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-clickNetwork Connections
. - Choose your Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection.
- Then, under
Network Tasks
, clickChange 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
.
The firewall I use is free, yet robust and full-featured: Sygate Personal Firewall
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:
andSecure:
- (Also avaiable through the Windows control pane.)
localhost
- as the
proxy address
to use- and
8080
- as the
Port
.- as the
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
andFTP Proxy
: - Select
localhost
- as the proxy address to use
- and
8080
- as the Port.
- as the proxy address to use
- In the box
NO Proxy For:
, type - localhost, 127.0.0.1
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.]
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:
I trust its effectiveness.
It doesn't hurt to have a second free spyware recognition and removal tool.
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
- New Order - computer security and networking portal
Have a safe day on the internet.