March 24, 2005
Computer Security Threats
This week we’re trying somethig a little different…
I’ve come down with a nasty cold and you don’t want to hear my voice (I sound like “Froggy” from The Little Rascals), so we’re having a first in the history of “I Gotta Tell You”
We’re having a guest “tipster” this week on the topic of “computer security”.
Back when I got started with my first laptop in 1992, computer security meant not leaving your computer on the front seat of your car where somebody could steal it!
Fast forward to today and computer security is a HUGE issue… because thieves can not only steal your computer physically, they can steal your identity, finances, money, credit cards… basically your LIFE!
I’ve had some scares in the last couple years that have made me MUCH more aware of threats to my business and personal finances… and I’ve learned (the hard way) that consciously thinking about computer security needs to be second nature for all of us operating online.
Since I need to go take a nap and get over this cold, I’m going to turn things over to our guest for this week.
His name is Doug Partidge and he’s the co-author of “How to Secure Your Computer Using Free Tools and Smart Strategies”
You can get more information about Doug and his ebook here
=> http://www.SecureYourComputerTips.com
Take it away Doug…
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the opportunity to share some information with your valued subscribers.
The current state of security for Windows users is at an all time low… even the mainstream media have caught on.
Just about every single day there is another news story about Internet security woes.
The good news is that no one needs to be a victim.
My goal is to share three points from my ebook, “How to Secure Your Computer Using Free Tools and Smart Strategies” that your subscribers can use right now to increase their online security.
Tip #1 - Adware & Spyware Removal
One threat that’s quickly becoming the #1 menace on the Internet is “Spyware”.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Spyware - it’s monitoring software that’s secretly copied on to your PC.
Spyware has one purpose in mind: to sit quietly in the background and record as much information about you as possible.
This is extremely frightening for those of us who love to shop and bank online.
The good news is that there are free ways to deal with this menace.
I’m going to assume that everyone already has an anti-virus program (you do, right?).
In addition to this, you need a dedicated Adware/Spyware removal program - you can’t rely on your Anti-Virus program to find and remove all instances of Spyware.
Ad-Aware Personal from Lavasoft is an excellent free program.
Recommendation: run a full system scan at least once a week.
#2 - Email Security Tip: Send Encrypted Attachments
Email is fast, easy and convenient - what it is not is secure.
The reason email is not secure is because it is sent in what’s known as “clear text” - which makes it susceptible to electronic eavesdropping.
This is an unacceptable risk when you’re sending confidential or financial information.
Help is here:
=> http://www.iopus.com/freeware/secure-email/index.htm
Secure Email Attachment (”SEA”) from iOpus is free tool for creating password-protected and encrypted attachments.
The other benefit is that your recipient requires no special software on their end to decrypt your attachment - they only need the password used when creating the attachment.
Note: SEA only works on Windows computers.
#3 - Fight Spam With Temporary Disposable Email Accounts
=> http://www.mytrashmail.com/ — OK, this is one of my
favorite free resources around!
In brief, here’s how it works (and how it fights Spam).
Anytime you need to provide a valid email account to get a password or download link, instead of using your real email account (for fear of Spam) you can use an account @mytrashmail.com.
It could be anything - e.g. “doug1979@mytrashmail.com” - just like that - i.e. on-the-fly, the mailbox will be created for you. There is no need to pre-create your account.
Please visit their website to get a detailed explanation of the service.
One important caveat: since a password is not required to access these mailboxes - this is definitely not the place to send any confidential or financial information.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
…. thanks for the great tips Doug!
For more information on how you can use free tools and smart strategies to secure your computer, check out Doug’s ebook right now by clicking here => http://www.SecureYourComputerTips.com
Thanks
Jim
PS - What do you think of this “Tips” format?
Did you like it? Would you like to see more?
Let me know in the comments below and we’ll see if this is a trend that we should continue 
Have a great weekend!
Popularity: 49% [?]
23 Comments »
March 24, 2005
Deb :
Jim, I like the Tips format. Covers the points and then stops when it’s done. How much better can it get? Good use of my time! I like that you’re not afraid to make changes or experiment — I mean TEST — various ways of doing things until you hit on the best way for the here and now. Thanks for another great Edwards moment!
Omar :
I really enjoyed the info. I found it valuable.
Thanks Jim,
Omar S
George Culp :
Jim -
LOVE the tips format!
Very nice presentation.
Keep up the good work.
We do enjoy it every week.
Thanks again,
George & Diane Culp
www.gofermatch.com
carol :
Keep it up. The tips are great.
Cliff :
Jim, some of these tips are invaluable, there’s always something one can use.
Don’t stop.
Michael :
Jim,
Great article. The tips format is great as well.
Check your link to his ebook. It could be me, but I tried it a few times and I can’t seem to display the page.
Thanks,
Michael
Larry :
Hi Jim,
Yes, I like the quick and to the point “TIPS” format.
Very useful info.
Thank you for providing it.
Larry
Michael :
It’s his ebook site that’s down. I’m sure your link will work fine when he brings it back up
Christi :
While I like the “Tips” format for occasional things, I do enjoy your video presentations (and Smacker’s) better.
This was a great set of tips (sorry you’re not feeling well–get better soon), I’m also a very auditory person. Thanks for the tips. Christi
Dale Maxwell :
Hi Jim,
I like you, love the tips format. Following your example I have also made some screen movies
Thanks So much,
Dale Maxwell
Art Leslie :
I agree with one other comment before mine. While the ‘tips’ are good, I always look forward more to the audio/video presentations than the written word.
[Art]
Robert :
Hi Jim,
I think your blog is a really fantastic source of information. Stuff in the format like “Computer Security Threats” is absolutely what I’m looking for.
It is short and goes straight to the point without the unnecessary blah blah. Only researching & finding the links would cost me a lot of time.
As I’m not having a lot of time, I’m preferring short, sharp & clear text over all other mediums.
Just a final note. I got started online ~3 weeks ago, I subscribed to ~35 newsletters, I already unsibscribed 25 of them - yours and Joe Vitale’s are my absolute favorites.
Thanks. Robert
Chris Zavadowski :
Hey Jim,
Another nice job.
One other resource that might be even more useful than the “trash mail” site is this:
http://www.sneakemail.com
You can use it for free (or donate if you want) and it *is* password protected. It actually forwards email anywhere you want, but it creates a “dummy” email address for you to give the other sites. So you can deactivate that dummy address and ::poof:: the email stops!
Hope that helps some people…
Chris
Julian :
Hope you’re over your cold, Jim! Thanks for the excellent ‘tips’ article. It is short, sweet and to the point. Hopefully you will continue this kind of service to your readers. I already have and use AdAware by Lavalife and this just reconfirmed my feeling as to its worth. The other suggestions are very helpful and I’ll now follow through on them. Thanks, again. Happy Easter to you and yours.
A. Whipplethorpe :
I love the tips format and think that your info is always great. I do, however, wish you’d get rid of that window that slides down when we first get to your site. It’s annoying.
BigJim :
Thanks for the comments so far… they’ve been great.
I’m feeling a little better
Re: The “Annoying” Window
That window makes it possible for me to stay in business, pay the bills, and keep bringing you new stuff
Irene :
Great tips format. Knew about the spyware stuff, but the email accounts info was new and useful.
Thanks.
Hans van der Woerd :
Thanks Jim,
Short sweet and very useful information.
I like it a lot.
Hans
March 25, 2005
Wes :
Jim,
While the tips were great for most, I’m afraid that it was not what I was expecting. I have to admit that I’m adicted to your usual audio/video presentations and would have rather you were late than what I got.
Sorry you are under the weather… can’t wait for the next full issue! Get well soon.
Wes
Doug :
Hi, thanks for the generally positive feedback, hopefully everyone can use at least one of those tips.
If anyone had problems accessing the site — they should be able to now. Please check it out:
=> http://www.SecureYourComputerTips.com
- Doug
March 26, 2005
William :
Love the tips format. And argh! someone has already beat me to putting together an ebook on the free stuff for computer security!
I’ll survive! Keep it up!
Regards,
William
Llewellyn :
Like the new tips format. It is very informative.
But then again I also like your intelligent use of audiovisual presentations.
More importantly, I like the commitment to providing content you bring to your ezine, regardless of the format.
P.S. Hope you do not mind this tip of my own (I am not promoting or earning commission on this product). I found a relatively less popular blog service that gives trackback links, templates, comments etc without needing a third party like Haloscan, for free. It is located at http://www.iupload.com
December 7, 2005
The Computers Blog (Trackback)
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