Top PC Support

Microsoft is not always associated with “security” but their latest Security Newsletter contains some articles regarding wireless security which are good.
3 Basic tips for your home wireless network
4 Basic tips for using public wireless networks (Wi Fi)
Security tips for Bluetooth devices
For a network security review, or for any network questions, head on over to Top [...]

Many Warren area homes and business’s have Verizon FiOS (high speed Internet, Phone and Television service) available to them.  If you recently had FiOS Internet service installed, your network may be open to intruders.  Verizon’s default settings, such as SSID, administrator password and WEP security settings are not secure (some are even posted on the [...]

According to Reuters, tens of millions of computers in the US have “fake” security software installed on them.  This makes those machines more vulnerable to virus’s and identity theft.
If you are getting a lot of pop up ads requesting that you install security patches, or download anti virus software, they are most likely scams and [...]

Brian Krebs, noted Washington Post Security Fix writer, has written a follow-up article touting why a Linux Live CD should be used for online banking, especially for companies, which must report any account irregularities within 1-2 days (as opposed to consumer accounts which have 30-60 days).
A Live CD is the Linux Operating System on a [...]

Three quick tips:

Never open attachments in e-mail or instant messages from strangers.  If you know the sender but the message arouses your suspicions—here are some ways to identify fraudulent e-mails—check before you open the attachment. If they did not send it, delete the e-mail and ignore the instant message.
Don’t click links in e-mail or instant [...]

October marks the sixth annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. The theme for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2009 is “Our Shared Responsibility” to reinforce the message that all computer users, not just industry and government, have a responsibility to practice good “cyber hygiene” and to protect themselves and their [...]

While I don’t use Facebook (yet!) and some other social media networks, I stick to LinkedIn and other “business” oriented social networks.  Some people don’t understand that what they post on some of these sites get indexed by Google and other search engines, and others can find out all kinds of personal information about you, [...]

A new PC, whether you know it or not, may well have freed you from many malicious programs that steal credit card numbers and other valuable information or otherwise obstruct your safe and private use of the Internet.
You want to keep that new PC clean from virus’s and other nasty software.  Starting with Windows XP [...]

Windows updates frequently contain patches for Windows bugs, but they also contain critical security features. Ignoring these updates puts your PC and any other PC’s on your network at risk.  While it’s true that some updates can cause conflicts with other software applications, for the lay user it is important to install all security patches.  [...]

From Windows Secrets, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep your passwords safe:
DO use a password manager such as those reviewed by Scott Dunn in his Sept. 18, 2008, Insider Tips column.  Send me an email (or leave a comment) if you need (or have) a recommendation.
DO change passwords frequently. I change mine every [...]