Scott Gillis N3UJJ

This page is provided as "clearing house" for what's going on on the web at a given time, all of the information on this page is current and changes daily based on what is happening on the internet at that given time, feel free to check in daily to see if there is anything you should be aware of.

1. Keep your AntiVirus Software current.	If you don't have Antivirus software installed on your system, get it today. Antivirus software will do more to protect you then anything else you can do. If you have Antivirus software make sure you keep it updated, set your software to automatically download new virus definitions DAILY (check weekly to make sure it's working). Newer versions of antivirus software will even detect spyware as well as viruses. My personal recommendation is Norton (Symantec) antivirus.
2. Keep your Operating System updated.	Keeping your operating system updated is the second most important thing you can do to protect yourself , vulnerabilities are discovered every month (sometimes weekly) in ALL operating systems. Most popular operating systems can check for CRITICAL updates automatically, but most of the time you have to check for minor and driver updates manually.
3. Install a Firewall. (If you have a firewall, test it at the link at the bottom of the page) Software firewalls are never as secure as hardware firewalls, I suggest only using software firewalls on dial-up.	If you have a cable modem or DSL, GET A HARDWARE FIREWALL, this is a device that goes between your computer and your cable/DSL modem. I recommend either Linksys or D-Link Firewall/Routers, basic units can be purchased for $50.00 or less. Don't buy a wireless router unless you need a wireless network. If you use "dial-up" install a software firewall. A very good FREE software firewall is Zone Labs "Zone Alarm"
4. Turn OFF or Secure Wireless Networking. Learn how to secure your wireless network	If you have a wireless firewall/router and you are not using wireless, TURN IT OFF. ALL wireless firewalls/routers come from the factory with the wireless turned on and wireless security turned OFF. If you use wireless networking, make sure you have configured your firewall/router for it's highest security. Think about this, if you have wireless networking turned on without security, anyone within about an 8th of a mile of your house (your neighbor, or someone in a car with a laptop), can access your network and computers. They can even access the webcam on your computer (you don't have your computer in your bedroom do you?) If you don't need wireless networking, TURN IT OFF! See a map of "OPEN" wireless networks in my neighborhood
5. Pay Attention to what you install off of web sites	Did you know that most spyware that I have found on computers, was installed by the user of the computer. How many times have you gone to a web site and been told that to view the site you need to install software? 99% of the time you are installing spyware. Take the time to read what it is you are clicking on. When in doubt DO NOT install the software, if the web site won't display properly then go back and install the software. When in doubt, do not install the software.
How to tell if you are infected	Indications that your computer might be compromised: Your computer/network is noticeably slower. Your internet default page has changed. You are barraged by POP-UP windows. Lots of activity on your cable modem when you are not on-line. Modem dialing the phone all by itself. You notice your Antivirus software is deactivated.
What to do if you are infected	Removing Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Viruses, and Worms can almost be impossible, no matter what people may tell you. Most malicious software installs "hooks" into the operating system that can't be removed. Even the best anti-spyware software only has a 66% success rate at removing spyware (check here for comparisons). Once you have been compromised the only guaranteed way to clean your system is to re-format the hard drive and re-install the operating system. To learn why the pro's make the previous statement read this story about malware.

Want to know how the Internet works?
Visit Warriors of the Net
It's a humorous but educational movie about how the internet really works

What is Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Viruses, and Worms
Malware	Short for malicious software, software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse. Read Follow the bouncing Malware to learn more.
Virus	A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.
Trojan Horse	A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. One of the most insidious types of Trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses onto your computer. The term comes from the a Greek story of the Trojan War, in which the Greeks give a giant wooden horse to their foes, the Trojans, ostensibly as a peace offering. But after the Trojans drag the horse inside their city walls, Greek soldiers sneak out of the horse's hollow belly and open the city gates, allowing their compatriots to pour in and capture Troy.
Worm	A program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources and possibly shutting the system down. Also see virus.
Spyware	Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today. Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals from the user by using the computer's memory resources and also by eating bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability. Because spyware exists as independent executable programs, they have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party. Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements may not always be read completely because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in obtuse, hard-to-read legal disclaimers.

What is Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Viruses, and Worms