Protect Your Personal Information

Copyright 2016 Anzar Hasan & Abbas Mirza.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-7525-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-7527-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-7526-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911463

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Contents

Chapter 1 An Introduction To Computer Security

Protect Your Computer From Being Vulnerable To Attacks

Computer Security

Securing Your Wireless Network

Chapter 2 How To Ensure Security Of Computer

Home Network Security

Good Security Habits

Understanding Antivirus Software

Using Caution With E-Mail Attachments

Password Security, Protection, And Management

The Dos And Don’ts

Where To Report A Stolen Laptop

Holiday Traveling With Personal Internet-Enabled Devices

Debunking Some Common Myths

Chapter 3 Introduction To Malware

Avoid Malware

Detect Malware

Get Rid Of Malware

P2p File-Sharing Risks

Understanding Hidden Threats: Rootkits And Botnets

Why Are They Considered Threats?

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

Understanding Denial-Of-Service Attacks

Socializing Securely: Using Social Networking Services

PERSONAL SAFETY

Chapter 4 Disposing Of Old Devices

Get To Know Your Hard Drive

How To Clean A Hard Drive

Certain Ways To Dispose Of Your Computers

Disposing Of Your Mobile Device

Chapter 5 Understanding Mobile Apps

Mobile App Basics

Why Are Some Apps Free?

Questions About Your Privacy

Malware And Security Concerns

Mobile App User Reviews

Kids And Mobile Apps

Apps To Help You Shop In Stores

Chapter 6 Guide For Online Auctions

Get To Know How The Site Works

Check Out The Item

Check Out The Seller

When You Bid And Pay

How To Work Out Problems

Avoiding Scams

Avoid Clicking Reply Or Clicking On Links In An E-Mail Message

Report Fraud

Ways To Be Smart Online

Online Auctions For Sellers

Chapter 7 Tips For Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

How Encryption Works

How To Tell If A Website Is Encrypted

What About Mobile Apps?

Don’t Assume A Wi-Fi Hot Spot Is Secure

Protect Your Information When Using Public Wi-Fi

Chapter 8 Using Ip Cameras Safely

Before Buying An Ip Camera

Secure Wireless Transmission

Secure Internet Transmission

Multiple Users

Using Security Features

Chapter 9 Cookies: Leaving Your Mark On The Web

Understanding Cookies

Controlling Cookies

Flash Cookies

Private Browsing

Chapter 10 E-Commerce: A Facility Or Risk

Compare Products Online

Shopping Online

Investing Online

Chapter 11 Kids And The Technology

Defend Kids Online

Child Identity Theft

Kids And Mobile Phones

Kids And Socializing Online

Kids And Computer Security

Kids And Virtual Worlds

Chapter 12 The Basics Of Cloud Computing

What Is The Cloud?

How Can You Use The Cloud?

Types Of Cloud Computing

Choosing A Cloud Provider

Security

Chapter 13 Technology And The Associated Risks

Computer Security Risks To Home Users

Safeguarding Your Data

Real-World Warnings Keep You Safe Online

Tools And Resources

About The Authors

This book is dedicated to our wonderful parents who taught us, try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

Preface

This is a book that is going to provide you with detailed information about the threats that you and your computer face when you enter the world of the Internet. It will discuss different ways through which you can protect yourself from intruders. This book covers all the major kinds of threats that you face when you go online. The book will even discuss the threats that your kids face when they go online. Since kids are not experienced and they are unaware of the consequences of the step they are going to take, thus it is important for the parents to know the dangers their kids face in the world of the Internet. It is the kind of book that you should read once you get to an age where you start using a computer and the Internet.

The book doesn’t only highlight the issues that people face when they go online, but it also provides the solution to the problems. Not only this, but after reading the book, you will be able to get to know about different technical terms, the reason they present a threat to your computer, and the signals that you need to look for if you doubt you have become a victim. The book begins with the introduction to computer security and provides the reader with an overview of the issues and the threats that your computer could face if you do not care about it. The readers will be amazed to find the section on social media threats. Most people are not actually aware of the threats they face when they sign up on a social media website. Thus, this book is going to talk about ways to protect your identity even if you have signed up for a social media website.

Anzar Hassan and Abbas Mirza are the writers of this book. They intend to take ahead the initiative of cybersecurity. They both developed G7 Security in the year 2010 while working under Arshnet Technologies. This app can currently be found on the App Store. It was one of the most operative steps that were taken in order to educate people about cybersecurity. It was extremely important to launch it because people were not able to find a viable solution to the problem of cyber attacks. G7 Security is a cybersecurity research and global information security services entity. This entity offers research and development, information sharing, and collaboration. In addition to this, it offers various services for the information and cybersecurity community. The efforts made to develop the G7 Security app were recognized in Computerworld’s Mobile Access awards category for the innovative application of IT. The major aim of this app was to extend the distribution of digital information, programs, and services through mobile devices. This was the reason due to which it was able to reach to the areas where use of mobile devices is quite common. The Computerworld Honors Program honors those who try to develop visionary applications of information technology through which they try to promote positive social, economic, and educational change.

The authors’ basic aim behind this book is to ensure that a nontechnical person gets to know about the threats and dangers that he and his devices face once he connects himself to the Internet. This book plays an important role in fulfilling the basic aim of the authors. After reading this book, you will be able to realize the fact that you were living life in danger by connecting your computer to the Internet. But by following the right steps, you will be able to secure your device and your identity from being misused.

Chapter 1

AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SECURITY

Protect Your Computer from Being Vulnerable to Attacks

Accessing the Internet on your computer is pretty common these days. The Internet will provide you the ease of accessing numerous products and services while sitting back home. With such ease comes the danger of attacks of viruses and other damaging elements. Use of the Internet exposes your computer to scammers, hackers, and identity thieves.

Computer Security

When you access the Internet, there are several scammers, hackers, and identity thieves that are in search of a person whose personal information could be stolen and used for illegal purposes. Your money is also prone to these attacks. These dangers nullify the benefit of the Internet; thus there are steps introduced to protect your computer from these dangerous elements. Some of the common preventions that you have heard from elders are not to provide your personal information without a valid reason and to keep your software up-to-date.

Use Security Software That Updates Automatically

There are too many bad guys who are always trying to find a way to attack your computer. They are always making an effort to find a new way to attack your computer and to access your personal information. Thus, it is highly important that you keep your software updates so that it helps protect you against the threats. There are numerous security software that can update all by themselves. You should try to use this kind of software on your computer so that, even if you forget to update, your computer is secure from attacks. There are several such companies who offer free security software from well-known companies. You should alter your operating system and web browser settings so that they update regularly. If you are not going to make sure that your software is up-to-date, then you are providing them a way to attack your computer. You should avoid buying security software from the companies that claim that they have found malware on your computers because they are actually the scammers who send in messages to get access to your computer.

Your Personal Information Is Just like Cash

Your personal information is extremely important and you need to value it as you value your cash. Scammers will try their best to present themselves as trustworthy, but you need to be careful about the fact that this information is highly confidential.

Research About the Companies You Are Really Dealing With

Research can save you from scams and other dangerous acts that you might get involved in just because your personal information was leaked on the Internet. Usually people go after the ad or the offer that looks quite attractive and then get scammed. So if you find any kind of ad or offer on the Internet just spare time to research about the company. Just type the company name with the words reviews, complaint, or scam on Google or any other search engine you prefer to use. If you find negative reviews then understand one thing—that you are on the wrong side. If you are not able to find anything then again understand that there are some issues with that.

Ensure That You Give out Your Personal Information over Encrypted Websites Only

When you are shopping online or making a banking transaction, then you need to ensure that the website uses encryption to protect your information. When the information travels from the computer to the server, then it is vulnerable to the attacks. To make sure that the website is encrypted, ensure that the website address is written as https. The s at the end states that the website is secure.

There are a few websites that use encryption only on the sign-in page. Thus, you need to make sure that each page contains security. If each page doesn’t have the required security, then the website is surely vulnerable to attack, and you are risking your information.

Safeguard Your Passwords

It is recommended that you should use strong passwords so that it is difficult for others to crack and use your information for illegal means. The following are some of the guidelines that will help you keep strong passwords:

• It is advised that you should use long passwords because it is difficult to crack long passwords. The ideal length of a strong password is ten to twelve characters.

•