Spyware and Your Computer Security
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Are They Watching You Online?
by Jim Edwards © 2003 - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
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When surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity for
granted, most of us do.
Tapping phones, listening to confidential conversations, reading
others' e-mail messages seems like something that only happens
in spy movies to "other" people.
However, you probably don't realize just how much information
about yourself has the potential to get transmitted across the
Internet every time you go online.
Every computer connected to the Internet has "ports" that allow
it to connect. A "port" doesn't mean you have a physical hole
or opening in your computer's case or hardware, but it does mean
you have openings through which information passes back and forth
between your computer and the Internet.
Depending on the type of connection (dial up, LAN, cable, DSL),
you may have several openings for potential mischief by hackers,
malicious code or viruses.
Computers with dedicated connections rate the most at risk. If
someone or something gets into one of these ports and into your
computer, they can potentially watch everything you do and see
all the data you enter, including social security numbers and
credit card information.
The easiest way to defeat this problem involves using a firewall.
Firewalls, simple and inexpensive software available at virtually
any office supply or computer store, block the most common ports
hackers use to enter your computer.
Firewalls also help you detect and block unauthorized transmission
of information from your computer to the Internet. This adds a
significant measure of protection if you get infected with a Trojan
Horse virus that tries to "phone home" to the hacker with your
sensitive information.
If you'd like to test your connection for vulnerability to attack,
log on to
http://security1.norton.com and run the various diagnostics.
I would strongly advise anyone connected to the Internet through
DSL or cable to get and use a firewall to protect against unauthorized
access.
Infected with "Spyware?"
Previously we talked about unauthorized access to your computer.
But a growing problem online with people watching you and your
activities involves using programs you willingly place on your
computer.
Commonly called "Spyware," this refers to any program that transmits
information about you to someone else without you knowing exactly
what gets sent. The main purpose of Spyware involves tracking
your surfing habits so advertisers know which targeted ads to
send you.
Most Spyware basically comes onto your computer bundled with other
software applications, as a standalone program, or as modification
to the HTML on a web page.
Regardless of how you get it, you need to understand exactly what
information gets transmitted about you so you can decide whether
to keep or uninstall the software. Plain and simple, these Spyware
programs can potentially reveal extremely sensitive information
about you and your online habits.
If you have concerns about Spyware and whether or not your computer
currently carries any, log on to
www.lavasoft.de and check out the free PC software that
will scan your system for known Spyware.
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Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co- author
of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to work less,
get paid more... and have tons more fun!
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