Tips for Protecting the Home Computer

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

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




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