Enhancing Your Computer and Online Privacy

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The many products mentioned in this section are good examples of those that are available in the various categories. You should research these and other products and decide which products fit your needs.

An important way to help enhance your computer privacy is to install and keep up to date these types of programs:

• AntiVirus program such as PC-cillin, Norton AntiVirus, McAfee VirusScan to name just a few.
• Software firewall such as ZoneAlarm (available in free and paid versions) and Norton Personal Firewall. If you run Windows XP or Windows Vista and don't choose to use a third-party software firewall, make sure that the Windows XP firewall or Windows Vista firewall is turned on..
• AntiSpyware program such as Spy Sweeper by Webroot.

There are many Internet Security suites available that bundle together antivirus, firewall, plus other features such as antispyware, privacy management, spam blocking, pop-up blocking, web content filtering, and parental controls. Popular suites include ZoneAlarm Security Suite, PC-cillin Internet Security, Norton Internet Security, and McAfee Internet Security Suite.

Many of us already have programs on our machines that can help with privacy intrusion such as spam and cookie management.

• Most email programs provide some message filtering capability—some harder to master than others.
• Many Internet security programs do many things including managing cookies and helping to control spam.
• Web browsers have privacy settings that you can control including to show cookies and allow you to choose which cookies to accept.
• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may provide junk mail filtering.

Looking for “privacy controls,” “spam,” “email filtering,” “email controls,” “cookies,” under “HELP” on any of these programs should lead you to instructions on how to use these tools. Beyond that here’s some more specific information on spam blocking and other online privacy protection tools.

Spam Blockers

While many Internet Security Suites have included spam controls in their products, there are still numerous standalone products and services available—free and pay—that may help control the spam reaching your inbox. Many products reside on your computer and work with your email program. Others are services that don’t require any software on your computer to work. Many work only with a specific email program or specific type of email. No product or service is perfect—incorrect tagging or trashing of email does occur. So look for a program that allows you control over the process or at least allows you to review the culled messages before they are deleted.

Before choosing a product or service determine what type of email you have. Various types include POP3, IMAP, web-based, AOL, MSN, Juno, Hotmail, Yahoo, and others. If you don’t know what type you have, check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) [check the customer service web page for starters].

Some programs filter, some just tag messages. Various methods used include black lists, white lists, bad word lists, and Bayesian filters. Make sure you choose a program that uses a combination of methods. If you receive email newsletters, you want to make sure to choose one that allows you to control the process. Many newsletters have had problems with spam blockers inappropriately blocking delivery.

The tips and help for regular users page at spam.abuse.net has a list of spam e-mail blocking and filtering products and services. Information provided for each item includes operating system, a short description, and whether it is a product or service. The list also includes tutorials for setting up filters in email programs such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, and procmail.

If you want to try an email program with good filtering capabilities, try PocoMail ($39.95), Mozilla Thunderbird (free), Pegasus Mail (free) or Eudora (free as of May 1, 2007).

Other Privacy Tools

The EPIC Online Guide to Practical Privacy Tools has short descriptions and links to all sorts of tools to help you preserve privacy. It’s from the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Spyware

Spyware usually refers to software that has been installed on your computer without your consent and controls or monitors your computer use. There are numerous spyware programs that do some or all of the following: pop-up ads, monitor your Internet surfing, redirect your computer to websites, and record your keystrokes. Read more about Spyware from the FTC.

There are many antispyware programs available—some do a better job than others. One of the most highly rated is SpySweeper by Webroot. Unlike antivirus programs, you can run more than one antispyware program. You may want to have one program that runs automatically and several others that you run yourself.

Check out the quiz: Beware of Spyware — Learn the Clues! from OnGuard Online.

Rootkits

A rootkit operates in a computer secretly and silently. Rootkits may be used to log keystrokes, collect information from the computer and send it to another computer or control the computer. This group of software programs—it's usually more than one—is usually installed so that the operating system doesn't know it is there. Another issue with rootkits is they aren't normally detected by a computer's usual security tools. The good news is that rootkit detectors are becoming available and are being included in the 2007 versions of some Internet security suites. The bad news is that if your computer gets infected by a rootkit, the computer hard drive will have to be wiped clean and the operating system (and all the software) will have to be reinstalled from scratch. Understanding Hidden Threats: Rootkits and Botnets from US-CERT provides more information about rootkits.

For more tips read the StraightTalk Report: Enhancing Your Online Privacy and Protecting Your Personal Information.

Improve Your Computer Security

Keeping your operating system and browser updated and patched is highly recommended. Automatic updates and/or automatic downloading of updates is available for most operating systems, browsers, and security programs.

Try using browsers other than Internet Explorer (IE). The Firefox (free) and Opera (free) have excellent security and privacy features that are in advance of those provided by Internet Explorer 6. If you are still using Internet Explorer 6, you should upgrade to Internet Explorer 7. Internet Explorer 7 has improved security and privacy features. Firefox and Opera are free and available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux machines.

Many homes now use wireless networks. Your financial, personal information and privacy can be at risk using your home wireless network unless you have secured it properly. Most networking components are not secure right out of the box but can be made secure (or more secure) by changing several of the settings. Experts recommend that you secure your home wireless networks by doing the following:

• Change the default password
• Restrict access to the network to specific computers
• Encrypt the data on the network
• Change the SSID
• Install a firewall
• Install and maintain anti-virus software

You can read more about these items in these articles:

• Securing Wireless Networks from the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)
• Securing Your Wireless Network from the FTC
• StraightTalk Report: Going Wireless? Protect Your Personal Information
• Test your Wireless Security knowledge with the quiz: Invasion of the Wireless Hackers from OnGuard Online

To learn more about these cyber security topics and why it is important, read the Cyber Security Tips from the US-CERT. Visit the site frequently as new tips are added often.

Another site to visit is OnGuard Online with tips on phishing, spyware, spam scams, ID Theft, wireless security, social networking sites, online shopping, Internet auctions, P2P file-sharing, VOIP, Cross-Border scams, and investing online.

These articles have more information about protecting your privacy both online and off.

• Your Privacy For Sale from Consumer Reports is about data brokers.
• Privacy: What You Do Know Can Protect You from the FTC
• Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information from the FTC
• Safeguarding Your Data from US-CERT
• Understanding Hidden Threats: Corrupted Software Files from US-CERT
• Defending Cell Phones and PDAs Against Attack from US-CERT

Protecting Your Family's Privacy Online

Social Networking sites have become a favorite of tweens and teens. These sites can pose a risk to your family's personal information but you can take steps to reduce that risk. These articles from the FTC can help: Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens and Social Networking Sites: A Parent's Guide.

This handout for Remar Sutton's Privacy seminars was prepared by Remar Sutton, CCU's StraightTalk spokesperson & Remar Sutton & Associates, for Corning StraightTalk, October 2006. All rights reserved.