Thieves Using Craigslist, Facebook & Other Websites

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Tom Sullivan

We believe that Internet access is an indispensible aspect of our modern lives because of how it connects us better to the people and information we care about.

For people with special interests, online communities of friends and others who share your passions can be especially valuable.

But a story in the Los Angeles Times a couple of days ago is another reminder that you have to be careful what you share online and how you share it.

The Times reported that several people were arrested as part of a bicycle theft group that over the past two years stole almost 200 high-end bicycles worth approximately $250,000.

The arrest was a cautionary tale to Internet and social network users because the thieves evidently targeted victims and planned crimes using Craigslist, Facebook, and other websites for bike enthusiasts.

One victim who was selling an expensive bike on Craigslist set up a time for a potential buyer to come to his house. They buyer never came, but a couple of weeks later the bike was stolen from his home.

When thieves got names of potential victims from encounters on other websites they often then logged into Facebook to find more information and search for additional targets.

We encourage you to keep using the Internet to enhance your life in all the ways you do already, including being active in social networks like Facebook. In fact, we’d love it if you would click over to our EarthLink Facbook page and Like us to stay connected.

We just want to be aware that some kinds of online posts may invite the wrong kind of attention. And when you’re selling something expensive, think twice before you give out your home address or other personal information.

Be safe.

Mac Flashback Virus Infects 600,000: What Can You Do?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Tom Sullivan

Security has often been cited as one of the big advantages Mac computers have over their Windows counterparts.

Windows users were under constant assault from viruses, Trojans, spyware, and malware of all kinds.

Mac users remained blissfully above the fray. Most never even considered buying or even installing a free computer security program.

Until last week.

Mac Flashback Virus Worldwide Outbreak Map

Where the Flashback Virus Has Spread

More than 600,00 Mac users were found to be infected with the Flashback Trojan, malware that exploits a Java security flaw to install itself on Macs. Most infected computers (56.6%) are in the U.S.

This isn’t the first Mac attack by any means. Just a year ago there was a fairly large attack called MacDefender.

But more people use Macs now and Flashback has gotten a lot of publicity, leading some to say it has, once and for all, ended Mac’s no-virus reputation.

Now for some comforting news for Mac users: though it’s a large infection, Flashback probably has only infected around 1% of Macs according to some estimates.

Secondly, Apple has already launched a couple of updates to identify and protect against Flashback, so if you get a Mac OS update notice, please don’t ignore it. You can also run your Mac’s Software Update at any time.

Keep in mind, however, that Apple’s Flashback security updates are only for OSX v10.7 and v10.6. Users with earlier operating systems who are concerned are encouraged by Apple to disable Java in their browser preferences. Here is more information about Flashback from Apple.

Though Apple is still working on a Flashback detection and removal tool, there are free 3rd party options available now.

Security vendor Dr.Web has a free online tool to check your system for the Flashback malware (specifically, Backdoor.Flashback.39). All you need to do is enter your Mac’s UUID (don’t worry, there are instructions on how to find it). Keep in mind, this is just a detection, not a removal tool.

Another security vendor, F-Secure, is offering a free tool that automatically detects and removes Flashback from your Mac. Download the free tool here and read the installation instructions.

If you are an EarthLink member and Mac user interested in ongoing protection for your computer, you can take advantage of these Special Offers on Norton Security software from our security partner Symantec.

4 Simple Ways to Spot Spam!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Chris Chase

Email helps us keep in touch with friends, communicate quickly with coworkers, and receive messaging from businesses we interact with (like banks, service providers, and even coupon services!). We share our email address with people and companies we trust, and as a result, our instinct is to trust every message that hits our inbox.

But the sad reality is that, much like our physical mailing addresses, entities we do not provide our info to can send things to us…and these emails can sometimes be malicious. These emails are called “phishing,” “scam” or simply “spam” emails, and should be reported (“mark as spam” in your email inbox, deleted/ignored, and/or reported directly to your email provider…NEVER respond).

Here are 4 simple ways to spot a scam email:

1) There are misspellings. Unless the email is from a friend (and there are no links to click on), this message is probably a hastily-put-together spam email.

2) The email asks for personal info. No reputable company will EVER ask you to reply to an email with personal information. They will refer you to their legitimate website.

3) There are links in the email that aren’t what they promise to be. If you get an email from a bank, and the link sends you to a website that LOOKS like your bank, but the URL (the web address in the navigation bar…for example, “www.google.com” is the URL for google”) is not ACTUALLY for your bank, the email is 100% spam. Do not enter your personal info.

TIP: To be SURE, even if you do receive legitimate emails from your bank (or any entity you log into), don’t click the email links. Instead, visit the website on your own to make sure you’re always visiting the right website.

4) There is an attachment. Do not open attachments that aren’t (a) from people on your contact list who have told you an attachment was coming, and (b) attachments containing info that YOU requested from a business.

TIP: Make sure the customer service person sending you the attachment has an email address “example@thewebsiteyouexpect.com”

Protecting Your Privacy…While You’re Traveling

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Tom Sullivan

We recently posted 5 privacy tips to help you prepare to travel safely. As we promised, here are 5 more tips to help you protect your privacy while you’re away from home with all your tech gadgets. So you can enjoy your trip and minimize the risks of theft or identity theft.

1. Watch What You Post to Social Media: Just as we warned you about broadcasting your absence before you leave home, you also have to be careful while you are away. Posting vacation photos in real time and talking up the great vacation you’re on right now is fun…but it means the bad guys could know your home is vacant.

2. Look for Secure Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Internet access is your friend when you’re on the road, but unsecured Wi-Fi at coffee shops or hotels can be your enemy. Wi-Fi hotspots are more secure if they are password protected; if the one you just hopped on didn’t require a password, then virtually anybody could be on it with you. And no matter what kind of Wi-Fi network you are on, don’t sign in to any online accounts or enter credit card or other financial information unless you see that the URL of the website you are using begins with https. The added s means secure. With https the information you enter will be encrypted for your safety.

3. Use Extra Caution with Public Computers: If you are using a public computer (i.e., not your laptop in public) that other people will use, make sure the sign in screen for any online account you access isn’t set to save your username and password. And be extra careful to sign out of any account you use (don’t just close the browser window). You should also see if your web browser has a Private Browsing mode you can activate, so it won’t store your auto-fill information and other users who follow you can’t see your browser history. Most new browsers do have this privacy option (click through the browser menus to find it; it’s in different places on different browsers).

4. Look Out For Your Laptop: Staying in a hotel? Store your laptop in the room safe or main hotel safe if there is one. Or use a lock that can attach to the lock port found on most newer laptops to secure your laptop to the desk. Whether you have a lock or not, you should also lock your laptop’s screen when you are not using it. On Windows computers you can press the Windows key and the L key.

5. Check Your Financial Accounts: If you have your laptop, iPad or another device you can use securely, you may want to regularly sign in to check your credit card and bank account activity while you’re away. Look for any charges or changes that look suspicious (e.g., money going out of your bank account or purchases back home during the time you’ve been away).

Have a good safe time on your next trip!