HOW GATOR WORKS

May 22, 2003 | security

Gator is one of the most widespread and obnoxious of the adware programs out there – sneaky programs that might be installed on your system even though you don’t quite know how they got there. Gator’s job on your computer is to deliver popup ads, lots and lots of...

PHONE BOOK SEARCHES ON GOOGLE

Apr 29, 2003 | Google, search, security

Google has added a new service that will make you go, hmm. Do a Google search for your home phone number. Type in the number like this: 707-xxx-xxxx. If the number is listed in the phone book, you’ll instantly get back your name, your address, and links to maps that...

SECURITY UPDATE

Apr 2, 2003 | security

You might have seen the latest article about the lack of security in Microsoft products. It was picked up widely by the mainstream newspapers. According to a study by Forrester Research, three-fourths of computer software security experts at major companies do not...

PIRATED SYMANTEC SOFTWARE

Mar 11, 2003 | security

I get a spam message or two every day offering to sell Symantec software at ridiculously low prices. This article confirms that the software is pirated, which is what you’d expect. Two additional details are worth noting. First, many of the counterfeit software scams...

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

Mar 5, 2003 | security

Don’t respond to unsolicited e-mail. Don’t click on links that say “Click here to be removed from this mailing list.” And especially – never, ever put passwords or credit card information into e-mail messages. I’ve used PayPal once. I got a message this morning. The...

CYBERTERRORISM AND FUD

Mar 4, 2003 | news, security

More interesting reading: this Slate article casts a jaundiced eye at the “National Strategy To Secure Cyberspace” pushed out by the Bush administration last month. Part of a broader strategy to fill the airwaves and the public consciousness with FUD – “fear,...