Cyber Security - Questions and Comments

[The Leprechaun]

I'm afraid I just now read your entire set of articles on cyber security. I don't think we've had too many problems, but there have been some. I will not go into any more detail about that. Now here's my question: It mentioned in the articles to always install automatic updates. How do you know if they are good updates?

[Bluefire]

Oh, there will occasionally be updates that cause some issues that require patches shortly afterward.  Nothing is 100%.  However, unless you have the extensive time to CAREFULLY monitor when an update comes out, read the reviews for a few days, and then decide to update or not without being at risk, it's not worth it.  The majority of the time, it's better to have auto updates run.  Leaving holes in your OS that viruses can get into is never a good thing.

As an aside - I mentioned before that it's important to disconnect from the internet?  That's not entirely true.... if you are able to reboot your machine in 'Safe Mode with Networking', that's preferable (I forgot about that option until the last wave of "antivirus" viruses).  No, I'm not saying always run your machine in Safe Mode... it just allows you more easily fix some of the changes that those viruses do and then run a clean antivirus scan without triggering the problems again.  That's what I've had to do with the last three "antivirus" viruses we were hit with... took all of 10 minutes to clean them off, which saved us having to call out the tech guys (yeah, I'm not a tech.. I can just do rudimentary troubleshooting). 

[penguin laminating device]

Since a lot of the folks here are also on Facebook, you may want to address some of the security and privacy concerns that the new Timeline brings with it:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220240/Facebook_s_Timeline_will_be_boon_for_hackers?taxonomyId=17&pageNumber=1

http://www.macworld.com/article/162599/2011/09/facebook_timeline_important_privacy_settings_to_adjust_now.html

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/frictionless-sharing-a-cause-for-concern/story-e6frgakx-1226157574498

http://www.cio.com/article/690361/How_Facebook_Timeline_Could_Influence_Your_Next_Interview?source=rss_news

The last article mentions September 30th as the roll out date, but it's been delayed to a copyright dispute with Timelines, Inc.

[YoungFatGuy]

For anyone who really wants to get into the bowels of cyber security, I recommend the TWiT Network podcast "Security Now!" with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. Super-geeky and all you've ever wanted to know..