SYMANTEC GUIDE TO SCARY INTERNET STUFF
This is a 7 part video series created Symantec to highlight some of the most common Internet hazards, security threats and how to avoid them. We start with the sixth video in the series, looking at Denial of Service Attacks and how your computer can become part of a Botnet to spread spam, virusses and to launch attacks. The other videos in the series are also available in the same video window.
BBC BOTNET EXPERIMENT
The BBC acquired a botnet to demonstrate why black-hat hackers want to control your PC. Can you imagine your computer being a slave to Crackers and Spam Gangs, not to mention the risk to your own privacy and bank accounts? Using the Internet without appropriate knowledge and protection is almost like playing with a ball on a highway during peak traffic. Using pirated software and media are a great risk for computer users as it can easily be infected with Trojans and other scripts that can turn your computer into a Zombie. The proliferation of pirate software and other Grey products in China and other parts of the world is a great contributor to the problem. The following experiment was done by the BBC to illustrate the risk (Also see other videos in the same frame).
GOOGLE MAIL: HOW TO DETECT PHISHING IN SPAM MESSAGES?
Google’s free email services known as Gmail, has great spam and phishing detection filters resulting from contributions by all who use this service. The following video shows how to easily identify some phishing sites and how to report them inside Gmail for the benefit of other Gmail users.
GONE PHISHING
A comic animation about phishing presented by Consumer Reports with an original song written and performed by singer and songwriter Dean Friedman and animated by Powerhouse Animation. The video is part of WebWatch’s Look Before You Click campaign, supported by a grant from the New York State Attorney Generals office, to help educate New York consumers about Internet fraud.
Original music and lyrics: Dean Friedman, Peekskill, New York.
Download the lyrics: Consumer Web Watch.
Animation: Powerhouse Animation, Austin, Texas.
Producers: Beau Brendler, Kathy Mitchell, Ariane Orenstein & Jørgen Wouters.
ANTI-VIRUS AND FIREWALLS
The Internet should not be used without any anti-virus and firewall protection installed on your computer, and all pirate software and media should be avoided. Furthermore appropriate software should be obtained from reliable sources to ensure that you avoid fake anti-virus software that are actually infected with malware. If you cannot afford one of the better known protection solutions, then use cheaper versions or free tools, but at least ensure that it is from trusted suppliers and not phishing or malicious websites.
TRENDMICRO HOUSECALL
The TrendMicro HouseCall tool can be used to identify malicious software and exploits on computers, and performs a basic computer scan similar to anti-virus software. Before using this or any other tool or software, please note that you 
do so entirely at your own risk.
Surely you don’t want to be infected with malware and contributing to the problem.
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