Seven deadly Internet security sins to avoid

To avoid a scary experience on the Internet, computer security company Symantec is advising people to avoid the Seven Deadly Sins of Internet Security to keep their PCs, cash and their personal identities safe, writes CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR


"IT will never happen to me" -- most of us are guilty of believing in this one time or another.

When it comes to computer security, we hold on to a similar belief. But the reality is one in five people will fall victim to cybercrime -- that can be anything from your email account being hacked into and your identity being stolen to your bank account being cleaned out.

The frightening part of cybercrime is that we can´t put a face to the criminals. We don´t know just who or when we can be deceived or tricked.

To avoid a scary experience on the Internet, computer security company Symantec is advising people to avoid the Seven Deadly Sins of Internet Security to keep their PCs, cash and their personal identities safe.

David Freer, vice-president of Symantec Consumer Business, Asia Pacific and Japan, says there are simple steps people can take to protect themselves, but often people don´t follow this advice.

"I know it´s tempting when you´re offered half-price designer goods or a link to a juicy news story -- but to avoid damaging your PC and bank account, you have to remember the Seven Deadly Sins of Internet Security. These are sloth, gluttony, pride, lust, envy, greed and wrath." It is best, says Freer, to take a common sense approach to combating cybercrime.

"Be vigilant with online security. This involves keeping an up-to-date browser and operating system, and ensuring anti-virus and firewall software is up to date with the latest definition set."

1. Sloth: Feeling too lazy to install security updates or patch your machine because you can´t be bothered? This leaves you wide open to infection and potential upset when your identity is stolen!

2. Gluttony: Gorging yourself on Internet gossip -- among celebrity pictures, there may be a dirty malware worm hiding, which could leave a nasty taste in your mouth.

3. Pride: "I know better than my security software" -- people who turn their software off, or ignore the warnings, and proceed to sites or to download stuff anyway may be in for a nasty shock when malware creeps in!

4. Lust: Just be careful what you click on. If pictures, videos or links to exciting content take your fancy, check that the site is safe or trusted before you go! Website rating services will give you guidance.

5. Envy: So you want a designer handbag or Jimmy Choo shoes but don´t want to pay full price? Beware of the tricksters who will try and con you into buying fake goods and potentially hand over your credit card details to criminals.

6. Greed: Bargain sales? Two for the price of one? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

7. Wrath: What might happen if you succumb to all of the above? You´ll be full of wrath, as your PC could get infected and your cash stolen.

Source: You, New Straits Times. 14 Nov 2009

Symantec: Don´t be too quick to reset your Facebook password

Spammers are once again turning their efforts to trusted social networking sites to lure in unsuspecting victims, and this time it´s Facebook.


Symantec Security Response has observed that spammers are attempting to use Facebook´s popularity to spread Trojan.Bredolab, a threat that has been consistently and widely distributed this year. This trojan is capable of downloading password stealers, bots, rootkits, backdoors and misleading applications.

Spammers are misleading users by sending a false Facebook notification email about their password. Along with the message is a .zip file that contains Trojan.Bredolab.

Kannan Velayutham, consultant for enterprise security, Malaysia, Symantec Corporation advises consumers to take into account the following considerations:

Be careful what you click on. Exercise caution when clicking on links from unknown senders
Remember never to respond to spam. A response will let the spammer know he has reached an active email address, and this just leads to even more spam. Likewise, clicking on links within a spam email that promises to remove you from the sender´s mailing list will again reaffirm the email address is active for the spammer. Delete suspicious email without reading it.
Get multiple email addresses for multiple purposes. Have one email address specifically for personal use, known only to family, friends and colleagues. Another email address could be used for mailing lists and newsletters, and still another for online inquires and orders.
Watch where you post your email address. To avoid being caught by bots collecting email addresses, don´t post your full email address on any publicly accessible Web page.
Deploy protection. Ensure you are using an up-to-date security solution that protects against spam and viruses whilst still allowing legitimate email through. Use security software and check out web safety services where a community of web users collaborate to report dangerous phishing and malware sites.
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Source: Symantec media alert

Imagine having an alarm clock bed where you can just turn around and see the time or reach your hands out to hit the snooze button. It sounds like a fantastic idea that will cost a lot just so you can save RM10 from buying an extra alarm clock. Good news for those who always throw their alarm clock away whenever it rings, just don’t try to hit your head too hard on the alarm clock bed, it’ll take more than the built-in speakers to wake you up after that.

(Source: Gizmodo)

Change your password!

It really makes one wonder why others don’t change their password, particularly if they cracked into a device. For those who are using jailbroken iPhones with SSH installed and are still using the default password, you’re in trouble - iPhone has just gotten its first worm targeting at these users. When infected, the background of the phone will be changed to a photo of Rick Astley, then it'll look for other phones in the network to infect. Word of advice? Change your password!

(Source: Mashable)

Meet The World’s First THX-Certified Microphone

The THX sound standard is arguably the most well known acoustic standard in the world. The THX certification is usually reserved for cinema theaters, premium computer speakers and home theater systems. However, this is the first time ever that a THX certification is given to an audio input device which went to Blue Microphone's Yeti.

So, what made the world’s first THX microphone ticks? The Yeti’s secret lies on its triple capsule array of premium condensers that enable the mic to record in four different polar pattern modes: stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional. The mic also features a headphone jack which would enable users to directly monitor their recording without any latency. Not only that, the mic is also pretty easy to install on a PC or a Mac, since it didn’t require any driver installation.

As expected, any product that carries a THX logo usually also has a premium price tag. The Yeti microphone cost RM 507 (USD 149.99) which understandably, a little bit expensive for a USB microphone. But keep in mind that the Yeti is designed as prosumer audio recording device, so it might be more attractive to serious podcasters, musicians and audio engineers, rather than occasional Skpe users.

The seriousness aside, we can’t help but wonder if the mic would play the signature THX “Deep Note” tune whenever it’s turned on. *snicker*

[source: Blue Microphones via OhGizmo!]