You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Your home <strong>com</strong>puter is your<br />
window to the world. But hackers<br />
bent on mischief can crawl in<br />
through it if you don't protect it.<br />
By Preston Gralla<br />
Use free Wi-Fi with caution. It’s easy to log wirelessly<br />
on to free “hot spots” at cafés and airports — and it’s<br />
very easy to get hacked while there. You even need to<br />
be careful at hotels. Turn off file sharing, make sure<br />
your firewall is turned on, and watch out for “shoulder<br />
surfers” — people who peer over your shoulder to try<br />
and steal your passwords.<br />
Block pop-ups. If you’ve ever<br />
clicked on a pop-up window<br />
while visiting a Web site, you’ve<br />
endangered your <strong>com</strong>puter. Why<br />
Because pop-ups can be used<br />
to download malicious software.<br />
Never click pop-ups. Better yet,<br />
block them before they launch.<br />
winter <strong>2007</strong><br />
Choose friends wisely. Don't trust<br />
all your messages and downloads<br />
on social networking sites<br />
such as MySpace and Facebook.<br />
Recently, malicious software was<br />
embedded in video and audio<br />
files on some of them. Be wary<br />
about downloading files, and<br />
don’t click links sent by people<br />
you don't know well.<br />
Watch out for modern pharmers. In a pharming attack,<br />
when you type in the address of a Web site in your<br />
browser, the browser is hijacked and sent to a scam<br />
site. To protect against this, look at the Web site<br />
address — it should start with https://, instead of<br />
http://. The “s” means secure. If you have a device<br />
called a router, which creates a home network, change<br />
its password from the default password it <strong>com</strong>es with<br />
to a new one. Pharmers often hack the default password<br />
as a way to launch pharming attacks.<br />
Beware of wireless<br />
dangers.<br />
Cell phones and<br />
other mobile<br />
devices are vulnerable<br />
to many<br />
of the same dangers<br />
that threaten<br />
your <strong>com</strong>puter.<br />
Take the same<br />
kinds of precautions<br />
you would<br />
when using a personal<br />
<strong>com</strong>puter:<br />
Make sure the<br />
sites are legitimate<br />
and don’t<br />
open attachments<br />
from strangers.<br />
15<br />
usaa.<strong>com</strong><br />
usaa.<strong>com</strong><br />
usaa.<strong>com</strong><br />
Want to learn more about protecting personal information on your<br />
laptop or home <strong>com</strong>puter Log on to usaa.<strong>com</strong>/magazines and read<br />
“Lockdown” for a list of security devices your <strong>com</strong>puter should have.<br />
Or, click “Privacy and Security” for tools and suggestions.
Change language