Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses

by Walker, Andy

• ISBN13: 9780789734594
• ISBN10: 0789734591
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-09
• Publisher: Que Publishing

Summary

Batten down the hatches! Hackers, spammers and thieves (oh my!) are after you! The mere act of turning on an Internet-connected computer can put you, your family, and your personal finances at risk by exposing you to viruses, scam artists, hackers, identity thieves, and spammers. How do you fight back?Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Virusesis your first line of defense. Clear, easy-to-understand definitions of viruses, spyware, and hackers will help you understand what you're up against everytime you go online. Then, you'll learn about other threats, such as identity theft, phishing, and other potential dangers you'll face in your everyday computing. Find out how to search out and destroy spyware, malware and other viscious programs that could potentially harm your computer. Then find out how to lock out hackers, spammers, and theives for good. We'll tell you how to immediately cut the risk of being attacked in half - in less than 10 minutes! Protect your bank accounts, digital photos, digital music collection, masters thesis, and everything you hold near and dear on your computer with the help of theAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses.

Author Biography

Andy Walker is one of North America's top technology journalists. Since 1995, he has written about personal computer technology for dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites. His personal technology advice column was syndicated across the Southam Newspaper chain and today the body of work is published at Cyberwalker.com where more than 5 million unique visitors read the advice annually. Andy has appeared as a tech expert on hundreds of TV and radio broadcasts and now co-hosts hosted the internationally syndicated TV show Call for Help with Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur. Andy was born in the United Kingdom, educated and raised in Canada, and now lives in Toronto with a two cats and a really secure personal computer.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	2	(2)
Special Elements Used in this Book	4	(1)
Reader Competition...of Sorts	5	(2)
I. Security Basics: Some Very Real Threats	7	(214)
Viruses: Attack of the Malicious Programs	9	(32)
What Is a Computer Virus?	10	(4)
What Is It?	11	(1)
Who Triggers a Computer Virus?	11	(1)
How Does It Spread?	11	(2)
What Damage Can It Do?	13	(1)
Viruses: As Many Kinds As Sniffles in Kindergarten	14	(8)
Macro Viruses	15	(2)
Memory-Resident Viruses	17	(1)
File Infector Viruses	17	(1)
Boot Viruses	17	(1)
Multi-Partite Viruses	18	(1)
Worms: Network-Sawy Viruses	18	(1)
Trojan Horses: Hey Helen, the Achaeans Left Us a Present!	19	(1)
Virus Hoaxes: Fake Viruses that Scare the Heck Out of You	20	(2)
Who Creates Computer Viruses?	22	(2)
What Not to Do!	24	(1)
When Viruses Attack!	25	(4)
Disconnect As Soon As Possible	26	(1)
Virus Infection Found! How to Cleanse Your System	27	(1)
My Antivirus Program Won't Update!	28	(1)
Now I Have Your Attention	29	(1)
Antivirus Checkup: 10-Minute Tactics	29	(3)
Install Windows Security Updates	29	(2)
Update Your Virus Signatures	31	(1)
Fortify Your Computer: Strong Virus Defense in a Few Hours	32	(5)
Install or Upgrade an Antivirus Program	32	(2)
Scan Your Computer for Viruses	34	(1)
Install Service Pack 2 and Enable Virus Protection	35	(2)
No Worm in My Apple?	37	(1)
Is That a Virus in Your Pocket?	38	(3)
Spyware: Overrun by Advertisers, Hijackers, and Opportunists	41	(44)
What Is Spyware?	42	(1)
What Does Spyware Do and Why Is It Bad?	42	(1)
How Does Spyware Sneak onto My Computer?	43	(1)
Types of Spyware: Snoops, Adware, Cookies, and More	44	(7)
Spyware: I Spy with My Little App	44	(1)
Adware: Attack of the Pop-ups	44	(1)
Snoopware: I Wanna Know What You're Up To!	45	(1)
Browser Hijackers: Turn This Browser Around, We're Going to Cuba.com	46	(2)
Key Loggers: Snooping on Your Typing Skills	48	(1)
Dialers: Dial In, Dial Out, Dial Often	48	(1)
Trojan Horses: Pretty Ponies with Deadly Insides	49	(1)
Cookies: Does My Oreo Have a Tape Recorder in It?	49	(2)
Who Is at Risk?	51	(1)
How Do I Know If I Have Spyware?	51	(1)
Defend Yourself Against Spyware	52	(9)
Spyware Countermeasures: 10-Minute Tactics	52	(9)
Ban All Spies: Strong Spyware Defense in an Afternoon	61	(24)
Run a Full System Scan	61	(1)
Install a Second Anti-spyware Program	62	(1)
Inoculate Your System	62	(1)
Use Firefox	63	(1)
Clean Cookies	64	(2)
Spyware Infection Found! How to Scrub Your System	66	(5)
How to Fix a Browser Hijack	71	(8)
Decimate the Little Suckers with CWShredder	79	(1)
Microsoft Mimics Hijack This: System Explorers	80	(5)
Hackers: There's a Man in My Machine	85	(28)
What Is a Hacker?	86	(1)
Who Are the Hackers?	86	(1)
What Damage Can Hackers Do?	87	(1)
Targets of a Hack Attack	87	(2)
Corporate Networks	87	(1)
Web Servers	88	(1)
Personal Computers	88	(1)
Hacker Motivation: I Think Therefore I Hack	89	(1)
Tools of the Trade: Pass Me a Trojan Horse, Would You?	89	(1)
Firewall: Shut Out the Hackers	90	(1)
Software Firewalls: Programs That Stop Hackers	91	(6)
Windows Firewall: Built-in Defense	91	(1)
Third-Party Software Firewalls	92	(2)
Recommended Firewall Freebies	94	(1)
Hardware Firewalls	94	(1)
Easy Defense with a NAT Firewall	95	(1)
Stateful Inspection: The Meticulous Traffic Cop	96	(1)
How to Detect a Hacker Attack	97	(1)
How to Fix a Hacker Attack	98	(3)
Steps You Can Take Immediately After Being Hacked	99	(2)
Batten down the Hatches---10-Minute Tactics	101	(2)
Turn on Windows Firewall	101	(1)
Activate the Firewall on a Mac OS X System	102	(1)
Wall off the World---Install a Better Firewall in an Afternoon	103	(10)
Install a Two-way Software Firewall	103	(6)
Install a Hardware Firewall	109	(4)
Identity Thieves and Phishers: Protect Your Good Name and Bank Account	113	(22)
What Is Identity Theft?	114	(4)
Techniques Thieves Use to Steal Your Identity	114	(1)
How They Become You: Identity Theft Techniques	115	(1)
Preventative Measures: How to Not Become a Victim	116	(1)
Signs You're a Victim	116	(1)
What to Do If You're an Identity Theft Victim	117	(1)
What Is Phishing?	118	(2)
How Does Phishing Work?	120	(3)
Email Address Spoofing	120	(1)
Link Spoofing	121	(1)
Web Address Spoofing	122	(1)
What Is Pharming?	123	(3)
What Damage Can Be Done By Phishing?	126	(1)
Who Is at Risk? Everyone!	126	(1)
Don't Get Phished: 10-Minute Tactics to Stay Off the Hook	126	(5)
They Won't Ask, You Don't Tell	127	(1)
Use Caution and Cut and Paste	127	(1)
Communicate Securely	127	(1)
Install an Anti-spam Filter	128	(1)
Block Phishing Sites with NetCraft	129	(1)
Carry a Big Spoofstick	130	(1)
Keep Your Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Programs Up-to-Date	131	(1)
Keep Your Computer Software Up-to-Date	131	(1)
Ensure You Are You: Take an Afternoon to Protect Your Identity	131	(4)
Check Your Credit Reports	131	(2)
Shred It Before You Chuck It	133	(1)
Read Your Statements	133	(2)
Spam: Unwanted Email from Hell	135	(16)
What Is Spam?	136	(1)
Why Does Spam Keep Coming?	137	(1)
Why Doesn't Someone Stop the Spammers?	138	(1)
How Do Spammers Get My Email Address?	139	(3)
Website Harvesting	139	(1)
Dictionary Spamming	139	(1)
Commercial Email Lists	140	(1)
Newsgroups, Discussion Forums, and Interactive Websites	141	(1)
Contests and Other Free Offerings	141	(1)
Email Forwarding	141	(1)
The Damage Spam Can Do	142	(1)
Reduce the Flow---10-Minute Tactics to Reduce Spam	143	(4)
Don't Respond	143	(1)
Don't Post Your Email Address on the Web	144	(1)
Webmasters Shouldn't Use mailto	144	(1)
Turn Off Image Display in Email Programs	144	(2)
Turn On Junk Mail Filtering	146	(1)
Kill More Spam---In an Afternoon	147	(4)
Install an Anti-spam Program	147	(2)
Fight Back!	149	(2)
Wireless Network Snoops: Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network	151	(36)
What Is a Wireless Home Network?	152	(2)
What Damage Can a Wireless Network Snoop Dish Out?	154	(1)
Who Are the Snoopers?	155	(5)
Wardrivers	155	(4)
Bandwidth Bandits	159	(1)
Wireless Hackers	160	(1)
Your Wi-Fi Network Is Full of Holes!	160	(4)
How to Access Your Router Set-up	161	(3)
First Line of Defense: Secure Your Wi-Fi Network	164	(9)
Turn On WEP	164	(3)
Turn On WPA	167	(2)
MAC Address Filtering: Keep Out the Scottish	169	(4)
Detecting a Visit from a Wireless Snoop	173	(2)
I'm Under Attack! What to Do If You Discover a Wireless Network Snoop	175	(1)
Turn Off Wireless Access	175	(1)
Activate Security Measures	176	(1)
Assess the Damage	176	(1)
Wireless Security Workup: Quick Tactics and Some That Take a Little More Time	176	(11)
10-Minute Tactic: Change the Router's User ID and Password	177	(1)
10-Minute Tactic: Change Your Default SSID	178	(2)
10-Minute Tactic: Turn On the Windows Firewall	180	(1)
10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off UPnP	181	(1)
10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off Your Router When Not in Use	182	(1)
Time Intensive Tactic: Be Careful with File Sharing	182	(5)
Privacy Snoops: Cover Your Tracks and Your Reputation	187	(34)
Why Your Privacy Is Important	188	(1)
What You Leave Behind on Your Computer	189	(1)
Web Browser	189	(1)
Documents	189	(1)
Movies and Audio Players	189	(1)
Email	189	(1)
Chat Programs	190	(1)
Who Are the Privacy Snoops?	190	(1)
The Consequences of Being Caught	190	(1)
Emergency Tactics---I Am Being Snooped On!	191	(10)
Administrator	192	(1)
Limited Users	192	(1)
Guest Accounts	193	(1)
How to Create PC Privacy	194	(7)
Obscure Your Trail---In About 10 Minutes	201	(6)
Microsoft Internet Explorer	201	(5)
Mozilla Firefox	206	(1)
Cover Your Tracks---In an Afternoon	207	(1)
Clean Multimedia Players	207	(14)
Windows Media Player 10	207	(1)
Real Player 10	208	(1)
Protect Your Email	209	(1)
Turn Off Saved Sent Items	209	(1)
Empty Deleted Items Folder	210	(1)
Don't Leave Email on the Server	210	(2)
Wash Windows	212	(3)
Scrub Microsoft Office	215	(2)
Deleted Files Are Not Gone	217	(1)
Turn Off Chat Logs	217	(2)
Clean Restore Points	219	(2)
II. Strategies for Safe and Secure Computing	221	(92)
Let's Smash-Proof Windows: Tweak Windows XP Nice and Tight	223	(26)
If Windows XP Is a Dike, You're a Little Dutch Boy	224	(25)
Step 1: Trash Unnecessary Programs	224	(4)
Step 2: Install Firefox	228	(1)
Step 3: Install Antivirus Software and Scan for Viruses	229	(1)
Step 4: Install Anti-Spyware Software and Scan for Spyware	230	(4)
Step 5: Block Out the Bad Guys and Install a Firewall	234	(2)
Step 6: Install and Configure Microsoft Updates and Service Pack 2	236	(4)
Step 7: Install Netcraft's Anti-Phishing Toolbar	240	(3)
Step 8: Protect Yourself from Spam	243	(2)
Step 9: Managing Your File Sharing Security	245	(4)
Starting from the Beginning: Wiping a Hard Drive and Rebuilding from the Ground Up	249	(48)
Light the Fuse and Stand Back	250	(1)
Let's Get Started	250	(5)
XP Installation CD or System Recovery Disk	250	(1)
Windows SP2: The Mother of All Service Packs	251	(1)
Collect Your Drivers	252	(1)
Installation CDs for Your Programs	253	(1)
Internet Service Software and Settings	254	(1)
Security Programs	255	(1)
Step 1: Download Drivers and Software You Need for the Re-install	255	(4)
Got a Recovery CD? That's Good News!	255	(1)
Retail Copy of Windows XP? There's Some Work to Do	255	(4)
Step 2: Back Up!	259	(5)
Outlook	260	(1)
Outlook Express	260	(1)
My Documents	260	(1)
IE Favorites and Cookies	260	(1)
Firefox Favorites	261	(1)
Saved Games	261	(1)
Pictures, Music, and Videos	261	(1)
Microsoft Office 2003 Settings	261	(1)
Windows Media Player	261	(1)
Other Odds and Ends	262	(2)
Step 3: Pull the Plug on the Network	264	(1)
Step 4: Wipe Away Windows	264	(8)
Using a System Recovery CD	267	(1)
Using a Windows XP Install CD	267	(5)
Step 5: Re-install Windows	272	(2)
Step 6: Re-install Your Drivers	274	(2)
Step 7: Install Protection Against Malware	276	(5)
Install an Antivirus Program	277	(1)
Install an Anti-spyware Program	278	(2)
Install a Firewall	280	(1)
Step 8a: Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (from CD)	281	(2)
Step 8b: Install SP2 from the Internet	283	(1)
Step 9: Configure Your Security Settings	284	(4)
Step 10: Install Firefox	288	(1)
Step 11: Configure Your Networking	289	(1)
Home Network	289	(1)
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)	289	(1)
Cable Internet	289	(1)
Dial-up	289	(1)
Step 12: Update Windows with All Recent Security Patches	290	(2)
Step 13: Update All of Your Security Programs and Security Signatures	292	(1)
Step 14: Activate Windows	292	(1)
Step 15: Re-install Your Programs	293	(1)
Step 16: Other Things You Can Do	294	(3)
Ongoing Maintenance: Fend Off Future Threats!	297	(16)
Note to Self: Keep Computer Secure	298	(1)
Daily Routines: Walk the Dog, Feed the Kids, and Secure the Computer	298	(4)
Update Your Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Signatures	298	(1)
Update AVG Signatures	299	(1)
Update Microsoft AntiSpyware	299	(1)
Update Spybot Search & Destroy	300	(2)
Weekly Routines: How to Never Be Bored on Saturday Morning	302	(2)
Scan for Viruses and Spyware	302	(1)
Check for Firefox Updates	303	(1)
Monthly Routines: Clean the Garage, Trim the Hedge, and Update Windows	304	(6)
Windows Updates	304	(2)
Inspect Other Computers	306	(1)
Router Firmware Updates	306	(2)
Patch Microsoft Office	308	(1)
Software Updates	309	(1)
Bathe Once a Year Whether You Need It and Reformat and Re-install, Too	310	(3)
Wipe Your Hard Drive and Re-install Windows	310	(3)
III. Tools for Maintenance and Protection	313	(30)
Selecting Software: Steals, Deals, and Software Duds	315	(12)
Security Software: Nothing in Life Is Free, Except Software	316	(2)
Payware: Software You Pay Hard-Earned Cash For	316	(1)
Freeware: Don't Pay a Cent Software	316	(2)
Weirdware: When It's Not Payware or Freeware	318	(2)
Gimpware: Free Software, but Not All the Bits Work	318	(1)
Trialware: It's Free, Until It's Not	319	(1)
Shareware: I Trust You to Pay Me	319	(1)
What Should I Pay for My Security Toolbox?	320	(1)
Choosing the Right Security Software	321	(6)
Antivirus	321	(1)
Anti-Spyware	322	(1)
Firewall	323	(1)
Anti-Spam	324	(3)
Tools of the Trade: Security Products You Should Own	327	(16)
Which Security Software Is Right for You?	328	(1)
Antivirus Programs	328	(5)
Freeware	328	(2)
Payware	330	(3)
Anti-Spyware	333	(4)
Freeware	333	(2)
Payware	335	(2)
Firewalls	337	(2)
Anti-Spam	339	(4)
IV. Appendixes	343	(10)
A. Glossary	345	(8)
Index	353

Excerpts

Introduction Introduction: Ignore This Book at Your Own Peril!Viruses.Spyware.Spam.Phishers.War drivers.Snoops.Hackers.Salad cream.And identity thieves.These are eight good reasons why you should buy this book, plus one arbitrary reference to a British salad condiment from Heinz that I love, just to keep the list interesting.If you run Windows XP, the most insecure computer operating system ever invented, these eight nasty threats will rob you blind and torment you within an inch of your digital life and make your glorious and shiny minivan existence starkly miserable and mud splattered.These computer nasties are a big fat plague. Good thing salad cream was invented.And the worst of it is that very few computer owners know how bad it really is. No salad cream jokes here. In all seriousness, the state of computer security today is just ugly.Here's the good news, however. I can help. And not only will I help, but I'll do it without forcing you to spend much more money than you already have spent on your computer. Almost everything I'll teach you in this book is done using mostly free software, easy-to-understand techniques, and analogies that often use small furry, chittering creatures.Not convinced? Okay, put this book down if you haven't bought it already, go home, download the free Microsoft AntiSpyware from http://www.microsoft.com/spyware/ , and run it on your computer. If you don't find at least one nasty program that shouldn't be on your computer, come back and buy Danielle Steele's latest novel over in the romance section because you don't need my help.In this book, I'll show you how to cleanse your computer, halt further infections, do major damage control, and lock down the most insecure computer operating system you have ever seen. I know I said that earlier, but XP is just awful. You'll also enjoy 1,329 other really good bits of information that will be equally compelling.When you're done with this book, you'll want to dance until you wear out your pants. And in fact I encourage it often in these pages. Then you'll want to go help your grandma because you'll know that if you're at risk, she's in deep grandma trouble with her computer. Then I want you to tell your neighbors and help them. And become the gal or guy who everyone goes to for help on home computer security. And here's the kicker: You don't even have to be a geek. Nope, you can continue to dress fashionably; eat good, wholesome food; and hold eye contact with handsome men and pretty women in elevators. Geeks are actually cool. But you don't have to become one to learn about personal computer security.All I ask is that you read one chapter at a time. Start with the first seven, which detail the key threats you'll face in computer security. I'll scare the socks off you and then make it all better with easy-to-understand, geek-free help. How This Book Is Organized Chapter 1--Viruses: Attack of the Malicious ProgramsIn this first and vividly exciting chapter, I tell you what viruses are, why they are a problem, and how to get rid of them. Plus learn secrets, such as the real reason people write them in the first place. Chapter 2--Spyware: Overrun by Advertisers, Hijackers, and OpportunistsThis is a modern day computer pandemic. Your computer is probably rife with this malware. Bad companies are making money with it learning what you do on your computer. At the same time, spyware is also slowing your computer down. Most people experience a 30%-50% performance boost when they get rid of