Interesting People mailing list archives
Tips for Protecting the Home Computer
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 19:25:53 -0500
Begin forwarded message: From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com> Date: January 6, 2007 5:58:33 PM EST To: undisclosed-recipient:; Subject: Tips for Protecting the Home Computer http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/technology/07tips.html Tips for Protecting the Home Computer By JOHN MARKOFF The New York Times January 7, 2007 Botnet programs and other malicious software largely take aim at PCs running the Microsoft Windows operating system, because Windows' ubiquity makes it fertile ground for network-based attacks. Using a non-Windows-based PC may be one defense against these programs, known as malware; also, anti-malware programs and antivirus utilities for the PC are available from several vendors. Microsoft entered the computer-security business last year and now offers a free malware-removal tool for download from its Web site. The company says the program removes about two million pieces of malware each month, of which 200,000, or about 10 percent, are botnet infections. Like Windows, Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser is also a large, convenient target for code-writing vandals. Alternative browsers, like Firefox and Opera, may insulate users. Microsoft's most recent browser release, Internet Explorer 7, is said to offer significantly improved defenses. Adding software to your browser like Noscript, a plug-in utility, can limit the ability of remote programs to run potentially damaging programs on your PC. Security experts also offer these tips: ¶Don't share your computer (on which you pay your bills) with your children (who download games). ¶Use a firewall program that warns you about outgoing connections that botnets make to communicate with control software. ¶Don't use the same password on more than one financial site. ¶Don't let your browser store your password for such sites. ¶Don't buy anything offered by a spammer. ¶Don't click if someone offers you something too good to be true. It is. JOHN MARKOFF Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ipArchives at: Archives: http://archives.listbox.com/247/
Modify Your Subscription: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=1788750&user_secret=f2ab41d2 Unsubscribe: http://v2.listbox.com/unsubscribe/?id=1788750-f2ab41d2-0uu018ly Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
Current thread:
- Tips for Protecting the Home Computer David Farber (Jan 06)