Category Archives: Security

Questions and answers about computer security and privacy

Q. Can I get Nike, NFL or Air Jordan stuff cheaply from this site?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by quill

There are a huge number of websites which offer name brand and team branded sports items, apparel and shoes at a discount. They may advertise “factory direct” or “wholesale” prices. The bottom line is, if you are being offered name … Continue reading →

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New Java based Trojan attacks Mac, Windows and Linux

Posted on July 11, 2012 by quill

Updated August 27 2012 Computerworld has published an article about new Java based malware which can infect Mac, Windows and Linux machines through a vulnerability in Oracle’s Java 7. OSX 10.7 and OSX 10.8 come with Java disabled by default, … Continue reading →

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Q. I have received an email – how can I tell if it is spam?

Posted on June 5, 2012 by quill

Mass-Email marketers work on the theory that it costs next to nothing to send a million emails, so if only one in 100,000 people is unwary enough to reply or act on their spam, then they are making money.  Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

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Q. Someone knows my IP address and email. Can they hack my computer?

Posted on June 5, 2012 by quill

You don’t get hacked just because someone knows your IP address – you get hacked if your machine has malware on it or if you have left services open to the public or if someone has obtained the username and … Continue reading →

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Q. What does it mean to clean a cache?

Posted on April 4, 2012 by quill

Your web browser caches (keeps local copies on your hard drive of) many of the pages and graphics it downloads as you are browsing the Web. This makes it faster to reload the same page when you return to it … Continue reading →

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Q. When you register on a website, do they know your IP address?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by quill

Yes, they know your IP address and a lot more without you having to register or enter any information. Your IP address is sent to the webserver with every page and file request that you make on the Web. That’s … Continue reading →

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Q. What is Smart HDD and why does it say I have errors?

Posted on March 31, 2012 by quill

Do not proceed with anything!  Quit or Force Quit your browser, or it it isn’t possible to quit, shut your machine off.  Smart HDD is a scam – it is malware that mimics a legitimate repair or testing program – … Continue reading →

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“Flashback”, Java trojans, “SabPub”, “LuckyCat” and “Tibet” Microsoft Office trojans target Mac OSX

Posted on March 29, 2012 by quill

Updated Apr 17 2012 April 17: Another Word Trojan Backdoor.OSX.SabPub.a aka “LuckyCat” has been described by Kapersky Labs, which is different malware code, assumed to be delivered in a similar way as “Tibet” through Word 2004/2008 documents or by targeted … Continue reading →

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Q. My computer says it has cookies, is that bad?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by quill

Cookies are not malware. They are small text files that are written to your hard drive by your Web browser.  There will be a separate batch of cookies for each different web browser program you run (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, … Continue reading →

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Q. Someone called me from my internet provider and told me my machine needed to be fixed?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by quill

Hang up the phone immediately.  This is a scam. (Never believe a phone caller. If your service provider really needed to contact you, you could hang up and call them back on their support phone number, which you can easily … Continue reading →

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Q. How do I block a particular domain or keep my children away from undesirable websites?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by quill

The first step is always to create and Administrative login account on the computer, which the children do not have the password for.  Change the login account(s) the children use to Standard or limited privileges to prevent them from installing … Continue reading →

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Q. I have lost the password to my router – how do I reset it?

Posted on January 16, 2012 by quill

Where can I find my WPA or WEP key? ———————————– You created it when you set up your Wi Fi router.  Hopefully you wrote it down- the best place to record it is the inside cover of your router’s manual. … Continue reading →

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Q. How do I know if a website has a virus?

Posted on July 5, 2011 by quill

Downloading files from websites (especially pirated files) is risky no matter what. The files may not be what you think they are, and may contain malware installers.  Or the site may be ‘poisoned’ and try to automatically download malware to … Continue reading →

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Q. I’m selling a Windows 7 machine – how do I get my data off?

Posted on July 5, 2011 by quill

First back up ALL of your personal data. Don’t forget your email data files and your browser bookmarks If the machine has the option to make System restore CDs do it now. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Create-a-system-repair-disc Also go to the manufacturer’s website, download … Continue reading →

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Q. How do I know this online company is legitimate?

Posted on May 28, 2011 by quill

Do not give your personal information or credit card information to any website that you are not sure about. Google the company name, URL and address to see if there have been complaints on online forums about the company or … Continue reading →

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