electrons's Blog

Just saw Keri-Lee's report on File Sharing tonight.  Good report!  People need to know the ins and outs of file sharing.  If you are a file sharing person, let me add a few good tips:

1) Music files with a size of Kb (kilo-bytes) are viruses.  Do not download these!  You'll find yourself with an infected PC.  Many hackers rename viruses under a legitimate name. The file size however is a dead giveaway.  A typical music file is between 4-6 MegaBytes.  If you search for say "Apples and Oranges" and find one that is a tiny .exe file or a small file size, it is 99% of the time a trojan horse.

2)  Use a STRONG password on your PC.  If anyone does not know how to change your PC's password, please contact me.  Do not use a blank password.  Hackers run programs to try and "guess" your password using 100,000 common passwords.  Yes "password" is one of them.  Having no password is the #1 attempt.  Use something you will remember, but is also secure.  For example:  kroFNwaGRot20.  (keri's reporting on Fox News was a Good Report on the 20th).  This is called a "strong password" and is most likely not included in an attackers library of words to try.

3) NEVER open emails from your bank regarding accounts.  Your bank (if like the rest) will NEVER email you asking for passwords, account info, etc.. some emails look like your bank with genuine logo's etc...  This is the number 1 identity theft today!  Be extra vigilant.

4)  Double check that you run antivirus software and more importantly...it is up to date!  I see several cases where people have antivirus, but never ran an update.  New bugs come out weekly.  Your virus definitions keep you semi-safe.  Update them weekly!

5) I bet over 80% of people reading this have a home that  has cable or DSL connection.  Is your DSL or cable modem set for "firewall enable?"  If not....youhave a firewall built in and may not even know it.  Use it!

5) Lastly... be paranoid.  I cannot stress this more.  Identity theft is screaming along these days.  Hopefully, these few tips will help save a few identities. 

If I get some free time, I'll write up a 10 step guide to protecting your identity and computer assets.

Tom