GeekSugar

Which Star Causes the Most Virus and Spyware Infections?

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:50:56 -0700

You don't want to think that looking up photos of your favorite celebrities will cause your computer to (gasp!) get infected, but apparently, according to McAfee Inc., there is one starlet whose search causes more viruses and spyware infections than any other celebrity. Do you know who it is?

Take the quiz

Do You Agree With the US Marines' Ban on Social Networking?

GeekSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:52:58 -0700

One of my oldest friend's husband has been back and forth to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps for over two years. They have been using MySpace, Facebook, and a family blog to keep him abreast of what goes on at home, and let him chime in about what his days are like overseas. Although no top-secret information has ever been exchanged, a new Marine Corps order, which goes into effect immediately, bans him from using any social networking site.

According to the order, the use of social networking sites puts operational and communications security at risk when viruses and trojans are passed online from user to user, and the Marine Corps feels that sites like Facebook and Twitter are the breeding ground for these viruses.

Although I may have a personal stake in this matter - it's now harder for one of my best friends to get in touch with her husband - I can kinda see where the Marine Corps is coming from. Viruses can attack from anywhere, and you won't see them coming on any radar, especially if the user doesn't know the signs. But what about you - do you agree with the Marine Corps' ban on social networking? I honestly thought it would have more do with security issues than a computer virus.

Heal Your PC From Viruses With the Dr. Hard Drive Bag

GeekSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:02:09 -0700

I can give you multiple reasons why I love this concept piece I found on Coroflot. Not only is this hanging hard drive packed with virus-scanning software to help you track down any bugs that may have attacked your computer, but it can also recover any corrupted files, so it's actually a useful piece of equipment.

Plus, it's kinda cute in a totally out-of-left-field kind of way, and it flashes and glows in the dark while it's doing its thing. I'm hoping the concept artist releases these soon, cause I can really see myself picking one up, even if it's just for the fun of it!

View 5 Photos ›

It Had to Happen. . . Eventually: A New Virus Attacks Macs

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:21 -0700

Part of the Mac appeal to new computer users is that they are (or have been) virtually free from viruses. Since the large majority of the population uses Windows, hackers design viruses and worms to attack PCs to get more bang for their virus buck. And although there's no reason to panic just yet, researchers have found a virus that can attack your Apple computer now too.

It's not like there haven't been viruses designed for the Mac before, but this one, called iBotnet, has been successful at wiggling its way into thousands of computers around the country since January. And once the virus makes its way into your system, your computer will then be part of a large network which can be controlled buy the virus's author. How can you avoid this virus? Find out when you read more.

Thankfully, a large majority of Mac users won't have to worry about this virus, since iBotnet is contracted by downloading pirated versions of iWork. So if you don't want iBotnet on your machine, you should steer clear of any extracurricular file sharing activity!

Source

Has Your Computer Ever Suffered From a Virus?

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:45:59 -0800

Hold onto your immunity hats, Mac users - there's a new virus in town aimed at Macs (though you'd have to be pretty silly to get this one).

To this day, none of my Macs have ever been infected, but when I was a Dell user, (as my Texan family says), boy howdy. I basically gave up on my overrun operating system and just got a new computer.

Tell me - has your computer ever become infected with a computer virus?

Source

Do You Click on Popups?

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:45:22 -0700

Since I use a Mac, I find it hilarious when a Windows-themed popup makes it through my blocker. Like, duh – I'm not clicking "Yes" to that! But a recent study shows that not everyone is so popup savvy. Turns out, lots of people are unaware that popups could crash your computer with a virus, and most people actually click through pop up boxes just to get them out of the way.

When a group of 42 college students were asked to load a series of medical websites that were secretly rigged with fake popups (like the one seen above), over half of them clicked through the dialogue boxes by hitting "OK" and nine of them just moved the box out of the way, saving the potential trouble for later. I thought everyone knew that popup boxes were a dangerous surprise and to never click "Yes" or "OK" on anything, but apparently I was a little off!

Source

Geek Tip: Set a Password For Your Home WiFi Network

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:32:43 -0700

If you have WiFi and live in an apartment building, you may notice there are lots of other WiFi networks visible on your network list (and naturally, your neighbors can probably see yours as well). Although this fact alone isn't dangerous, it can be if your own network isn't password protected. Leaving your wireless signal open could put you at risk of intruders illegally downloading on your bandwidth, stealing personal info, and even gaining access to your personal documents on your home computers and laptops.

So when setting up wireless Internet at home, make sure you set a password that is long and hard to remember so your home network isn't hacked. Read through your wireless routers instructions carefully for step-by-step instructions. And, hey, Mac users - just because your computer is at a lower risk for viruses, that doesn't mean your wireless can't be hacked as easily as everyone elses, especially if you're using a lame password!

Tech Terror: Hackers, Viruses and Bugs, Oh My

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:08:11 -0800

I've been asking readers to submit their worst tech terror stories so we can revel in our shared horror tech stories and learn from one another's experiences. Teamsugar user Bookworm1 recently admitted she adores using computers, but is always on the lookout for a bug.

I love computers because they are so practical and fun to use. However, in this age of internet there's always the threat of being hacked or getting viruses. Even though I am very careful with where I go and what I do I am still a terrified little bunny.

For my tips for making sure you aren't susceptible to hackers, just read more

For the most part, the average internet user isn't terribly vulnerable to hackers, so long as he or she takes the proper steps to prevent an open window, but PC virus attacks on the other hand seem to be a constant problem.

E-mail protection: When you create your e-mail account make sure your password is a genuine password. As in, something that your friends or enemy (a hacker) couldn't guess. It helps to combine letters and numbers. Also, if you're going to be logging in at a public computer make sure you always log out.
Virus protection: Make virus scanning a regular part of your online life and never click on popups, e-mails or downloads from unknown or mysterious sources. If you think you're vulnerable to viruses, set up a firewall, and run your scanner religiously.
Website protection: If you have your own website or blog, make sure all your passwords are as strong as your e-mail passwords, but not the same.

For more information, check out the Microsoft Virus page.

Join my Tech Terror group and share your worst tech stories. I'll feature the best of the worst on geeksugar with my prevention suggestions.

Our First Funny Family Tech Story

GeekSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:42:01 -0800

I seem to be the only person in my family that knows anything about computers - or at least that's what the two to three phone calls a week from distant relatives might suggest. Grandma wants to know how to add paper to the printer, mom wants to know how to add an attachment and dad wants help with Photoshop. It never ends, and every story is funnier than the last. Because family tech stories are inherently funny, I've been challenging you guys to share your stories and Bonne has come through with a couple, deliciously funny situations.

Recently, Bonne's Dad called her saying that his computer wouldn't print. "I walked him through the whole - is it on? Does it have paper? Does it have ink? - type of deal until he brought it over," said Bonne. "I let it sit for about a month before I actually got to looking at it. It turns out that he brought the wrong ink cartridge and tried to jam it in until it 'fit.' Ink is ink, eh?" For more of Bonne's hilarious stories, which include some great ideas for helping non-techies take control of their own computers, just read more

Bonne's mom couldn't figure out the difference between left click and right click - until she put friendly left/right stickers on the mouse. Geeksugar tip: If you have a family member that can't get the right click thing down, consider making stickers like Bonne did for her mom.
Bonne's Grandpa is surprisingly good at the computer, but he uses a magnifying glass to actually read it. He didn't like any of the other programs to help him and prefered the manual method. Geeksugar tip: If your family member has bad eyesight, adjust their computer's layout accordingly.
Bonne's sister is in her twenties and should know the basic of computer uses, but once she was in the process of moving and ended up getting lost. She decided to stop on the side of the road, spend about 30 minutes attaching the PC/moniter/keyboard/mouse together and push the power button. Only to realize that the dang computer wouldn't turn on. She didn't realized that the computer needed to be plugged in to some type of power supply. Geeksugar tip: If your sister is anything like Bonne's tell her about geeksugar!

Does your mom think net surfing is a type of sport and your grandma thinks a computer virus is an actual bug? Let us know all your geekilarious family tech stories so we can share experiences and get a good laugh! Click on Funny Family Tech Stories to submit your own memorable family tech tale!

Pink Centro By Palm Smart Device

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:57:41 -0700

OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES RULES 
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This sweepstakes is void where prohibited by applicable law. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility as a condition to the delivery of the applicable prize. Employees (and their immediate families or household members) of Sugar Inc. and their respective parent companies, affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible to enter the Sweepstakes. 
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No purchase is necessary to participate in the Sweepstakes. To enter, you must participate in the geeksugar quiz in accordance with the description on the registration page. One entry per person. You must be logged into your teamsugar account to participate. Duplicate entries will be void. By registering for the Sweepstakes you will be agreeing that your registration and any other information collected in connection with the Sweepstakes may be used by Sugar Inc. in accordance with our Privacy Policy (please see our privacy policy for more information) and may be shared with their affiliated business entities, and that you automatically opt-in to receive email, text messages or other communications from Sugar Inc. You may subsequently opt-out of the receipt of such email or communications by following the directions in the email, communications or by contacting Sugar Inc. directly. All online entries must include entrant's valid email address.
The Sweepstakes will begin at approximately 8:00am, February 5, 2008, and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than February 12, 2007 at 5:00pm (PST). The email address provided by online entrants will be the identity of the entrant and, if selected for a prize, the identity of the winner. No copies, facsimiles or mechanical reproductions of entries will be accepted. We expressly reserve the right to disqualify any entries that we believe in good faith are generated by a so-called spam or automated e-mail program or via scripts and automated submission. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules.

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One winner will be chosen at random to receive one (1) Pink Centro By Palm Smart Device ($100 value). All prizes will be awarded. No substitutions (including for cash) are permitted, except that Sugar Inc. reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. To receive a complete list of winners or a copy of the Official Sweepstakes Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, Sugar Inc., 580 Market Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Specify winner's list or rules on your request.  
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