Tag Archives: Security

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions, Security, Viruses and malware, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, Internet and Networking, Mac questions, Security, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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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“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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions, News, Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, How-To, Internet and Networking, Mac questions, Security, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Internet and Networking, Security, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Internet and Networking, Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Internet and Networking, Security, Viruses and malware, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Internet and Networking, Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Q. How can I secure my Mac?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by quill

What? Secure my Mac?  Why? Mac owners sometimes exist in a bubble of avoidance – believing that since Mac OS X is more resistant to viruses, they don’t have to worry about a thing to do with security. Bubbles inevitably … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions, Security | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Q. Is PayPal safe?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

PayPal the company is trustworthy However you are dealing with third parties who are sellers or buyers — and those third parties can be good or they can be a problem. There are many terms and conditions that can affect … Continue reading →

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Q. What is a Rootkit?

Posted on May 14, 2011 by quill

A rootkit is a persistent virus that is much harder to remove than a normal virus because it gains privileged access to the machine, modifies the system at a low level and cloaks its visibility. Once established, rootkit infections often … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Security, Viruses and malware, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Favorite: TrueCrypt open source encryption

Posted on May 13, 2011 by quill

Here’s something that makes me shudder – when I hear someone complain that they lost their USB memory ‘keychain’ drive, and then to hear them say “yeah, now I’m out $30 to buy a new one”.  It’s not the money, … Continue reading →

Posted in Favorites, Free stuff, Hard Drive News, News, Security | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment