Virus, Worm, etc.

A virus is program with the ability to replicate. Viruses can harm files and programs. Unlike a worm, a virus piggy backs on a program or boot sector. Once run, the virus is then applied, reproducing itself by attaching to other programs and files on the computer. Some e-mail viruses launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane. Viruses can:

• Replicate, slow down your computer.
• Attach to another program.
• Delete important files or programs.

Worms can replicate just like a virus. However, worms do not piggy back on programs. Worms can cause harm to networks and computers through security vulnerabilities.

You can get a worm from using instant messaging the Internet, IRC, File-sharing Networks, Wi-Fi hotspots and from a link or attachments in an e-mail. Unlike a virus, a worm looks for vulnerabilities in data packets. Once a vulnerable computer is found, the worm copies itself to the vulnerable computer. Worms can:

• Replicate, slow down your computer.
• Install software remotely.
• Generate additional network traffic.

A trojan is a program that claims to do one thing, but instead does something else. Trojans usually allow hackers to remotely execute commands on the victim's computer. Some trojans allow hackers to remotely access your computer. allowing full control of your computer screen, camera, and microphone. Trojans do not replicate. Trojans can:

• Release viruses, worms, and other forms of malicious software.

Anti-virus programs scan files on your computer. It looks for patterns called signatures. If these patterns are found, anti-virus software compares the pattern to a database.

If the pattern is found in the anti-virus database, the anti-virus program will clean, quarantine, and/or delete the infection. Viruses usually need to be removed from several files, directories, and/or from the Registry. Due to the complexity of these tasks, sometimes anti-virus programs cannot delete the virus that is found. Sometimes you need to download a specific removal tool to fix the problem.

Anti-virus software is a preventative measure. This means, it works better if it is installed before your computer is infected. When installed, an Anti-virus program watches for virus like behaviors. It is important to keep Anti-virus software up to date. Updates make it easier for Anti-virus software to identify new suspicious patterns.

A firewall on a computer network is similar to a firewall in an automobile. Just like a piece of metal can be used to separated the engine compartment of a vehicle from the passenger area, so a firewall on your network can be used to separate or protect you from dangerous traffic on the internet.

A firewall can be an appliance, or software that inspects traffic passing through it, and denies or permits passage based on a set of rules. These rules can become numerous and complicated. To simplify these rules, they are broken up into zones, and zones are broken up into categories like trusted and not trusted.

Without proper understanding, updates, and configuration a firewall can become ineffective.

Software that is installed without the user's knowledge by misrepresenting itself or tricking the user. It is very common to find spyware injected into pirated software, movies, or games found on P2P file sharing sites. Software provided for free, clicking a pop-up ad, or injected into pirated software, movies, and games found on P2P file sharing sites. Spyware is installed without the user?s knowledge. Spyware can:

• Create pop-up ads.
• Change computer settings.
• Redirect you to Websites you did not type in your address bar.
• Evade detection and removal by changing its filename and location.
• Open back doors and install other malicious programs like keyloggers or trojans.
• Make money for spyware creators by controlling the traffic you see when you do searches.
• Hide itself in your computer's Registry (basic instructions for how your computer should work).
• Inhibit installation of other software like installing an anti-spyware program to fix the problem spyware created.
• Slow down your computer - hackers want to be transparent so a fast computer does not always mean a spyware free computer.
• Record every keystroke made on your computer and send it to a hacker to be used for fraud or sold to others (passwords, logins, banking information, etc.).
• Keep track of searches made on your computer and send that information to a server. the server then decides what ads to display on your screen.

Usually installed with software provided for free or at a reduced price. By using advertising the developer of the software can recover development costs. Keeps track of what Internet sites the user visits and presents advertising related to your surfing style. Adware can:

• Be annoying.
• Slow down your computer.
• Redirect you to Websites you did not type in your address bar.
• Make money for creators by controlling the traffic you see when you do searches.
• Keep track of searches made on your computer and send that information to a server, the server then decides what ads to display on your screen.

Anti-spyware scans the files on your computer looking for bits of code called signatures that can be signs of a compromised PC.The suspected code is compared to a database to figure out if the code is truly compromised. If the flagged code is found in the database, the Anti-spyware program treats the code as a piece of spyware then follows the pre-defined rules to handle spyware. Examples: Clean, Quarantine, Delete. Spyware may need to be removed from several files, directories, and/or from the Registry. Due to the complexity of these tasks, sometimes anti-spyware software cannot delete the spyware that is found. Sometimes you need to download a specific removal tool to fix the problem.

See the E-mail Security Section and learn what defines and how to report spam, phishing, and open relay.

Identity Theft is one person representing themselves as someone else, for financial gain or other reasons. Having an identity stolen can be damaging in many ways; financially, emotionally, and possibly criminally. Here are some ways to keep your identity safe online:

• STEP 1. Never click unsolicited or suspicious links in e-mail or instant messages. If you receive an e-mail claiming to be from your bank, open a web browser and manually type in your financial institution's URL
• STEP 2. Be aware of what personal information you give out online, and who you are giving it to. Never post things like phone numbers, full names or birth dates, or account numbers on public web sites or message boards. Also be aware that many sites have cumbersome and cryptic EULAs (End User License Agreements) that could potentially allow them to distribute your personal information to others
• STEP 3. Many browsers have a visual identifier when browsing a 'secured' site (see you browser's documentation for more information). Avoid submitting personal information to insecure sites

To learn more about identity theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website.

The following identity theft topics are coverd on the FTC website:

• What is identity theft?
• How do thieves steal an identity?
• What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
• How can you find out if your identity was stolen?
• How long can the effects of identity theft last?
• What should you do if your identity is stolen?
• Should you file a police report if your identity is stolen?
• How long can the effects of identity theft last?
• What can you do to help fight identity theft?

The easiest way to secure your wireless network is the use of WPA and WEP encryption. These forms of encryption scramble the data sent over the wireless signal and can only be de-scrambled with the correct security key. Without knowing this security key makes it difficult to use the data being sent wirelessly.

WPA- this form of security uses a PSK or pre-shared key to secure the network. This PSK is between 8 and 63 characters using the ASCII format. (A-Z and 0-9).

WEP- This form of security uses a WEP key. The security key only uses hexadecimal characters (A-F and 0-9). The amount of characters used depends on the bit size: 64-bit = 10 characters, 128-bit = 26 characters, and 256-bit = 58 characters.

CenturyLink recommends WPA encryption because of how difficult it is to crack. However, you may find that the device you are connecting wirelessly does not support WPA but instead supports WEP. If this is the case, it is best to use WEP instead of no encryption at all.

SSID broadcast- In the past, turning off SSID broadcast would make it harder for a hacker to detect that you even had a wireless network. Today, however, even with SSID broadcasting off it is still possible to see a wireless access point and is not considered a safe practice when used alone.

US-CERTB

US-CERTB is the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.  Sign up for Technical Cyber Security Alerts, Cyber Security Bulletins, Cyber Security Tips, and Current Activity. Report incidents, phishing, and vulnerability.

CERT CERT is part of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally funded research and development center at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

FTC
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Read tips from the FTC.  Learn how to recognize and avoid consumer scams and rip-offs.
Online fraud can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center

Other
Find Consumer Alerts.  Fraud comes in many forms. Educate yourself on the different forms of fraud.