Internet Dangers 2004

Maze & Associates - www.MazeAssociates.com
Internet DangersInternet Dangers
The dangers of being on the InternetThe dangers of being on the Internet

The Internet
• If you have been on the
Internet for awhile you are
aware there are a lot of
dangers.
• The Internet really isn’t a
safe place.

Here are some of the threats out there:
• Fraud
• SPAM
• Spyware
• Viruses / Worms
• Hackers / Crackers
• Phishing Sites
• Scams
• Cyber-stalkers
• Child predators
• Incorrect information
• Performance robbers
• Unwanted pop-ups
• Virus Hoaxes
• Identity Theft
• Illegal software – music
• Adult Content Sites

Results
• Downtime
• Lost productivity
• Poor system performance
• Legal liability
• Identity Theft
• Monetary Losses
• Increased annoyances
• Physical harm

Part I: Malicious Code
• Viruses & Worms
• Spyware & Adware

Part I: Viruses & Worms
• Define Virus and Worm
• UC Berkeley Study on multi-platform code
• Low impact on performance Viruses
• New worms such as Cabir – Use bluetooth to
spread via cell phone.

Part I: Spyware & Adware
• There is a new threat out there, and we thought computer
viruses were all we had to worry about. Think again.
There is a new type of malicious software out there that at
best wants to track our browsing on the Internet so that
they can target SPAM and popup ads to the types of
pages we view. Spyware can also slow our computers
down to the point that they will not respond. Worst case
scenario Spyware can record every keystroke you make
and even steal your identity. All you have to do to get
this Spyware is browse a website, download free software
or install file sharing software.

Spyware Scanner Example

Results of Spyware
• Browser Hijacking
• Trojan Horses
• Tracking Cookies
• Pop-up installers
• Identity Theft
• Poor system performance
• More SPAM
• Keystroke loggers

Statistics
• 25 Computers Scanned
• 5 computer had no spyware
• 2157 Spyware signatures (20 Computers)
• Those with the most spyware were the slowest
• Higher the staff level the more spyware
• 106 unsupported & hazardous applications *
• 2 Really bad programs – A Trojan and File
Sharing

What can be done about Spyware?
• Don’t install it!
• Free programs often install Spyware
• Kazaa – Hotbar – Gator – WebShots – Screen Savers
• Call your IT department
• Scan computer regularly
• File a Complaint
• https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Anti-Spyware Software
• Pest Patrol
• http://www.pestpatrol.com/
• Ad-aware
• http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
• Spybot Search & Destroy
• http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html
• Panda Internet Security (Includes Anti-Virus, Firewall, Anti-SPAM, Web
content filtering)
• http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/default.asp
• WinPatrol
• http://www.winpatrol.com
• Aluria Software
• http://www.aluriasoftware.com/
• McAfee antispyware
• http://us.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=182&cid=9904

Spyware Articles
• Microsoft Article: Spyware and Deceptive
Software
• http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx
• infromIT Article: Spyware Explained
• http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=174140

Part II: SPAM
• Unsolicited Commercial Email
• Fills your inbox
• Losses Include
• Time / Productivity
• Systems Resources
• Bandwidth
• Legitimate e-mail suffers
• Downtime

How do “they” get my email address?
• Your email is posted on a public website
• Spyware collects your email address
• Free Internet services
• Email chain letters
• Opening SPAM
• Posting or visiting adult content websites
• Not opting out
• Guessing Email addresses

Email Forward

Picture in front of text
• After clicking on the preview all you see is a picture
• Usually selling something

SPAM Sources

What can be done about SPAM?
• SPAM Filters
• Avoid posting your email on public websites
• Use multiple email addresses
• Don’t open SPAM
• Don’t forward email jokes and chain letters
• Opt out
• Clean your system of spyware
• Don’t install suspect programs
• Forward to UCE@FTC.GOV

Part III: Phishing
• Fake sites that are setup to commit fraud or steal
your identity.
• Some are poorly done and others are hard to
notice.
• You have to look out for them
• If you are not sure – check with the company

Examples
Phishing Site Example
• SSL dialog box – Phishing Site
• SSL dialog box – Normal Site (Yahoo.com)
• Status Bar Right Click – Phishing Site
• Certificate – Phishing Site
• Certificate – Normal Site (Yahoo.com)

Anti-Phishing Work Group
• APWG
• http://www.antphishing.org

That is just the tip of the iceberg

Internet Dangers 2004

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