A press release on the new Pew Internet and American Life Project Report released this afternoon: “Spyware and the threat of unwanted programs being secretly loaded onto computers are becoming serious threats online. Nine out of ten internet users say they have adjusted their online behavior out of fear of falling victim to software intrusions.… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: PC Security
US SAFE WEB Act
From the FTC: The US SAFE WEB Act – Protecting Consumers from Spam, Spyware, and Fraud, released July 1, 2005 A Legislative Recommendation to Congress, June 2005 (32 pages, PDF) Briefing Materials Tab 1: Draft US SAFE WEB Act: Short title: Undertaking Span, Spyware, and Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act (31 pages, PDF)… Continue Reading
NY AG Lawsuit Over Distribution of Spyware Settled
As a follow-up to my previous posting, NY AG Sues Net Marketer For Installing Spyware on Millions of PCs, see this press release dated June 14, 2005: “Intermix Media, Inc. reported today that it has reached an agreement in principle with the Internet Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General which… Continue Reading
Consumer Reports Advises On WiFi Security
Consumer Reports WebWatch Investigations – Wireless Networks Offer Flexibility, Potential Snooping, offers a quick overview of security issue and makes recommendations on enabling safety solutions for home and on the road. Continue Reading
Montana State Agencies Failed to Delete Sensitive Data From Discarded Hard Drives
AP reported that an audit revealed Montana state agencies failed to scrub the hard drives of state computers containing personal data (including social security numbers, income tax reports and medical records) prior to donating, selling and otherwise transferring their ownership. Related reference: Critical Importance of Cleaning Hard Drives When Replacing Your PC Continue Reading
US Gov’t Part of Global Effort to Combat Spam Zombies
FTC press release today: FTC, Partners Launch Campaign Against Spam “Zombies”: “The Federal Trade Commission and 35 government partners from more than 20 countries have targeted the technology trick used by illegal spammers to tap into consumers’ home computers and use them to send millions of pieces of illegal spam. Spammers use hidden software that… Continue Reading
House Passes Two Antispyware Bills – Again
Antispyware legislation redux: HR 29 and HR 744 were passed yesterday with only one and four dissenting votes respectively. House Approves Bono Bill to Lock Out Internet’s Spying Eyes Goodlatte Legislation to Combat Spyware Passes House Continue Reading
Glossary of Terms Related to Spyware
Words to know: Spyware – Further develop your understanding of spyware by reviewing these terms and how they relate to each other. Continue Reading
GAO Reports on Wireless Security Problems at Federal Agencies
Information Security: Federal Agencies Need to Improve Controls over Wireless Networks GAO-05-383, May 17, 2005. Highlights. “…federal agencies have not fully implemented key controls such as policies, practices, and tools that would enable them to operate wireless networks securely. Further, our tests of the security of wireless networks at six federal agencies revealed unauthorized wireless… Continue Reading
Microsoft Announces Comprehensive PC Security Subscription Service
Press release: Microsoft to Deliver Automated, All-in-One PC Health Service for Consumers Windows OneCare Live: Coming Soon to Beta: “Windows OneCare is built specifically for people who don’t have the time or technical expertise necessary to secure and manage a computer on a daily basis. It is a comprehensive PC health service that goes beyond… Continue Reading
All Together Now – A Recommendation to Beat Spam
This NewScientist.com article suggests that Teamwork will beat the spammers by using a social network to identify spam in a dynamic, collaborative effort. Related reference: Let Your CyberAlter Ego Share Information and Manage Spam Continue Reading
Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on Spyware
Senate Commerce Committee on Spyware, May 11 2005 Witness Statements: Sen. Ron Wyden; Trevor Hughes, Executive Director, Network Advertising Initiative; David Moll, Chief Executive Officer, Webroot Software, Inc.; Ari Schwartz, Associate Director, Center for Democracy and Technology. Related references: Webroot State of Spyware Report: A report about the effects of spyware on enterprises and consumers… Continue Reading
