Re: Any defense against @#%$!!
Adaware Pro strips all Web Bugs and Data Miners. $19.95 and worth it.
CookieWall manages cookies (Free from Analog-X).
ZoneAlarm Pro blocks probes, hackers, pop-up ads and skyscrapers $39.95 and worth it.
Run all of them and spend some time learning how to use them properly and the commercial world is left with little or nothing. All of the above programs cost less than $60.00 together and are a formidable defense.
If you're really computer illiterate, then your in danger!. You need to spend some time learning how to protect yourself. My wife just uses e-mail and belongs to a forum or two and refuses to learn anything more than she needs to get by. Basically, she's mentally lazy and hates to learn anything new. She's lucky she has a SysAdmin for a husband or her 'puter would down for the count in a few weeks. Computer house keeping is a fact of life, learn how to do it or pay the price.
If you went into a store and just gave all your money to a clerk expecting them to take just the right amount for your purchase, it wouldn't be long before someone took advantage of your ignorance. You learn to handle money out of self defense, the computer world is no exception and requires them same posture.
If you have kids in the house that use the computer then you really need to use ZoneAlarm. Set it up to allow just what's needed to access the Internet and password protect it, that way, if something gets into your computer and tries to call home (data miners, Trojans, clandestine servers, etc.), ZoneAlarm will ask for permission before allowing the contact. If whoever is using the computer doesn't have the password for ZoneAlarm, then they can't say "Yes" to allow the connection. A powerful protection against information being released without your knowledge.
We use all of the above in our business computers as well and have never been penetrated. We preset all of the permissions and lock down the systems. If someone loads a program without permission that wants to access the Internet, it can't, ZoneAlarm blocks it and they don't have the password to permit access, they have to call me for that. I liked ZoneAlarm enough that I bought a site license for the company and installed it on every machine. This is in addition to our network firewalls, filters, proxy inspectors and other control points.
This is particularly effective for home users where a minor child may try to install Kaza or another music downloading program. Music downloading these days is a dangerous practice, one that can cost you thousands of dollars in fines, and you may not even know it's happening.
If you run a small business, a hacker could easily use your computer(s) to store child pornography or other contraband . This really happens, and very often. Porno pushers will use any unprotected system they can find to store contraband, then push it through chat rooms and news groups. I work for the Federal Public Defenders office and I've seen it in many cases. If the FBI happens to notice (and they almost certainly will), then they can come into your home or business, seize every computer and charge you with possession, a mandatory 5-10 years if convicted .
This is not fun. It has happened before (often), and it can happen to you. You could be put in jail, your business lost, your family and life destroyed.
Ignorance is dangerous and foolish. Get the assistance of a knowledgeable computer pro at least once and have them go through your computer(s) while you watch and learn. Have them disable all unnecessary services and programs, set up a firewall and data managers and instruct you on how to manage them effectively. If you don't know anyone, there are plenty of savvy people right here on the forum that can help out.
Believe me, saying you're a computer illiterate in court doesn't impress the judge or jury at all, everyone uses that defense, it doesn't work.
Al
