Bookmarks for Desktop Self-Defense
Basic Security Tips
- Get Safe Online
- http://www.getsafeonline.org/
Get Safe Online will help you protect yourself against internet threats. The site is sponsored by government
and leading businesses working together to provide a free, public service.
- Complete Guide to E-mail
- http://www.inc.com/magazine/20051001/email-intro.html
A guide to the biggest e-mail concerns, particularly security, compliance, and archiving.
- Stay Invisible
- http://www.stayinvisible.com/index.pl/basic_security_tips
- Random Password Generator
- http://www.winguides.com/security/password.php
Pick how many letter, whether you want capitals, numbers or a mix, and hey presto! instant random passwords.
- GetNetWise
- http://www.getnetwise.org/
Nice collection of useful tips for staying safe online, from email security, to keeping kids safe online, to keeping personal information safe.
Spam, Scams & Viruses
- Phishing Basics Quiz
- http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/quiz/phishingbasics1.mspx
Good basic quiz to test your knowlegde of email scams.
- Tips for Mastering Email Overload
- http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item.jhtml?id=4438&t=srobbins
This article looks at ways you can spend time more efficiently reading and sorting through your email. It also offers tips on effectively replying to messages.
- Limiting Spam
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/spam/consumer.htm
From the FTC, tip sheets to help stop spam from filling your Inbox.
- Email Etiquette
- http://www.emailreplies.com/
Good tips to follow & things to avoid when writing and sending email.
- PayPal - Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Emails
- https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/general/SecuritySpoof-outside
PayPal has been hit more than most by phishers. To combat it, they have created a very helpful guide to spotting email scams.
- How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm
From the FTC, a guide to email scams - what to look for and how to avoid them.
Viruses
- Preventing email worms
- http://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/emailsafety.htm
This article goes over some basic rules to help avoid becoming infected with email viruses and/or worms.
- Executable file extensions
- http://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/fileextview.htm
Don't just rely on your antivirus software! This article lists the file extensions most often used by viruses, and offers useful tips to protect your computer from viruses and worms.
- Symantec Security Response
- http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
This site will help you stayed informed about the latest virus threats. if you use Norton Anti-Virus, you can download new virus definitions here.
- McAfee Virus Information
- http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?cid=10371
McAfee is the other big provider of anti-virus software. this site, like Symantec's, will keep you up-to-date on new virus threats, and allows you to download the latest virus definitions.
- Urban Legends & Myths
- http://www.snopes.com/
Ever ponder if a virus threat is real? This site will help you separate fact from fiction. Can your mobile phone get a virus? Urban myths and legends proven or debunked. Site has a great search engine.
- Vmyths.com
- http://www.vmyths.com/
The truth about computer viruses & hoaxes.
- PC Hell: What Are Computer Viruses?
- http://www.pchell.com/virus/virusbasics.shtml
Handy guide to the basics of computer viruses.
Browser Security
- Block Pop-up Windows with Internet Explorer
- http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/web/sp2_popupblocker.mspx
How-to guide for Windows XP Service Pack 2.
- Sunday Smackdown: Mozilla Firefox 1.0 vs. Internet Explorer 6
- http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3000-5568116-1.html
A comparison of the two most popular PC web browsers.
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing the Firefox Browser Program on Windows
- http://webuse.info/firefox/
Handy guide has screen shots to guide you through the process (for version 1.04 but is correct for later versions, too), if you decide to try another web browser.
- Microsoft Security Center
- http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx
Links to updates, software downloads, and information to keep Windows computers more secure.
Firewalls
- How Do Hackers Break into Computers?
- http://netforbeginners.about.com/b/a/207189.htm
Good basic explanation of how hackers work, and steps you can take to protect yourself.
- Archive of SB 1386 Disclosures
- http://www.strongauth.com/regulations/sb1386/sb1386Disclosures.html
List of websites whose security has been compromised, and what happened.
- Why You Need a PC Firewall
- http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/zasc/whyFirewall.jsp
Lots of info on the whats, whys and hows of firewalls.
- How Firewalls Work
- http://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewall1.htm
How firewalls work, what sorts of firewalls are available, software reviews.
- Shields Up: Internet Security for Windows Users
- http://grc.com/su-firewalls.htm
Ins and outs of firewalls, tests to check your computer's vulnerability.
- Test Your Firewall
- http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/
This website allows you to test your computer's vulnerability to intruders. it also offers an activity map to monitor hacker activity - who is getting hit, and where the hits are coming from.
- Popup Blocker Test
- http://www.popupcheck.com/pop_up_blocker.asp
Real-time test of your browser's popup blocking protection.
- Zombie Computers Abound
- http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/howto/zombie.html
Zombie computers have been taken over by a worm and send data out without the owner's knowledge. the performance of a zombie computer is badly compromised. This article provides information on what to look for and how to stop it from happening to you.
- Denial of Service Attacks
- http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/denial_of_service.html
DNS attacks can bring down a whole network, or ISP. In some cases your computer may be unwillingly involved! This site will tell you how.
Spyware and Adware
- Google Toolbar
- http://toolbar.google.com/
Find out about and download Google's free toolbar, which offers a pop-up blocker.
- Yahoo Toolbar
- http://toolbar.yahoo.com/
Find out about and download Yahoo's free toolbar, which offers a pop-up blocker and spyware protection.
- Test Your Knowledge: Spyware Quiz
- http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/quiz/spywarebasics1.mspx
This quiz will help reinforce your knowledge of spyware and its symptoms!
- Online Spyware Scan
- http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php
Handy online scanner will check your computer or spyware infections. Note: this is a scan only, it won't help get rid of the spyware!
- 9 Warning Signs of SpyWare & AdWare
- http://www.intek.net/support/9_warning_signs_of_spyware_or_ad.htm
Handy tip sheet.
- Spyware (information from the FTC)
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/spywarealrt.htm
FTC consumer alert page about spyware: how to avoid it, what to do about it, and how to file complaints.
- Symantec Anti-Spyware Information
- http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/content.cfm?articleid=5667
Ignore the plugs for Symantec software, and just read this article to better understand where spyware comes from and the problems getting rid of it.
- Is Your PC a Zombie?
- http://antivirus.about.com/od/whatisavirus/a/zombiepc.htm
A zombie computer is one that has been taken over by a remote computer and can then be used in serious problems like Denial of Service attacks.
- SpywareGuide
- http://www.spywareguide.com/
This site provides links to anti-spyware software, offers information on detecting spyware and what are the most common spyware products, and also offers a free online scanning service (note: it only lets you know if you have it, it doesn't get rid of it!).
- Adware Info
- http://www.adware.info/
This site offers definitions and information about adware and spyware. It also has links to free and shareware adware removal software.
- Spybot Info
- http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Website for Spybot spyware removal software.
- Ad-Aware Information
- http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Website for Ad-Aware - adware removal software.
- What Is Spyware?
- http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html
Website offers good explanation of spyware, and links to software tools you can download.