Free Computer Consultant Tip-Of-The-Week e-Zine for February 8, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to get me started, talk about websites developed that
REQUIRE Internet Explorer, typically due to the use of ActiveX
controls.
Banks, those who should be MOST security conscious and therefore
avoid ActiveX controls, are some of the worst offenders.
Currently there is a high risk threat from ActiveX controls that
can affect users of MySpace, Facebook and Yahoo Music Jukebox.
Hackers can manipulate these ActiveX controls and put YOUR computer
at risk.
Several security agencies, including Homeland Security, recommend
setting IE's internet zone security to "high". That requires the user
to add any site using ActiveX to the trusted site list. But that can
still result in several annoying popup alerts.
Few users will tolerate that.
Thankfully, if you must visit those sites, there is a utility that
you can download to eliminate the risk easily.
Now, this utility does then disable the ActiveX control that performs
a function you may want to use, like uploading a photo. But that's a
small price to pay considering the cost of being hacked.
You also must have administrator privileges on the PC in order to
install it.
The program, called KillBit, can be found here:
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=3931
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Blog entries:
Compaq PC Just Won’t Handle BFG PCI Add-in Video Card
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/2008/01/28/compaq-pc-just-wont-handle-bfg-pci-add-in-video-card/ >
Wow! My Dell Sales Rep Just Called…
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/2008/01/23/wow-my-dell-sales-rep-just-called/ >
Installing Windows Recovery Console on Dell Computer doesn’t work
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/2008/01/20/installing-windows-recovery-console-on-dell-computer-doesnt-work/ >
Acronis True Image Home version 11
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/2008/01/13/acronis-true-image-home-version-11/ >
---------------------------------------------
When was the last time you backed up YOUR PC?
---------------------------------------------
Thanks for subscribing,
The Free Computer Consultant
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com
| 