Foxfire - Do You Know That This Browser Protects Your PC From Phising

Whenever you are surfing the internet and you come across a site that asks you for your credit card details, do you check to see if the site is genuine? Do you make sure that the site actually belongs to the company you are dealing with? Or is it just some college kid who has bought a similar domain name. Termed as Phishing, today there are numerous methods that cyber criminals employ to obtain credit card details and other sensitive information online. Cyber criminals usually use emails and instant messaging to 'Phish' for information.

Lets take an example, say a customer has a bank account with xyz bank, usually all the literature the bank sends out clearly mentions which site to log on to and which site to access for net banking and other online transactions, so lets say the bank's authorized site is xyz.com, now what cyber criminals do is buy a domain name similar to xyz.com, something like xyzbank.com, as far as a user is concerned need not worry when entering his details on the website of xyzbank.com, as it is his bank’s website right? Wrong! Before you carry out any banking transaction or net banking activity online, don't just guess or assume the website of your bank, make sure you visit the website that is mentioned in the literature the bank provided, in fact even if you have been dealing with a website so far, double check to see that the site is the authentic site of your bank.

Another popular way of obtaining credit card information and other sensitive information like net banking passwords is to send a customer an email that looks just like an email from the bank. By using software called anonymous mailers a cyber criminal can send an email from any computer and imitate the same email that your bank uses. This in essence is called Phishing, a term I had used earlier in the article. Things to remember when you receive any email that asks for your credit card information or net banking details are:

a) A majority of the banks do not ask for any sensitive information online, in fact they usually mention clearly in all their literature that they will never send out a mail asking you for your net banking, or credit card details.

b) If you feel that an email is genuine and has been sent by your bank, make sure you call the bank and verify that they have sent you the email, you will be surprised by how genuine some Phishing emails look.

The internet has made is simpler for people to make purchases online, and to carry out financial transactions like bill payments and other funds transfers. However by being aware of the various ways in which you can get scammed, you are protecting yourself from any future complications that might arise. Remember when in doubt make sure you check the authenticity of the site you are dealing with, or better still just call your bank if you are not sure that the email you are looking at was sent by them.

Two-Way Firewalls Complete Windows Vista's Security Features

Why is a firewall important?

Firewalls provide high-quality security towards the network traffic of internet, network, and user data that is unsafe for your PC. Firewalls introduced a sense of security for users compared to previous versions of Windows operating systems. The lack of protection caused many users to use third party firewalls for protection. Microsoft's response to this was released in Windows XP for a custom built-in firewall for their operating system (OS). Many people rejoiced because of this innovative protection towards spyware, adware, and other unwanted data that could harm your investment.

Microsoft's new release of Windows Vista introduces a new, full-fledge security pack that harnesses the power to protect PCs from unwanted data. The alliance with Longhorm servers helped produce a two wall firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2.

Control More Network Traffic
Administrators can control the flow of network traffic and applications while you use the internet. This protects users from potential network attacks of viruses or spyware through the system. The final version of Windows Vista is expected to have these additions, but it's currently in its testing phases for complete efficiency. This top-of-the-line security feature is expected to help manage the total traffic without stalling its performance.

The "Two-Way" firewall earned its reputation because it will block and filter in-coming and out-going network data. Administrators can control outgoing data as well to prevent the illegal access completed by most hackers online. Now, you can rest safely due to the firewall's ability to keep information in the network on a uniform style - if a certain VoIP system is installed, you can only use this VoIP service to keep unwanted sources out of the network.

Two-Way Firewall Features:

Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn have integrated the following features into their firewall for optimal protection. Some of the features include the following:
- Integrated internet protocol security settings and Firewall filtering.
- Microsoft Management Console Snap In for User Interface
- Filters both incoming and outcoming network traffic
- Custom configurations for IP Addresses, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), Active Directory, directory service account and groups, Internet Control Message Protocol, IPV6 services, and UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

Firewall Configurations:
Windows Vista's Firewall's configurations are dependent on the network administrators' needs. If the network administrator creates a configurationt o block all traffic through specific ports, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. The Firewall's default settings are to block all well-known ports used by viruses, spyware, and adware from specific IP addresses that contain vital data. Other default settings of the Firewall include:
-Block all incoming data, except specific exceptions that match an incoming criteria,
-Allow all outgoing data unless it matches an unauthorized criteria established by the network administrator.

If you're interested in configuring the Windows Vista firewall by using Firewall Item in the control panel. In order to reach advanced configurations, you have to use a Snap-in item called "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security". You have to add the Span-in in order to access through the MMC Console. Currently, there is no designated console available. These developments are said to be available before the release.

Another easy route to configure the firewall is with the command line. Enter the command nesh advfirewall context to access the configurations panel. The command line is not available in Windoes XP with SP1 and SP2 or Windows 2003 Server.

You cannot configure the new firewall for Group Policy because Windows XP with SP1 and SP2 and Windows 2003 Server will ignore the settings then use its old version of the firewall. Now, the Beta Version of Windows Vista does not have a defined rule for blocking or allowing network traffic in the Control Panel.

In configuring the Group Policy, go to Computer > Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in the Group Policy Editor Snap-in. The current Windows Firewall at ComputerConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesNetworkConnectionsWindowsFirewall.

New IPSec and Firewall based security features:
Security of one's IP address has reined in thousands of discussion boards online. Users have realized that IP addresses are used to identify personal computer systems with specific models, makes, and owners. Now, the need for IP Security and Firewalls has been tackled with Windows Vista Two-Way firewall. IPSec is a set of Internet standards that provides a higher level of protection from IP traffic; this is essential in file sharing software that require tapping into other IP's for important information

Configure Windows Vista Security

The Windows Security Center found in Control Panel is the main entry point for configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting security settings for consumer desktop users. Windows Security Center can help enhance your computer's security by checking the status of several security essentials on your computer, including firewall settings, Windows automatic updating, anti-malware software settings, Internet security settings and User Account Control settings.

If Windows detects a problem with any of these security essentials -- for example, if your antivirus software is out of date -- Security Center displays a notification and places a Security Center shield icon in the notification area. Click the notification or double-click the Security Center icon to open Security Center and get information about how to fix the problem.

Exam Tip: Windows Vista can’t detect all types and versions of antivirus software and it may be necessary to configure Vista not to monitor for installed antivirus software if you've already installed and configured correctly.

A firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software such as worms from gaining access to your computer through a network or the Internet. A firewall can also help stop your computer from sending malicious software to other computers. Windows checks if your computer is protected by a software firewall.
If the firewall is off, Security Center will display a notification and put a Security Center shield icon in the notification area.

Windows can routinely check for updates for your computer and install them automatically. You can use Security Center to make sure Automatic updating is turned on. If updating is turned off, Security Center will display a notification and put a Security Center shield icon in the notification area.

It's important to run anti-spyware software whenever you're using your computer. Spyware and other potentially unwanted software can try to install itself on your computer any time you connect to the Internet. Potentially unwanted or malicious software can also be programmed to run at unexpected times, not just
when it is downloaded or installed. Windows Defender protects against most spyware with its default configuration and automatic updates.

Windows Vista Parental Controls is a new feature that adds control over standard user accounts, such as children who might be using a consumer computer. It provides for control and monitoring of software programs, such as games with ratings, Internet Web sites, and can even control and monitor hours of computer usage. Age ratings for games group content into levels appropriate for different ages, from young children through mature teens and an adults-only category.

Internet Explorer 7 includes new security and privacy features that allow you to
safely browse the Web:
* Phishing Filter can help protect you from phishing attacks, online fraud and
spoofed Web sites.
* Protected mode can help protect your computer from Web sites that try to
install malicious software or to save files on your computer without your
consent.
* Higher security levels can help protect you from hackers and Web attacks.
* The Security Status bar displays the identity of secure Web sites to help you
make informed decisions when using online banking or merchants.
* Internet Explorer's add-on disabled mode lets you start Internet Explorer
without toolbars, ActiveX controls or other add-ons that might slow down your
computer or prevent you from getting online.

Windows Vista includes User Account Control for added security and control; it wasn't originally included with previous versions of Windows. UAC gives standard users the ability to run most programs but not change most system settings. When elevated permissions are required, users are automatically prompted to provide administrator credentials: username and password. UAC can also prevent malicious software or malware and spyware from installing or making changes to your computer without permission.

Exam Tip: Know which level of permission is required for standard users or
administrators to manage other user accounts and for a user to change their own
password.

Windows Vista includes many data security options available in previous versions of Windows and a few new ones. Encrypting File System is used to encrypt files on a computer’s hard disk. Vista also includes a new file encryption for data on the hard disk called BitLocker. It can be used to secure the entire hard disk contents, commonly used with portable computers., Many of the IT professionals Strongly recommend testkingdom.com for best Windows Vista.