Home > Store

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 2006
  • Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/8"
  • Pages: 384
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-3459-1
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3459-4

Batten down the hatches! Hackers, spammers and thieves (oh my!) are after you! The mere act of turning on an Internet-connected computer can put you, your family, and your personal finances at risk by exposing you to viruses, scam artists, hackers, identity thieves, and spammers. How do you fight back? Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses is your first line of defense.

Clear, easy-to-understand definitions of viruses, spyware, and hackers will help you understand what you're up against everytime you go online. Then, you'll learn about other threats, such as identity theft, phishing, and other potential dangers you'll face in your everyday computing. Find out how to search out and destroy spyware, malware and other viscious programs that could potentially harm your computer. Then find out how to lock out hackers, spammers, and theives for good.

We'll tell you how to immediately cut the risk of being attacked in half — in less than 10 minutes! Protect your bank accounts, digital photos, digital music collection, masters thesis, and everything you hold near and dear on your computer with the help of the Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapters

Hackers: There's a Man in My Machine

How and Why Hackers Want to Get Inside Your Machine

Table of Contents

Introduction.

How This Book Is Organized.

Special Elements Used in this Book.

Reader Competition...of Sorts.

I. SECURITY BASICS: SOME VERY REAL THREATS.

1. Viruses: Attack of the Malicious Programs.

    What Is a Computer Virus?

      What Is It?

      Who Triggers a Computer Virus?

      How Does It Spread?

      What Damage Can It Do?

    Viruses: As Many Kinds As Sniffles in Kindergarten

      Macro Viruses

      Memory-Resident Viruses

      File Infector Viruses

      Boot Viruses

      Multi-Partite Viruses

      Worms: Network-Savvy Viruses

      Trojan Horses: Hey Helen, the Achaeans Left Us a Present!

      Virus Hoaxes: Fake Viruses that Scare the Heck Out of You

    Who Creates Computer Viruses?

    What Not to Do!

    When Viruses Attack!

      Disconnect As Soon As Possible

      Virus Infection Found! How to Cleanse Your System

      My Antivirus Program Won't Update!

    Now I Have Your Attention...

    Antivirus Checkup: 10-Minute Tactics

      Install Windows Security Updates

      Update Your Virus Signatures

    Fortify Your Computer: Strong Virus Defense in a Few Hours

      Install or Upgrade an Antivirus Program

      Scan Your Computer for Viruses

      Install Service Pack 2 and Enable Virus Protection

    No Worm in My Apple?

    Is That a Virus in Your Pocket?

2. Spyware: Overrun by Advertisers, Hijackers, and Opportunists.

    What Is Spyware?

    What Does Spyware Do and Why Is It Bad?

    How Does Spyware Sneak onto My Computer?

    Types of Spyware: Snoops, Adware, Cookies, and More

      Spyware: I Spy with My Little App

      Adware: Attack of the Pop-ups

      Snoopware: I Wanna Know What You're Up To!

      Browser Hijackers: Turn This Browser Around, We're Going to Cuba.com

      Key Loggers: Snooping on Your Typing Skills

      Dialers: Dial In, Dial Out, Dial Often

      Trojan Horses: Pretty Ponies with Deadly Insides

      Cookies: Does My Oreo Have a Tape Recorder in It?

    Who Is at Risk?

    How Do I Know If I Have Spyware?

    Defend Yourself Against Spyware

      Spyware Countermeasures: 10-Minute Tactics

    Ban All Spies: Strong Spyware Defense in an Afternoon

      Run a Full System Scan

      Install a Second Anti-spyware Program

      Inoculate Your System

      Use Firefox

      Clean Cookies

      Spyware Infection Found! How to Scrub Your System

      How to Fix a Browser Hijack

      Decimate the Little Suckers with CWShredder

      Microsoft Mimics HijackThis: System Explorers

3. Hackers: There's a Man in My Machine.

    What Is a Hacker?

    Who Are the Hackers?

    What Damage Can Hackers Do?

    Targets of a Hack Attack

      Corporate Networks

      Web Servers

      Personal Computers

    Hacker Motivation: I Think Therefore I Hack

    Tools of the Trade: Pass Me a Trojan Horse, Would You?

    Firewall: Shut Out the Hackers

    Software Firewalls: Programs That Stop Hackers

      Windows Firewall: Built-in Defense

      Third-Party Software Firewalls

      Recommended Firewall Freebies

      Hardware Firewalls

      Easy Defense with a NAT Firewall

      Stateful Inspection: The Meticulous Traffic Cop

    How to Detect a Hacker Attack

    How to Fix a Hacker Attack

      Steps You Can Take Immediately After Being Hacked

    Batten down the Hatches-10-Minute Tactics

      Turn on Windows Firewall

      Activate the Firewall on a Mac OS X System

    Wall off the World-Install a Better Firewall in an Afternoon

      Install a Two-way Software Firewall

      Install a Hardware Firewall

4. Identity Thieves and Phishers: Protect Your Good Name and Bank Account.

    What Is Identity Theft?

      Techniques Thieves Use to Steal Your Identity

      How They Become You: Identity Theft Techniques

      Preventative Measures: How to Not Become a Victim

      Signs You're a Victim

      What to Do If You're an Identity Theft Victim

    What Is Phishing?

    How Does Phishing Work?

      Email Address Spoofing

      Link Spoofing

      Web Address Spoofing

    What Is Pharming?

    What Damage Can Be Done By Phishing?

    Who Is at Risk? Everyone!

    Don't Get Phished: 10-Minute Tactics to Stay Off the Hook

      They Won't Ask, You Don't Tell

      Use Caution and Cut and Paste

      Communicate Securely

      Install an Anti-spam Filter

      Block Phishing Sites with NetCraft

      Carry a Big Spoofstick

      Keep Your Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Programs Up-to-Date

      Keep Your Computer Software Up-to-Date

    Ensure You Are You: Take an Afternoon to Protect Your Identity

      Check Your Credit Reports

      Shred It Before You Chuck It

      Read Your Statements

5. Spam: Unwanted Email from Hell.

    What Is Spam?

    Why Does Spam Keep Coming?

    Why Doesn't Someone Stop the Spammers?

    How Do Spammers Get My Email Address?

      Website Harvesting

      Dictionary Spamming

      Commercial Email Lists

      Newsgroups, Discussion Forums, and Interactive Websites

      Contests and Other Free Offerings

      Email Forwarding

    The Damage Spam Can Do

    Reduce the Flow-10-Minute Tactics to Reduce Spam

      Don't Respond

      Don't Post Your Email Address on the Web

      Webmasters Shouldn't Use mailto

      Turn Off Image Display in Email Programs

      Turn On Junk Mail Filtering

    Kill More Spam-In an Afternoon

      Install an Anti-spam Program

      Fight Back!

6. Wireless Network Snoops: Lock Down Your Wi-Fi Network.

    What Is a Wireless Home Network?

    What Damage Can a Wireless Network Snoop Dish Out?

    Who Are the Snoopers?

      Wardrivers

      Bandwidth Bandits

      Wireless Hackers

    Your Wi-Fi Network Is Full of Holes!

      How to Access Your Router Set-up

    First Line of Defense: Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

      Turn On WEP

      Turn On WPA

      MAC Address Filtering: Keep Out the Scottish

    Detecting a Visit from a Wireless Snoop

    I'm Under Attack! What to Do If You Discover a Wireless Network Snoop

      Turn Off Wireless Access

      Activate Security Measures

      Assess the Damage

    Wireless Security Workup: Quick Tactics and Some That Take a Little More Time

      10-Minute Tactic: Change the Router's User ID and Password

      10-Minute Tactic: Change Your Default SSID

      10-Minute Tactic: Turn On the Windows Firewall

      10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off UpnP

      10-Minute Tactic: Turn Off Your Router When Not in Use

      Time Intensive Tactic: Be Careful with File Sharing

7. Privacy Snoops: Cover Your Tracks and Your Reputation.

    Why Your Privacy Is Important

    What You Leave Behind on Your Computer

      Web Browser

      Documents

      Movies and Audio Players

      Email

      Chat Programs

    Who Are the Privacy Snoops?

    The Consequences of Being Caught

    Emergency Tactics-I Am Being Snooped On!

      Administrator

      Limited Users

      Guest Accounts

      How to Create PC Privacy

    Obscure Your Trail-In About 10 Minutes

      Microsoft Internet Explorer

      Mozilla Firefox

    Cover Your Tracks-In an Afternoon

    Clean Multimedia Players

      Windows Media Player 10

      Real Player 10

      Protect Your Email

      Turn Off Saved Sent Items

      Empty Deleted Items Folder

      Don't Leave Email on the Server

      Wash Windows

      Scrub Microsoft Office

      Deleted Files Are Not Gone

      Turn Off Chat Logs

      Clean Restore Points

II. STRATEGIES FOR SAFE AND SECURE COMPUTING.

8. Let's Smash-Proof Windows: Tweak Windows XP Nice and Tight.

    If Windows XP Is a Dike, You're a Little Dutch Boy

      Step 1: Trash Unnecessary Programs

      Step 2: Install Firefox

      Step 3: Install Antivirus Software and Scan for Viruses

      Step 4: Install Anti-Spyware Software and Scan for Spyware

      Step 5: Block Out the Bad Guys and Install a Firewall

      Step 6: Install and Configure Microsoft Updates and Service Pack 2

      Step 7: Install Netcraft's Anti-Phishing Toolbar

      Step 8: Protect Yourself from Spam

      Step 9: Managing Your File Sharing Security

9. Starting from the Beginning: Wiping a Hard Drive and Rebuilding from the Ground Up.

    Light the Fuse and Stand Back

    Let's Get Started

      XP Installation CD or System Recovery Disk

      Windows SP2: The Mother of All Service Packs

      Collect Your Drivers

      Installation CDs for Your Programs

      Internet Service Software and Settings

      Security Programs

    Step 1: Download Drivers and Software You Need for the Re-install

      Got a Recovery CD? That's Good News!

      Retail Copy of Windows XP? There's Some Work to Do

    Step 2: Back Up!

      Outlook

      Outlook Express

      My Documents

      IE Favorites and Cookies

      Firefox Favorites

      Saved Games

      Pictures, Music, and Videos

      Microsoft Office 2003 Settings

      Windows Media Player

      Other Odds and Ends

    Step 3: Pull the Plug on the Network

    Step 4: Wipe Away Windows

      Using a System Recovery CD

      Using a Windows XP Install CD

    Step 5: Re-install Windows

    Step 6: Re-install Your Drivers

    Step 7: Install Protection Against Malware

      Install an Antivirus Program

      Install an Anti-spyware Program

      Install a Firewall

    Step 8a: Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (from CD)

    Step 8b: Install SP2 from the Internet

    Step 9: Configure Your Security Settings

    Step 10: Install Firefox

    Step 11: Configure Your Networking

      Home Network

      Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

      Cable Internet

      Dial-up

    Step 12: Update Windows with All Recent Security Patches

    Step 13: Update All of Your Security Programs and Security Signatures

    Step 14: Activate Windows

    Step 15: Re-install Your Programs

    Step 16: Other Things You Can Do

10. Ongoing Maintenance: Fend Off Future Threats!

    Note to Self: Keep Computer Secure

    Daily Routines: Walk the Dog, Feed the Kids, and Secure the Computer

      Update Your Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Signatures

      Update AVG Signatures

      Update Microsoft AntiSpyware

      Update Spybot Search & Destroy

    Weekly Routines: How to Never Be Bored on Saturday Morning

      Scan for Viruses and Spyware

      Check for Firefox Updates

    Monthly Routines: Clean the Garage, Trim the Hedge, and Update Windows

      Windows Updates

      Inspect Other Computers

      Router Firmware Updates

      Patch Microsoft Office

      Software Updates

    Bathe Once a Year Whether You Need It and Reformat and Re-install, Too

      Wipe Your Hard Drive and Re-install Windows

III. TOOLS FOR MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION.

11. Selecting Software: Steals, Deals, and Software Duds.

    Security Software: Nothing in Life Is Free, Except Software

      Payware: Software You Pay Hard-Earned Cash For

      Freeware: Don't Pay a Cent Software

    Weirdware: When It's Not Payware or Freeware

      Gimpware: Free Software, but Not All the Bits Work

      Trialware: It's Free, Until It's Not

      Shareware: I Trust You to Pay Me

    What Should I Pay for My Security Toolbox?

    Choosing the Right Security Software

      Antivirus

      Anti-Spyware

      Firewall

      Anti-Spam

12. Tools of the Trade: Security Products You Should Own.

    Which Security Software Is Right for You?

    Antivirus Programs

      Freeware

      Payware

    Anti-Spyware

      Freeware

      Payware

    Firewalls

    Anti-Spam

IV. APPENDIXES.

A. Glossary.

Index.

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020