| Here is your weekly summary of security alerts, fixes | | | | computer. |
| and threats you need to know, to play safe on the | | | | The attack seems to have been installed on perhaps |
| Internet. | | | | a few dozen pages. Most were soon removed by the |
| Thinking of Vista? Better Read This! | | | | administrators of the site. |
| If you are using Windows Vista or planning to make | | | | There are two parts to the attack. First, botnet |
| the jump soon, you had better know that the operating | | | | software is installed on your computer, turning it into a |
| system is spying on you. Some 20 or more programs, | | | | zombie that can infect other machines. Second, the |
| features and services are busy collecting data about | | | | malware presents you with a fake login page, to try |
| you and your work habits. | | | | and get your user name and password. |
| All this information goes, you guessed it, straight to | | | | The important point here is that this attack uses |
| Microsoft. If you read the Privacy Statement or End | | | | several known flaws in Internet Explorer that have |
| User License Agreement (EULA), you would have a | | | | been previously fixed. If you update your Windows |
| clearer idea of the record data harvest that Vista is | | | | once a week, you are not at risk, even if you use |
| pulling in. Microsoft does not deny or hide it. In fact, you | | | | Updating Windows regularly is one of the best things |
| consented to it merely by using the features. | | | | you can do to stay safe on the Internet. Do not |
| They claim they do not use the info to identify you. But | | | | neglect it. |
| they could very easily do so. Among the data | | | | Are Security Suites a Good Idea? |
| received is your IP address, of course, which is all they | | | | I always recommend that you have anti-virus and anti- |
| really need to find you. Or a law enforcement agency | | | | spyware programs running on your computer, as well |
| could demand that Microsoft turn over the data. | | | | as a firewall, among other programs. Many companies |
| And just what does dear old Mother Microsoft do with | | | | publish great programs that will accomplish these |
| all that data? A close reading of the many user | | | | tasks. |
| agreements reveals it: absolutely any old thing they | | | | The trend in the last few years has been for |
| want or feel like. | | | | publishers to branch out and cover all three bases. For |
| Among the services and programs that harvest your | | | | example, a publisher that makes well-known anti-virus |
| data and send it on to Microsoft are: Windows Update, | | | | software comes out with a firewall and anti-spyware |
| Digital Certificates, Windows Media Player, The | | | | programs. And the maker of a great firewall issues an |
| Malicious Software Removal Tool, Internet Explorer 7, | | | | anti-virus program, and pushes it hard at you. |
| and Windows Defender. The company says if you do | | | | Getting all your security programs from one vendor is |
| not like it, just stop using the services or features. | | | | what we mean by a security suite, or collection of |
| That is not really practical in the case of Windows | | | | software. So, is it a good idea? |
| Update. Thanks to Microsoft's sloppy code, we all | | | | In a word, generally no it is not, for at least two |
| have to update our operating systems once a week. | | | | reasons. First, companies often specialize in one area, |
| And you thought the Windows XP Genuine | | | | say anti- spyware programs. Their programs may |
| Advantage Notification Program was a pain... | | | | work great. But when they branch out to other areas, |
| What is a happy Internaut to do, other than turning off | | | | the results may not be as good. |
| these programs? In many cases you can find | | | | Second, if you get all your defensive programs from |
| alternatives from other companies (hint hint: Firefox). | | | | one vendor, there may be similarities in the structure |
| Also, you should have a good firewall installed on your | | | | and organization of the programs. If a hacker |
| pc. It should alert you when Vista tries to phone home. | | | | succeeds in learning how to circumvent the anti-virus |
| Just say no. | | | | software, he may quickly gain control of other |
| Attack - Again - Update Windows Now | | | | programs from the same vendor. |
| Hackers are using accounts again to mount attacks on | | | | And you do not want to be at the mercy of one |
| unsuspecting surfers. The criminals succeeded in | | | | company for all your security needs. What if they raise |
| installing fake navigation buttons on some user profile | | | | their prices? Or worse yet, go out of business? It is far |
| pages. When you click on them, you are taken to | | | | better to pick and choose the best programs from |
| malicious computers that then try to infect your | | | | among many publishers. |