Internet security issues

[C2 RIBS]

The media are all telling us of a recent and upcoming security issue for internet safety.

Does anyone know what we should be changing/doing? I have the microsoft secuity packages that auto update.

[IanT]

pretty much that - make sure its up to date, run a malware scan etc It also seems increasingly important to have strong passwords that are all different. Personally Ive switched over to using a password manager and it makes browsing much easier having them filled in for you. Of course the initial password has to be super strong but after that you can have passwords all different and 20 characters at random. Lastpass seems good and is free or £6 per year to add smart phones etc

[boristhebold]

1. Update your operating system software, auto update or find relevant update and download and run.

2. Use anti-virus software and ensure it is updated, auto update or manual update.

3. Use a firewall, some antivirus software packages include a firewall.

4. Back up your important data to an encrypted offline storage device.

5. If you have a laptop use file encryption.

6. Dont store any docs on your pc containing detailed banking information, username, password etc.

7. Use a good password, mixture letters and numbers and even special charactors if your want strong passwords.

8. If using online banking then make sure you check your statements online weekly or monthly.

9. Dont use same password for internet banking as you do for other things.

That would be the most practicle things you can do, however remember juts becuase your details may now be safe doesnt mean they are safe if for example you have used your credit card details on a site, that site may have stored details and if they are compromised then you could be at risk.

The particular threat in the media at the moment relates to a bot net which is specificaly designed to look for finanical and other details which may assist further activity of a criminal nature.

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

1. Update your operating system software, auto update or find relevant update and download and run.

2. Use anti-virus software and ensure it is updated, auto update or manual update.

3. Use a firewall, some antivirus software packages include a firewall.

4. Back up your important data to an encrypted offline storage device.

5. If you have a laptop use file encryption.

6. Dont store any docs on your pc containing detailed banking information, username, password etc.

7. Use a good password, mixture letters and numbers and even special charactors if your want strong passwords.

8. If using online banking then make sure you check your statements online weekly or monthly.

9. Dont use same password for internet banking as you do for other things.

That would be the most practicle things you can do, however remember juts becuase your details may now be safe doesnt mean they are safe if for example you have used your credit card details on a site, that site may have stored details and if they are compromised then you could be at risk.

The particular threat in the media at the moment relates to a bot net which is specificaly designed to look for finanical and other details which may assist further activity of a criminal nature.

....or buy an iMac

[IanT]

I don't think Mac users are immune to this particular threat are they? Password compromise is cross platform these days...

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by IanT

I don't think Mac users are immune to this particular threat are they? Password compromise is cross platform these days...

The specific threat that's presently being broadcast in the media first popped up on my radar in the form of an innocent looking email about a month ago and has been followed by a handful since, so I think a fair bit of damage has probably already been done to be honest. Fortunately, no damage done to me (that I know about yet) on this occasion but I have to say, as a user of both Macs and PCs, I know which platform gives me the most cause for concern.

Of greater concern surely is the hacking of banks/ebay/paypal et al... it's only a matter of time before sh1te and fan collide methinks

[Andy20]

The company in the offices next door to us have just had this where all the files in their network were Encrypted by this new "ransomware".

Luckily they take daily backups and simply wiped everything and reloaded the last backup getting them back up and running.

I think its the same as usual really making sure that everything is up to date but also being very careful about opening attachments.

Ultimately if you take a daily back up which goes to a separate machine / USB driver you will get back to normal in the end.

[Dan Gurney]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

....or buy an iMac

or install Linux on your sh!tty old XP machines for nowt.

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by IanT

pretty much that - make sure its up to date, run a malware scan etc It also seems increasingly important to have strong passwords that are all different. Personally Ive switched over to using a password manager and it makes browsing much easier having them filled in for you. Of course the initial password has to be super strong but after that you can have passwords all different and 20 characters at random. Lastpass seems good and is free or £6 per year to add smart phones etc

What stops the bugs getting through lastpass where you use one password as I have just read and because you save the others the bug has auto access to everything?

[IanT]

the password encrypt decrypt is local and lastpass then supplies unique complex passwords to every site you then access.