Have you heard about the latest phishing scheme? It’s particularly diabolical, because it doesn’t require you to take any action, other than opening an e-mail. When you do that, the malicious code is installed deep within your computer, and it can then force your browser to go to a fake website whenever you try
Privacy
Slamming Spammers
It’s old but still good news — the state of Virginia has secured the first felony convictions for spammers — 9 years in prison! Finally, an anti-spam law that gets results. Will it act as a deterrent? Probably not, for a while.
Shocking Discovery
What?!?!? The New York Times discovers that there is a worldwide problem with spyware!
That worm is watching you
There’s a new virus out there, the Rbot-GR, that is more invasive than any worm yet imagined. Why? Because not only does it cause harm to your computer, but it also takes control of your webcam and microphone, sending images and audio back to the hackers.
For those of you who sit in…
New version of spyware removal tool released
Ad-Aware, the great spyware removal tool, has released Ad-Aware SE, with additional enhancements and protections.
As I have mentioned here before, both Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy are great free spyware removal tools — you should be using both of them, because each program catches different spyware.
An article last week…
Fight spyware through your toolbar
The Yahoo Companion Toolbar comes bundled with Anti-Spy, a spyware/adware detection program that can monitor your computer for the bad stuff. Chris Sherman has a review of the new toolbar.
One more password to remember
I have written before that it’s important to choose a strong password for your online activities, because most passwords can be easily broken. Now the prevailing wisdom is that we all need not one, but two passwords to increase your online security. My firm’s remote access application uses two passwords, and it works pretty well.
Reading the news, anonymously
Do you hate registering at news sites, giving up your personal information just to read the news? You’re not the only one.
Search results vs. Privacy — the Tradeoffs
As I have mentioned here before, one of the most interesting new directions in the future of search is personalization, where a search utility customizes the results to fit your individual needs. The more personalized, however, the more personal information that needs to be provided by the searcher. This article examines the tradeoffs involved.
ISP as Phishing Blocker
Gee, Earthlink really has it going on as a proactive ISP, huh? First they offer free spyware auditing services; now they’re introducing a new toolbar called ScamBlocker, which is designed to track and block access to known swindle sites. Unfortunately, services like these are necessary, because sometimes an Internet user’s most dangerous enemy…