Why Facebook Apps Have Become The Latest Cutting Edge Dating Platforms

Many members of the lonely hearts club may cringe at the thought of joining dating websites because it’s like wearing a sign that says, “I’m a member because I’m desperately looking for a date.” There’s an air of exclusivity about these sites that some singles may find quite intimidating.

Facebook Dating Apps Why Facebook Apps Have Become The Latest Cutting Edge Dating Platforms

Enter Facebook, the social networking giant with over 600 million members. Facebook is continuously changing the way friends and strangers connect, and the dating game has never been quite the same.

Unlike dating websites whose existence is based primarily on helping singles find love, or something casual; hence, membership may be limited, Facebook gathers family, friends, colleagues, classmates, neighbors — practically everyone. You can post status updates, videos, play games, chat with friends, answer silly quizzes and what have you. So finding love can seem more like accidental, albeit, a very welcome one.

That said, dating apps are sprouting on Facebook at a rate nearly as fast as the speed of thought. With so many apps to choose from, where do you start? Here’s a short background about some of the most popular dating apps integrated with Facebook.

Zoosk. Has active monthly users numbering over 6 million. Zoosk can connect not only with Facebook but also with MySpace and Twitter. The interface is simple and easy to use. You can send winks, emails, or virtual gifts to anyone you find interesting. The app prompts you with potential matches, as well as allows you to share your description of your ideal first date.

Compare Hotness. Shows you images of two women (or men) at a time. Choose the one you like more and start flirting with him/her. You can send messages but not gifts. Another downside is that you can’t search for people in your area, unlike with Zoosk.

Would You Sleep With Me. This is a bit more direct because you can tell someone that you would like to sleep with him or her. You can search for people in your area. Sending message is free but not the gifts.

Meet New People. Flirt with someone by telling the person that you like him or her. You can look for members from your own country. You can send messages but gifting is currently unavailable.

Heartbroker. Allows for a more private experience because it doesn’t post notification on your wall or in the news feed that you are using the app. The user’s friends will have to write a testimonial for him or her, eliminating the risk of exaggeration or misrepresentation of oneself to prospective dates. The testimonial will appear on the user’s Heartbroker profile.

iWould. This app helps reduce the potential for rejection because if the feeling is not mutual, the person you’re eyeing won’t even know you’re interested in him or her. You would choose from your friend list 1-10 people that you have a romantic interest in. iWould will then cross-reference your choices with those of your friends. If a person you had selected has included you on his list, you will both be notified of the match.

So there – six of Facebook’s most popular dating apps. With some help from any of these apps, who knows you just might get lucky and snag your ideal mate.

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Facebook Still Rules The Social Network World

One of the most powerful online advertising streams that has really exploded in growth over the last 5 years is social media. It has changed the way in which people communicate with each other. Right from the way the individuals use it for their personal news to business organizations using social media for their business marketing it has completely revolutionized the way in which people go about their daily routine. The three most popular social networking sites that have become hugely popular are the Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, Facebook currently being the leader in users.

Facebook Social Network Facebook Still Rules The Social Network World

Facebook is the world’s largest social networking platform with 600 million registered users and is still growing rapidly. It was launched in the February of 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. It was actually created to meet the needs of the students in Harvard and slowly caught the imagination of college students across the country. Then the message spread to people in all walks of life and they started creating accounts with Facebook.

Anyone above the age of 13 can actually register an account with Facebook. Users can start creating profiles with photos, mention their personal interests, and add other information. They can communicate with their friends through a private messaging facility or by using public message boards. In the case of public messaging other users will be able to see the messages. There is also a chat application to send real-time messages.

With respect to security aspects, every user has the ability to set their own security settings. They can create a group and share information with that group alone. Any outsider, not part of the created group, cannot view any information about the group members.

Another highly popular feature of the Facebook is their photos section. User can upload any number of photos and albums to their Facebook account. Some photo uploading sites such as Flickr and Photobucket place a limit on the number of photos that can be uploaded onto their sites.

One of the most recent developments in the Facebook world is the introduction of voice chat. People can chat with their friends over the chat application available from Facebook. Facebook was able to introduce this feature with help of T-mobile. Additionally smart phones such as iPhone users and Android mobile users can now access Facebook from their smart phones. Thus anyone using a iPhone can send messages to their Facebook account without logging in to their computer

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Browsing Safety When Shopping Online

Shopping online can be a really rewarding and safe experience. As with all things though there are risks and when it comes to online shopping these are often at the forefront of our minds. There are many ways of keeping your private information safe and of safe guarding against potential risks. In this article we’re going to look at browsing and search engine safety so that you are better equipped to maximize your safety.

Do Check: How To Save Money By Shopping Online

Browing Safety When Shopping Online Browsing Safety When Shopping Online
Web browsers

Which web browser you use to surf the internet can have a huge impact on the safety of your personal details. Secure web browsers will either encrypt or scramble any information you might input when making a purchase. Using an unsecure or out of date web browser exposes you too unnecessary risk so downloading the latest versions is a good way to increase your security. Increasingly online payment forms will detect whether you are using a secure or non-secure connection and will check with you before you proceed. Generally err on the side of caution and update your browser before making significant purchases and steer clear of less established browsers when shopping.
Check site security

Checking site security is essential when you shop online as it determines the potential visibility of your details when you input them into payment forms. Websites are either secured or unsecured with secure sites using SSL to hide your details from wandering eyes. Secure sites encrypt your data as it is sent across web space. The best way to check whether a site is secure is to look in the address bar. If the site starts with https:// or has a padlock icon displayed in the address bar then it is using a secure connection and you can feel relatively secure in inputting your details.
Read the privacy policy

When shopping and browsing always read the privacy policy and terms of use if applicable as this will give a good indication of: firstly the security of your details and secondly the legitimacy of the company. If these details cannot be found then shop elsewhere. Usually an about page or FAQ page will reveal the terms of service and privacy policy of the company. Check that the company is doing everything to ensure your safety before making a purchase. In addition use this opportunity to check other details like whether your information is shared with any third parties and also their returns and re-billing policies if applicable.
Search through search engines not advertisements

It is all too tempting to click advertisements on pages when you find something that sparks your interest. However you should always be wary when you click through in this way as you have very few guarantees that the site you are redirected to is secure. If you do click through to a site and want to make a purchase use a new tab to research the company alongside words like “scam” or “problems with……” this will let you determine the legitimacy of the site you have clicked through to and protect you against problems.
Keep your eyes open

Finally always ensure that you are paying attention to the site you are on. Look for things that seem out of place, things that are missing or spelling mistakes and slight logo variations. For example spelling mistakes are a sure sign of a non-legitimate company who are likely to have spent less time ensuring that their punctuation and grammar are up to scratch. Whilst logos are easy enough to copy they are often altered slightly or at slightly lower quality than you would expect which is a good indication that they are fake. Missing contact details, addresses, terms and conditions and privacy policies are always warning signs of something being amiss. Always keeping your eyes open and attuned to these things will drastically reduce your risks.

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How to Track your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on iOS 4.2.1 With Find My iPhone for Free

Yesterday, I have posted an article about the release of iOS 4.2.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users and the list of features added to it. The highlight feature which was added to this release is the previously paid Apple’s device tracking, locking, and wiping tool “Find My iPhone”. The Find My iPhone is a tracking application for the Apple’s products which will help you find your lost mobile or lock it remotely or completely wipe out the data from your device.

Find my iPhone How to Track your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on iOS 4.2.1 With Find My iPhone for Free

Previously Find My Phone was a paid app, available with MobileMe subscription. But now they made it free for the public. To get this app, working on any iOS device running iOS 4.2.1 follow the simple guide given below. But before that you must have, or borrow a friends 2010 iOS device, either an iPhone 4, iPod touch, or an iPad to get started.

First you need to create a free Find My iPhone account using your iPhone 4, iPad, or iPod touch 4th generation devices which is running iOS 4.2.1. Once the account is created, log in to the app using your existing Apple ID and password to enable this Find My iPhone on any iOS 4.2.1 device. If you are still not clear about the process, follow the step by step tutorial given below.
How to Track your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on iOS 4.2.1 With Find My iPhone for Free?

1. Launch the Apple App Store on your iOS device and download Find My iPhone app.

2. Then go to the Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > and add a MobileMe account. Now login using your existing Apple ID and once you’re connected turn on the Find My iPhone app.

MobileMe page How to Track your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on iOS 4.2.1 With Find My iPhone for Free

3. Now launch Find My iPhone and log in using your Apple ID on your 2010 iOS device. At the same time, on your non-2010 device log in with your Apple ID.

4. Once logged-in on your non-2010 device, head over to MobileMe login page by following this link to the Find My iPhone page.

That’s it. This is how you can track your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices running on iOS 4.2.1 with the Find my iPhone.

If you get any difficulties while following these steps, do share it with us, here in the comments section. We will help you to solve the problem. Also, if you find this tutorial useful, do share and tweet about it.

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How To Make Video Calls On Facebook

Google+ paves the way for yet another interesting feature for Facebook. Now it facilitates video calling, and that too a group video chat.

Video Calls On Facebook How To Make Video Calls On Facebook

It seems the world’s largest online social network Facebook is now following the footstep of Google in keeping tight in the competition. With the beta launch of Google+ social networking site of Google, Facebook announced that its 750 million users would get the video calling facilities on the site. The new feature is powered by Skype, Internet phone service giant.

To make video calls you need to select the friends with whom you want to chat. A pop up window will open up bringing up the video chat feature. The window is re-sizable and it can be viewed in full screen mode. Inside the app there is one small window that gets smaller when mouse is not hovering over it. This facilitates you to see yourself when you want. There is no mute, hold or in-call buttons in it.

The video calling works best in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. In Linux it is presently not being supported and also the mobile integrations are not available. The company says all users will get access soon to the video calling. Once Facebook completes the integration, you will find the video chat button on the top right corner of the chat bar.

Similar to the normal start of chat session, you need to click on a name of your online contacts and chat window opens. Then you need to click on the video icon to start video chat. On your friends’ profiles, a Call Button will appear between the Poke and Message buttons. His clicking on it will connect both of you for video chat. Even you can leave a voice message if your friend is not available. Ex out the window and the call ends.

Last week the same feature Google launched on its Google Plus inviting limited users.

Earlier, at the headquarters of the company, Palo Alto, Calif, Mark Zukerberg announced they are embarking on launching season 2011. He said that lots of stuff will be added to Facebook in next few weeks and months.

Not mentioning Google, he said that “independent entrepreneurs and companies focused on one particular thing will always do better than companies that try to do everything”.

With every new feature of Facebook, privacy and security questions arises. The best part of it is that no calls are either recorded or saved. However, the date of calls are recorded within the ongoing conversation history in the Message section.

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How To Hack iPod Nano For Blank Space Creation

The 6th-generation iPod Nano can now be hacked for creation of blank spaces. Renowned developer James Whelton hacked his iPod Nano and was able to bypass the cache compression of the device, which resulted in the installation of a Springboard hack allowing for blank space creation.

ipod nano 6th generation hack blank space How To Hack iPod Nano For Blank Space Creation

The springboard hack for the 6th-generation iPod nano is in fact just a removal of an app, and in return a creation of a blank space. The most important thing to keep in mind here while you are hacking the device is the bypass of the cache comparison of the device. It compares any of the modded SB file in the nano and reverts the same if it is not liked by it. As an aftermath, it opens up the hacking and modding possibilities in the device. Moreover, it does not require bootloaders or any related stuff.

Now what do this hack actually mean. It may be a signal that some cool new features are awaiting for the nano like TV shows, movies, apps, vCards, games, calender events and more, even a passcode lock. After the hack the OS of iPod nano becomes a rehashed version of the previous OS.

One thing to know here that iPod nano has not been able to be jailbroken yet as there is no root access of it. However, with the new hack discovery, it is believed that jailbreak possibilities do exist.

In iPod nano, Whelton did not install any app, but he did figured out how to remove one and create a blank space into the springboard. He has also figured out a process to boot the nano with modified files such as SpringBoard Plist and bypass the process that it stops.

Well, let us hope that jailbreaking soon become possible for the 6th-generation iPod nano. Meanwhile, do put here your views or any further process in the hacking of iPod nano.

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How Do People Hack Your Password?

Actually we would be wrong in saying that “people” would hack your passwords; in reality a common visitor online would be a fool big enough to try to even hack passwords. It can only be an internet expert who has well knowledge about the security technologies being used and is capable of writing reverse engineered softwares for cracking a password.

Hack your Password How Do People Hack Your Password?

Hacking can be broadly classified into two parts ethical hacking and innovative hacking.
ETHICAL HACKING:

Ethical hacking is basically just the old school methods of hacking and cracking. There are even courses about ethical hacking which explains in details the known methods of hacking. Now since they are known methods password hacker and even expert programmers can’t hack into somebody’s mail account or internet banking account with these techniques as the companies who are providing these services have already safe guarded their systems against all the known threats and techniques.

But there are softwares or we say password hacker which are supposed to the internet hacking for you. Even they are just programs exploiting the ethical hacking techniques and instead of yielding fruitful results they can only be used to test that the website we are trying to hack placed all the safeguards and plugged in all the loop holes.

Some common ethical hacking techniques are:

Spamming : a spammer would confuse the user with his own identity and will try to mislead and convince the user into giving in his details and then getting access to the systems
Phishing: it is a quite old method by which the person conducting the phishing attack would send a mail which would be directing the user straight to an artificial gateway created. Which might look similar to the users email login window or bank login window and there by asks him to login and thus get holds of that info?
SQL/JAVA injections: programmers familiar with java and sql can exploit the loopholes left out by the creators of the website and insert their own malicious code and get access to the system. But today most companies or creators precisely make their web applications undergo rigorous injection tests to get hold of any loop hole detected in the application
Key-loggers: key loggers are simply monitoring programs that run in the background along with system applications and keeps recording key strokes and sends data to its programmers without the user even getting a hint that all his key strokes are being recorded by a piece of code.

There are many in depth methods but these are the most popular ones. Apart from these:

INNOVATIVE HACKING:

Innovative internet hacking can only be done by a very fluent programmer. Who can point out an error or bug just by reading bits of codes. With experience enough he can study the source code and try to get into the system. But most of these innovative hackers just do it for fun and not for money. Neither they are password hacker nor do they create such softwares. They are mostly hired by companies to conduct test on their security measures.

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Hackers Beware T-Mobile G2 Gets Hacking Protection

Do you want to hack Android phone T-Mobile G2? It is useless to hack. The phone restores to its original immediately after it is hacked. This is the first handset that is able to detect when the user “roots” the handset, and then it undoes the hacking.

T Mobile G2 Android Mobile Phone Hacking Protection Hackers Beware T Mobile G2 Gets Hacking Protection

Hackers, who worked in rooting the T-Mobile G2, discovered that there is no problem in rooting the phone but after a short while of the hacking, the device automatically removes the modification and restores it as it was before the rooting.

This technology of G2 has upset the entire tech world because of the inability of making modifications to the phone.

The first step to rooting is to enable the OEM software modification. The hackers apply custom ROMs to grant status of superuser to the device. This in return permits the hacker to do any desired thing in the software of the phone. Even everything can be replaced in it. The concept is similar to that of Linux systems from where the term “rooting” originated.

The G2 make use of internal policing of software. The concept is not new. Motorola had it in Droid X handset. It had eFuse hardware technology which made the phone unusable if the software was modified. Hence, the modified phone failed to work until the official software was reinstalled.

Well, device protection is very necessary for all phone makers to keep their market good and bigger, but for how long the technology is not going to be hacked is a big question. May be, it would take some unusual time, but it will be broken. What you all say? Put your comments below.

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Be Hacker Safe Use Intrusion Detection Systems

Although they are excellent in their design, having a basic firewall by itself is not sufficient to provide hacker prevention. Detection firewall intrusion often takes place after the fact. An important note here would be that a firewall cannot remove things that are already on your computer or network.
If there was a virus before, or trojans, they will still be there afterwards. Which brings up another point - the first thing that needs to be done, before installing any firewall or intrusion detection software, is to remove all malware from the system by using a good scanner and removal software program. At the present time, there are a number of them that are free. It might be a good idea to run more than one - but be sure to disable the one you are not using. Experience shows that different software will detect different malware.

When selecting your intrusion detection software, you need to know that there are basically two kinds. One is passive, meaning that an alarm will be sounded. A second kind is active, meaning that it will terminate the communication with the computer trying to obtain access, and it will notify the Webmaster. Intrusion detection software can also stop phishing emails, spam, and those pop-up ads. They can also prevent dial up hacker from invading your system.

What Is The Best Intrusion Detection System?
Keeping your system hacker safe, and knowing how to prevent hackers from doing their dirty work is an ongoing task. It was mentioned in the beginning of the article that a determined hacker will get information. They are constantly upgrading their own methods, and the sad thing, is that much of the intrusion prevention development going on, only seeks to keep up with the methods the hackers use. The result - a hacker comes up with a new method, and - he'll get in.

One thing that is being reported as working quite well, especially for a Unix system (although there is also a Windows version, too), is an intrusion detection using Snort with wincap. This program has good reviews, and may be the software you need. Because of competition, new and better programs of detection and prevention are being developed all the time. Some systems have firewalls just for spam filters (great for email servers), and ones for general systems. There is even a new firewall system out there that is just for in-house IM communications. Of course, these new systems try to combine some of the features of a firewall and an intrusion detection system into one great package - and some of them can even remove existing malware on your system!

The best advice that could be given is to take this information and begin to do your own research into the latest products on intrusion prevention. At the same time you will want to find good malware removal software, and don't forget to consider downloading a trial version first. Some of these offer complete systems that can even be upgraded daily for the length of the trial period. Having your system protected by intrusion detection software is a great move, and will help to bring greater security to the information you want guarded the most.

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Facts About Hacking and Modes of Protection from Hacking

Hacking: To gain access to (a computer file or network) illegally or without authorization.
Hacking has been around for a number of years. Even though you may not look at it as hacking, when the government spied on there own country during the 1900s, searching for communists, they used little devises to listen on peoples telephone conversations. As hacking was a good term, it was used to describe people who could push electronics past there potential.

Hacking later down the line took on a new meaning. As hacking progressed, in modern times, new viruses were made. At first they were used to help computers, so that they ran more efficiently, but these same programs were later used to create “Trojans” or “viruses” on a electronic base. At first the viruses were used as practical jokes, shutting down someone’s computer, sending them a lot of pop ups, and many other things. But as the anti-virus programs became more efficient so did the “hackers”.

Now the viruses were used top seal information, or even money. If it was electronic, it was hack-able. Now there are viruses, Trojans, key loggers, and many other “hacks”. It is recommended that you get an anti-virus program, even though you are not 100% safe from viruses, it will save you from losing anything that is valuable. Norton, or Macafe are two of the better anti-viruses programs. was used to describe people who were cheating phone companies to make long distance phone calls for free. As time went by and technologies got more advanced, the term was used to describe people who could break into computer systems and get personal or valuable data off of a computer.

As hacking progressed, in modern times, new viruses were made. At first they were used to help computers, so that they ran more efficiently, but these same programs were later used to create “Trojans” or “viruses” on a electronic base. At first the viruses were used as practical jokes, shutting down someone’s computer, sending them a lot of pop ups, and many other things. But as the anti-virus programs became more efficient so did the “hackers”.

Now the viruses were used top seal information, or even money. If it was electronic, it was hack-able. Now there are viruses, Trojans, key loggers, and many other “hacks”. It is recommended that you get an anti-virus program, even though you are not 100% safe from viruses, it will save you from losing anything that is valuable. Norton, or Macabre are two of the better anti-viruses programs.

Trojan:

A Trojan horse program has a useful and desired function, or at least it has the appearance of having such. In most cases the program performs other, undesired functions, but not always. The useful, or seemingly useful, functions serve as camouflage for these undesired functions. The kind of undesired functions are not part of the definition of a Trojan Horse; they can be of any kind.

Virus:

A software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer; “a true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance”

Key Logger:

A software program used to record key strokes on a designated computer. Can be used for or against your liking

Modes of protection from hacking

There are most widespread means of account-hacking and ways to prevent them.

The Password-theft

Strange though, most often the account-theft happens because the player himself informs the malefactor of his access-data. You may have given your login and password to your friend whom you have quarreled afterwards. The offended friend can steal your character or hand over access-data to someone another.

Though IM internet or in our game it is easy to make virtual friends, you should beware of them. Consider isn’t someone trying to gain your confidence in order to get the data concerning your account?

Sometimes a malefactor addresses to the player on behalf of an official of support service. Remember that the real official of support service would never ask you to tell your password, so ignore such requests.

If you play in a public place (game club or internet-café) ensure that nobody is standing behind you while you are entering your password and always disable the access to your computer while you are off for some time.

The hacking of e-mail box or account on the other site

The malefactor can make an attempt to hack your e-mail box. Getting an access to your e-mail, he would use the “New password” page of our site and intercept the message with password-replacement reference and you’ll be left with nothing.

Unfortunately, often it is far easier to hack the e-mail box than our game-server. Therefore use only approved and trustworthy mail services and never hand over the access-data to your e-mail. We also recommend despite the time-economy not to save the password and always type it and login entering the system.

When you register on the other sites don’t use as login or password your game-data, it also concerns unofficial sites of AWplanet and clan-sites. Not so much because of possible malicious intent of site-keepers as because their security measures might be noticeably poorer than our.

The Password fitting

Some malefactors fit the passwords to accounts that are of interest to them by sorting out. We have the protection from such actions on our site, but the possibility of fitting password and login still remains. And the more he knows about the easier to him would be to find out the data.

In order to minimize the risk do not reveal your account-name to anyone (it shouldn’t coincide with your character name) and use complicated password, which is difficult to fit. Some ideas to invent a difficult password:

* Alternate capital and lower-case letters in random order

* Use figures instead of letters – e.g. “3” instead of “E” and “1” instead of “I”

* Try to type some word with the keyboard layout of other language. e.g. Russian word “Pезультат” will look like “Htpekmnfn”

* The ideal password is a random sequence of figures and letters, e.g. 8EHnL4K8

The trojan program

The trojan program is another way to steal your account. Yielding the stranger’s promises you download and launch some useful utility or mini-game. That is the “trojan” settles into action and is able to send any kind of your data to the malefactor or change your game-password. Not to catch up a “trojan” perform the following recommendations:

* Do not download and activate the programs from sites that are unknown to you.

* Install an antivirus program and update it regularly.

* Check on the content of viruses all the downloaded from internet programs.

The hacking of computer

The malefactor may hack your computer. His aim is to get some personal data that are stored on your hard disc. He may reach his aim by using the hole in your operating system.

To get into your computer the malefactor must know your IP-address. Each computer connected with internet has its own unique IP-address. It looks like 152.168.0.15. Your IP-address may be revealed if you use programs like ICQ or IRC, launch clients of P2P-nets. Knowing your IP-address, hacker can get an access to the files through the security-hole in your system. To avoid this keep the following recommendations:

* Download and install your operating system updates regularly

* Install firewall-program which would disable the access to your computer from internet

* Allow access only for those applications that your trust completely

* For the game you should open of the following ports: 21, 80, 443 or 2049

* Don’t leave your computer on for a long time (e.g. during the night)

* Otherwise your put it under a threat of consecutive hack

Some hackers scan all the computers throughout on the presence of security-holes and infect them with viruses and trojan programs, the more a computer is in internet, the bigger a risk of infection.

Restrict the net-access to your computer, don’t enable access to catalogs and especially to hard discs.

IP-address protection

In favor of security we recommend to install the IP-address protection. It means that access to the game and site would be permitted only from those IP-addresses that you install. To install this protection use the “IP-address protection” page. Here you can enter from one to four pairs of “IP-address/masks” which correspond to the addresses of computers by which you enter the game or site.

The IP-address of your computer may be changed and you won’t be able to enter the game. After any attempt of access from “dangerous” IP-addresses you’ll get on your e-mail a message with reference to the page on which you can change the protection-settings. This page can be used only by you yourself, the malefactor wouldn’t get on it.

If you are sure that you yourself were entering from the “dangerous” IP-address, add to the IP-address list and continue the game. If you suspect that an attempt of account-hacking took place immediately inform the support service. And, please, do not forget to indicate the IP-address involved in attempt.

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Expert Advice on Keeping Your Network Safe by Blocking Dangerous Hacker Attacks

The stories go on and on about another individual having their personal information stolen from their computer by some hacker. While it is true that hackers do get people's information, and they will keep on getting that information,
it is also true that having intrusion detection software can help. And even better, to be hacker safe intrusion prevention system is by the same software.
Why You Need Intrusion Detection
Doors can be opened to hackers in varied ways. Two of the most common ways by which they can gain access to your computer is simply through emails, or Web pages that you visit that have spyware, or trojans (a file which looks innocent, but actually will later open doors to a hacker) attached to them. Other ways are robot spiders sent out over the Internet to find unprotected computers, and open doors. Some say that every computer attached to the Internet may be attacked by such a spider as many as 50 times each day. So, if you do not have an intrusion prevention system in place, up-to-date, then you may have regular unexpected visitors - and you may not even know it. Others say that 9 out of 10 computers have some sort of spyware, or malware on them. Could you be one of them? This article will show you what is available on the market for your protection - and much of it can be obtained for free.

The spider robots work automatically - looking for and identifying computers on the Internet that have doors, or ports, open to them. This information is then reported back to the hacker - knowing which computers to target - and which port to use. For this reason, every now and then, Microsoft will come out with a new patch for Windows, in order to close some faulty door that hackers have discovered and been using.
What Is Intrusion Detection?
Network Intrusion detection software is a must-have these days. Each company's software will vary somewhat (for copyright and originality purposes), but you do need one for your own network, or home computer. It differs from a firewall in that the purpose of a firewall is to stop unauthorized external contacts with your system. These offer hacker prevention largely for contacts from outside the network. Most of these will now notify the owner or network controller of intrusion attempts. Network intrusion detection systems, on the other hand, will give you warnings about events that take place within the network itself.

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Keep Out the Bad Guys : Ethical hacking

If you remember the Star Wars movies, there were two sides of the Force. The light side and the dark side. In the world of hacking, ethical hacking is considered the light side of hacking. Why?
Because ethical hackers use their skills and abilities for a constructive matter. Their intention is to offer adequate protection to their clients and assure them that they will be safe from hacker attacks. But it isn't easy to become a certified ethical hacker. You need to gain some reputation along with work experience in security field.
What Is Ethical Hacking?
They dedicate their skills to serve their clients. Instead of spending long nights inside obscure rooms filled with computers looking for some victim, they work inside corporations, finding ways to protect the networks and computer systems.
Who Does This?
A hacker is a person who finds enjoyment in increasing the capacity of any device. When the personal computers appeared, hackers turned their attention to them and a new underground was created. Unfortunately, bad elements within the community and criminal organizations have given a bad reputation to this group. Among the public opinion the media is widely responsible for reporting crackers as hackers. Their lack of knowledge on means adopted by hackers and crackers has brought a bad name to hackers as well.

Nowadays three type of hackers can be found: white, grey and black. White hackers are those who use their knowledge for selling their services to clients who want to protect their networks. Black hackers (also known as crackers) are the ones who attack those networks and try to make some money out of it.

Grey hackers are more ambiguous. They don't do it for the money; they do it for the rush. They want to show the world and their hacker friends how good they are.

So, were does ethical hackers fall? Well, they are inside the white hackers group. But being a white hacker doesn't transform you into an ethical hacker. There are some things that you need to do first.
What Are The Requirements For Ethical Hacking?
The first requirement is to be trustworthy. And for that, you will need to make a name. How? You need to start from the beginning: down. The first step is academic. Most of ethical hackers have written papers on this matter and published through an academic institution. This is an excellent method to show the world how preoccupied you are for computer security and that you have a desire to protect people from the dangers of the internet

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Hacker Tricks And Prevention Techniques

Hacker Tricks And Prevention Techniques
In movies or TV series where hackers are involved, we may have seen them apply their computer knowledge in order to perform certain hacker tricks that saved the day.
From "The Matrix" to "Swordfish", hackers have been able to elevate themselves to the level of heroes with only a keyboard and a mouse. However, hackers attacks and hacker prevention is more difficulty, and complex, in real life.

Hollywood has a tendency to oversimplify things so the general public can understand them. After all, only a small percentage of the population has enough skills to perform this kind of demonstrations. So, if you want to prevent hacking there are some basics that need to be learned first.
Tricks And Techniques Employed By Hackers To Break Into Your System
The first most common technique used technique used by hackers is scanning. Hackers have created tools that scan computers for weak spots. It can be an operating system that hasn't been upgraded or a port in the computer that it is open without the knowledge of the user.

Hackers use this "open window" to get inside your computer in order to do whatever they want to do. The interesting thing about this is that these hacker tools are available for free in the Internet. So, with a couple of hours of instructions, almost every computer user can become a hacker.

Another way that hackers can access your machine is through malware: programs designed to capture vital information from your computer, like login users and passwords. Malware could be hidden in a PowerPoint presentation sent by email or even in an innocent Instant Messenger message window.
How To Prevent Hacker Attacks
Hackers are always looking for a way to get into computers of other persons. It can be something as simple as phising confidential information (like credit card or bank account numbers) to complex hacking routines that use your computer as a repository for illegal content (like music or movies with copyright).

Unfortunately there is no magical software to prevent hackers; and it will never exist. It doesn't matter how much money or resources you invest in designing the perfect system, someone will find the way to crack it. Even the biggest government agencies like NASA, CIA and NSA have been victims of hackers. And the same thing happens in the private sector with companies like Citigroup or Wal-Mart.

Continue to: Prevent Hacking
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Keep Out the Bad Guys : Ethical hacking
Computer Hacking Laws: Are These Laws Really Effective?
Expert Advice on Keeping Your Network Safe by Blocking Dangerous Hacker Attacks
White Hat Hacker vs. Grey Hat Hacker
Yahoo Hacking Programs - Are They Needed

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Computer Hacking Laws: Are These Laws Really Effective?

The news said that another person had their identity stolen. It happened again. You might even know of someone that had it happen to them. We often hear of percentages - and they are surprisingly high.
Enforcement is taking place, but we have to wonder if computer hacking laws are really having any effect against cyber hacking. This article will show what is being done against cyber crime.
Defining Cyber Crime
Hacking has a rather simple definition to it. Basically it is defined as the unauthorized use of a computer - especially when it involves attempting to circumvent the security measures of that computer, or of a network.

Hacking is not difficult to learn. Unfortunately, it may be too easy for someone that has a little time on his hands. This becomes especially obvious when it is found that a number of the hackers, at least those that are caught, are often only in their teens.

Beyond this, there are two basic types of hacking. Some only hack because they want to see if they can do it - it is a challenge to them. For others, however, it becomes an attack, and they use their unauthorized access for destructive purposes. Hacking occurs at all levels and at all times - by someone, for some reason. It may be a teen doing it to gain peer recognition, or, a thief, a corporate spy, or one nation against another.
Effectiveness of Computer Hacking Laws
Like any other law, the effectiveness must be determined by its deterrence. While there will always be those that want to see if they can do it, and get away with it (any crime), there are always the many more who may not do something if they are aware of its unlawfulness - and possible imprisonment.

In the early 1990's, when hacker efforts stopped AT&T communications altogether, the U.S. Government launched its program to go after the hackers. This was further stepped up when government reports (by the GAO) indicate that there have been more than 250,000 attempts to hack into the Defense Department computers. First there were the laws - now came the bite behind it. One of the effects of computer hacking brought about focused efforts to catch them and punish them by law.

Then, more recently, the U.S. Justice Department reveals that the National Infrastructure Protection Center has been created in order to protect our major communications, transportation and technology from the attack of hackers. Controlling teens and hackers has become the focus of many governmental groups to stop this maliciousness against individuals, organizations, and nations.

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Effective Ways To Stop Hackers

So, what can you do to protect your tiny machine from hacker tricks? Fortunately, there are some measures that we can take, and it doesn't require us to be a Neo or Hugh Jackman's character from the movie "Swordfish".
These hacker protection tips are simple and effective and will defend you from most of the attacks.
OS Updates
The first thing to do in computer hacking prevention is to assure yourself that all your software is up to date; especially your operating system and your web browser. Why? Because they are the two things that hackers will try to attack first if they want to get into your computer.
Firewalling
The second thing that you need to do is to install a firewall. As a matter of fact internet firewall hacker protection has become so necessary that Microsoft now ships it for free as part of their Windows XP operating system. It took them some years to admit it, but the truth is that their software was an easy target for the hackers and crackers that lurked through the World Wide Web.

In case you don't want to use Windows XP firewall, there are many alternatives in the market. Companies like Symantec and Zone Labs have produced software firewalls for some time and have become a necessity for all the computers of corporate America. If you don't know which one you want to buy, use the trial periods. Usually you can use the firewall for 15 to 30 days; that amount of time is more than enough to make your decision. The next step in security is to have an antivirus installed. There are free versions like AVG antivirus, or pay per year licenses, like Norton Antivirus (also from Symantec). As in the case of firewalls, there are many varieties available in the market; use the trial periods for choosing wisely.
Anti Spyware/Adware
Finally, there is the anti-spyware program. As if viruses were not enough, companies from around the world decided to create programs that could pick up data from your computer in order to acquire information for their databases. It may not be as dangerous as a virus, but it is an intrusion to your privacy. Wipe them out with this piece of software.

Nowadays hacker prevention has become a task for all of us. No longer is it the responsibility of the system administrator of our company. After all, he can install all the security of the world in the company's network, but if you let a virus in because of your carelessness, he won't be able to stop it. The same goes for your computer at home. You are the only one responsible for it. Remember that new hacker tricks appear as each day goes by, so you need to be prepared.

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How Many Modes of protection from hacking

Modes of protection from hacking

There are most widespread means of account-hacking and ways to prevent them.

The Password-theft
Strange though, most often the account-theft happens because the player himself informs the malefactor of his access-data. You may have given your login and password to your friend whom you have quarreled afterwards. The offended friend can steal your character or hand over access-data to someone another.

Though in internet or in our game it is easy to make virtual friends, you should beware of them. Consider isn’t someone trying to gain your confidence in order to get the data concerning your account?

Sometimes a malefactor addresses to the player on behalf of an official of support service. Remember that the real official of support service would never ask you to tell your password, so ignore such requests.

If you play in a public place (game club or internet-café) ensure that nobody is standing behind you while you are entering your password and always disable the access to your computer while you are off for some time.

The hacking of e-mail box or account on the other site
The malefactor can make an attempt to hack your e-mail box. Getting an access to your e-mail, he would use the “New password” page of our site and intercept the message with password-replacement reference and you’ll be left with nothing.

Unfortunately, often it is far easier to hack the e-mail box than our game-server. Therefore use only approved and trustworthy mail services and never hand over the access-data to your e-mail. We also recommend despite the time-economy not to save the password and always type it and login entering the system.

When you register on the other sites don’t use as login or password your game-data, it also concerns unofficial sites of AWplanet and clan-sites. Not so much because of possible malicious intent of site-keepers as because their security measures might be noticeably poorer than our.

The Password fitting
Some malefactors fit the passwords to accounts that are of interest to them by sorting out. We have the protection from such actions on our site, but the possibility of fitting password and login still remains. And the more he knows about the easier to him would be to find out the data.

In order to minimize the risk do not reveal your account-name to anyone (it shouldn’t coincide with your character name) and use complicated password, which is difficult to fit. Some ideas to invent a difficult password:

Alternate capital and lower-case letters in random order
Use figures instead of letters – e.g. “3” instead of “E” and “1” instead of “I”
Try to type some word with the keyboard layout of other language. e.g. Russian word “Pезультат” will look like “Htpekmnfn”
The ideal password is a random sequence of figures and letters, e.g. 8EHnL4K8

The trojan program
The trojan program is another way to steal your account. Yielding the stranger’s promises you download and launch some useful utility or mini-game. That is the “trojan” settles into action and is able to send any kind of your data to the malefactor or change your game-password. Not to catch up a “trojan” perform the following recommendations:

Do not download and activate the programs from sites that are unknown to you.
Install an antivirus program and update it regularly.
Check on the content of viruses all the downloaded from internet programs.

There are some popular programs which would help you to protect your computer:

The Doctor Web antivirus – http://www.drweb.ru
The AVP antivirus – http://www.avp.ru
The Firewall-program ZoneAlarm – http://www.zonealarm.com
The AdAware program which detects “trojans” and spy-programs – http://www.lavasoft.com

The hacking of computer
The malefactor may hack your computer. His aim is to get some personal data that are stored on your hard disc. He may reach his aim by using the hole in your operating system.

To get into your computer the malefactor must know your IP-address. Each computer connected with internet has its own unique IP-address. It looks like 152.168.0.15. Your IP-address may be revealed if you use programs like ICQ or IRC, launch clients of P2P-nets. Knowing your IP-address, hacker can get an access to the files through the security-hole in your system. To avoid this keep the following recommendations:

Download and install your operating system updates regularly
Install firewall-program which would disable the access to your computer from internet
Allow access only for those applications that your trust completely
For the game you should open of the following ports: 21, 80, 443 or 2049
Don’t leave your computer on for a long time (e.g. during the night)
Otherwise your put it under a threat of consecutive hack

Some hackers scan all the computers throughout on the presence of security-holes and infect them with viruses and trojan programs, the more a computer is in internet, the bigger a risk of infection.

Restrict the net-access to your computer, don’t enable access to catalogs and especially to hard discs.
IP-address protection

In favor of security we recommend to install the IP-address protection. It means that access to the game and site would be permitted only from those IP-addresses that you install. To install this protection use the “IP-address protection” page. Here you can enter from one to four pairs of “IP-address/masks” which correspond to the addresses of computers by which you enter the game or site.

The IP-address of your computer may be changed and you won’t be able to enter the game. After any attempt of access from “dangerous” IP-addresses you’ll get on your e-mail a message with reference to the page on which you can change the protection-settings. This page can be used only by you yourself, the malefactor wouldn’t get on it.

If you are sure that you yourself were entering from the “dangerous” IP-address, add to the IP-address list and continue the game. If you suspect that an attempt of account-hacking took place immediately inform the support service. And, please, do not forget to indicate the IP-address involved in attempt.

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Top 5 hacking and virus protection tips

Hacking and viruses. No, it's not cold season. We're talking about the all-too-common ailments that plague your computers at home and work. From infected e-mails, to faceless crooks coming after your private information, it's one technological nightmare after another. But fear not, there are five simple steps you can take to protect your computer against a hack attack.

It's hard to believe, but there was a time when hackers were actually the good guys. In the days when the first systems were being developed, "good" hackers went into each other's computers and tested how things worked, according to Paul Millis, education director of policy development and education at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor.

"There was a ladies and gentlemen's hackers code of ethics," Millis says. "But as things have gotten easier, we've gotten cyber-punks that cause problems."

Over time, as young people learn about computers, a few of them compete with each other by creating malicious viruses, explains Roger Nebel, executive vice president of iDefense, an Internet risk management company based in Alexandria, Va. "It's a club kind of thing," he adds. "Sixteen and 17-year-olds can go to the meetings and brag to each other about what they did."

Nebel explains that 90 percent of the people causing these problems are socially disaffected and don't fit the mold of success, having lost their jobs or being unable to find employment. They are also clever with math. The other 10 percent are cyber-brats who don't even need to be smart to cause trouble. Instead, they download viruses and pass them along. Folks in the computer industry call them "script kiddies" or "ankle biters."Of the younger hackers, Nebel says, "It takes far less technical skill than most realize. "They are like kids that go to stores and buy spray paint to do graffiti


So what can the folks with a small business, home office or just sitting at home surfing the Net do to protect themselves against these creeps? Try the following five simple steps. If you are interested in the technical nut-and-bolts behind this computer stuff, check out Webopedia, an online dictionary and search engine for computer and Internet technology.

Step 1: Turn off your computer

"More and more users, small business owners and home offices are using cable hook-ups to get connected to the Internet at a much faster speed," Nebel says.

Your computer is sitting there just making it available to hackers. If you turn it off when you're not using it, these punks can't hack in.

Step 2: Use anti-virus software

Load anti-virus software onto your computer to prevent a headache later. Anti-virus software can detect if a virus is present in an e-mail or in a file and even clean up the mess before it causes problems. Depending on the software you buy, you can get free updates that will keep you abreast of the latest bugs being sent and squash them in advance.

Norton Anti-virus, which lists for $34.95, is one of the more common programs, and you can download McAfee anti-virus software with updates for $29.95 a year. Other programs range in price from $35 to $528 on cyber superstores such as Egghead.com.

Step 3: Don't run unknown executables or programs

Executables are those clever little programs attached to e-mails, such as the dancing babies or the latest version of the "Wassssup!" commercial. Unless you know where it came from, it's best to delete an executable file without opening it. If it's coming from a friend, you're probably OK.

If you get a rotten e-mail that's got a virus, rather than opening it and trying to clean it up yourself, get in touch with the person who sent it to you and have them send you a safe version of it. If you don't fix the problem, you could pass it along to your friends through e-mail. Then you look like a creep.

Step 4: Use a personal firewall

If you're constantly connected to the Internet, invest in personal firewall protection. The bad guys have their computers scan the Internet to find helpless computers they can hack into for personal information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers.

Hackers can also take over your machine as a "zombie" and use it to attack big companies. Then the hacker is harder to trace, and your name plays into a breakdown at eBay or E*Trade.

A firewall will prevent inbound connections from occurring and will keep your computer and your vital information protected. Nebel says personal firewalls, such as Black Ice can be downloaded from the Internet for $39.95.

Step 5: Shop around for an Internet Service Provider

When deciding which company to dial into, ask about the firewall protections that they have installed to protect you. Nebel says that most ISPs have firewalls to filter inbound and outbound problems, so it never hurts to ask what precautions they have taken.

Additionally, if your computer has been hacked, alert your ISP and they look into it. If they won't take action, find yourself a new ISP.

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Tips for Spyware Removal

Spyware attack is the biggest worry for a lot of people browsing the internet. Spyware are destined to do lot of harmful things like slowing down the performance of your PC, automatically opening multiple pop up advertisements, hijacking you to a different site via browser, and can also gain access to the confidential info like credit card credentials and banking info.

Spyware is a type of software that would monitor the various operations performed by a user, without the user’s knowledge. Spyware causes nuisance to your privacy and is a threat to your productivity. A lot of PCs get affected because of Spyware and thus causing degradation in computer's performance.

Spyware removal ideas

You must be aware of the dos and don’ts on the internet to stay away from Spyware attacks. Follow these effective tips for your computer to stay secured against Malware attacks.

The firewall acts as a shield that protects against malicious software from entering into the PC. But it is shocking to know that even now, many haven’t realized the importance of firewall and are browsing the satellite internet without having a firewall installed. Operating Systems like Windows Vista, and Windows XP comes with built in firewall. If your OS doesn’t have their firewall activated, you can download and install Norton Antivirus or McAfee that has got features of managed firewalls.

Microsoft IE browser doesn’t provide that much internet security and so it is better to download Mozilla FireFox web browser that has a pop up blocker feature that would protect you from getting affected by Spyware.

Downloading Audios and Videos from Torrents P2P providers are often found to have Spyware attached with them. You must be aware of the file contents before downloading them to stay protected against Spyware or Adware.

These tips will help you only a 90 percentage. You will have to be sure of what is happening in your computer and manage those files present on the drives.

If you had installed a Spyware without knowing, you can uninstall them manually by going to the ”Add or Remove Programs” option available in the Control Panel and remove the Adware on your own. Spyware are often tougher to find where they are located, as it comes accompanied with other files. While trying to remove an Adware, if you unintentionally remove any system file, the whole operating system might get collapsed.

The essential and effective way of removing or staying protected against Spyware is to download Spyware removers application. Spyware will be present on a system in a hidden way, together with other files. Spyware spy on the personal data, collect them, and send them over to its developer via internet. Just visualize the loss you will suffer, if your personal information is leaked. A recent research has proved that nearly eight percent of computers found in USA are at least one Spyware installed on them. Online free virus scan helps in the Malware removal and also protects your PC from harmful virus attack.

A research made by IT people suggests that Spyware is ranked one in the threat list. Most free programs like free game downloads, music downloads, smileys, cursor types, videos are the likely place where Spyware or Adware might be present. People should take a look at the contents in the download and read user feedbacks before downloading them.

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Best Ways to Avoid Internet Crimes Against Children

There are some of the ways through you can safeguard your child from internet crimes against children
Anti Spyware Software
Spyware has become the number one headache for everyone who is connected to the net. Different from virus and worms, this malicious software is used for the commercial benefit of its creators, generating revenue from ads and the illegal acquirement of private information (like your credit card number). As in the case of an anti-virus, they are a must nowadays, but should not be the main source of child safety on the internet.
Anti Spam Software
The most common kind of spam comes through electronic mail and instant messaging. In the case of email, most programs offer options to control it. It doesn’t matter that you use pop or web based email, once you identify an account as a source of spam, you can block it forever. Unfortunately, some web base email companies use their own software to determine if an email is spam or not, possibly erasing important information that you were expecting. You will have to test their spam detection system before assuring yourself that it is safe enough to use it.

With instant messaging spam (also known as spim), pop ups will start appearing in your desktop, offering services or methods to eliminate those annoying pop ups. Although you can do it yourself for free (you only need to do a little research on the internet), spim exploits the vulnerability that beginners feel with the net.

As you can see, it is not necessary to have an anti spam software, only some basic knowledge on the uses of email and instant messaging.
Key Loggers
Key logging software is practical way to protect a child from accessing unauthorized web pages. This tool starts running from the moment Windows is loaded, looking for specific words in the typing made by the user. If a word like pornography is entered, this program will automatically block the execution of that word.

Remember that every child and adolescent is curious by nature. Do not expect to leave the gates wide open without being trespassed. What they could consider as an innocent inquiry, it could become a serious matter in the natural process of their maturity. Unfortunately, it is not difficult to find adult content in the internet; you just need to input any word you can think of in a search engine and you will find thousands of links.

So, buy a kids and family internet security service and test how well does it perform in the real world. Look for the kind of pages you would have searched for if you had had Internet when young. Internet safety for kids should not be taken lightly by today’s parents. It is their responsibility to have an adequate child internet protection system at home.

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How Can The Wire Less Internet Be Made More Secure

While wire less internet networking is doubtless a great invention, it brings with it a fair amount of security concerns as well. The basic problem with having a signal broadcast throughout the office and home,
is that it is not easy to contain where exactly that signal could travel – it could travel to a neighbor’s living room , or, a hacker seeking insecure wire less internet connections, can get into the system from a car parked outside. Here Are A Few Basic Security Precautions to achieve a secure wireless internet connection:
First, Change The System ID
It is important to note that devices come with a default system ID called SSID or Service Set Identifier, or ESSID or Extended Service Set Identifier. SSID is a configurable identification which allows users to communicate with the appropriate base station. If there is proper configuration, only those user-clients who are configured with the same SSID would be able to communicate with those base stations having the same SSID. From the security standpoint, SSID acts as a very simple, single and shared password between clients
default SSIDs to breach and penetrate those base stations that are still in the default configuration stage. As it is easy for a hacker to guess what the default identifier for each manufacturer of wireless equipment is, the user would have to change it to something else- something that is unique, and not easily guessed.
Use A Strong Password
While choosing a password for your wireless internet , remember:

Not to use any personal information
Not to use any Real words
Instead, mix different character types
Create a pass phrase( think of a line from a favorite song for instance, and create a password by using the first letter of each word)

Change the Default Administrator Password
This is routine and good practice for all software and hardware. Make sure that the default password on your wireless route or on your access point is changed to something that is not very easily guessed.
Use A Safe Network And Restrict Unnecessary Traffic
Many of the wireless routers have inbuilt firewalls, that are not the most technically advanced, but help add one more line of defense. The user must read carefully the hardware manual to learn to properly configure the router. This can help restrict incoming or outgoing traffic to only those that he has approved.
Disable Identifier Broadcasting
The user does not have to broadcast to the world that he has a wireless internet connection - this is a sure invitation for hackers. He would do well to consult his hardware manual to learn how to disable broadcasting.
Enable Encryption
Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP, and Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA, help to encrypt the user’s data; so that only the intended recipient is able to read it. Of course, as with all security measures, this one can also be got round, but it does help to keep the casual hacker attacks at bay. While WPA does fix the security flaws in WEP, it is still subject to Denial –Of –Service (DOS) attacks. Yet, if possible, use WPA encryption.
Filter Mac Addresses
Some Access Points (AP) are equipped with the unique ability to filter trusted and tested MAC addresses. MAC addresses are considered unique addresses on the network. It is difficult to implement in today’s dynamic environment as it is tedious to configure the AP for each trusted client.
Patch and Protect the PCs
As something like a final line of defense, the user can install personal firewall software like Zone Alarm Pro, and anti-virus software. This anti-virus software must be updated regularly and at least once a week; as new viruses are being discovered daily. If one is using Microsoft systems, one could try using Windows Update to regularly keep the patches updated for security vulnerabilities.

Therefore in today’s dynamic world, where the internet is such an important medium of communication, it is important to achieve maximum wireless internet security and wireless computer security. There are a number of ways for achieving secure wireless internet connections and a secure wireless internet, which if correctly used, can help in protecting the system from hackers and spy ware programs.

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How Does A Malicious Spyware Program Work?

What is spyware? Spyware is software or a program that observes a person’s computer activities stealthily and then transmits that information over the Internet to the company or person who installed the spyware.
It monitors the computer activities of the user. It shows you banner ads that is based on what sites you surf. Most spyware is bundled in free software that you download from the Internet.
You can detect spyware online using free spyware cleaners and by installing spyware protection software on your computer. Often it's best to start with free spyware cleaners because these free spyware removal tools will remove any spyware programs currently running on your computer.
Where Does Spywares Come From?
Where to spyware come from and how spywares work? Clever programmers author Spywares and they delivered to user’s computers through covert Internet installs. Spyware is all over the Internet in forms of Adware download, Trojan Horses and Browser Hijackers. From many different places you can get a spyware. Cute free Christmas screen saver maybe a potential Spyware or A song you download using downloader may contain Spyware. Subscribing to free online services or install new pop-ups or software without reading End User License Agreement (EULA) will install spywares on your computer. Spywares can install in your computer as cookies when you connect to a site. They send all information about your activities.
Types of Spywares
The spywares are of different forms. The types of spywares are as follows:

Password and Information Stealers
Keyloggers
Banking and Backdoor Trojans
Botnet Warms
BHO
Dialers
Downloaders

The working of each and every type of Spywares will be explained.
Password and Information Stealers




It steals passwords and other sensitive personal information. They do not contain any methods to replicate. They downloaded from some websites as Trojans and it is installed on the user’s system. It may contain a attractive message to make the user click. After installing it will run on user system and transmit the user’s password and other information to the remote places /people.
Keyloggers
Keyloggers monitor the user’s keystrokes with the intention of stealing password and other personal identity information. They can also record video or audio and transmit what they are capturing over your Internet connection. Keyloggers run as invisible process and it can capture snap shots, mouse activities, keystrokes even when a user is logged off. Remote Keyloggers record every keystroke in a computer and send it via email. The Log-file includes the title of the application that typed in and the date and time while typing. You can remove Keyloggers by installing anti-virus packages and installation of firewalls.

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Virus Prevention Facts and Fads

Another important piece of software is the firewall. The majority of computers are now connected to the Internet, and most of the times they are connected 24x7. That means that they are at the hands of the thousands of cracker that lurk the web. If you don't want to be a victim of their activities, you need to assure yourself that the firewall of your computer is activated and protecting all of its entrances.

Among the many ways on how to prevent viruses, anti-spyware software has become the latest fad. Although viruses are quite old (they have more than 20 years of existence), spyware is relatively new. These programs became famous in the last few years, when the use of the internet became widespread through out the world.

Fortunately, several computer security companies found that it was an interesting niche market that could be exploited. That's why they developed programs for fighting this menace. You only need to make a basic query in your favorite search engine and you will find many options. If you don't know which is better, don't worry. Most of them come with free versions or trial periods. That way you will be able to test them before spending your hard-earned dollars.

All of these recommendations have the same consign: to prevent virus infestation. However, there is another important question: how to avoid computer viruses? The first rule of thumb is to be wary of the attachments that you download from electronic mails. Although an email can be sent by a friend, that doesn't mean that it isn't virus free. Assure yourself by configuring your email software. That way, every time you receive an email, your antivirus will check it.

The same thing goes for files that are downloaded from the internet. There are thousands of websites full of free games and software utilities. If you download files from those sites, check them; even if they come from sites like Download.com. Additionally, if you use programs like BitTorrent and Emule for downloading content, you must be very careful. Those files could be infested with virus or even spyware.

Finally, you must educate all the users if you want to prevent spyware, viruses or any other kind of malware. It doesn't matter if you spend one hundred dollars per year in security software if your little cousin accidentally downloads a virus through an Instant Messaging program like MSN Messenger.

In resume, if you want to avoid computer viruses, you need to do your homework and maintain yourself updated. That doesn't mean that you have to transform into a computer geek navigating through dozens of forums. You just need to check sites as CNN.com or Slashdot.org in order to know what is happening in the world of personal computers. Remember, in order prevent computer viruses, you must be prepared.

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Wireless Internet - How Safe Is It?

It is a service that grants the user access to Internet e-mail or to the World Wide Web, vides wireless networks. Nowadays computers that are on the internet are often bombarded with viruses and malware
– so that the question of wireless internet security and wireless computer security crops up. Users have to employ antivirus software to secure their wireless internet and wireless internet connections. Anti-spam programmes are used to counter email inboxes overflowing with useless spam; but still there are a myriad adware and spyware programmers monitoring the user’s wire less internet activity.
How safe is the Wireless Internet
There are quite a few risks associated with wireless internet connections. While the more benign among the spyware and adware programmers monitor the sites that the user visits on the web simply to be able to assess the success of their marketing efforts and identify the web-surfing habits of wire less internet users, there are types of spyware that go beyond these limits. They undermine the user’s wireless internet security, by carefully monitoring the keystrokes and actually capturing passwords and other functions. This surely crosses the line and poses a very definite wireless computer security risk. In order to achieve a secure wireless internet connection, here are A Few Easy Steps That The User Could Learn To Protect Himself From Such Programmes:
Be Cautious and Careful While Downloading:
Insidious and unscrupulous programmes usually have their origins in insidious and unscrupulous websites. Far better that the user browses reputable websites for instance like tucows.com or download.com, if he is seeking to download a freeware or a shareware program.
Read the EULA or the End User License Agreement:
It is quite an important part of a computer security wireless connection. It is to do with all of the legal and technical jargon that one reads in the box above the radio buttons, dealing with phrases like “No, I do not accept” or like “Yes, I do accept the terms mentioned ,” which many users do not really read, and click “yes” to avoid the nuisance of going through it all. The fact is that the user may have unwittingly entered into a legal agreement - or EULA - with the spy ware vendor, when he clicks on “yes” and he may have just agreed to the installation of a spy ware program that would not be entirely to his liking. Far better to make use of the “No, I do not accept“this option in such cases.
Read The Matter Before Clicking
Sometimes, while visiting a website, a pop-up test box may appear on the screen. Just like the EULA, many users may consider this a nuisance and may click just so that the box may vanish from the screen. And the user may have just clicked “yes” or “ok” to the installation of a spy ware program. Agreed, while there may not be a direct request to the user asking for permission to install a spy ware program, there is all the more reason to stop and read all the matter before the user clicks “yes.”
Make Sure That The System Is Protected:
The term antivirus software is much misnamed nowadays. Viruses make up only a fraction of the vast malicious code that these programs protect the user’s wireless internet connection from. The term antivirus has now grown and expanded to include vulnerability exploits, worms, spy ware, even ad ware, jokes, hoaxes, and Trojans. The user could contemplate trying a product like Ad Aware Pro, which could protect his system from spy ware/ad ware - in case the antivirus product that he is currently using does not detect and block spy ware programs.
Scan the System
Sometimes, even with all the firewalls, and antivirus software, some spy ware or ad ware may break through and reach the user’s system. While a good product like Ad Aware Pro would monitor and protect the system in real time, it also costs money. Lava soft, who are the makers of Ad Aware Pro, also have a product for free personal use. While it does not monitor the system in real time, it can be manually used periodically to scan the system so as to detect and remove any spy ware. Spybot Search & Destroy is another excellent product that is available for free.

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How to Manage Passwords?

Today, computer security has become part of our lives, online password hacking protections. Even the most basic user may have to manage passwords by the dozen. It can be his personal email password, the password of his computer at work, the password of his computer at home, the password for the TV parental control, the password for his debit card, etc, etc.

You even have the option to password protect folders. That way, if multiple users make use of your computer, you can protect your confidential information. However, all this password frenzy has had a negative consequence among people. They are too relaxed about their passwords. So, let's find more about passwords
A Brief History Of Passwords
Although we may consider passwords as a recent invention, in reality they were created thousands of years ago. Imagine a time were there was no TV, radio or even newspapers. The same thing goes for photography and video cameras. There was no way in which you could know how the Count of Sussex looked like if you have never met him before.

That's why there was the need for a word, or combination of words, that could be used for gaining access to determined places. The same thing goes for keys. These may be considered a physical manifestation of a password. After all, the key has the "password" for opening a lock.

It wasn't until the advent of the digital era that system administrators found that certain areas should only be accessed by them. Consider how much damage an inexpert user can cause to a computer if he has access to the main files. Fortunately, the internet is here to help us

You only need to insert some words in your favorite search engine, like password protect program, excel password protect, password protect computer, how to password protect website and you will find tons of information on how to protect your computer, archives or website with a password. Nevertheless, there are some rules that you need to follow.

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How To Avoid Computer Viruses?

Computer viruses are as old as the personal computer. So, in order to prevent computer viruses, every PC user needs to acquire determined computer skills. For example, how to install programs, make software upgrades, configure a firewall or how to setup an anti-spyware program.
All of these skills will help you avoid computer viruses. However, if we want to fight our enemy effectively, we need to know what it is.
What Is A Computer Virus?
A computer virus is a software program that has been created by a human. The intention of the virus is to cause chaos and destruction to the computer. Although most of the cases it is limited to the software, there have been some instances in which a virus had damaged a piece of hardware.

Fortunately, hardware damage is very scarce. The only way in which a virus could damage a piece of equipment is by exploiting a glitch in the programming. For example, it could slow down the speed of the processor's fan. That way the processor overheats and melts down.
How To Prevent Computer Viruses
How can we prevent computer viruses is the big question that millions of users make everyday. The first rule in this eternal battle for computer security is to have an up-to-date antivirus. Notice the word up-to-date. That means that your antivirus software needs to be updated every day. Viruses are always appearing, so do not sub estimate them. In less than 24 hours your antivirus could be obsolete.

The next important rule is still related to actualizations. Although you may have your antivirus updated, that doesn't mean that there are other weaknesses in your system. As a matter of fact, there isn't an unbreachable computer. Even the most expensive system can be cracked by an expert.

So, it doesn't matter if you have a guardian dog tied at the front entrance of your house if your windows are open. That's why the rest of your software needs to be updated. The first piece of software that needs to be actualized is the operating system.

Almost eighty percent of the world uses Microsoft software. Hence, it is the favorite victim of black hat hackers. Configure your Windows configuration so it can make automatic actualizations that can prevent computer viruses.

The same thing goes for productivity software like Microsoft Office or even entertainment software like computer games. All software is under constant changes once it is delivered into the market. Consider the millions of possible configurations that a computer program needs to affront once it is introduced.

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Security For Wireless Laptop

When you are connecting your laptop through Unsecured Channel and if you travel with a laptop and connect wirelessly, you need to take extra precautions. Most public wireless providers and hot spots use no security at all.
Everything you send and receive is sent in the clear with no encryption. If you're using a VPN connection to your office, you'll have the protection of an encrypted tunnel. When accessing outside, if you can't use a VPN tunnel to your office, consider using a remote desktop connection to a computer you've left running at office.

Other precautions you should take with regard to security for wireless laptop are: don't visit any Web site or use any program that lets you send passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive information in the clear. Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connections for e-mail. If in doubt and there is a choice for secure or encrypted versus normal or non-secure, always select the secure version. SSL sites normally have URLs that begin with https://.

Possible Solution
Some of the possible solution to prevent the data leakage from laptop computer is the employees working in the organization should be educated on how to use the laptop free from spyware. Awareness should be created among the employees regarding how the spyware enters the program and create data leakage. They should be aware of safe and secure browsing methods. Organizations need to put policies in place for e-mail to help employees maintain and use e-mail properly. Especially with regard to forwarding internal e-mail to external parties with sensitive information that’s leads to business loss.

Employees who are using laptops should be advised not to download p2p program because it is the main reason for spreading of spyware. While downloading p2p program the laptop security software should be installed that will give an alert message that it contains virus or spyware. The program should be downloaded only from reputed site and before downloading the term of service of that software should be read properly whether it contains any adware or spyware along with that software.

Only the work related persons should access the laptop computer. Others should not access it unless authorized to do so. The system should be provided with password and it should be changed periodically and employee should not disclose the password to anyone. Spyware virus removal for business is important in creating a secure internet environment for business transactions.

Back up is important for valuable data because the laptop hardware, software can fail at anytime. The computer hacker can alter or delete some data so it is safer to take a back up for important data. The Firewall should be installed, which will protect the data and files safely from hackers.

ith business being conducted on the move, and wireless connectivity becoming the norm security for wireless laptop and internet data security issues have become very important. Optimum deployment of laptop security software, educating and generating awareness among employees about spyware virus removal for business and other similar measures will go a long way in keeping your business transactions safe and free from hackers and viruses.

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How Laptops Can Cause Severe Security Threats For Your Business

As more and more businesses are conducted over the net, Internet data security has become critical. Sometimes sensitive data is likely to be divulged to third parties without proper security systems in place.
Especially with the usage of laptops and notebooks it is important to have security measures like laptop security cables and security for wireless laptops in place. The laptop gives freedom and access anywhere to the employees, unless this freedom is tempered with responsibility business organizations stand to lose secure data. Lap top security software must be installed in all the laptops and employees must be educated on the proper use of security measures.
Employees with Laptop can cause Critical Data to Leak
Many business executives now work with laptops that give them the convenience of portable connectivity. Filing of reports and keeping track of sales targets and personnel has become simple with laptops. However, on the flip side it also increases the risk of data leakage. Unless the employees take computer laptop security wireless issues seriously there are bound to be security issues sooner than later. Let us see how usage of laptop computers compromises Internet data security
Downloading Unrelated Work Programs
The employees, who are provided with laptop systems, will have privacy. That makes it convenient to download any information from the Internet. Along with downloading software, it is possible to inadvertently allow network spyware detection / adware and other malicious software to be downloaded. Moreover download of p2p programs and instant-messaging programs also increases the risk of spyware infection. Once Spyware infects laptops, it is very difficult to clear them. By the time you identify and clear it, the spyware would have already transmitted sensitive data elsewhere.
Providing The Laptop To Outside People
Another way in which laptops could pose a security threat is usage of laptops by people outside the work circle. First step in computer laptop security is it should never leave the hands of the executive with whom it is entrusted. It is also better to create a password to restrict access to laptops by unauthorized personnel within or outside the organization.

Providing open access to e-mail and files on your laptop computer to outside people are obvious security risks. Critical data like finance information, salaries, social security numbers, credit card data, tax returns etc are easy targets for identity theft.

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Different Types of Computer Internet Security

You can protect your computer from the hackers of internet through the following methods;
File Sharing
It’s quite common to find in home pc’s a file sharing software installed in them. Unfortunately, most of the times it is used for sharing piracy, like music, movies and books. Since file sharing became common practice, hackers have found a new way to introduce into other’s computers with the users approval, who downloads infected files that have been preprogrammed by the hackers. It is strongly recommended not to use file sharing programs.
Passwords
Sometimes, people are very innocent regarding the use of passwords. Since it’s practically a new phenomenon that has appeared in our modern society, the common person isn’t used to use complicated passwords for their accounts. Unfortunately, this weakness is adequately exploited by hackers. If you don’t want your security to be breached, use passwords with six or more characters, with a combination of letters and numbers. Additionally, don’t use common names like your pet’s name or your second surname. These are the first kind of things that hackers look for.
Instant Messaging
Since the cost access to the Internet is a flat monthly charge, it’s common to see people always connected to the internet, even when they are not in front of their PC. Since instant messaging programs are quite vulnerable to attacks, it is recommended not to leave them connected to the net. They could be providing an open door to any curious hacker.

Considering all of this information, you should be able to protect yourself better from the most common attacks of online hackers, implementing an adequate computer security system. Of course, there isn’t something as a perfect completely secure system, but at least you won’t be a victim of errors that could have been easily corrected. For example, as it was mentioned at the beginning, hacking wireless internet connections has become quite widespread today. Don’t let it happen to you, find about how to make your wireless connection more secure through the use of passwords and security protocols. Internet hacking isn’t the stuff of science fiction books anymore. Computer internet security is real, and it’s here to stay.

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Tips to Protect Yourself From Online Hackers

A hacker is a person who is able to access other people’s computers and modify programs or information. Since the internet popularized, internet hacking has provided hackers through out the world an unlimited
source of new victims, specially those who are just beginning to use the internet and are not aware of the dangers that lurk outside. Hacking wireless internet networks has provided an even wider spectrum of victims through out modern cities, Internet hacking security.
What Is Online Hacking?
It basically happens when a hacker exploits a security breach in a network or computer and is able to access the information through the internet. As long as he is not detected or the computer shut down, he will be able to hack the computer as long as it is online. It doesn’t matter if you have a broadband connection or a dial up, internet hackers

can access your home computer security if you haven’t taken adequate measures for protecting yourself. It is like leaving a car parked in the street. If you leave it with the windows open, the keys inside and the radio mask still placed in the console, it’s quite probable you will suffer a robbery. Unfortunately, with computers it is a little more difficult since you don’t see those opened windows. The only way to find them is looking for them with specialized software.
How Can You Protect Your Computer
Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your computer from the hackers on internet:
Software Updates
Software companies are always updating their products, trying to eliminate any security breach that could be exploited by hackers. For this reason, their software makes a periodic check on the latest version available in the internet. It doesn’t matter if they are operating systems, office suites, drivers, games or any other kind of specialized software, you always need to assure yourself that every software package is up to date.
Firewall
Firewalls became main stream with the Internet. Now-a-days it’s impossible to be connected to the net without being checked by hackers, looking for possible breaches in your connection. Although they can be hardware or software, the most common one among users are the software firewalls, which are installed in your operating system and continually check the transmission of information from your PC to the external world and vice versa.
Antivirus
From all the security packages that a user needs to have installed in his PC, antivirus software is the first. It has been with us for a long time, even before the internet and the now common news on internet hacking. In the old days, virus spread through corporate networks to employee home computers who innocently took work home via diskettes. Finally, it spread to their friends’ computers. Today, the Internet has provided viruses a better way to spread themselves through the world. A real time antivirus software package is a must for any user who wishes to navigate safely through the net and not find himself being a victim of a hacker attack.

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Finally, Free Personal Online Protection from Hackers

Every week we seem to be reading about another global business giant being the victim of online security breaches. Millions of Sony accounts were targeted, the IMF has fallen foul of hackers and even Google hasn’t escaped the attack. So where does this leave your average man on the street? If three of the biggest online businesses in the world can’t keep the hackers out, how can we?

Well today internet security expert CertiVox is set to revolutionise secure online information exchange with the launch of its free PrivateSky service – and change the way average Joe protects his online information forever.

Currently available for PC users, PrivateSky, the new personal information security solution from CertiVox, will give its users complete peace of mind by allowing them to quickly and easily secure their web-based messaging – including Google Mail, Hotmail and Facebook among others.
Despite a flurry of online announcements, urging users to ensure all URL addresses they are using start with ‘HTTPS’, this doesn’t help to secure personal data that is maliciously compromised because of lax security at an online services provider, or when your personal webmail or social network account is compromised.

With the PrivateSky Connector installed, anything typed into any web page text entry box – including all blog posts, social networking comments, forum entries, web-based email and more – can be uniquely encrypted with a single click.

The PrivateSky platform employs CertiVox’ innovative non-interactive key agreement technology which provides end to end encryption by issuing the user just one key – the Sky Key, which, unlike public / private key based encryption systems, recipients do not have to be pre-registered with PrivateSky to receive protected messages.

The Sky Key enables PrivateSky to address privacy, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation without any of the usual complexity, cost or management overhead often found in other public/private key protocol.

Offering simplicity and ease of use, there is no need for usernames, passwords, certificates or complex workflows. CertiVox’s PrivateSky Connectors for Microsoft Silverlight and Internet Explorer deliver all the privacy, authentication, message integrity and benefits of AES encryption – virtually eliminating the threat posed by phishing attacks.

Brian Spector, CEO and founder of CertiVox, said their aim was to improve security in an area that has not been served well until now. He added: “The individual’s right to protect their data on the web has been ignored by the security industry and, as a consequence, is now being abused. We are offering the PrivateSky service for free to users to improve their information security.
“Until now, only large enterprises and governments have been able to adopt the complex and expensive techniques required to secure information exchanges. CertiVox’s breakthrough key distribution technology means that individuals now have access to the same sophisticated information security techniques used by governments and the military – direct from their browsers. And the best part is it’s completely free.”

About PrivateSky

PrivateSky is a product of security expert CertiVox. The PrivateSky Connector for Internet Explorer is available now for free download and use at the PrivateSky website – http://privatesky.me. Internet Explorer is the first of several popular browsers to be supported by the service, and additional Connector plug-ins are planned. The PrivateSky service uses the AES 192-bit encryption standard, and complies with the European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. PrivateSky for Mac and Linux users will be available soon.

About CertiVox

CertiVox develops and markets technology services that enable everyone to secure their information exchanges simply and easily. Through its pioneering use of non-interactive key distribution, CertiVox’s on-demand key generation and management service can provide ISVs and SaaS providers with the security backbone they need to achieve end-to-end secure information exchange service for the Web 2.0 world – for individuals and companies needing to secure their information exchanges over the Internet. CertiVox has offices in San Francisco and London, and is funded by Pentech Ventures and Octopus Ventures. For more information visit http://www.certivox.com.

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