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.
Computer Security Tip of the Week
Scott Aurnou – Access to your company or firm’s computer network should be as limited as possible. That way, if a user’s account is compromised, the damage can be more easily contained.
If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).
By Scott Aurnou
In the security world, ‘Trojan’ is short for ‘Trojan horse.’ It’s a piece of hidden malicious software (aka ‘malware’) that – like the Trojan horse of Greek legend – isn’t what it appears to be.
Trojans are the majority of current malware, so it’s definitely wise to know where they can be found, what they can do and what you can do to protect your work network (and yourself) from them.
Among other places, Trojans can be lurking on infected websites or hidden in software downloads, email attachments, and mobile apps. They can hide inside nearly any type of file (audio, video, office documents, pictures, etc.) and will often be disguised as something fun, interesting or important, to tempt you to click on them.
Read more ›
Computer Security Tip of the Week
Scott Aurnou – Use a non-administrative (aka ‘guest’) account to browse the Web. If the account is compromised by an attacker, it will limit their access to your computer & network.
If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).
By Scott Aurnou
Hopefully you know how important it is to keep the software on your computer up-to-date. If not, please take two-and-half-minutes to watch this video. Unfortunately, online scam artists know this, too, and will try to trick you into clicking on web links for fake software updates. Rather than the promised updates, these links will download malware onto your computer.
One such scam targets users of various web-browsing programs, including Firefox and Google Chrome.
The first step in the attack begins when you unknowingly click on an infected or malicious ad. You are then taken to an infected web page that looks like an official page from your web browser. The page will warn you that your browsing software is out-of-date and offers links to ‘update’ it if you click on the ‘Install’ button. There are different versions of the page tailored to match the browser you’re using, though each one is still fake. The Firefox-themed page actually offers options with ‘service packs’ and built-in anti-virus protection, neither of which is actually offered by Firefox. Examples of various fake web browser update pages can be found on the Stop Malvertising blog.
Read more ›
Computer Security Tip of the Week
Scott Aurnou – The vast majority of malware attacks by hackers target flaws in the software on your computer that have already been ‘patched’ (aka fixed) by the manufacturer. Update the software regularly to put those patches in place and safeguard your computer against those attacks.
Helpful websites referenced in this video include:
Secunia: http://secunia.com/
FileHippo: http://www.filehippo.com/
AppFresh for Mac: http://metaquark.de/appfresh/mac
If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel.
