The Space Coast Web Journal

Editor: David Harper

Quality, non-commercial content since 1997.

Trust no imitation.

© 1996-2006

Florida Investigating Claims Of Fraudulent Internet P*rn Charges (wftv 1/8/04)

Thousands of people are being billed for using an Internet p*rn site they never visited. Now the state of Florida is investigating the Internet billing company and searching for more victims.

Take charge! Don't become the next victim! You can prevent this, at no cost, if you take steps now!

If you are a Windows (95/8 - 2000 - NT - XP) user: Install all updates and security patches from Microsoft immediately!

• You must be logged on as a computer administrator.
• In the Windows Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.
• Choose your Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection.
• Then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
• Choose the Advanced tab
• Check the box: Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.

If you want top quality freeware and good german engineering, you could try what I use, AntiVir Guard. Free for private, non-commercial use, updated frequently , sometimes daily.

A quality firewall is needed, even if you use the built in XP firewall.

The firewall I use is free, yet robust and full-featured: Sygate Personal Firewall

Filter what gets into your browser with a good proxy.

A good proxy makes your computer more secure and has the added benefit of blocking a lot of annoying ads and banners. Pop-ups and pop-unders become a thing of the past.

I am a rabid fan of Proxomitron, the freeware product I use for this purpose.

Download and install the program, then choose the Tools menu option in IE.

(Also avaiable through the Windows control pane.)

Select Internet options.

Choose the Connections tab.

Select your connection to the internet.

Click the Settings button.

Check the box: Use a Proxy Server for this connection.

Click the Advanced... button.

Type into the boxes next to HTTP: and Secure:

localhost

as the proxy address to use

and

8080

as the Port.

Mozilla Firefox is a good alternative for IE. Security seems to be a priority.

Download and install the program, then choose the Tools menu option in Firefox

Select Options

Click the General tab, if it is not already selected..

Click the Connection Settings... button

Select Manual proxy configuration.

Type into the boxes next to HTTP, SSL and FTP Proxy:

localhost

as the proxy address to use

and

8080

as the Port.

In the box NO Proxy For:, type

localhost, 127.0.0.1

Spam is an ever increasing security risk. A good spam filter is required.

I have a favorite freeware program for spam filtering, but it isn't widely available. A commercial version of the product has been developed. I'm sure that the commercial version is far superior, but I'm a cheap guy. You should probably get the newest version. Pay for the latest and greatest. There's a 30 day free trial.

Mailwasher Anti Spam Software The Reliable Spam Blocker

MailWasher® Pro supports all POP3, Hotmail, MSN, AOL/Netscape, and IMAP accounts. MailWasher® Pro also supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) authentication.

If you want the freeware version I use, I've made it available on this site. Download the last freeware beta version or an earlier, more stable release.

Mailwasher v2.0.28b (mw_2b28.zip) Free multi-account version (1.36M) Handles POP3 and Hotmail. [My favorite version.]

Mailwasher v1.33b2 (mw_133b2.zip). Free multi-account version (1.52M) [An earlier version, more stable, but clunkier.]

Why would you want to catch a spyware bug? Get innoculated now for free!

SpywareBlaster - Prevent spyware from ever being installed!

Are you already infested with spyware and p*rn dialers? Your computer may be running slowly when online because you are already infected with spyware, malware, tracking cookies, p*rn dialers and more. Yes. p*rn dialers, the kind that ring up huge bills.

The web is full of every kind of spy, villain and hijacker. You cannot do without the following free tool to protect you:

Spybot-S&D! - Downloads

I trust its effectiveness.

It doesn't hurt to have a second free spyware recognition and removal tool.

Ad-aware by Lavasoft

Now you are a bit safer. [Though if you take my worthless free advice, I cannot guarantee that flying monkeys will not carry you away to Oz. After all, I'm not making a dime off you.]

It's time for some testing of the defenses...

Shields UP! - Internet Connection Security Analysis

Test your security from soup to nuts! Gibson Research Center. [Gibson is a Godsend. Too much good info to even gloss over here, trust me.]

There is a security test page at Sygate.

Good general info can be found here. Advosys Consulting - Protecting yourself on the Internet

Want to see what your browser is telling the world? BrowsInfo

Are you prepared to know that others may be looking at your hard-drive? Visit ASTALAVISTA.NET - Network tools If you see your hard drives there, installing Avant Browser seemed to stop up the leak on some systems we tested.

Don't be afraid, be very afraid. Paranoia is the only thing that will protect you online.

More info on PC Security can be found at the following sites.

Astalavista.NET

New Order - computer security and networking portal

hackergames.net

Zone-H.org - IT Security Information Network

Have a safe day on the internet.