Binary Code

Computers and other electronic devices store information as Binary Code (which is a series of 1s and 0s that might look like this: 10101001 01101100 11001010).
Network Topology Map

A Network Topology Map is a diagram of a computer network's components, including network access points and connections between its various parts.
Fake Anti-Virus Software

Fake Anti-Virus Software - also known as 'scareware' - is designed to trick you into buying worthless anti-virus protection that you do not need.
Domain Name System

The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the ‘telephone book’ of the Web – it translates a website's name into its corresponding numerical IP address on the Internet.
Social Engineering

A Phishing e-mail is an attempt to trick the recipient into giving up information, such as account, credit card or password information.
Data Encryption

Data Encryption is the intentional scrambling of information into unreadable form - until it is later converted back into its original form by the intended recipient.
Botnet, or Compromised Computers

A Botnet is a collection of computers compromised by a malware attack that can be controlled remotely (via the Internet) to attack websites, send out spam emails, etc.
Distributed Denial of Service Attack

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack can use a botnet to force a website, network or other resource to shut down by overloading it with requests for data.
USB Flash Drive

A USB Flash Drive, aka a 'stick drive' or 'thumb drive' is a portable data storage device which connects to a computer's USB port to send and receive data.
Electronic vs. Static Media

Static Media is something like a book, magazine or printed photo, while Electronic or Digital Media (websites, digital photos, etc.) requires power to be viewed.
Administrative Access

A user with Administrative Rights has unrestricted power to create, modify or delete files, folders, settings and programs on a particular computer.

New Year’s Resolution: Protect Your Computer

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Scott Aurnou

By Scott Aurnou

With the New Year come resolutions. If one of yours is to stay safer online, here are some tips:

Browse the Web with a non-administrative account. Computers come with primary user accounts featuring ‘administrative privileges.’ Those privileges allow full access to the computer, including the ability to download, modify and delete programs. While you need that to add, change or remove any software on your computer, you don’t need it to browse the Web. If an attacker is able to gain access to an administrative account, he or she will be able to control your system. To keep this from happening, set up a user account with non-administrative access to browse the Web (and limit the potential damage an attacker can do). Setting up these accounts isn’t difficult, though it varies from operating system to operating system. Here are links to set them up on a Mac, a Windows XP computer, a Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC, and a Windows 8 computer.

Keep your software up-to-date. Nearly all malware attacks target flaws in software that have already been fixed by the manufacturer via software updates. If you have downloaded and installed those updates, the vast majority of attacks against your computer will fail. Some programs can be set to update automatically and it’s always a good idea to take advantage of that. Another great way to ensure that your computer stays up-to-date is to use software that automatically updates other programs. Secunia’s Personal Software Inspector is an excellent choice for Windows-based computers. FileHippo is also very good and AppFresh can be used to keep software up-to-date on a Mac.
Read more ›

Tagged with: 2013, Back Up, Backup, Computer, Encrypt, Encryption, hackers, Hacking, Happy New Year, Laptops & Desktops, Mac, Malware, Network Access, Network Security, New Year's Resolution, passphrase, password, Phishing, two-factor authentication, Updating, Web Browsing, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Posted in Laptops & Desktops, Network Security

Can a Fired Employee Access Your Network?

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Scott Aurnou

Computer Security Tip of the Week

Scott Aurnou – Whenever an employee leaves your company – however it happens – be sure to immediately rescind any form of access to your computer network. An ex-employee should never be able to affect your company’s data.

If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).

Tagged with: Data Theft, Employment, Ex-Employee, Network Access, Network Security, Office Security, The Security Advocate
Posted in Network Security, Security Tip of the Week

Secure Your New Computer: 8 Tips to Get Started

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Scott Aurnou

By Scott Aurnou

Whether it’s a gift, an upgrade or a new business purchase, the first steps taken with a new computer should be to secure it. Here are eight tips

1) Use strong passwords for all of your accounts. While it may seem tedious, creating a good password is critical. It can literally be the only thing keeping a cyber criminal from hacking your system and stealing your personal, business and/or financial data. For tips on creating strong passwords, click here.

2) Remove unnecessary software. New Windows PCs almost always come with manufacturer-installed programs that are euphemistically referred to as ‘bundled software.’ Much of it will be short-term trial offers (that you will eventually have to purchase) and software that you neither need nor want. They take up space and slow down your computer, so don’t hesitate to remove them. The process to do so on a Windows 8 machine isn’t difficult. Press the ‘Windows’ key to go to the Start Menu. Then right-click on any program you wish to uninstall and left-click on ‘Uninstall’ at the bottom of the screen. If you’re curious to read more about the sort of unnecessary programs you may encounter, Information Week’s Byte blog goes into some detail
Read more ›

Tagged with: Administrative Account, Administrative Rights, Back Ups, BitLocker, Bloatware, Bundled Software, Crapware, Encrypt, Encryption, FileVault, Guest Account, Laptops & Desktops, Mac, Microsoft Security Essentials, password, Patch, The Security Advocate, TrueCrypt, Update, Web Browsing, Windows, Windows 8, Windows Defender
Posted in Laptops & Desktops

Are You Inviting Hackers to Attack Your Phone? Beware ‘Jailbreaking’ & ‘Rooting’

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Scott Aurnou

Computer Security Tip of the Week

Scott Aurnou – ‘Jailbreaking’ or ‘rooting’ a smartphone overrides the manufacturer’s settings… and makes the device a lot less secure. Should you allow them to connect to your work network?

If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).

Tagged with: Android, iPhone, Jailbreaking, Jailbroken, Mobile Device, Rooted, Rooting, Smartphones & Tablets, Tablet, The Security Advocate
Posted in Network Security, Security Tip of the Week, Smartphones & Tablets

How to Recognize (and Avoid Falling for) a Phishing Attack

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Scott Aurnou

By Scott Aurnou

‘Phishing’ is a method by which an attacker tries to trick you into revealing your personal, financial and/or log in information. Typical phishing attacks are often made via emails, websites, text messages and even automated phone calls (aka ‘robocalls’). These attacks will often look very convincing and contain web links leading to phony websites and/or bogus phone numbers to call. Some of them will also include attachments intended to infect your computer or device with malicious software (aka malware). Once your information has been stolen, it will either by used to impersonate or otherwise take advantage of you or simply sold online. Here are a few tips on how to identify a phishing attack and avoid having your information stolen.

Most phishing attacks aren’t obvious. Early phishing attempts were often clumsy and rife with typos, but more and more of the newer ones arrive as convincingly accurate-looking fake emails purporting to come from a trusted business like a bank, major airline, delivery service, PayPal, a governmental agency or even a work colleague. This is possible because a sender’s actual email address can be altered to appear as though the message is coming from someone else. Likewise, a different phone number can be made to show up on a call recipient’s caller ID. This process is called ‘spoofing.’
Read more ›

Tagged with: Email, Laptops & Desktops, Malware, Phishing, Robocall, Smartphones & Tablets, Smishing, SMS, Social Engineering, Spear Phishing, Spoofing, Texting, The Security Advocate, Vishing
Posted in Fraud & Scams, Laptops & Desktops, Smartphones & Tablets

RT @JimBlasingame: How the government cyber-security forces guard the U.S. election. @saurnou joins Jim to report on how the #government #c… 01:44:47 AM December 06, 2020 from Twitter Web App Reply Retweet Favorite
RT @AndreiCherny: A family of Muslim immigrants from Turkey newly arrived in Germany. The boy in the yellow t-shirt went on to lead the te… 01:43:10 AM December 06, 2020 from Twitter Web App Reply Retweet Favorite
RT @_marcba: Developers can be cruel sometimes https://t.co/kpYvO9aZsu 03:46:39 PM June 29, 2020 from Twitter Web App Reply Retweet Favorite

@saurnou