not know Never open .exe, .pif or .bat files unless

you specifically know the files are clean Do not click spam, pop-ups, or ads in

general Some pop-ups may look like windows

saying your computer is “unsafe”

Windows Update (XP)

Windows Update (7)

Safe Browsing (cont.) Do not visit ethically questionable sites

WAREZ, CRACKZ, SERIALZ & PORN Download from trusted sites only Religiously update your web browser,

browser plugins, virus definitions and operating system

Disable Cookies, JavaScript, Flash & ActiveX (use plugins like NoScript & Adblock)

Password Re-use

http://passwordmaker.org/

Computer Insecurity(final thoughts)

Security is lacking in general, so don't be embarrassed if you get hacked

When there is a will, there is a way. All security software does is place speed-bumps before determined hackers

Security by obscurity is not security! A little knowledge can go a long way for

your sanity and wallet