Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Most of the computer viruses I see around Akwesasne in the past 5 years appear to come from social networking websites, file sharing software, instant messages, and emails. Viruses and similar nasties are prevalent among Internet users that participate in the following risky behaviors:

- Download and share ‘free’ (AKA stolen) music, videos, photos, and other files.

- Click buttons without reading or without fully understanding what that button is going to do to the computer.

- Participate in online flame wars, bullying, forums and sites that promote questionable or illegal activities.

- Participate in groups that promote black-hat hacking.

- Respond to emails or instant messages that are spam, spoofs, or from black-hat hackers.

- Use public computers.

Viruses and nasties in this story can also be referred to as Rogue Security Software, Spamware, CareWare, Shareware, Parasiteware, Spams, Spoofs, and Bugs for any computer operating system including Windows, Linux, Mac, Chromium and others.

No one is anonymous online.

Your computer, software, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) all provide information that identifies your computer habits, locations, and schedules. White hat and black hat hackers can find ways to access the information if they are willing to dedicate the time, resources, and money into doing so. White hat hackers do not use information to cause harm.

Never respond to spams, spoofs, and questionable messages.

When you respond to emails, instant messages, and any online communication the receiver, ISP, and hackers can gain information about your computer, software, location, and other information. It’s best to just not respond to questionable messages. Do NOT click on links or downloads in questionable messages you receive. Set your email program to not allow photographs or media to be automatically downloaded (show) in your email program. Viruses are often embedded within photographs.

Never click on links and downloads that confuse, shock, frighten, or threaten.

Many people infect their computers each time they click on anything they don’t understand. One of the nastiest viruses that has been going around Akwesasne in the past year, makes itself look like an official Microsoft AntiVirus Download. A big popup box takes over the computer, claims to find a ton of viruses, and demands money to clean out the self-proclaimed viruses. The computer user clicks any button on the official looking popup window and BAM! Just installed an actual virus that is truly nasty. The virus will then keep renaming itself each time a computer consultant attempts to remove it. The virus takes over the computer and renders it useless, even after it receives money from victims.

If you are new to computers and the internet, you can protect your investment by knowing a local reputable consultant’s contact information and making arrangements with them to provide you with a monthly service plan that includes telephone support, online support, and will visit your location. You can also let your local consultant go into your computer remotely or just view your computer screen while you speak with them using Skype screen sharing.

Block images and embedded media in your email program.

If you have a computer that keeps getting infected, it’s a good idea to disable all images and media from showing in emails you receive. You will find online tutorials to walk you through the process for whatever email program you use. For example, if you use Yahoo! Email, go to your favorite Search Engine (Example: Google) and search for “block images in yahoo email” and you will see many online tutorials to help you.

Why do people create viruses?

I usually answer that question with another question; “Why do people use tools?” Computers and the Internet are tools and each person uses them differently for various reasons. It’s human nature to be curious about the possibilities, options, weaknesses, and strengths of a tool. In our community, I often see viruses and malware being spread accidentally without malicious intent. Everyone is not a software engineer and even software engineers/architects are curious enough to get bit sometimes; it’s part of the learning process.

My favorite antivirus download.

I suggest ClamWin antivirus for computers with the Windows operating system because it does not nag for money, downloading is easy and fast, and it just works the way everyone expects it to work. The download link is at the end of this article. You will also find tons of helpful information about malware and online virus scans.

Protection Tip:

Never save anything on your computer. Get yourself an external hard drive or usb key and always save your files and downloads on that instead. Remember it is important to keep everything organized by labeling your directories and files with relevant meaningful names. Now, if your computer gets infected it’s going to be faster, easier, and more economical to just set it back to factory default or just install a brand new operating system like Linux with no worries.

Do you have any Questions?

Send your computer and Internet questions to me and I’ll do my best to answer them in future stories.

Resources:

Skype Screen Sharing http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/screen-sharing/

US-CERT Virus Basics http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/virus.html

ClamWin AntiVirus http://www.clamwin.com/

Anti-Malware Links http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/197/106/

Facebook Help http://www.facebook.com/help/

Microsoft Safety & Security Center http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/antivirus-rogue.aspx