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P2P Dangers |
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P2P Dangers - File Sharing Can
Compromise Your Computer's Security
Peer-to-peer
file-sharing programs appear to be a godsend: they allow you to swap digital
files with others who have the same file-sharing software. Thousands of people
use peer-to-peer (often called P2P) programs to exchange music, videos, movies,
games, and software. But P2P programs are seemingly synonymous with trouble.
First, there are the well-publicized copyright infringement issues that
arose when Napster, the first widely used P2P program for exchanging music
files, became wildly popular in the late 1990s. Other examples of P2P programs
are Kazaa, Morpheus, eDonkey, and Gnutella.
Less well-known, but perhaps
more significant, is how using P2P programs can expose your computer to viruses,
worms, Trojan horses, adware, and spyware, and even expose you to identity theft
and fraud. How can these things happen? A P2P network allows users with the same
file-sharing program to access files stored on each other's computers without
the typical network interaction with file servers. This makes file sharing quick
and easy, but these are unsecured Internet connections unprotected by firewalls,
making them prime targets for hackers and virus writers.
It's easy for
virus writers to attach malicious code to an innocently titled file that resides
on a file-sharing network. In fact, the infamous MyDoom virus that wreaked havoc
on e-mail systems worldwide in 2004 was initially spread in this way by
unknowing users of the Kazaa file-sharing program.
The same goes for
adware and spyware. These unwanted programs could be attached to an otherwise
useful file downloaded from a file-sharing network, exposing you to a flood of
unwanted spam, ad pop-up windows, and web browser hijackings.
Even
worse, a skilled hacker can gain access to your entire hard drive through a
file-sharing network, exposing you to identity theft and fraud. A hacker can do
this by using access to the files you intend to share on the file-sharing
network to gain access to personal files not intended for public use. If you
have information such as Social Security numbers and credit card information on
your computer, the potential for identity theft and fraud is very real.
Here's how to protect yourself on P2P networks:
Be Cautious When Choosing A Spyware Scanning
Program!
- From Michael Sharer, PSC Tech Support
Many of us have seen
the message pop up on our computer:
You have been infected with spyware! Click HERE to find out how to get rid
of it!
Of course we’ve all heard of spyware – and we’re anxious to get rid of it if
these insidious parasites have infected our computer – so we’re tempted to
follow the link and download their product (which usually involves pulling out
your credit card).
Before you click on that link, think about it:
Adware and spyware are programs that slip onto your computer from websites
you’ve visited, “free” programs you’ve installed, or from junk e-mails you’ve
opened. Once on your computer, they can reach out to the Internet and pull in
other adware and spyware programs that use up you computer’s resources and fill
your screen with ads.
Unfortunately, some anti-spyware/anti-adware software companies are so
anxious to sell their product that they would use the same adware to advertise
their software that their software is supposed to remove! This would be like an
unscrupulous exterminator who sneaks in your back door and releases cockroaches
in your house, then runs around to the front door and offers to check your house
“for free”, and then offer to remove the insects “found” – for a fee.
The main difference between adware and spyware is that adware only creates
the annoying popup ads that appear on your computer. Spyware actually collects
personal information about you or your Internet viewing habits; some merely to
“target” advertising to the types of websites you view or the subjects you seek,
or more malicious programs that attempt to collect passwords or financial
information.
Other anti-spyware/anti-adware programs have been also been accused of
working for particular adware companies, eliminating or disabling competing
adware programs from the computer, but leaving their own.
Most anti-spyware/anti-adware programs are not devious, and many do a good
job at removing adware and spyware from your computer. The point here is to be
suspicious of any unsolicited “help” that pops up on your computer, and to take
care when choosing and installing an anti-spyware/anti-adware program.
Many popular anti-virus programs such as Norton (Symantec) and McAfee now
offer scanning for adware and spyware as part of their “Internet Security”
packages. If you have one of these programs or purchase newer versions, be sure
that they specifically mention scanning for adware and spyware.
Norton’s Internet Security 2005 comes in two versions: “AntiSpyware Edition”
(http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_ase/)
for Windows XP Home/XP Pro/2000 Pro, and their Regular “Internet Security”
edition (http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/)
for Windows XP/2000/Me/98, which does NOT contain AntiSpyware software.
McAfee’s Internet Security Suite’s ( There are also several free adware and spyware programs available on the
Internet. For computers running Windows XP or Windows 2000, PSC Technical
Support recommends Microsoft Antispyware (http://www.microsoft.com). This is a “beta”
program (this means that they are still developing it), but it is still a full
working version. One of the advantages of this program (besides being free) is
that it runs continually on the computer (much like your anti-virus program),
watching for malicious programs that may try to install themselves or make
changes in your settings that could allow unwanted access to your computer.
For computers with older versions of Windows (Me and 98), we also recommend
Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1)
and Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-2)
available from Download.com.
Tips on removing adware and spyware:
The answer is spyware’s
devious cousin, adware.
Ask The Help Desk - Why Is My
Computer Screen Wallpaper Distorted?
Question: Sometimes I save images off the Internet for
wallpaper on my computer screen. However, the images I save quite often look
very distorted when I stretch them to full screen. How can I avoid
this?
Answer: You are probably running into a couple of
problems. The first is that of proportions. If the image you are grabbing from
the Web isn't proportional to your screen, it will look distorted when it's
stretched. Remember, your screen format is rectangular having horizontal and
vertical dimensions. So if you save an image that is much more vertical than
horizontal, the image will look "fat" once it is fitted to your screen.
The other problem is that most images found on the Web are not a high
enough resolution to be used for wallpaper. Many computers, for example, are set
to a resolution of either 800x600 pixels or 1024x768 pixels. When grabbing an
image off the Web, the image needs to be close to the same size as the
resolution found on your screen in order to appear undistorted. If the image is
only 250x100 pixels, for example, there just won't be enough pixels to fill your
computer screen in an undistorted manner, unless of course you are using a very
small screen.
Note that most site owners have copyright restrictions
regarding their site's content (text and images) so you must first get
permission before grabbing an image to use as computer screen
wallpaper.
Great Sites To Check Out This Month
Head To A
Drive-In Movie Theater This Summer
http://DriveInTheater.com - Do
you remember the fun times you had going to the drive-in movie theater on
weekends with your family or friends? There were over 5,000 drive-in movie
theaters located across the U.S. and Canada back in 1958. Today there are less
than 600 left in North America but they are still great fun. Check out the
site's database listing of drive-in theaters and then treat your family to a
night of old-fashioned fun while vacationing this summer. The kids will love the
experience and so will you.
Visit A Lawnmower Museum
http://lawnmowerworld.co.uk/ -
Those of you who are really into lawnmowers have probably already got this site
bookmarked. For everyone else, this is the link to the British Lawnmower Museum.
Yes, an actual museum dedicated to nothing but lawnmowers. Check out the
"Gallery" section for interesting pictures of antique cutting contraptions.
It'll make you appreciate the improvements that have been made in lawn mowing
technology since the early twentieth century.
Calculating Your Social
Security Benefits
http://www.SocialSecurity.gov -
There's been much debate regarding the long-term solvency of our Social Security
System. Most agree that the funds will be depleted at some point in the future
because of the changing ratio in the number of people working versus the number
of people retiring. If you have not yet retired, have you ever figured out what
you can expect in monthly social security income based on the current system?
SocialSecurity.gov can calculate this for you. Simply go to the "Calculate your
benefits" link and enter the requested information.
Sign The
Declaration of Independence
http://archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration.html -
The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration restores and archives
important government documents from our nation's history. Celebrating the
anniversary of our declaration of independence during the month of July provides
a great opportunity to see and learn more about our historical treasures. Go to
the Declaration of Independence area of this site and click on the "Join the
Signers of the Declaration" link. There you can add your name to the ranks of
the 56 original signers who stood for freedom and then print off your copy to
show friends and family.
The Cut - The Next Hit Reality TV Show
http://cbs.com/primetime/the_cut/ -
The new CBS TV show The Cut appears to be the next hit reality TV series.
During each weekly episode, clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger pits fashion-savvy
contestants against one another in real fashion world challenges to find the
next great trend setting designer. One contestant is eliminated each week. For
more information about the contestants, each episode, and some behind-the-scenes
drama, head to this site.
Short Tutorial - Images Saved
On Your Computer Screen As Repeated "Tiles"
As the FAQ in the
"Ask The Help Desk" section above explains, it can be difficult to grab images
off the Web to use as wallpaper without the images appearing distorted on your
computer screen. Rather than trying to stretch pictures to fit your computer's
screen, an alternative is to "tile" your selected image. This process saves the
picture repeatedly in rows on your screen as a background. The result may be
cluttered but probably preferable to the distorted alternative.
To tile
an image as your screen's wallpaper when using a PC and Internet Explorer
as your browser, simply right-click on the chosen picture and select "Set As
Background."
If you are on a PC and using the new Firefox
browser, right-click on the image and choose "Set As Wallpaper." When the
"Set Wallpaper" dialog box appears, look for the "Position" menu. It will list
"Stretch," "Tile," or "Center" as options. Choose "Tile" from the list. Click on
the "Set Wallpaper" button. The background of your computer screen will change
to multiple rows of the picture you selected.
If you get tired of
using this image, right-click on your PC's desktop and choose "Properties."
With the "Desktop" tab selected, choose the wallpaper you want from the list
that appears. Click "Apply" and then click "OK." (This works whether using
Internet Explorer or Firefox as your browser.)
If you are using a
Macintosh running OS X, right-click your cursor arrow on the image (if
you have a two button mouse) or click on the image while holding down the "ctrl"
key (if you have a single button mouse) and select "Download Image To Disk."
Next, go to the Apple menu then drop down to and select "System Preferences..."
Click on the Desktop & Screensaver icon and click on "Choose Folder" in the
left hand pane of the window. Click on "Desktop." The picture you downloaded to
disk should be there. Click on it to select it and then click on "Choose." Next
to the preview picture you'll see a button that says "Fill Screen." Click on it
and four choices will appear: "Fill Screen," "Stretch to fill screen," "Center,"
and "Tile." Choose "Tile" and then close the window.
We hope you found
this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the
happenings at our shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins
on a monthly basis, click HERE.
Thanks for
your business!
Best regards,
PSC
One Community
On-line
PSC
11877 E State Road 62
PO Box 126
St Meinrad, IN 47577
(800) 511-4899
©2005
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
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