12/17/03 |
How to stop spam? Don't look to
legislation
Congress just approved an antispam bill. But don't get your hopes up.
It's likely to do little to keep junk e-mail out of your in-box. The onus of fighting spam still lies with you.
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12/10/03 |
We need a new national cybersecurity plan--now
The Bush administration's attempts at creating a plan for securing the
Internet have been ineffective at best. It's time to start over and
remember to protect end users, not just big business.
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12/03/03 |
Why Internet security suites aren't so sweet
In his annual matchup between the latest editions of the Internet security suites from McAfee and Norton, Rob says both offer cool features--as well as some serious flaws.
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11/26/03 |
Keep script kiddies off your PC
Believe it or not, script kiddies may be using your computer to launch attacks against one another. Don't get caught in the cross fire. Here's how to keep your system safe.
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11/19/03 |
It wasn't me; it was the Trojan horse
Three U.K. residents have been acquitted after saying a Trojan horse
caused their computers to commit crimes. We'll soon see creative defenses
for tech-related crimes in the United States as well.
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11/12/03 |
Why Microsoft's hacker bounty is wasted money
Instead of using their cash to make Windows more secure, Microsoft and
others are shelling out $5 million to catch virus writers. Here's why this
won't make the Net any safer.
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11/05/03 |
Electronic checks--how secure are they?
Paper checks are giving way to something called electronic check
conversion, which you're sure to encounter this holiday season. How secure
is this payment method?
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10/29/03 |
What can criminal hackers really do to your PC?
You hear a lot about the havoc criminal hackers wreak on people's PCs.
But how likely is this? And what exactly can they do: Turn on your PC?
Steal your data? Robert Vamosi has the answers.
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10/22/03 |
My new favorite antispam app is...
The available
antispam software may not be perfect, but Robert Vamosi has picked out one
app that does a pretty good job of keeping this pest at bay.
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10/15/03 |
Why you should take the Digital Defense Test
Want to prevent security disasters before they happen? ZDNet's new
Webcast, the Digital Defense Test, can teach you how. Here's what's in the
test and why it'll help you and your business.
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10/08/03 |
How an online scam could run up your phone bill
Noticed a lot of expensive calls you didn't make on your recent phone
bill? This could be the result of an online scam. Here's how to make sure
you're not the next victim.
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10/01/03 |
When crooks go a-phishing, don't bite
A new online scam makes ordinary spam look like a minor nuisance:
e-mailers posing as legitimate, big-name vendors try to trick you into
divulging important personal details.
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09/24/03 |
Will Microsoft ever get secure?
Microsoft is doing an OK job of reporting flaws in its software--but
we wish the software were more secure.
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09/17/03 |
Why you must install a firewall--Now
Antivirus software won't protect you from the latest type of worm
affecting Windows systems: you need a personal firewall. Here's why there's
never been a better time to take this extra precaution.
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09/10/03 |
Make the punishment fit the cybercrime
The two guys accused recently of creating variants of the MSBlast worm
are facing sentences worse than some violent criminals get.
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09/03/03 |
What to expect when the next Sobig hits
We know how the Sobig worm works, but we don't know the author's
ultimate goal.
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08/27/03 |
Why virus writers get away with it
Computer viruses cost us time, and businesses money. So why aren't the
persons responsible for these pests caught more often? Here's how virus
writers avoid detection--and why they'll continue to do so.
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08/20/03 |
The end of e-mail viruses--and antivirus apps
The MSBlast worm that wreaked havoc last week signals a sea change in
the virus world. E-mail viruses are on their way out, and so are antivirus
solutions as we know them today.
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08/13/03 |
How an e-mail virus could cripple a nation
A simple e-mail virus outbreak, orchestrated properly, could bring
down a nation's information infrastructure, says one security expert.
Here's how this could happen--and why it's good to talk about cyberterrorism.
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08/06/03 |
Patch your software--and help secure the Net
If you don't already know how important it is to apply software fixes as soon as they're available, here's data to prove it.
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07/30/03 |
It's now easier to crack your passwords
Researchers have discovered a quicker way to crack passwords that leaves Windows systems particularly vulnerable.
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07/23/03 |
The dangers of remote PC access
Using a public PC (in a copy shop or a public library) to access your home or work system could be lethal--for your personal info and for your company.
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07/16/03 |
Who's really responsible for hacker attacks
A new book postulates that it's human error--not hardware or software glitches--that leaves networks vulnerable to attack. Here's why writing about hacks can make things more secure.
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07/09/03 |
Work at home? Here's how to stay secure
Whether you work at home full-time or only occasionally, you need to make sure your systems and data are protected. Here's the best software for preventing a business-threatening disaster.
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07/02/03 |
How viruses (and your PC) are used to send spam
Spammers have a new way to avoid detection: using virus-infected PCs to send out their junk e-mail. Learn all about this disturbing trend--plus how to find out if your system has been infected.
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06/25/03 |
Wanted--more tech-savvy politicians
When it comes to thorny tech issues such as copyright infringement and hacking, we need thoughtful solutions from Washington.
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06/18/03 |
Microsoft an antivirus vendor? I doubt it
Despite its purchase of GeCad, a Romanian antivirus vendor, the software giant will continue to do what it does best.
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06/11/03 |
Why schools should teach virus writing
Many antivirus companies oppose new courses on virus writing. But it's a great way to develop better virus prevention--and to nudge would-be hackers toward a productive future.
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06/04/03 |
Microsoft, please don't keep us in the dark
A recent Windows XP update caused thousands to lose their Net connections. Microsoft has been mysteriously silent about the mishap. Why? Here's the scoop on what went down.
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05/28/03 |
Spammers could be seizing your PC
Did you know that thousands of computers are being recruited to send out spam unbeknownst to their owners? Find out how spammers are doing it--and how to make sure your system's not a victim.
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05/21/03 |
The Fizzer worm--why you should be worried
Though last week's Fizzer worm hasn't infected a record number of systems, it's still a dangerous piece of code. Learn what it could do to your system--and how to protect yourself..
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05/14/03 |
Your boss may be spying on you--get used to it
New software gives businesses the ability to access your work PC's data--without your knowledge. Even if you believe this is wrong, you have to stop thinking of your office computer as a private place.
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05/07/03 |
How to stay on top of Internet Explorer security issues
Microsoft isn't doing enough to publicize IE patches. Here's how to find out what IE patches do and where to get them.
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04/30/03 |
Our best shot yet at stopping identity theft
A new California law could help fight identity theft and online fraud across the country--and possibly around the world. Here's why the time is ripe for this type of legislation.
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04/23/03 |
What hackers can teach you about security
He's probably the most infamous hacker of all time--which is why we should listen when Kevin Mitnick says that traditional network security tools aren't enough to keep our information safe.
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04/16/03 |
How to stop your PC from spying on you
Viruses may be on the decline this year, but other threats, such as Trojan horses and spyware, are on the rise. Here's how these pests work--and how to protect your system from harm.
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04/09/03 |
New wireless security and why you should use it
There's a brand-new wireless security protocol out there called Wi-Fi Protected Access. It's not perfect, but you should still use it--it's a lot better than the alternatives.
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04/02/03 |
Why you really, really need a firewall--or two
Today, computers need a firewall as much as they need antivirus software. And if your PCs are networked, you need two firewalls. Here is Robert's advice on the best way to protect your systems.
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03/26/03 |
How to prepare for the coming virus onslaught
It looks like we'll see some sophisticated virus attacks this summer. What to do? Learn about the latest trends, because the more you know, the better prepared you'll be when the next worm hits.
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03/19/03 |
What's behind a good password? Everything
Constructing good passwords is half of the security process. Fortunately, it's not that hard.
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03/12/03 |
Can the feds make software more secure?
At first, I was skeptical about the new Department of Homeland Security and its ability to deal with software security flaws. But so far, it looks like I'm wrong.
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03/05/03 |
How to guard against today's Trojan horses
These days, malicious users aren't after your data--they want to use your PC to attack another system. The best way to protect yourself is to use both antivirus software and a firewall.
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02/26/03 |
Why we must stop the plot to ban encryption
A proposed law would make it illegal to use encryption to conceal a crime. Sounds OK, right? It's not--because the law would set a precedent that could threaten our right to privacy online.
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02/19/03 |
How to protect yourself from snooping software
Beware: tiny software apps called adware or spyware may be tracking your behavior online. Here's the best--and cheapest--way to get rid of these pests.
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02/12/03 |
How we can stop identity theft--for good
Identity theft is on the rise, with millions of dollars lost due to fraud each year. What can be done? Here's a twofold solution.
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02/05/03 |
How the feds failed us when Slammer attacked
Despite all the post-September 11 posturing, the U.S. government still has no clue how to protect us in cyberspace.
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01/29/03 |
Ready to toss that old PC? Read this first
Identity thieves have a new hoax: stealing confidential information from used hard drives they find in dumpsters or on eBay.
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01/22/03 |
What's wrong with today's antivirus apps
It costs too much to keep your antivirus software up-to-date, and companies such as Symantec are forcing you to upgrade to the latest versions.
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01/15/03 |
Why we're on our own with spam
Some tips on how to avoid future spam, and how to stop the spam you're getting now.
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01/08/03 |
Why virus names should be much, much simpler
The antivirus community can't decide what to name variants of the Yaha virus.
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