Antivirus software and a firewall alone can't guarantee your safety. Here's how to foil the latest crop of sneaky attacks and nefarious attempts to steal your data.
The web is a playground for cyber attacks, from scareware and Trojan horse text messages to social network data harvesting.
Malicious hackers are a resourceful bunch, and their methods continually evolve to target the ways we use our computers now.
New attack techniques allow bad guys to stay one step ahead of security software and to get the better of even cautious and well-informed PC users.
Don't let that happen to you. Read on for descriptions of 11 of the most recent and most malignant security threats, as well as our complete advice on how to halt them in their tracks.
Shortened URLs
Most tweets, and lots of other electronic messages, include links that have been shortened by services such as Bit.ly, Tr.im, and Goo.gl.
The URL aliases are handy, but they pose a risk, too. Since short URLs give no hint of the destination, attackers can exploit them to send you to malicious sites.
Use a Twitter client
Programs such as TweetDeck include options in their settings to display previews of shortened URLs.
With such a setting enabled, clicking a shortened URL within a tweet brings up a screen that shows the destination page's title, as well as its full-length URL and a tally of how many other people have clicked that link.
With this information at your disposal, you can make an informed decision about whether to click through and visit the actual site.
Install a URL-preview plug-in
Several web browser plug-ins and services perform a similar preview function.
When you create a shortened address with the TinyURL service, for instance, you can choose an option to create a preview version so that recipients can see where it goes before clicking.
Conversely, if you're considering visiting a TinyURL link, you can enable its preview service to see the complete URL.
For the TinyURL previews to work, though, you must have cookies enabled in your browser.
ExpandMyURL and LongURLPlease both provide browser plug-ins or applets that will verify the safety of the full URLs behind abbreviated links from all the major URL-shortening services.
Rather than changing the shortened links to their full URLs, however, ExpandMyURL checks destination sites in the background and marks the short URLs green if they are safe.
Goo.gl, Google's URL-shortening service, provides security by automatically scanning the destination URL to detect and identify malicious websites, and by warning users when the shortened URL might be a security concern.
Unfortunately, Goo.gl has limited application because it works only through other Google products and services.
NEXT PAGE: Data harvesting from your profile
- We show how to foil the latest crop of sneaky security attacks
- Data harvesting from your profile
- Web snooping
- Trojan horse texts
- More tips for avoiding exposing your data if a laptop is lost
- Rogue Wi-Fi hotspots
- Endangered data backups
- Five security myths
- Additional security resources
Comments
Jurgen said: Ha Ha Ha What a load of tosh Im having my ID investigated by the POLICE FRAUD SQUAD Yes you can obtain these details from reliable sources including sites like 192com that dont care who gets your details as long as they get their 199 per search Only government registered or approved users should have access to such information There is too much access to unrestricted information on the WEB that sadly is used by the lazy get rich quick brigade cheap and nasty thieves in other words
seeyouentee said: I dont believe none of this crap anyway Promote your anti virus software to make money through fear of having your ID stolen Check out the local garage and the rest of it and see where you credit card details are going It makes me laugh its nearly as bad as the american fox news Paul Urban I totally agree with you
paul urban said: Second you may not think that your PC has any important or sensitive information but an attacker may be able to use seemingly trivial information such as your name address and birth date to steal your identityThis is one of the biggest identity fraud myths around You can get a lot of these details from the electoral register or even the phone book This was invented by the Labour government to soften people up for id cardsIf someone had my name address and date of birth what could they do with it I am interested to know what could they open a bank account If so wouldnt the stuff come to my address I suppose the postman could nick it but he would have to be lucky to get the right packet