160 likes | 290 Views
Surf the Net Safely. Roger Thornburn. Topics to talk about. The Three Main Threats to Your Computer Hackers Viruses Spyware/Hijackers. Annoyances Email Spam Pop-up Ads. Why This Topic. It's time to set up a few simple tools then relax, surf and enjoy!. Things you’ve heard
E N D
Surf the Net Safely Roger Thornburn
Topics to talk about • The Three Main Threats to Your Computer • Hackers • Viruses • Spyware/Hijackers • Annoyances • Email Spam • Pop-up Ads
Why This Topic It's time to set up a few simple tools then relax, surf and enjoy! • Things you’ve heard • From us at the Learning Center • From the media • From ads • But Now… • With new tools from Microsoft for Windows XP • Simple to use • Reduces risk significantly • And “free” email services • That provide virus free email • And Spam free email
Risk • Does this now mean you are risk free? • What is risk “free”? • Can you guarantee you won’t have an accident going home today? • You need to assess your risk tolerance and decide on the tools and expense for you! • What I’m showing you today are FREE tools that I believe reduce risk to an acceptable level (for me)
Hackers • What do Hackers do? • Try to get your passwords • Use keystroke loggers • Look at your files • What Hackers don’t do • Typically cause problems • Slow down the computer • Add viruses • How to protect your computer from Hacking • Use a FIREWALL (only one) • Now comes as standard with Windows XP (SP2)
Hacker’s ISP The Internet(just a collection of computers connected together) Hacker Your ISP Dial Up DSL Cable etc Your Computer Unique IP Address(just like your tel#) Hackers • Now Let’s Do It!
Viruses • How do you get a Virus? • It must come into your computer in an “infected” file • Only from “program” files • Not from pictures, and most documents and files • Almost all viruses are an ATTACHMENT to an email. • Can be caught by downloading programs from Internet • Only download from a “known/reputable” site • Can also be transmitted by an infected CD or floppy • Only accept programs on floppies and CD’s from “friends”
Viruses • How to prevent • Use an AntiVirus program (eg Norton, McAfee, etc) • Effective • But $$, large downloads, and slows computer • AVG free is available – but updates can be slow • Use an email service that scans ALL your email • Yahoo, Excite, Google, Dell, etc. • These companies use the very best AV technology and scan all your email • Only download programs from known sites • I download ~5 programs a month – never had a virus • Don’t accept programs on CD from unknown people
Spam/Hijacking & MalWare • What is this? • Probably the most annoying and intrusive • Much of it is innocuous and maybe useful • Tracking cookies – can help pay for free websites • Often installed with new computers or Programs • Backweb, Broderbund, etc. to track your internet habits • Too much of this can slow your computer (always running) • Most is installed from Internet sites • Kazaa, other “less desirable” web sites • Often requires the user to “Accept” something • Some is malicicous • Change installed applications • Change internet settings (home page, plug-ins, navigation) • Alter security settings
Spam/Hijacking & MalWare • How to protect your computer • Install programs like Ad-Aware or SpyBot • These scan and provide a “cure”, not “prevention” • Download and Install MS AntiSpyware • Free program and updates • Integrates with the operating system • Offers PREVENTION – intercepts: • Changes to your Internet Browser • Changes to your installed applications • Adding known spyware • Changes to your security settings • Etc. • Let’s do it!
Friend’s ISP & Web Email Server Friend’s Email Inbox, etc. Internet Explorer View ofFriend’s Email Inbox, etc. Your ISP(eg theunion.com) Friend’s Computer Web Based Email Server (eg Yahoo) Your Email Inbox, etc. Dial Up DSL Cable etc Internet Explorer View ofYour Email Inbox, etc. Your Computer Web Based Email The Internet(just lots of computers connected together)
Web Based Email • Your Email folders are NOT on your computer • They are on the Email Service provider’s computer • Inbox, Outbox and other folders only viewed when you are connected to the internet • The email service provides virus protection • Latest technology, fully up-to-date – ALL email and attachments are scanned • The email service provides Spam protection • Customizable, self learning, filters, blockers • Let’s go create an email account! • Yahoo.com • Dell.Myway.com
Pop-up Ads • To stop pop-up ads, use a popup blocker • Many free ones available • Built into MS Internet Explorer (with SP2) • DON’T use more than one pop up blocker • Let’s do it!
To Sum Up • Hackers: • Use the Windows XP Firewall – safe and easy • Will stop anyone “seeing” into your computer • Spyware & Malware, etc. • Download and use the MS AntiSpyware product • PREVENTS unwanted changes to your computer • Fully automatic • Virus • Use a web based email system, and be careful of what Programs you download • If you’re risk tolerance is low, buy an AV product, or use AVG “free” (www.grisoft.com)
To Sum Up (cont.) • Spam control • Use a web based email service • Excellent “self learning” spam control • Pop Up Blocker • Use MS Internet Explorer in SP2