GeekSugar

How to Create a Hacker-Proof Password in 5 Easy Steps

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:51:22 PDT

You've heard it a hundred times before: you need to create a hacker-proof password to keep from falling victim to cybercrime. But not only are you supposed to choose a hard-to-guess password, it's best to have a different one for each website you've registered with. This fact was reinforced after the recent hacking of Gawker, which allowed hackers to gain access to Gawker user accounts, as well as any other online account that used the same password. Even more worrysome: this weekends massive email data breach.

Talk about confusing! So how do you go about creating a hacker-proof password that's easy to remember? Find out after the break.

Cyberspace Outlaws: 5 Movies About Hacking

Michele Foley — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:47:49 PDT

Like a lot of other people, I spent my weekend watching The Social Network. One of my favorite scenes is when Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) - drunk and rejected - ends his night blogging on LiveJournal and hacking into Harvard's system. I always love a good computer hacking scene: they're full of energy, adrenaline, and it's funny to see just how wrong the movies depict hacks. When it comes to cyberspace and hacking there's a lot to choose from in Hollywood. Here are five films that made the cut.

New Trojan Empties Your Bank Accounts on the Sly

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:47:49 PDT

There's a new trojan virus on the block, and instead of infecting your computer with malware or copying your data, it's actually stealing your money. Over 3,000 people in the UK have already been emptied of nearly $1 million dollars to date from the Zeus3 trojan, and while this sounds like the perfect time to panic, the only "silver lining" for the rest of us is that the trojan has affected customers from just one online banking system . . . so far.

There is one major problem, though. Find out what it is, and how the trojan works when you read more.

Do You Worry About Digital Security?

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:47:27 PST

There are some things I purposely try not to worry about because it'll drive me crazy - online security is one of them. I certainly don't take it for granted, and I try hard to create strong passwords, especially for sites containing personal or important information. I was happy to learn that after Twitter's recent hacking incident, they've put systems in place to try and keep data as secure as possible. Turns out they have a list of 370 passwords that won't work on the site. Most of them are the obvious no-nos, like "password" and "Twitter," but the list also includes popular first names and well-known number combinations like "8675309."

But then, every time I read a news story like this one, which details how a German computer engineer discovered and published a code used to encrypt mobile phone calls, I get a little worried. I like to streamline my life by storing information and using services online as much as I can, but knowing there's a world full of hackers trying to break codes and steal information always makes me uneasy.

Do you worry about online security as much as I do? It's slightly reassuring to know there is a whole new generation of online security talent being discovered, but I know that also means there are more "bad guys" out to steal information, too.

A Hacker Competition to Find New Talent

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:30:56 PST

Talk about using your skills for good instead of evil! Recently, a competition called the US Cyber Challenge pitted young people with exceptional computer skills against each other in a hacker competition. Organizers of the challenge say that these kinds of computer skills go unnoticed because some of the best talent often has little or no formal computer training.

The challenge required participants to hack into as many target computers as possible, and then to defend these computers against further attack from others. The competition's main goal is to identify young people with computer skills and inspire them to become security specialists protecting computer and online systems used by the government, military, and even everyday people.

The challenge, which has a moderator, begins as competitors download an image with a hidden code. They then enter the system and attempt to hack security vulnerabilities as the moderator adds roadblocks and changes to throw the competitors off. The winner of the challenge is just 21, and a 17-year-old student also finished in the top three. Competition organizers hope that identifying talented youth and "grooming" them for jobs in high-tech security will keep would-be hackers playing for the "good" team. I think it's an excellent way to find and encourage talented students and job seekers, not to mention the benefits for online security and safety.

If Sarah Palin Read geeksugar, She May Have Known Better

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:44 PDT

I can't tell you enough how important email and online security is! I've been a little obsessed with the recent Sarah Palin email hacking scandal, but have put off saying much about it - until now. The suspected hacker - a 20-year old University of Tennessee student, and son of state representative Mike Kernell - was seen in front of the Grand Jury on Tuesday, and was let go without an indictment. Although there aren't many details as to what was or was not found, I suspect that the search for the real hacker continues.

Although hacking into anyone's personal account is a violation of the law and should be prosecuted accordingly, what really makes me uncomfortable is knowing how easy it was for the hacker to break into her account! Just by guessing a few password reset questions and some research on Wikipedia, they were in. I've talked in length about protecting your log-ins, but it's only a few security questions that separate hackers from your personal email when a password reset has been requested. Be diligent in keeping those questions and passwords hard to guess, and you won't have to worry about your emails displayed on the web, or your identity being stolen!

Source

Have You Ever Had Your Information or Identity Stolen?

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:39 PDT

I couldn't believe it when I read on SFGate that it is very common for major websites like MySpace and MSNBC to be attacked and hacked, and how there's no way for users to know. Just this month, Israeli security firm Finjan uncovered a server full of consumer information, including social security numbers, bank account info, recorded keystrokes from online shopping in Malaysia.

Even though I'm tech-savvy and think I'm being careful online, I'm also totally paranoid sometimes that one false click or download will lead to a drained bank account or worse. In fact, I have several friends and family members who've experienced this - have you?
Source

Tech Terror: Hackers, Viruses and Bugs, Oh My

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:08:11 PST

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.

Microsoft Virus page

Tech Terror

Watch Out For Fraud When Trying to Score a Date Online

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:12:16 PST

There are lots of ways to find your geeky love match online, but as they say on The Bachelor, not all online daters are there for the right reasons. According to a new report, online dating fraud rose 150 percent in 2011, making Internet dating sites a hotbed for fraudulent links and phishing scams.

With over three percent of interactions being of fraudulent nature - including those misrepresenting themselves to get personal information via links or spamming - how are you supposed to tell who is genuine and who isn't? I mean, you're there to meet new people, right? Some red flags to consider are the use of the word "love" early on in correspondence, someone urging you to take messaging off-site to email or Facebook (where hackers have easier access to your personal information), and weird syntax and language discrepancies. Basically, if their message sounds like one you might find in your spam folder, keep your guard up.

Of course, the only way you'll really be able to tell if someone is really into you, or if you're flirting with disaster, is to trust your gut instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Security Tips For Data Privacy Day!

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:30:34 PST

It's Data Privacy Day, so we're here to give you 10 tips to keeping your computer safe, secure, and totally private. Nothing is worse than having your computer hacked into, your personal information stolen, or becoming a victim of fraud. We've rounded up all of our best tech advice to help keep your computer protected and free from hacker malice. If you haven't implemented these 10 tidbits yet, today is the perfect day to begin to take charge of your computer's safety.

Avoid fraud: Be wary of emails, calls, and log-in screens that ask you to verify all of your information. Always air on the side of precaution when sharing more sensitive information like banking passwords. If a company reaches out to you (rather than you personally reaching out to them), don't give your personal information out. Redial the number or email the company using the information posted on their website.
Set up a hack-proof password: When logging in to websites, come up with difficult and different passwords for each site, using a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols. Change it every couple of months for additional safety.
Double-check your firewall: Most computers have a built-in firewall that protects your computer by stopping hackers and malicious software from accessing your computer via the Internet. Make sure to keep your firewall setting on, and you could even customize what websites, domains, and IP addresses you want to access from your computer.
Forget about free public WiFi: Hackers often create fake networks, titling them "Free Public WiFi" in hopes of stealing your personal data. Even if the WiFi is legit, it's still dangerous to access private information in an unsecured network. Always opt to pay the small fee for a service that requires you to log-in to an official network.
Safely search for celebrities: Googling your favorite celebrities can be a dangerous business if you don't recognize the sites you are clicking on. Many Google results of famous celebrity names lead to infecting your PC with malware and viruses.

See more tips to better privacy.