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When
surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity
for granted, most of us do.
Tapping
phones, listening to confidential conversations, reading
others' e-mail messages seems like something that
only happens in spy movies to "other" people.
However,
you probably don't realize just how much information
about yourself has the potential to get transmitted
across the Internet every time you go online.
Every
computer connected to the Internet has "ports"
that allow it to connect. A "port" doesn't
mean you have a physical hole or opening in your computer's
case or hardware, but it does mean you have openings
through which information passes back and forth between
your computer and the Internet.
Depending
on the type of connection (dial up, LAN, cable, DSL),
you may have several openings for potential mischief
by hackers, malicious code or viruses.
Computers
with dedicated connections rate the most at risk.
If someone or something gets into one of these ports
and into your computer, they can potentially watch
everything you do and see all the data you enter,
including social security numbers and credit card
information.
The
easiest way to defeat this problem involves using
a firewall. Firewalls, simple and inexpensive software
available at virtually any office supply or computer
store, block the most common ports hackers use to
enter your computer.
Firewalls
also help you detect and block unauthorized transmission
of information from your computer to the Internet.
This adds a significant measure of protection if you
get infected with a Trojan Horse virus that tries
to"phone home" to the hacker with your sensitive
information.
If
you'd like to test your connection for vulnerability
to attack, log on to http://security1.norton.com and
run the various diagnostics. I would strongly advise
anyone connected to the Internet through DSL or cable
to get and use a firewall to protect against unauthorized
access.
Infected
with "Spyware?"
Previously
we talked about unauthorized access to your computer.
But a growing problem online with people watching
you and your activities involves using programs you
willingly place on your computer.
Commonly
called "Spyware," this refers to any program
that transmits information about you to someone else
without you knowing exactly what gets sent. The main
purpose of Spyware involves tracking your surfing
habits so advertisers know which targeted ads to send
you.
Most
Spyware basically comes onto your computer bundled
with other software applications, as a standalone
program, or as modification to the HTML on a web page.
Regardless
of how you get it, you need to understand exactly
what information gets transmitted about you so you
can decide whether to keep or uninstall the software.
Plain and simple, these Spyware programs can potentially
reveal extremely sensitive information about you and
your online habits.
If
you have concerns about Spyware and whether or not
your computer currently carries any, log on to www.lavasoft.de
and check out the free PC software that will scan
your system for known Spyware.
----
Jim
Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
co-
author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you
how to
work less, get paid more... and have tons more fun!
"The
Lazy Man's Guide to Online Business"
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