What do you do to protect yourself from online fraud or identity theft?

What do you do to protect yourself from online fraud or identity theft?



This is a very broad question so I am going to give you what I think are a couple of the easiest most effective things you can do to protect yourself.

The #1 Rule is that you are the best anti-fraud and identity theft system you can buy. An educated user is far more effective than any software. 

+THINK! Think twice before entering or submitting any information for any type of offer on-line. If it sounds to good to be true, especially if it is unsolicited it is likely to be a scam. Research any company before you submit information. A website alone is NOT proof a company is real. One example is the recent surge in scam sights targeting job seekers. Prospective employees who are more than willing to enter all of their personal information for an opportunity to get what sounds like a dream job.

+Absolutely do not use the same password for all your accounts. Almost everyone I know does this. This means that one compromised account compromises all of your accounts. Remembering all of those passwords could be a nightmare but there are solutions. Check out KeePass, it is an open source (translate to free and trustworthy) secure password storage solution that you can carry around with on an $8 memory stick from the little bin at the register in Staples.

+Secure your wireless home network. I say again, secure your wireless home network.

+Do not conduct ANY transactions with sensitive information open wireless networks unless you have implemented some sort of secondary security measure such as a secure tunnel through a trusted provider.

+Finally, keep your anti-virus software up to date.

There are many other more complicated things you can do but online security is like security in any other context. There are so many people that are completely unprotected that all you have to do is be a little more protected than the next guy. If your car has an alarm and his doesn't the thief will steal his first. 

And DON'T be afraid of the internet. Your bills in the trash can were just as much of a security risk as your cache in your browser. Enjoy the convenience of the digital world but always be wary of predators looking to take advantage of naive newcomers.

 source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsVCD4iGjt2_97lgE3JS4w8k5XNG;_ylv=3?qid=20070313111917AAJ7he2 Read more »
By at December 24, 2011
Labels: Internet, Security
What is tracking cookie?

What is tracking cookie?


Cookies are just small .txt (text) files that by themselves cannot hurt your computer. Cookies are "set" by almost EVERY web-site that you visit, on every visit. You can delete all your cookies today and by tomorrow you will have dozens again just be visiting web-sites.

Cookies do NOT slow down a computer, at least the first million or so that you might have on your computer!

They are not a virus or spyware, but SOME people consider "tracking" cookies to be an invasion of privacy.

These tracking cookies are "3rd party cookies" from advertising servers. They can track your movements around the web in order to deliver to you customized, targeted advertising.

It all depends on ones personal level of paranoia, whether one considers tracking cookies some kind of threat. Some anti-spyware programs do not even report tracking cookies as even a minor threat.

If these tracking cookies DO bother you AND you are using Internet Explorer for a browser, a simple change of a setting can let you permanently block all 3rd party (tracking) cookies. (Much easier then constantly removing them!) Go to tools > internet options > privacy > advanced > check-mark "override automatic cookie handling" > third party cookies > tick "block" > ok > ok.

Children are about the only people that are always nervous about cookies. Because cookies are an easy way for Mommy and Daddy to find out exactly what their darling 'lil ones have been looking at on the web.

Personally, If I happen to remember it, I will delete my cookies every 6 months or so :)


source: answers.yahoo.com Read more »
By at December 23, 2011
Labels: Internet, Security
Reset Your WinXP Admin Password using WINXP Live2

Reset Your WinXP Admin Password using WINXP Live2


The other easy way to reset your winXP admin password is by using WinXP Live2
Here is the procedure:
  • Download WinXP Live2 ISO and then burn it to CD.
  • Boot your computer using the live cd, delete sam file in c:\windows\system32\config folder.
  • Reboot windows, your admin password is resetted.

WIN XP Live2
http://lost-contact.mit.edu/afs/net/project/afs32/mech.kth.se/home/mech/pe/winxpe2.iso
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By at April 15, 2007
Labels: Security
Forget Win XP admin password?

Forget Win XP admin password?



If you forgot your Windows administrator’s password, doesn’t matter if you did or you just say you did Your problem can be fixed with out password recovery tool?

You only need bootable Windows XP CD and little know access hole in Windows XP
Let’s get started

1. Place your Windows XP CD and start your comp (before that set your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Screen messages for booting is typically “Press any key to boot from cd”


3. The first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome setup screen press Enter to setup Windows now

5. The licensing Agreement comes next – Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the SETUP screen which gives you the option to do a Repair. It should read something like “if on of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (in case you have more than one Windows on your comp – if you have one, it should already be selected) and PRESS R TO BEGIN REPAIR process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot.(this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to booth from CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice INSTALLING WINDOWS is highlighted.

10. Keep YOUR EYE ON THE LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN AND WHEN YOU SEE THE INSTALLING DEVICES progress bar, PRESS (SHIFT + F10). This is security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt type NUSRMGR.CPL and press ENTER. Bingo! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made tour changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with Repair.

13. Once Repair is done you will be able to log on with your new password (or with out if you chose not to be asked for password) and so lives go one. Read more »
By at April 11, 2007
Labels: Security
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