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Symantec Certified Technical Specialist: Small Business Security Study Guide
August 11, 2010 · Posted in Symantec · 5 Comments
Product Description
Get SCTS Certification: Your Mark of Expertise in Small Business Security! Millions of small businesses today are vulnerable to countless security risks and threats. Symantec’s Certified Technical Specialist (SCTS), Small Business Security certification allows security professionals to validate their knowledge of today’s most crucial information security techniques and Symantec’s market-leading security products. Direct from Symantec, this official study guide covers the exam objective in depth: everything you need to know to pass your exam the first time. You’ll gain the knowledge you need to protect small businesses from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spam, spyware, adware, and much more. You’ll learn all you need to know about the SCTS exam and certification program, as you walk through Symantec’s proven eight-step preparation process. SCTS certification represents a powerful competitive advantage for Symantec partners, security consultants, sales and system engineers, administrators, and any IT professional who works with Symantec products in a small business setting. This book will get you ready fast–and maximize your chances of success!* Assess your security threats and the costs and business risks associated with them * Understand options for dealing with junk email * Install, configure, and use Norton AntiSpam 2005 to protect organizations against spam * Block unwanted Web advertisements that affect security and productivity * Understand security risks and threats and use Symantec AntiVirus 10.0 to systematically protect against them * Plan, configure, and manage Symantec Client Security 3.0 * Use Symantec Client Security’s powerful firewall and intrusion detection capabilities * Create simple policies to customize and strengthen your protection against intruders A(c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.
Symantec Certified Technical Specialist: Small Business Security Study Guide
Spyware Reference & Study Guide
June 26, 2010 · Posted in Spyware · 4 Comments
Product Description
Spyware Reference & Study Guide was designed as a research guide not just for the techies, IT managers, or computer security experts, but also for the beginner user. This book looks at the good and bad sides of Spyware.
Spyware Reference & Study Guide
Trojans, Worms, and Spyware: A Computer Security Professional’s Guide to Malicious Code
June 2, 2010 · Posted in Spyware · 2 Comments
Product Description
Trojans, Worms, and Spyware provides practical, easy to understand, and readily usable advice to help organizations to improve their security and reduce the possible risks of malicious code attacks. Despite the global downturn, information systems security remains one of the more in-demand professions in the world today. With the widespread use of the Internet as a business tool, more emphasis is being placed on information security than ever before. To successfully deal with this increase in dependence and the ever growing threat of virus and worm attacks, Information security and information assurance (IA) professionals need a jargon-free book that addresses the practical aspects of meeting new security requirements.
This book provides a comprehensive list of threats, an explanation of what they are and how they wreak havoc with systems, as well as a set of rules-to-live-by along with a system to develop procedures and implement security training. It is a daunting task to combat the new generation of computer security threats – new and advanced variants of Trojans, as well as spyware (both hardware and software) and “bombs” – and Trojans, Worms, and Spyware will be a handy must-have reference for the computer security professional to battle and prevent financial and operational harm from system attacks.
*Provides step-by-step instructions to follow in the event of an attack
*Case studies illustrate the “do’s,” “don’ts,” and lessons learned from infamous attacks
*Illustrates to managers and their staffs the importance of having protocols and a response plan in place
Trojans, Worms, and Spyware: A Computer Security Professional’s Guide to Malicious Code
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses
April 11, 2010 · Posted in Spyware · 5 Comments
Product Description
Batten down the hatches! Hackers, spammers and thieves (oh my!) are after you! The mere act of turning on an Internet-connected computer can put you, your family, and your personal finances at risk by exposing you to viruses, scam artists, hackers, identity thieves, and spammers. How do you fight back? Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses is your first line of defense.
Clear, easy-to-understand definitions of viruses, spyware, and hackers will help you understand what you’re up against everytime you go online. Then, you’ll learn about other threats, such as identity theft, phishing, and other potential dangers you’ll face in your everyday computing. Find out how to search out and destroy spyware, malware and other viscious programs that could potentially harm your computer. Then find out how to lock out hackers, spammers, and theives for good.
We’ll tell you how to immediately cut the risk of being attacked in half — in less than 10 minutes! Protect your bank accounts, digital photos, digital music collection, masters thesis, and everything you hold near and dear on your computer with the help of the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses.
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses
A Beginners Guide to Fighting Spam
Fighting spam is a lot like fighting any other illegal activity. You come up with a strategy and the enemy comes up with a counter strategy that puts yours in the dust. But when it comes to spam, there are some techniques you can use that put you at an advantage.
View full post on Internet and Businesses Online: Spam Blocker Articles from EzineArticles.com
A Quick And Dirty Guide To OS Maintenance
A computer OS is a lot like your home. While it stands on a strong, solid framework that won’t brook damage easily, it is extremely vulnerable to clutter and can become highly inefficient without proper maintenance. So, what do you need to do to keep your computer in top condition, months and – gasp – years after the latest reinstall?
1. Clean out temporary files – hit %temp% on the “Run” command of Windows, and delete everything you see. You may lose a few cookies, but that’s well worth the memory saved. On Mac, empty out the Library>Cache folder.
2. Clean out other files you don’t need. If you save .zip archives after extracting their contents, program setup files even after installing them and so on, rethink your game plan. Admittedly, zip files and installers can sometimes be useful, but such cases are rare – especially with software being constantly updated. This saves you hard drive space, and an overloaded hard drive is a highly common reason behind poor OS performance on old computers.
3. Defragment regularly. Defragmenting makes it easier for your OS to index the contents of your computer. It also increases your computer’s speed, and decreases sudden slowdowns and crashes. Once a month is usually enough for defragmenting, unless you frequently download and delete files.
4. Guard your machine. AVG and Avast are two of the best free antivirus-cum-firewall programs available. Always keep these installed, as you never know when or where a worm enters your system. The NoScript plugin on Mozilla Firefox is also highly useful, as it lets you run scripts only on websites you tell the computer you trust.
5. Use the Windows System Maintenance tool, or the Mac Automator for workflows. This lets you perform all maintenance tasks at one go, even while you are asleep.
6. Check for errors regularly. Chkdsk/checkdisk is a useful utility for Windows, and disk utility for Mac.
7. Do not overload your system. With your antivirus, shell(Explorer/Finder/Nautilus) and Internet connection on, your computer is already using a bit of processing power. You can only hope that this is not too much. While you are free to use all the power you need, try not to keep programs open unnecessarily. This can lead to overheating… which affects your computer insidiously and terribly, eating it from the inside like damp in a building.
8. Keep your OS updated. Regular updates to your OS will keep it safe, above all else. You do not need to install features that you find unnecessary, but the security updates are usually very, very useful.
A lot of people still believe that an OS has an expiry date and will “wear down” unless reinstalled. THIS IS NOT TRUE. By maintaining your OS and compensating for its weaknesses, you can keep your computer running at full speed for years after your OS install. In case you feel shaky, just ask your computer guy or your neighborhood geek to help you with these operations.
Guide To Computer Security
Since you’re reading this article, you’re already connected to the Internet. You’ve probably already thought about security on your computer or network. Every day seems to bring new threats and it can seem pretty daunting, but the key thing is to have a common sense approach and to take a few basic precautions.
There are lots of great tools available to help and you don’t have to break the bank to get them. Here are some areas to take a look at:
BACKUPS
Securing your information starts here. You’ll need some or all of the security tools listed below, but even then you can’t guarantee 100% that you won’t have a problem. Hardware failures do occur so backup your data. One easy way to keep your important files is to burn them onto CD or DVD.
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
An absolute must have. Alright, you already knew that, but I can’t stress too strongly the importance of having good, up-to-date antivirus software. With new threats and Viruses arriving every day it’s important to maintain update subscriptions and download virus definition updates as soon as they become available.
There’s a lot of good antivirus software available, both free and for low cost. I’d recommend going for paid software…you just never know when you’re going to need to call a helpdesk and that’s generally the difference between the free stuff and the stuff you pay for. Norton, McAfee, AVG and others all sell antivirus software that’s affordable on a low budget.
FIREWALL
A firewall is always recommended to help protect against unauthorized access to your PC. For a small number of PCs a software firewall is usually best and is the easiest to work with if you’re not an IT expert. However, don’t discount hardware firewalls, especially if you have a network with a lot of devices on it.
Whatever you do, don’t rely on the Network Address Translation or packet filter built in to your ADSL or Cable router. It almost certainly won’t be enough.
If you’re buying a particular company’s Antivirus software it’s worth considering buying their integrated AV and firewall package if they have one (if they don’t then maybe you should try someone else). It may well save you money and be easier to configure and maintain.
ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE
If you spend a lot of time browsing the Web (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), then spyware is going to find its way onto your machine. A lot of it isn’t particularly nasty, but the really bad stuff can send important information like passwords, bank details or credit card numbers to people you really don’t want to have access to that stuff. At the very least it can slow down your PC and since you didn’t ask for it in the first place then you should get rid of it.
Some tell-tail signs that you have a Spyware infection are:
- You’re getting pop-up ads all the time
- Your default homepage or other settings in your browser suddenly change (especially if you can’t change them back)
- Your computer is slow (there could be other reasons for this, but it’s worth checking for spyware)
There’s some good free software available from Lavasoft called AdAware. Microsoft also have their own free tool for Windows users called Windows Defender. Among the paid-for Anti-Spyware software Webroot’s
Spy Sweeper regularly picks up awards from computer magazines.
PASSWORDS
More and more people are accessing secure sites for shopping, banking, etc. Provided you take sensible precautions it’s a great way to shop.
If you’ve been doing any online shopping you’ll be used to dealing with secure sites. Whatever methods these sites use to secure their servers or encrypt your traffic, if they’re accessed by passwords then you share some of the responsibility for the security on your transactions. Here are a few tips on how to keep unauthorised users from accessing your accounts:
- Be inventive with your passwords. Don’t use easy to guess stuff that a lot of people know about you or can find out. Use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers and special characters (again be inventive. Just using a 1 instead of the letter i is no use if it still spells out an easy to guess word).
- Use different passwords for different accounts. If you always use the same one and it’s compromised then someone will have access to everything.
- Don’t write passwords down on paper or post-it notes. That’s a hacker’s favourite way to find passwords if they have physical access to your office.
- Don’t get Web browsers to remember your passwords on shared machines or in office areas. If you log into a machine that other users have access to then never use Windows or Web browser mechanisms that remember your account details.
Having different passwords to lots of different accounts does make it more difficult to remember them and it’s important that this doesn’t lead you into bad habits. So what do you do?
You could look at getting some password management software. Naturally, Norton has a password manager, but other good options include “Web Replay” from Deskperience or “PC Password Manager XP” from CPLab.
WHERE TO NOW?
You don’t have to go out and buy every piece of security software right away. Prioritise one or two to start with (I’d suggest Antivirus and Firewall software). Also download trial versions so you can be sure you’re happy with them before you part with your hard earned cash.
Be careful on the Internet, but don’t let it spoil your day.
Russell Card has been an IT Consultant for over 10 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in Networking, Security, Web Design and a host of other computer subjects. To find more articles like this, visit UKITbits
Prevent Online Scams: Guide to Online Shopping
“Shopping online has definitely cut down the hassles of going to the store and jostling in jam-packed malls. With the advent of the Internet, affordable online shopping is now at your fingertips. In just a few clicks of the mouse, you can purchase anything of your choice from the stuff on your computer monitor. Purchasing online is definitely the “in” thing because aside from getting a wide array of products, conducting transactions or payment can be done in a jiffy online.
Consumers across the globe are increasingly turning to the one-click convenience of online shopping thus its popularity these days.
Although online stores cast away the inconvenience that normally tail shopping, do you know that scam artists and fraudulent companies are predominant on the web? A recent consumer report of the Global Nielsen identifies the problems encountered by shoppers from cheap online shopping. These include “phishing” or “spoofing”, identity theft, non-delivery of goods, and fraud.
Online merchants are shrewder than what you thought. They sham as legit companies and hook customers with their very low priced commodities. Scammers cloak themselves under impressive marketing skills, and sweet-talk potential victims with goodies and freebies. However excellent in deceiving others, frauds can be avoided if consumers take measures to protect themselves from brick and mortar stores. In fact, Pay Pal, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Global Nielsen have released safety precautions to those engaging in online shopping. Here are as follows:
Check carefully the website, products and services
Buying online is like purchasing your goods from a brick and mortar store. It’s best to conduct business with companies that the public knows about already. For example, if you shop for electronics online, visit reliable sites such as SONY, Radio Shack, Circuit City, and Tweeter.
Meanwhile, if you find an unfamiliar website, research about the company’s background, products, and services. Reliable companies should include their contact information such as business address and phone numbers. To check the store, call the listed phone number and ask questions to determine the legitimacy of its business. Ask how the merchant handles returned merchandise and complaints. Find out if it offers full refunds or only store credits.
If you’re still not convinced, check the yellow pages or search the Better Business Bureau listings, or a government consumer protection agency to ensure the validity of the company. After you’ve done everything but still feel uncomfortable with the idea of buying or bidding for an item on the web, then maybe you shouldn’t.
Understand the web site’s privacy and security policies
If you opt for online electronics shopping, don’t forget to read carefully the privacy policy. According to BBB, the Privacy Policy helps determine what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process. Or, look for merchants who are members of TRUSTe, Verisign, and BBB.
Scrutinize the company’s rules and regulations for the following: -Shipping costs and guidelines -Cancellation rules -Return and complaint handling policies -Payment guidelines
Keep your accounts safe
Pay with your credit cards every time you place orders. Payments made by credit cards allow you to keep the payment amount in your bank account. Also, some banks grant their clients extended warranties or other advantages for purchases made with the card.
Never use an ATM or debit card for they can expose your bank account to the thieves.
Never give financial and private information
The rule of thumb when making transactions or online shopping for electronics is never to give your Social Security Number and other financial information.
It’s okay to give information including your name, contact numbers, and address, but if the merchant asks beyond that, do not disclose it. Also, keep your password private. Do not use a password that is a giveaway such as your birth date, mother’s name, wife’s name, etc. The best password has at least eight characters and includes numbers and letters.”
Andrew Beene is web copywriter in a web design company associated with a company offering cheap online shopping.
Home User Guide to Free Virus Removal – How to Remove Conficker Worm Easily
The Confiker is a worm that should have activated itself on April 1st but did not, proves to be a still-standing threat to the world. Now imagine what will happen if you’re the one who gets this infection then it will be a headache for you since you don’t know how to remove this malicious software. Luckily, there are software that can remove it easily.
Conficker is a computer worm believed to be the largest infection right now. It has infected lots of computer in the world and even has few variations. Even though it didn’t activate itself during 1st of April, it’s still out there waiting for instruction.
A computer worm is software that can infect your PC and turn it to a zombie computer. A zombie computer is a computer that can be controlled by the hackers hence, used for a lot of malicious purpose such as DDoS attack.
So, how to remove the Conficker Worm? It can be removed by downloading Malicious Software Removal Tools provided by Microsoft or you can search for third parties that provide the tools such as McAfee and Symantec.
I’ve downloaded the Conficker Removal Tool by McAfee just want to see if my computer had been infected. Even though I have lots of protection software, but still, I need to check for it just in case. The removal tool result showed that my computer is free from this infection.
These removal tools are free to download and you don’t need to pay a cent for it. The Conficker was discovered during November 2008 and there are four variations to date.
Microsoft is offering rewards for those who can give information which can lead to the capture of the creator or creators.
Most anti-virus companies have updated their anti-virus definition so their software will be able to remove it. However, the Conficker Worm is evolving with lots of variations and as long as the creator is free, there will be new variations emerge.
So, if you know anything about this worm, report it to the authorities so we can use the internet without the fear of being infected.
Azwan Asmat is the author of Chuang Computer Tips – Want to know the secret of securing your PC from dangerous spyware, adware, and malware programs that can ruin your PC, your finances, and your sanity?! Join my 5-days PC Security E-Course for info on virus protection
PC Protection Guide – Best Free Firewall
Firewall is software that monitors the ingoing and outgoing traffic from your PC. It’s a crucial component in protecting you from online threats. People usually installed anti-virus, anti-spyware but often they forgot to install it.
In my opinion, it is a slightly advance protection software and can cause some headache for those who don’t know anything about computer. I would suggest you to read a few things about this software first before actually using it. It’s because you’re going to need to know about the processes going in or out from your PC.
In this article, I will share with you two best free firewalls available on the internet for you to download. The first software is Comodo Firewall Pro.
I use it personally and to be honest, I like it. But you need some knowledge on which processes to allow access and which to deny and if you don’t have the necessary knowledge, you might allow the malicious process access into your PC.
If you would like to know which process is malicious, you can do so by searching it on Google. This way, if the process is malicious, you will know about it immediately and then you can deny the access.
The next software is ZoneAlarm. I didn’t use it because I already use the Comodo Firewall Pro. I don’t think you need two firewalls in one PC. Even though I didn’t use this software, it actually gets good reviews among the PC users.
In fact, in order for you to know if your firewall is reliable or not, you can download simple software that will test it. It’s called the Leaktest and don’t worry about this software because it’s not malicious and it’s safe. I used it previously to test mine and it passed.
Surprisingly, there are few firewalls out there that didn’t pass this LeakTest. So, test your firewall first after installing it to make sure it’s good enough to block any access into and going out your PC.
But, having the best firewall in the world is no use if you don’t know how to use it. So, learn more and apply it.
Azwan Asmat is the author of Chuang Computer Tips – Online threats have become a major computer security issue. Would you like to know the secret of securing your PC from dangerous spyware, adware, and malware programs that can ruin your PC, your finances, and your sanity?!! Join my 5- Days PC Security E-course for more info on virus protection
