Computer "Tip of the Day 10-02-09"

Security concerns about popup windows and other hacker tricks.

When connected to and using the Internet, do not respond to popup windows requesting that you to click "ok" for anything.

If a window pops up on your screen informing you that you have a virus or spyware and suggesting that you download an antivirus or antispyware program to take care of it, close the popup window by selecting the X in the upper right corner of the popup window. Do not respond to popup windows informing you that you have to have a new codec, driver, or special program for something in the web page you are visiting. Close the popup window by selecting the X in the upper right corner of the popup window.

Most of these popup windows are actually trying to trick you into clicking on "OK" to download and install spyware or other malicious code onto your computer.

Hackers are known to scatter infected USB drives with provocative labels in public places where their target business’s employees hang out, knowing that curious individuals will pick them up and take them back to their office system to "see what’s on them." What is on them is generally malicious code which installs a spy program or remote control program on the computer. Teach your employees to not bring USB drives into the office and plug them into your business computers (or take them home and plug into their home systems). It is a good idea to disable the "AutoRun" feature for the USB ports on your business computers to help prevent such malicious programs from installing on your systems.