“The Cloud” is becoming the place to be for backup and data storage. Microsoft offers its SkyDrive; Apple has iCloud; there’s Mozy, Acronis, JustCloud, Carbonite, Dropbox, etc. There are so many, it’s impossible to list them all. This Geek uses SkyDrive, iCloud, DropBox and, for clients, Carbonite. They all have their advantages, similarities and differences. …
Category Archive: Security
Virus, malware, and security in general
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/05/before-you-upload-to-the-cloud-pee/
May 06
Rogues, Part 1
Is that the year 2010? Nooooooo. Believe it or not (and most novices DO believe it), the message says that my computer has . . . drum roll . . . 2,010 CRITICAL issues on a registry scan.
Do you actually think my computer WOULD EVEN BOOT if it had as many as . …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/05/rogues-part-1/
May 01
Do outbound firewalls really offer any substantial benefits?
Ah security, one of the most widely discussed computer related topics across the planet. Start a new thread on any forum and label it something like “What is your security setup?” and you’re almost certainly guaranteed a lively response – everyone, it seems, likes to share details of their security arrangements. Trouble is, all that …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/05/do-outbound-firewalls-really-offer-any-additional-benefits/
Apr 20
Apple Continues Security Rollout
Well, I got prompted by Apple to set up some security questions when I tried to download an app to my iPhone today. I had heard that this was coming and I guess today was my day. It doesn’t seem to be across the board so I’m not sure what the magical formula is for …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/04/apple-continues-security-rollout/
Apr 05
Sandboxie: Why everyone should be using it
Much has been written about PC security and how it can be enhanced per medium of adopting a layered approach, which generally means installing different types of products to help cover a wider scope of eventualities. I employ such a strategy myself, albeit in a fairly basic form; Avast Free, WinPatrol and Sandboxie. These three …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/04/sandboxie-why-everyone-should-be-using-it/
Mar 26
Microsoft & US Marshalls raid Zeus botnet servers
Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, working in conjunction with financial institutions and the computer security industry, has joined forces with US Marshals to take down a number of botnets which have been utilizing variants of the Zeus family of malware. It is claimed that Zeus and its variants are alone responsible for almost 500 million dollars …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/microsoft-us-marshalls-raid-zeus-botnet-servers/
Mar 26
Online Credit Card Security, Part 3: Final
OK . . . now your chosen purchase site has passed the SSL test (Part 1) and trust concerns (Part 2). But there’s one last final check (Malware presence) and one final thing you can do to protect your credit card account number and identity. We’ll discuss those two things here and then wrap it …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/online-credit-card-security-part-3-final/
Mar 20
DNSChanger: Is your computer infected?
DNSChanger is Trojan horse malware which effectively modifies DNS settings to those of rogue servers which then redirect legitimate searches and URLs to malicious sites in order to steal personal information and generate illicit ad revenue.
The DNSChanger malware was first discovered around 2007, it has since been widely distributed in a variety of forms …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/dnschanger-is-your-computer-infected/
Mar 19
Online Credit Card Security, Part 2: Trust Concerns
This is Part 2 of a 3 part series. If you missed part 1 you should check it out at Online Credit Card Security – Part 1.
OK . . . you’ve decided that you want to make your purchase from AcmeExplosives.com (after all, Wiley Coyote gets his dynamite from there, so he trusts it).
…
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/online-credit-card-security-part-2-trust-concerns/
Mar 15
And finally…give them your security question answers
I promise that this is the last password succession hint for a bit. I just think this information needs to be out there for everyone to access. It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 95, if you have any accounts that your loved ones need access to in the event of your untimely (or even …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/and-finallygive-them-your-security-question-answers/
Mar 14
The succession power of LastPass One-time Passwords
My previous two posts have dealt with the concern of what happens if you pass away without your loved ones having access to your various account passwords. What will happen if they can’t access online banking information, credit card accounts, email accounts and other critical information? The process can be a nightmare, adding even more …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/the-succession-power-of-lastpass-one-time-passwords/
Mar 13
Online Credit Card Security, Part 1: Encryption
This is the first of a three part series.
Using our credit cards online is a security risk, but one most of us deal with. Actually, credit card payment for goods on line is relatively safe from fraudulent charges because credit card companies are required by US federal law to charge you a …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/credit-card-security-part-1-encryption/
Mar 12
How will you pass on your passwords when you pass away? Part 2
Last time, in ”How will you pass on your passwords when you pass away? Part 1,” I suggested that you need to start using a password manager to store all of your critical passwords and make the master password available to your spouse or loved ones in the event of your demise. But how do you …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/how-will-you-pass-on-your-passwords-when-you-pass-away-part-2/
Mar 11
How will you pass on your passwords when you pass away? Part 1
Have you ever considered what your family would go through trying to gain access to your various online accounts when you die? I know it’s not a pleasant thing to think about, but nothing about death and the various arrangements thereof ever is pleasant. Yet, it is something that must be done at some point, …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/how-will-you-pass-on-your-passwords-when-you-pass-away-part-1/
Mar 03
Pay for Your Privacy – The Google Conundrum
How much is your privacy worth? $10 per month? $25 per month? Would you just give it away for free? All of your private data? Information about what you like? Your shopping lists?
Giving it away for free is exactly what you’re doing when you use Google’s products. Now some people may not care all …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.davescomputertips.com/2012/03/pay-for-your-privacy-the-google-conundrum/
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