How to know if you have been a victim of an Internet attack.
Chances are you are already a victim of an Internet attack and aren’t even aware of it. The fact is, over
90 percent of Internet users have spyware lurking on their computers without their knowledge
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. To protect yourself, you need to be able to identify the common symptoms associated with an Internet attack.
Some symptoms you may presently be experiencing include:
• Increasing amounts of unsolicited email—This increase in email is a result of personal information
collected by cookie programs that is sent back to the cookie originator, and then sold to other online
marketing organizations.
• Unwanted pop-up advertising—The software that causes pop-ups to appear on your computer is
a form of spyware, and is loaded on your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain
Web sites.
• Browser homepage changes without your knowledge—Certain Web sites will load cookies onto
your computer that automatically change your homepage to their Web site. It is an annoyance that
happens frequently to Internet users.
• Your computer operates slower than it has in the past—Spyware loaded onto your computer uses
the same computer memory that is needed to run your more important software programs. This
results in a competition for memory in your computer, causing all of your more critical software programs to run more slowly
Julian Green: How Trojan Horses can devastate a person’s life.
Meet Julian Green. Originally published in the New York Times, Julian’s story illustrates what can
happen to an innocent victim of criminal computer hackers. After purchasing a computer for his
family, Julian was arrested for having illegal pornography stored on it. After weeks in jail, Julian
was released after it was determined that he was an unknowing victim of
11 Trojan Horses, a common form of spyware, secretly loaded onto his
computer—some before he purchased it, others
while he browsed the Internet. These Trojan Horses allowed pornographers to download the
images on his computer and use it to “host” their illegal activities. Though he was cleared of all
wrongdoing, Julian lost his home and custody of his daughter, and his good name suffered
irreparable damage.
The following process, in conjunction with good, comprehensive
anti-virus software will help you protect your family and your personal
information from these and many other Internet threats.
Step One: Find out what’s already on your computer.
The first thing you need to do is to find out whether or not you have
spyware or other threatening software on your computer. This requires a
good, comprehensive Internet security analysis tool that completely
scans your computer for hidden files that would pose a danger or
compromise the security of
your personal information. The right scanning software will identify Trojan Horses, system monitors,
adware, cookies and other dangerous spyware threats and will also review the Web sites that have
been visited by anyone using your computer and alert you to any inappropriate content found on them.
After a scan has been completed you’ll have a better idea of how secure
your computer, personal information, and family actually are.
Step Two: Get rid of the threats.
Once the threats found on your computer have been identified, it’s important to eliminate them as soon
as possible. Every minute you wait increases the chances of you becoming a victim of financial and
identity theft. This step requires that you use a solid anti-spyware software program which can isolate
and eliminate the cookies, adware, system monitors, Trojan Horses, and other dangerous spyware
found on your computer. Correctly using the right anti-spyware software will leave your computer free
of these dangerous threats.
Step Three: Build a protective wall
around your computer.
Once you’ve eliminated all the potentially
dangerous programs and cookies from
your computer, you’ll want to stay threatfree by adding a crucial safeguard called afirewall.
A firewall’s job is a lot like the thick walls
of a castle. It provides a barrier between
you and potential attackers trying to
access your computer. It acts as a drawbridge, allowing only communication you
control to pass through the gates of your
Internet connection. An effective firewall
blocks outside intruders who try to access
your computer without your permission,
giving you the added assurance that your
personal information is guarded and safe.
Step Four: Filter out the Internet junk.
No one cares more about the safety and protection of your family than you do. Operators of Web-based
businesses that deal in inappropriate Web-content and pornography set out with the goal of getting as
many sets of eyes viewing their Web sites as possible, regardless of whether they belong to adults or
children. The only sure way to protect those you care about is to manage the content and use of your
computer yourself.
The most effective and efficient way to gain total control of your computer content is to install a proven
Web-filtering software program (also known as “parental control”
software). Good Web-filtering software lets you decide what’s permitted
onto your computer through your browser and what will be
denied access. Web-filtering software gives you the extra peace of mind that your family is safe from
the barrage of unwanted content and messages that exist online.
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