Surf the Net Safely

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Surf the Net Safely

• Roger Thornburn

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Topics to talk about

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

• Annoyances
• Email Spam
• Pop-up Ads

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Why This Topic

• Things youve 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

It's time to set up a few simple tools then
relax, surf and enjoy!
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Risk

• Does this now mean you are risk free?
• What is risk free?
• Can you guarantee you wont have an accident
  going home today?
• You need to assess your risk tolerance and decide
  on the tools and expense for you!
• What Im showing you today are FREE tools that I
  believe reduce risk to an acceptable level (for
  me)

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Hackers

• What do Hackers do?
• Try to get your passwords
• Use keystroke loggers
• Look at your files
• What Hackers dont 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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Hackers

• Now Lets Do It!

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Viruses

• How do you get a Virus?
• It must come into your computer in an infected
  file
• Only from program files
• Not from pictures, and most documents and files
• Almost all viruses are an ATTACHMENT to an email.
• Can be caught by downloading programs from
  Internet
• Only download from a known/reputable site
• Can also be transmitted by an infected CD or
  floppy
• Only accept programs on floppies and CDs from
  friends

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Viruses

• How to prevent
• Use an AntiVirus program (eg Norton, McAfee, etc)
• Effective
• But , large downloads, and slows computer
• AVG free is available but updates can be slow
• Use an email service that scans ALL your email
• Yahoo, 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
• Dont accept programs on CD from unknown people

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Spam/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
  habits
• Too much of this can slow your computer (always
  running)
• Most is installed from Internet sites
• Kazaa, other less desirable web sites
• Often requires the user to Accept something
• Some is malicicous
• Change installed applications
• Change internet settings (home page, plug-ins,
  navigation)
• Alter security settings

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Spam/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 AntiSpyware
• Free program and updates
• Integrates with the operating system
• Offers PREVENTION intercepts
• Changes to your Internet Browser
• Changes to your installed applications
• Adding known spyware
• Changes to your security settings
• Etc.
• Lets do it!

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Web Based Email
The Internet(just lots of computers connected
together)
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Web Based Email

• Your Email folders are NOT on your computer
• They are on the Email Service providers 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 protection
• Customizable, self learning, filters, blockers
• Lets go create an email account!
• Yahoo.com
• Dell.Myway.com

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Pop-up Ads

• To stop pop-up ads, use a popup blocker
• Many free ones available
• Built into MS Internet Explorer (with SP2)
• DONT use more than one pop up blocker
• Lets do it!

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To 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 computer
• Fully automatic
• Virus
• Use a web based email system, and be careful of
  what Programs you download
• If youre risk tolerance is low, buy an AV
  product, or use AVG free (www.grisoft.com)

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To Sum Up (cont.)

• Spam control
• Use a web based email service
• Excellent self learning spam control
• Pop Up Blocker
• Use MS Internet Explorer in SP2

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Enjoy Your Surfing Experience