Home > Support > Internet Security Tips
Introduction
Here is some information about common problems and solutions you may experience
on the Internet. If you have any questions please email support@aski.ca.
Spam
Every Email user on the Internet today will receive spam soon or later. Askivision’s
email server blocks over 20 000 messages a week and growing.
So why is there spam?
Spamming is cheap advertising. A spammer can send 100 000 messages a day for
next to nothing.
How do spammers get my email address?
There are various ways spammers can find your address, most commonly they buy
your name from a list. These junk mail & targeted email lists have
been around almost as long as the Internet itself. For as cheap as $100.00
anyone can buy a list of over 11 million addresses. These lists were created
by numerous unscrupulous website owners, and online stores that would “share” their
customer’s information for some money. As you can imagine it is impossible
for spammers to identify your likes, or interests, when sending mails to
such a large group. So a “shotgun” mailing is sent out (product
offers, get rich quick schemes, adult porn sites, etc.) to all 11 million
names.
How do I protect my self from spam?
Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution to keep your email address safe
from spammers. However, there are very simple tips that can alleviate the
problem. Many spammers operate bots, these bots are autonomous software
robots that crawl the Internet looking for email addresses. If you post
your email address publicly anywhere online (on a website, a discussion
forum, on USENET, in a guestbook etc.) then sooner or later it will be
found by one of these bots and will then get added to a spam mailing list.
ADVICE:
• Don't post your email address in "plain" form anywhere on the
Web. Instead, you can disguise your email address by writing it in a convoluted
way so that humans can still read it, but bots can't. For example, instead of
writing "john@example.com", use "john AT example DOT com".
• Sign up for a new email address to use when you need to supply an email
address but don't particularly care about the replies (e.g. when posting on a
guestbook)
• Keep a "private" email address which you share only with friends
and family. Never use this private email address on any site.
• Use a feedback form on your website instead of providing a contact email
address.
• Some spammers find email addresses by generating likely combinations
using automated tools. For example, they may generate a list like aaaaa@aski.ca,
aaaab@aski.ca, aaaac@aski.ca and so on. They also make use of word lists and
lists of first names and surnames to generate likely email addresses. Of course,
most of the email addresses generated automatically using these techniques won't
actually exist, but spammers don't care since email is so cheap to send out.
• Choose a relatively long email address (5+ characters)
• Avoid signing up for an email address which is the same as your first
name or last name (e.g. smith@aski.ca). Instead, add your initials and some numbers
(e.g. esmith77@aski.ca)
• For more information about spam and information on how to reduce the
spam you are receiving visit http://stopspamhere.ca/
Top
of Page
Viruses
What is a Computer Virus?
A computer virus is a program - a piece of executable code - that has the unique
ability to replicate. Like biological viruses, computer viruses can spread
quickly and are often difficult to eradicate. They can attach themselves to
just about any type of file and are spread as files that are copied and sent
from individual to individual. In addition to replication, some computer viruses
share another commonality: a damage routine that delivers the virus payload.
While payloads may only display messages or images, they can also destroy files,
reformat your hard drive, or cause other damage. If the virus does not contain
a damage routine, it can cause trouble by consuming storage space and memory,
and degrading the overall performance of your computer. Several years ago most
viruses spread primarily via floppy disk, but the Internet has introduced new
virus distribution mechanisms. With email now used as an essential business
communication tool, viruses are spreading faster than ever. Viruses attached
to email messages can infect an entire enterprise in a matter of minutes, costing
companies millions of dollars annually in lost productivity and clean-up expenses.
Viruses won't go away anytime soon: More than 60,000 have been identified,
and hundreds of new ones are created every month. With numbers like this, it's
safe to say that most organizations will regularly encounter virus outbreaks.
No one who uses computers is immune to viruses.
How do I protect myself from viruses?
Although Askivision Systems Inc. scans all incoming and outgoing mail for viruses,
it is still possible for viruses to slip by. Askivision strongly recommends
the use of third party Antivirus software. Below are some links to Anti-Virus
Software:
• AVG Anti-Virus
• ICSA Labs
• Mcafee
VirusScan
• Symantec Norton Anti-Virus
• Trend Micro
PC-cillin
Top
of Page Spyware
Spyware also known as Adaware can be a nuisance for anyone who uses the Internet.
Spyware is often installed without you knowledge. The main purpose of Spyware
is to gain as much personal information about you as possible and send
it to remote sources. Spyware is often known to cause:
• sluggish PC performance
• increased pop-up ads
• unexplained homepage change
• mysterious search results.
How did I get Spyware in the first
place?
Even if you're careful, you can pick up Adaware and other
forms of Spyware through normal Internet activities. Unfortunately,
it’s everywhere on
the Internet, for example:
• Visit any media-supported website and you're bound to get a tracking
cookie
• Share music, files or photos with other users
• Install software applications without fully reading license agreements
What can I do if I get Spyware on
my computer?
If you don't want it on your computer, you can try to remove spyware manually.
However, adware removal is a difficult and complicated process for even the
most experienced computer user. For the best spyware removal tool, many consumers
today are turning to anti-spyware software like Adaware (which can be found
at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware).
A spyware remover like this can detect spyware and safely remove the applications
from your system. For more information on Spyware visit http://www.spywareinfo.com
Top
of Page What about Hackers?
Hackers are people that break into a computer through backdoors with the intent
to cause damage. Askivision recommends the use of a firewall to protect
yourself. Windows Xp comes with one and is turned on by default. In most
cases the use of this firewall is sufficient. For users that do not have
Windows Xp, we recommend that you purchase third party software. There
are many to choose from including Zone Alarm and Norton Internet Security.
Top
of Page
An Email pointed me to this Address,
Why?
As of January 4, 2005 Askivision Systems Inc. has implemented a policy defining
certain unacceptable content in e-mail messages. This may include banning viruses,
spam or certain filenames. Each incoming or outgoing e-mail is scanned for
unacceptable content, and some of it may therefore be removed or altered.
If you have concerns about the scanning policy,
please email our support staff at support@aski.ca.
|
