Security | Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Posts Tagged: Security

Should government have right to cut off Internet service?

Senate Bill 773 provides for protecting the country’s tech infrastructure by declaring a cybersecurity emergency. This emergency would authorize the government to shut down Internet access to key non-governmental computers and networks. If passed, the bill would create a whole new government agency that trains and certifies cyber-security professionals to help manage and carry out the rules set forth in this proposed law.

Click the link below to read a complete news store from CNET and get links to other news stories on the subject.

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet | Politics and Law – CNET News.

Application Tips — No Comments
26
Aug 09

How to change time of AVG scan schedule

If you install AVG and use all the default settings, you will find that the AVG wants to scan your computer every day at either 8:00am or 12:00pm (noon). Because the complete system scan can take up to an hour or more to complete (depending on the number of files on your computer), it can be extremely inconvenient to have the scan slow your computer down when you are trying to work on it.

You can stop the scan if you need full power from your computer by RIGHT clicking the AVG scan icon by your clock, then click Stop All Scans or you can change the schedule to a more convenient time. Here’s how to change the schedule of the AVG daily scan Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
24
Aug 09

Do not open attachments from people you know

photo credit: shannnnnonlowe.

Those of you who have followed this site and my show since its early days in the 90s know that I have always warned against opening attachments from people you know. Probably the most egregious security problem among emailers is the myth that opening email and attachments is safe as long it is from someone they know.

I hear this statement at least five times per week and dispel it every single time I hear it. Now, I need your help in spreading the word about this growing problem and misinformation.

Recently, there has been a wave of hackers sending email with your friends and family names listed as the sender. Despite not hearing from Aunt Martha in 5 years via email, despite the fact that your mother’s best friend has never sent you a party picture, and despite the cryptic and brief subject and body, folks continue to click on these emails and the links and attachments contained within them. And time and time again, they are greeted with Continue reading →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 4 Comments
20
Aug 09

Cleaning and removing Antivirus 2009, PAV and others from your computer,

Photo by Jim Grandy

Preventing your computer from becoming infected is infinitely easier and less stressful than cleaning up after an infection.

Search my site for tons of information on setting up your computer for security and techniques to avoid scams. However, if you are already bit by one of the most recent nasty forms of software, Antivirus 2008, Antivirus 2009, Personal Antivirus, Internet Security 2009 among others (software I call extortionware that installs itself on your computer and then poses as Continue reading →

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
18
Aug 09

Beware of fake security software

photo credit: elmada

I write a similar article every few weeks not because I’m not creative, but because too many people aren’t listening yet. These past few weeks have been awful for folks getting fake security software on their computers. It often times gets on a computer as a result of other things you are trying to download or access including, but not limited to:

Free screensavers
Free wallpaper
Free games
Free security software (there are great products available, but make sure you know what you are getting and where you are getting it from).
Online credit checks
Online gambling
Online porn
Free music downloads
Free movie downloads

What happens is the bad guys have figured out how to take advantage of what is popular at any given time. As you install the programs listed above or access the services listed, you agree to put the junk on your system and it then stealthy slips by any existing security software you do have. If you follow a few simple rules, Continue reading →

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 12 Comments
24
Jul 09

Facebook security tip

One of Beth’s friends alerted us to this:

Facebook has agreed to let third party advertisers use your posted pictures by default to your friends in their ads. .To changeNGS up at the top where you see the log out link. Select PRIVACY. Then select NEWS FEEDS AND WALL. Next select the tab that reads FACE BOOK ADS. There is a drop down box, select NO ONE. Then SAVE your changes. (REPOST to let your friends know!)

One of my wife’s friends alerted her to a security change regarding Facebook’s advertisements. Facebook has agreed to let third party advertisers use your posted pictures by default to your friends in their ads.

To change this default setting, follow these steps:

Sign in to your Facebook account
Click Settings at the top right of the page
Click Privacy Settings
Click News Feed and Wall
Click Facebook Ads tab
In the drop down box, select No one.
Click Save Changes

In the same area you can also make other changes to your Facebook privacty settings

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — No Comments
16
Jul 09

Password Problem at Twitter

Once again, the main stream media sensationalizes a story by inserting scary prose. Yes, Twitter had an attack of their computers this week. Yes, sensitive documents were stolen. But NO, this was not a major breach of Twitter user accounts. And No, this does not mean online accounts are inherently unsafe.

I think Twitter founder, Biz Stone, summed up the situation best in this statement: Continue reading →

Computer User Group / Internet Tips — 7 Comments
7
Jul 09

The Castellini Approach to Internet Security

photo credit: The Joy Of The Mundane

This past week I saw way too many people who are not taking advantage of the free information we give out on the show and the web site. Their computers were suffocating from a preventable disease…viruses and spyware. Yes, preventable, almost 100%. And fighting the war on our home computer security front does not have to be costly or time consuming.

We talk about this subject quite a bit on the program and the web site because of its rapid growth worldwide. In today’s tip, I am providing you with links to information that we have on this site that have been up for months to years that contain the essential information about protecting your computer.

Continue reading →

Email Tips / Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
7
Jul 09

Beware of this type of spam

Below is an example of an email spam (unwanted email) that is increasing in frequency. Overall, the email looks to be legit and normal. However, there are two parts of the email that you need to pay particular attention to:

Who is it from? In the example below, I have no idea who Allison is. Red flag number 1. If you don’t recognize the name or the email address, be suspicious.
Link in the email uses an URL (web address) shortener service. If I don’t know who it is from, I’m darn sure not going to click the unidentified link. Red flag number 2.

I started using TinyURL.com years ago in my email and on the radio to be able to quickly and clearly send someone to a long web site address with little hassle. However, with the rising popularity of Twitter and other quick messaging and blog services, more and more URL shortener services have emerged. Most of which have no problems. The problem is Continue reading →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — No Comments
11
Jun 09

Symantec Warns of Wireless Keyboard Security Threat

photo credit: TickyD

This news story came through the wires today. As usual, the headline is much worse than the actual threat. Wireless keyboards have a range of maybe 15-20 feet (without barriers) at the very best. In order for this type of a security threat to occur, you would have to be using your wireless keyboard within that distance of someone you don’t know and is acting shady. How likely is that?

NewsFactor Network | Symantec Warns of Wireless Keyboard Security Threat.