The Dark Side of the Web -Internet Malware

Watch this video: Phishing and Malware

Like any technology that Man makes, the Internet can be used for good as well as evil. This week, we are going to take a look at the dark side of the Internet and specifically talk about how to be a street-wise net surfer.

Malware is defined as computer software that is malicious in nature. It is generally understood to be software created to disrupt, damage or collect information from you without your knowledge.

Taking these negative verbs in order, an example of malware that is disruptive is popup advertising. You have all seen the annoying ads for pharmaceuticals, mortgages or legal services that popup as you surf the web. The good news is that they are easily controlled by enabling the popup blocker in Internet Explorer version 7.0. You can find the Pop Up Blocker under the tools menu - use it to customize the Blocker to your preferences.

Trojans and worms are examples of malware that can damage your computer. These programs get into your computer by attaching themselves to programs or files that are frequently downloaded. They can also attach themselves to web pages and email messages. Once in your computer, they can release a virus or gather up information and send it back to the hacker that wrote it. Reputable anti-virus software packages like Symantec Norton Utlities will effectively block worms and Trojans. To protect yourself at home, make sure that your anti-spyware and anti-virus updates are received and installed on a very regular interval. Here at work, the IS department works dilligently to protect us from these doers of evil.

Keyloggers, spyware and phishing scams are examples of malware that is designed to collect information about your or from you, without your explicit knowledge. Once they have gathered your information, usually usernames and passwords to your financial accounts, they allow criminals to access your accounts and help themselves! Defending against keyloggers and spyware can be done primarily by not opening email attachments from unknown senders and using one of the commercially anti-spyware products. Websites that off "free" software or music/deia downloads are great places to get infected with spyware - try to avoid them! The $.99 you pay Apple or Amaon for a song is worth the price just to know that you aren't getting something you don't want!

Phishing scams are much more difficult to defend against because their target is you and not a computer component or system. The hackers that create phishing scams are using psychology and social engineering to gather the information that they need. As a result, you have to be very aware and almost suspicious of every email you receive and website that you visit. The Library uses very capable anti-virus and anti-spy ware software, but we still receive phishing scams. The presentation below will show you what a typical phishing scam looks like and some simple ways to tell if you are looking at a legitimate email or if someone is trying to take advantage of you. This presentation uses real examples, received right here at OCLS, by people that you know!



eXplorer: Check out this presentation about Phishing. The information that it contains can not only help protect you from fraud here at work, but can also protect you and your family at home.

Have you ever been the target of a phishing scam? Did you recognize it as a scam right away? What tipped you off? Blog about your experiences with malware or phishing attempts.


Adventure: Did you know that you can subscribe to RSS feeds using Internet Explorer?


Here are step by step directions: IE7 and RSS

Note: I found through experimentation that not all RSS feeds will activate the orange RSS icon in IE. The Orlando Sentinel is an example. Even though their feed isn’t IE friendly, you can still subscribe to the Sentinel’s feeds. If you look under the Resources list on the lower left hand side of their home page, you will see a link to “Get RSS Feeds”. Clicking that link will open an index of RSS feeds that the Sentinel offers. You can subscribe to a feed by clicking the RSS button which will open the feed in a new window and then clicking your Add to Favorites icon in IE