[nukkad] Fwd: [Internet ScamBusters #41]

[Sandeep Budhrani <>]

Hello Harshal

Hope this finds you well.
I am forwarding a copy of internetscambusters, this issue contains excellent
info on privacy.

Regards

Sandeep

____________________________________________________________________
Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1

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• Subject: Internet ScamBusters #41
• From: ScamBusters Editors <>
• Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 20:52:16 -0600
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To: sandeep.budhrani@usa.net
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Internet ScamBusters (tm)
The #1 Publication on Internet Fraud

By Audri and Jim Lanford
Copyright (c) 2001 Audri and Jim Lanford

Issue #41  January 19, 2001

We'd like to thank everyone who supported our efforts last
month. Since Internet ScamBusters is a public service, we
especially appreciate your support.

If you'd like to support ScamBusters, please check out the
Sponsor box at the end of this newsletter. We've found a
free offer for you that we think you'll appreciate (and we
earn an affiliate commission, which helps keep Internet
ScamBusters free).

Also, if you haven't yet visited our new site, WZ.com, check
it out at http://www.wz.com/

We're about to introduce the "45-Second Newsletter(tm)" -- 303
free electronic newsletters that take 45 seconds or less to
read each week on very specific topics about what people love
to do. Subscribe to a few while you're there. Examples
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Fantasy Golf
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Gourmet Cooking on a Budget
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Talk Radio
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Snowboarding
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Southern California Vacations
http://wz.com/travel/SouthernCaliforniaVacation.html

Onward...

We have a really important issue for you this month on a topic
we haven't covered before: Privacy.

Some of what you learn will most likely surprise you.

Let's get started...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Privacy Starts in the Home
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Privacy is an issue of concern for most of us who use the web.
The greatest threat to your privacy may surprise you, though.

It's not the evil spammer who floods your mailbox, or the site
owner who sells your information to other people without your
permission.

It's not even the dreaded cracker, scouring the Net for
unsecured machines to plunder for valuable data.

In all likelihood, it's you.

There are lots of ways you can make private information
vulnerable without even knowing it. In this issue we'll cover
a few of those ways, and show you how to make sure you're not
giving information about yourself to people who shouldn't have
it.

Each mistake is easy to correct, and put together, they can
make a huge difference. And they should all sound pretty
familiar. We'll start with...


1. Don't Let Strangers In The House
   --------------------------------

You may be surprised to learn that the most important thing
you can do to protect your privacy online is to have, and use,
a good virus checker.

While viruses usually don't pose privacy threats, a good anti-
virus program also checks for and removes trojans. Some
trojans can open your computer up to remote control by anyone
who has the right software. Once these virtual peeping Toms
find a computer that's been infected by the right sort of
trojan, they can do anything they want with your machine.

They can delete files, run programs, and yes - they can read
anything on your machine. They can download any information
you have stored on your computer. Address books, personal
emails, banking and credit card information, digital photos,
business files... You name it.

This is one of the most common ways for online stalkers to get
information on their victims. It may actually be the main way
they choose them.

Even if you never run into one of the dangerous types, is this
really the kind of information you'd just leave laying around
for anyone with a little curiosity to come in and pick up?

Fortunately, it's fairly easy to avoid becoming infected by a
trojan.

1. Don't ever run attachments from anyone but trusted sources.

2. Download software only from reputable sites.

3. Run a virus checker on every new program you install, no
matter where it came from.

4. Regularly update your anti-virus software, and check your
system for infection frequently.

Just those few steps will drastically reduce the potential for
serious invasion of your privacy.


2. Lock Your Doors and "Windows"
   -----------------------------

Most cases of data getting into the wrong hands are still from
physical access to the machine the data is stored on. The
answer to this is easy: Don't let people use your computer
unsupervised unless you intend them to have free access to all
the data on it. And think about what's on the computer before
you make that decision.

Also, don't write all your passwords down somewhere that a
snoop, invited or not, can easily find them.

That takes care of the doors. Windows are another problem.

For all its convenience and ease of use, Windows is one of the
least secure operating systems ever created. Fortunately,
there's software that can fix this problem, and fairly easily
at that. It's called a firewall.

Firewalls make your computer virtually invisible to anyone on
the network. One of the best is Zone Alarm. It's everything
most users will ever need, and they offer a free version. Very
easy to install and use, and uses very little of your system's
resources.

A firewall is a good idea for anyone who connects to the
Internet. It should be considered absolutely essential for
anyone with an "always on" connection, such as DSL or cable
modems.

You can get a copy of the free personal version, or the
professional version for business use, at
http://www.zonelabs.com/

Highly recommended.


3. Keep The Curtains Closed
   ------------------------

We all know that spammers are annoying, and that they grab
email addresses from websites and newsgroup postings.

Have you considered that you may just be giving them your
address, without even knowing it?

For example, if you forward a joke, virus warning, or other
email to a group of people, do you think those people stop to
remove all the addresses from it before they send it on to
their friends?

If a spammer gets hold of one of those, do you think they
won't grab every address in the message? (We've seen one case
in which a message had been forwarded so many times as
attachments that it included over 1100 email addresses!)

A less deliberate case is the all too common email virus. The
ones that come as attachments and, once opened, email
themselves to everyone in your address book. Some of these
have been set up to send private info, like passwords and
account information, to their programmers.

These are usually gotten by opening infected Word docs, Excel
spreadsheets, or other MS Office documents, without taking
proper security steps. Unless you really need them (and most
of us don't) turn off macros in Word, Excel, Access, and
PowerPoint. Macro-viruses can infect any of these document
types.

It's also a good idea to just delete any executable file or
file of the types listed above that you weren't expecting.
These viruses would only come from people you actually know,
so even that isn't a good gauge of their safety.

Again, run a virus scanner at all times. And avoid using
Microsoft email programs where you can. They have some serious
security problems in the default configurations.

Sometimes the offending program is one you deliberately
install, that's produced by legitimate companies with
apparently sound privacy policies. It's unfortunate, but some
people just don't tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing
But the Truth.

There are several popular file download utilities and a number
of ad supported software programs that report information back
to their creators that you might not want spread around.
Things like what files you personally downloaded (yes, some of
them can identify you personally), what music you listen to on
your computer, and what websites you visit.

A far greater threat than profiling software is the type of
spy software that anyone can purchase off of the Web and
install in the home or business environment. Many of these
programs are sold under the pretense to assist employers or
parents with monitoring their employees or children's access.

In reality, programs like KeyKey, Net Spy and Ghost Key Logger
are really used to secretly gather sensitive information,
passwords and the actual emails of unsuspecting users.

Spyware programs like this are able to capture keystrokes so
that everything you type is stored in a secret buffer on the
machine. Some of these programs go as far as to take picture
"snap shots" of surfing or machine activity. This activity can
be later examined by the spy, or in some cases emailed over
the Internet to the spying party.

To check your computer for these "spyware" programs, go to
http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?wzcom/securenet
for a copy of Xblock's program, Xcleaner.

Xcleaner is an anti-spyware and surfing history eraser
Program. (We do receive an affiliate commission -- we'd
certainly recommend it equally strongly regardless.)

The pro version of Xcleaner will scan for many known spy
programs and quietly alert you if they are running on your
machine. Only available for the PC.

Xblock also advises users not to leave their machines open or
without some sort of password protection to prevent spy
utilities from being installed, and to avoid sending personal
information or passwords from un-secure public terminals.

One last note in this section: It IS possible for your email
address to be grabbed from within your browser just by
visiting a page with the right trick built in. And no, this
doesn't involve Javascript, ActiveX, or any other tricky
programming.

Yet another good reason to use a dedicated email program, and
to keep your email address out of your browser entirely.


4. Be Careful What You Say To Strangers
   ------------------------------------

The most basic rule in this regard: Watch what you post to
discussion lists.

While they can seem cozy, friendly and warm, the regular
posters are the ones creating that feeling. Too often, there
are 9 "lurkers," (people who don't post at all), for every one
person posting. And you don't really know what those people
are all about, do you?

When you fill out forms on websites, consider the use the
info will be put to before you give it. Don't give more info
than is needed to complete whatever transaction you want to
make.

For example, if you're buying a product that needs to be
delivered physically, or using a credit card, the merchant has
a legitimate need for your physical address and, often, your
phone number. In these cases there's also a significant
incentive for them to respect your privacy: Future purchases.

If you're subscribing to a free newsletter, the publisher
really only needs your email address and, if they mail merge,
your first name. Asking for any other personal info should be
questioned seriously.

If you're not sure, check their privacy policy carefully. If
you don't like the answer, or if you just don't feel they
should be asking in the first place, don't give them fake
info. That just reinforces their idea that people don't
object. Go elsewhere instead.

Another thing to check for in almost any form is the "Opt out"
check box. This is most common when the company is offering a
free download or other freebie. They will often have a
checkbox that you must uncheck if you don't want to receive
email from them. Many firms will even use this on order forms
for paid products.

Keep your eyes open, and only sign up for things you actually
want to receive.

If they don't offer an option, but tell you right up front
that taking them up on their offer means you're subscribing to
something, well, that's the price of the "freebie." If you
don't want the subscription, pass on the offer.

If they're sneaky about it, though - Have at them. Whenever
you feel that someone is crossing the line and invading your
privacy, let them know how you feel.

In the long run, that's the most important thing you can do to
make privacy something that's respected by every business and
publisher on the Net.

Locking your doors and Windows will take care of many of the
less savory types...

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