March 31, 2010

Picking Better Passwords Is Key to Security

Filed under: Internet, Online Safety, Passwords — Tags: choosing a password, computer, computer security, computers, online security, password, password security, password use, Passwords, security, security expert, security experts, symantec, symantec report, symantec survey — admin @ 10:31 am

Security firm Symantec heard from 400 customers in a just-completed survey about password use.

Turns out far fewer of them (a mere 3%) admit to using the old favorite ‘password’ for their password.  The name of a pet is the top category of passwords in the survey, with 10% of respondents reporting that they tap in ‘Tigger’ or somesuch name when logging into secure accounts.

Security experts frown on using the name of a pet, a significant other, a child’s name, a middle name or a birth date when choosing a password. All of these passwords could be ascertained from information readily available or easily guessed, especially with the information now available on social networking sites.

Choosing and using effective passwords is considered an efficient and effective way to keep your online accounts secure and lower your risk with online scammers.

A whopping 59% of those who responded to the Symantec survey reported that they relied on their memory for recalling a password.

Here are some suggestions on how to choose passwords that will be memory-stickers for you, but will be tricky enough to thwart a thief:

• A longer password is more secure than a shorter one
• Alter passwords with numbers or symbols at the beginning or end
• Mix up letters and numbers. Toss in punctuation symbols as well. For example, if “Billie Jean” has always been your favorite song, replace each ‘e’ with a number, and toss in an exclamation point at the end, so now you have Billi9J9an! which is both memorable and difficult to crack.

You can view the full responses to the Symantec survey.

March 15, 2010

Bug Alert: Am I infected with the April 1st virus (Conficker C)?

Filed under: April Fools Virus, Conficker C, Viruses — Tags: April Foods virus, Conficker C, free checkup, internet worm, virus, virus scan, Viruses — admin @ 11:08 am

An Internet worms known as Conflicker has been in circulation since late 2008.  Also known as the April Fools virus this third generation pest labeled Conficker C is far more dubious than the preview two versions.

Conficker C is so bad due to the it specific design to bypass and disable most security programs and websites.  TO make it worse Conficker C, is extremely good at hiding.  It has been built with the ability to evolve over time and learn how to best hide itself.

So do I have this virus?  Good questions.  Go into your Windows Control Panel and check to see if your automatic updates have been shut off.  If you find that it has been shut off, it doesn’t mean that you are infected, however if you know that it was previously on, you’d be wise to bring it in to do a deeper evaluation.

There are many online instructions on how to remove the virus but you have to have working knowledge of the Windows Registry.  If you don’t have a computer resource available any one of our locations would be available to help.  We provide free checkups to help those with concerns to determine your computer status.

If you wish to try removing it yourself, go to google and type in ‘Conficker C removal’ and you’ll get a large amount of results that may assist you. To watch for updates on viruses and how to prevent them check out the virus blogs.