Here's a very practical way to mark Internet Safety Month (June): free computer-security support for families. But you need to act quickly: Trend Micro will supply $100 worth of security diagnostics and advice to the first 1,000 people who sign up tomorrow (June 15) at FreeDayofSupport.com. Of course, this isn't that great if you're a longtime Norton or Kaspersky user, but it's great if you're not … [Read more...] about Short-term or long-term kid & PC security
PC security
Library bans social sites for PC security
The Lexington County Public Library is banning social-networking sites, but not for the reasons most people would probably come up with. "The primary reason for the decision was research that shows social-networking sites can make computer systems vulnerable to viruses," reports The State in Columbia, S.C. "The sites are becoming prime targets for malicious hackers," it cites network security … [Read more...] about Library bans social sites for PC security
Adding strangers as ‘friends’
A new study found that Facebook users may need to take their personal privacy more seriously - also that there seems to be some confusion about who is and isn't a friend there. It doesn't appear to have been that scientific a study, but the methodology is interesting: IT security firm Sophos "created a fake Facebook profile, under the name 'Freddi Staur' ('ID Fraudster' with the letters … [Read more...] about Adding strangers as ‘friends’
FBI fights ‘zombies’
The FBI says people have their cars inspected once a year, they should have their PCs inspected regularly too. It’s talking up the problem of “botnets,” or “zombie networks,” the Associated Press reports – networks of infected computers, very often family PCs, that are controlled by the malicious hackers who infected them. “Because the hacker has complete control of each ‘bot’ computer, the botnet … [Read more...] about FBI fights ‘zombies’
New phishing trick
Yet another indicator that we can never rely on technology alone to protect computers or kids. In this case, it’s a sneaky phishing scam to grab Net users’ social security and credit card numbers, among other sensitive info. The Register says it’s “able to spoof eBay, PayPal and other top Web destinations without triggering antiphishing filters in IE 7 or Norton 360.” It got this from a Londoner … [Read more...] about New phishing trick