|
| |||||
|
|
|
| ||
Viruses, tampering, popups, spyware
Below is a scenario to make the user realize the importance of protecting his/her computer from viruses. Click the link on the left "Free Help" for free downloads.
I use "Avast". It is excellent, and automatically downloads new updates almost daily, at the users option.
Do not open email attachments that come from unexpected sources. Viruses come in all shapes and sizes to con you into opening the attachment ie: "Your email account has been cancelled, see attachment for details". As you read the scenario below, you will understand that some attachments may even seem to come from a personal friend.
You risk opening attachments you haven't requested, even if you think it is from someone you know.
-
1-A friend of yours sends you an email from his computer which is not virus protected. It was an email sent to him (which contains a virus) by a good friend of his - without either of them knowing it.
2-The virus may search his computer email address book.
3-It then sends emails as an attachment to all those in the address book, without anyone knowing about it.
4-However, the virus changes the 'From address' in emails it sends to disguise where the emails actually came from.
5-The virus looks like it came from someone else. This is why someone may tell you they received a virus from you even though you know your computer is protected.
6-People who are sincere in alerting others of viruses will never inform the original sender that he is sending viruses, since NO ONE knows where the virus originated from.
This devious tactic is worse than the Asian Flu!
Tampering with forms
Banks are warning clients who receive Internet "proof of payment" forms from First National Bank clients to physically check whether a deposit has been made, because a glitch in FNB's online banking software allows these forms to be altered by account holders.
And the bank doesn't know how long it will take to sort out the problem.
It has seemingly occurred because FNB opted for a printable document file (pdf) format for its downloadable "proof of payment" forms. These can be imported into Adobe Acrobat and the contents manipulated before being sent on to the recipient of the Internet transfer.
Leading you to fake addresses
A link that claims to take you to the PayPal (or any other) site could point to a fake site, but thanks to the Microsoft bug it will still say www.paypal.com in your address bar.
If you do not regularly update your operating system from the Windows update site, this bug will still be in your internet browser.
DO NOT assume that by copying the supposed URL (website address) in the body of the email will avoid fraudsters. Although the URL may look genuine, it could have unsuspecting URL's imbedded in it.
You may have software that you may not even be aware of, since it downloaded inadvertently when installing something else.
www.AdAware.com is free software that can remove this unwanted software. Click on "Free Help" at left.
Spybot Search and Destroy is another free software download to locate, identify and remove spyware.
Spyware is any software that covertly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet and transmits the information to an individual or company that uses it for marketing or other purposes.
Any type of software that transmits information without the user's knowledge can fall into this category.
Information is sent via the Internet to a server somewhere,
normally as a hidden side effect of using a program.
Gathering this information may benefit the user indirectly,
ie: by helping to improve the software he is using, or it may be collected for advertising purposes or, worst of all, to steal security information such as passwords to online accounts or credit card details.
Spyware may be installed along with other software or as theresult of a virus infection.
How to turn off Windows Messenger Service
This page is not about Instant Messaging.
What Windows Messenger Service Allows to Happen on Your Computer
Should a pop up box appear on your screen with the words "Messenger Service" in the title bar such as the one on the left, you almost certainly have Windows Messenger Services enabled on your computer. It may be that you have just bought a new computer, in which case you probably want to know how to prevent these pop ups, read on...
In their initial state, Microsoft Windows operating systems (98, ME, XP, 2000, NT) allow anyone on the internet to pop up Windows on your screen. There is no need for them to know anything about your computer and your computer does not care who does it.
Spammers use the Windows Messenger Services to pop up messages on your screen to try to fool you into buying their 'services' or to divulge sensitive information e.g. bank details!
The important thing to remember is that anyone, anywhere in the world can pop up one of these messages on your computer. At this time it looks as though all these messages will have "Messenger Service" in the Window title.
If your computer is within a company or organization, check with your support staff if you are getting windows messenger pop ups. Your support staff may require windows message to be enabled - follow their advice.
Otherwise - if you want to disable with windows messenger service following the steps below.
Disabling the Messenger Service
To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your computer, you can disable the Messenger service. Its easy to reverse at a later time if you wish to do so. Follow the steps below for your computer operating system.
Windows 2000
1. Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services
2. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
3. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
4. Click the STOP button.
5. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
6. Click OK
Windows XP Home
1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
2. Click Performance and Maintenance
3. Click Administrative Tools
4. Double click Services
5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose “Properties”.
7. Click the STOP button.
8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
9. Click OK
Windows XP Professional
1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
2. Click Administrative Tools
3. Click Services
4. Double click Services
5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
7. Click the STOP button.
8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
9. Click OK
Windows NT
1. Click Start ->Control Panel
2. Double Click Administrative Tools
3. Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger
4. In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop,
5. Then choose Disable as the Startup Type
6. Click OK
Windows 98 & ME
Windows Messenger Service cannot be disabled
| Site Tools |
|
Verse of the Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
