Question of the Week - Due 9/19/08

Background:
Beware of online threats! Online threats include phony web sites where hackers try to pry credit card numbers and other identity theft information from you. (Trying to get information from you is known as "phishing", pronounced like "fishing.) Poisoned web sites are the fasted growing Internet threat, and try to control your computer from afar by adding malicious code to a legitimate web site or by creating a totally "evil" web site. Bogus pop-up windows are another threat.Bogus pop-up windows appear on your screen and lead one to believe that they are delivering real messages from you computer's operating system or software application. Another source of irritation are misleading software applications which appear to be friendly and useful, but in fact leave ads and banners on your screen. Finally, don't catch a virus. A virus can be embedded in seemingly friendly screen savers, background pictures, or other software -- but may cause your computer to slow down and maybe crash.

Below are some links to further information. You may wish to research additional web sites yourself.

Fake and Poisoned Web Sites: http://cybercoyote.org/security/av-web.shtml

Poisoned web poses risk to security: http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/electronic-threats/dn7299

Phishing: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/p/phishing.html

Phishing: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/identify.mspx

Popups: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/nopopups.htm

Question of the Week
How might you protect your identity while reading email or surfing the Internet? What kinds of precautions can you take? What are some of the dangers of downloading screen savers, music, or software from web sites? Are free programs from reputable companies, like Microsoft and Apple, always sage?