Grass Valley Learning Center Surf the Net Safely Roger Thornburn

Grass Valley Learning Center

www.GVLearningCenter.com

Surf the Net SafelySurf the Net Safely

Roger Thornburn

March 2005

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Topics to talk aboutTopics to talk about

The Three Main Threats to Your Computer Hackers Viruses Spyware/Hijackers

Annoyances Email Spam Pop-up Ads

March 2005

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Why This TopicWhy This Topic

Things you’ve heard From us at the Learning Center From the media From ads

But Now…With new tools from Microsoft for Windows XP

Simple to use Reduces risk significantly

And “free” email services That provide virus free email And Spam free email

March 2005

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RiskRisk

Does this now mean you are risk free? What is risk “free”? Can you guarantee you won’t have an accident

going home today? You need to assess your risk tolerance and decide

on the tools and expense for you! What I’m showing you today are FREE tools that I

believe reduce risk to an acceptable level (for me)

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HackersHackers

What do Hackers do? Try to get your passwords

Use keystroke loggers

Look at your files

What Hackers don’t do Typically cause problems Slow down the computer Add viruses

How to protect your computer from Hacking Use a FIREWALL (only one) Now comes as standard with Windows XP (SP2)

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HackersHackers

Now Let’s Do It!

Hacker

Dial Up

DSL

Cable

etcYour Computer

Unique IP Address(just like your tel#)

The Internet(just a collection of computers connected together)

Your ISP

Hacker’s ISP

March 2005

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VirusesViruses

How do you get a Virus? It must come into your computer in an “infected” file

Only from “program” filesNot from pictures, and most documents and files

Almost all viruses are an ATTACHMENT to an email. Can be caught by downloading programs from

InternetOnly download from a “known/reputable” site

Can also be transmitted by an infected CD or floppyOnly accept programs on floppies and CD’s from

“friends”

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VirusesViruses

How to prevent Use an AntiVirus program (eg Norton, McAfee, etc)

EffectiveBut $$, large downloads, and slows computerAVG free is available – but updates can be slow

Use an email service that scans ALL your emailYahoo, Excite, Google, Dell, etc.These companies use the very best AV technology and

scan all your email Only download programs from known sites

I download ~5 programs a month – never had a virus Don’t accept programs on CD from unknown

people

March 2005

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Spam/Hijacking & MalWareSpam/Hijacking & MalWare

What is this? Probably the most annoying and intrusive Much of it is innocuous and maybe useful

Tracking cookies – can help pay for free websites Often installed with new computers or Programs

Backweb, Broderbund, etc. to track your internet habitsToo much of this can slow your computer (always running)

Most is installed from Internet sitesKazaa, other “less desirable” web sitesOften requires the user to “Accept” something

Some is malicicousChange installed applicationsChange internet settings (home page, plug-ins, navigation)Alter security settings

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Spam/Hijacking & MalWareSpam/Hijacking & MalWare

How to protect your computer Install programs like Ad-Aware or SpyBot

These scan and provide a “cure”, not “prevention”

Download and Install MS AntiSpywareFree program and updatesIntegrates with the operating systemOffers PREVENTION – intercepts:

Changes to your Internet BrowserChanges to your installed applicationsAdding known spywareChanges to your security settingsEtc.

Let’s do it!

March 2005

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Web Based EmailWeb Based Email

The Internet(just lots of computers connected together) Friend’s Computer

Dial Up

DSL

Cable

etc Your Computer

Your ISP(eg theunion.com)

Friend’s ISP

Web Based Email Server (eg Yahoo)

Your Email Inbox, etc.

Internet Explorer

View ofYour Email Inbox, etc.

Internet Explorer

View ofFriend’s Email

Inbox, etc.

Friend’s Email Inbox,

etc.

& Web Email Server

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Web Based EmailWeb Based Email

Your Email folders are NOT on your computer They are on the Email Service provider’s computer Inbox, Outbox and other folders only viewed when

you are connected to the internet The email service provides virus protection

Latest technology, fully up-to-date – ALL email and attachments are scanned

The email service provides Spam protectionCustomizable, self learning, filters, blockers

Let’s go create an email account! Yahoo.com Dell.Myway.com

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Pop-up AdsPop-up Ads

To stop pop-up ads, use a popup blocker Many free ones available Built into MS Internet Explorer (with SP2) DON’T use more than one pop up blocker

Let’s do it!

March 2005

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To Sum UpTo Sum Up

Hackers: Use the Windows XP Firewall – safe and easy

Will stop anyone “seeing” into your computer

Spyware & Malware, etc. Download and use the MS AntiSpyware product

PREVENTS unwanted changes to your computerFully automatic

Virus Use a web based email system, and be careful of

what Programs you downloadIf you’re risk tolerance is low, buy an AV product, or

use AVG “free” (www.grisoft.com)

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To Sum Up To Sum Up (cont.)(cont.)

Spam control Use a web based email service

Excellent “self learning” spam control

Pop Up Blocker Use MS Internet Explorer in SP2



Enjoy Your Surfing ExperienceEnjoy Your Surfing Experience

Documents

Grass Valley Learning Center Surf the Net Safely Roger Thornburn