(internet) Safety

[Guest Dutchie]

Hiya everyone,

I think we all realize the internet is like the Old Wild West... Lawless and dangerous. Well not completely lawless, but to get the law to help you is a very difficult task.

We all know about Anti-virus, right? (If not, get one immidiately, don't believe your computer isn't vunerable. Yes, your Mac or Ubuntu too!)

We all know about firewalls, right? (Same as above!)

What about the rest? Do you scan your computer regularly for spy/mal/adware? No? Go do it now!

Those are just the very very basics!!! It doesn't have to cost you one cent/penny/etc., there are plenty of free tools available if you just take care and look around. Don't grab the first thing that comes up, even the world of anti-something can be tricky, there are many false and fake programs out there that 'trick' you in believing they work by generating false alerts. Or worse are spyware/malware themselves!

Ok, that is just basics. What about your financial details (credit cards), identity and such? How much can be found out about you? Don't fall for that false sense of security when you're sitting at home at your computer. Be aware of where you leave your tracks, once on the internet, they will be out there forever! I'm not trying to scare you, it is the naked truth!

I have not been a victim of identity theft, or anything related to my online life versus my offline life, but we all need to be aware.

Laura has put some barriers in place for people joining the forum, but keep in mind that all posts can be read by anyone just passing by. Furthermore, google, and others, index the site too! Use common sense in what you reveal about yourself.

The reason why I come to this all is because I have been pondering over if I should or shouldn't post my biography. I do want people on this forum to be able to read my history, however I'm not willingly going to put it out in the open for the world to see. I fear for my offline safety in case someone -who happens to know enough to recognise me- finds out. I'm the one who should be informing people, they shouldn't be able to find out what I'm "hiding" until I'm ready to tell them.

I'm not paranoid, I just don't trust the internet and its inhabitants! And believe me (or if you don't use google), there have been cases already of victims of "cyber-crime". It's getting really scary when someone knocks on your door and refers to you by your chat name or something like that. It is not impossible, it has already happened! (Not from the chat here or the forum as far as I know!).

I'm not a security expert, but I do know a lot about windows, linux and unix. It's enough to know that we're not safe without protection! I do see multiple daily attacks on my home ADSL line as well as my webserver, so it is very real. Imagine what someone might be able to retrieve from your computer, not only the documents and photos, but also your surfing history, possibly passwords and so on!

For people in the USA: from what I understand is that there are many records on people available online, for you it's even more important to be aware of the dangers. (Perhaps someone can elaborate on that?)

Another consideration for TS, protect your "old" identity as well as your "new", identity theft is increasing and your "old" one is a very likely (and possible easy) target.

Be safe! Be vigilant!

Dutchie

[Guest Donna Jean]

Dutchie:

That is some wonderful advice there and even if it seems redundant, it needs saying and you said it well! Thank you!

I think everyone realizes that forum is moderated and EVERY post is read before being allowed to be posted. It's for everyone's protection, to keep the meanies away and and give a modicum of comfort. Laura does one heck of a job to keep it safe here for all so we can discuss what really needs to be discussed without fear..........but, obvious things apply. Anti-virus, firewall, malware scans are all thingss to be done on a personal level ...be safe!

So thanks, Dutchie...we need to be reminded once in a while of the blindingly obvious!

Stay safe y'all...........

Donna Jean

[Guest eshaver]

Donna, i think the thing to remember here is the fact that you only disclose what you would NOT be embarrassed in public to have repeated about you . I belong to several forums . I only disclose my phone only to a few and even then it's never in a open way. I'll P -M someone and disclose the number s usually only if and when I believe they are O K to do business with. Still, I've gotten burned as I'm still in the antique car parts business. Thankfully, I don't have the issue of someone "Outting me ". I'm very out as it is . Besides girls , there's thankfully no illegitimacy on either transsexualism or cross dressing . Now if there still is a old law somewhere , please E-mail me with the details as I want top know where it is too. Ellen Shaver

[Guest]

Thank you for your timely warning. We have been warning our members about this for some time as well as telling people not to share personal details like phone numbers, home addresses and email addresses. Some still do. We tell people to uncheck the show email box in their profiles all the time even though only members can see them. The sad fact is a good 30% haven't done this. Unfortunately I can not change the default. The user must do this. I hope any member reading this will do this now.

To protect your own computers just an antivirus, antispam or firewall program is not enough. There are other threats out there such as mailcious or fishing web sites. It is best to use an Internet security suite that covers everything. Even Instant messengers are vulnerable. All sites are not created equal either. While we don't ever reveal user information others do. Is a site without a privacy policy displayed safe? Does anyone ever read them? Probably not. The truth is that some sites make user information public. Do you know which ones? One of the biggest offenders is the porn industry. If you've ever been a member at one chances are your email is public. So much for the plain brown wrapper. On this site we guard your information with our lives. That is a contract I have with my users. You'll never get spam from us.

Users here are as anonymous as they want to be. That's why we insist you don't use your real name. We don't want to know. This forum is public as most forums are. Posts do two things. They let Transgender people know they are not alone and helps them find us for support. Most members here came here through Google. It also educates the public with a dim view of us. User information and profiles are NOT public and never will be.

Everything that can be done to ensure users safety is being done here. As long as you keep personal identifiers to youself you are anonymous here. Publishing our stories shows others that they are not alone and helps many other people. Sweeping everything back under the rug and shrouding ourselves in the secrecy of private forums isn't going to help our community. Those who really need us won't find us.

Laura

[Guest Dutchie]

Thank you Laura for providing the additional information.

Today I found (hidden in an article targetted at Mac-users, but true for every computer user) this bit:

The reality is that mass market malware writers don’t care about novel attack code anymore. They also don’t care about who is running the most vulnerable services. They do care about writing programs that look like legitimate applications that will trick the end user into voluntarily installing them. When the bad guy’s target is the human being at the console, then his only decision becomes what is the size of the target to go after.

(...) No level of system architecture can prevent users from harming themselves. Malware writers are just waiting until there are enough victims to make their switch [to another operating system] profitable.

Full article can be found here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2254&tag=nl.e539

It is just another reason to be carefull with what you install...

Ducthie

[Guest]

As Internet Security is a serious issue and identity theft is on the rise I thought I'd take this opportuntiy to offer some tips. While I've done this before there is a lot of new information out there as well as a change of opinion on my part especially about free software programs for security. Many of them are top rated however most only do one specific job unless you upgrade to their paid version. An antivirus program may not have a firewall or provide anti-phishing or malicious website protection, instant messenger or complete email protection. There are freeware versions of all these programs which you will have to download seperatly. If you can't afford it some protection is provided. The paid Internet Security suites though provide the most protection. If you bought a car you'd buy insurance to protect your expensive investment. If you've spent several hundred dollars on your computer it makes sense to spend $39.00 to $79.00 to protect it and your identity. This link provides reviews for the most popular suites http://www.2009securitysoftwarereviews.com...rnet%20security .

Of course this helps but the ultimate protector of your security is you. If you click on email links after you are warned it is Phishing or on email links from people you don't know not much can protect you. If you don't read site privacy policies or avoid sites without one whose fault is it if you end up on a spam list?

Some tips

Never use pirated software even if it's priced to good to be true. I've seen sites offer windows OEM for $19.00, Microsoft Office for $39.00 and a full version of Adobe Acrobat for $29.00. This is pirated software. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. First the software may not be updateable which means you won't get the latest security fix's. Second the software may be a virus or maicious software itself fooling anti-virus software because it is built into the operating system. Third Microsoft has been cracking down prompting users to remove it and buy legitimate or else. If they are ripping off an operating system from the originator do you trust them to put the software on your computer? Is it virus free or a virus itself?

Keep your software updated with the latest versions as many of these are security updates. Microsoft has security updates every month because new threats arrive every month. When it's time to renew your Internet Security check for new versions and upgrade, don't just renew. Within that year there have been thousands of threats the Security company has fixed. If you are still renewing Norton 2003 it is not protected from the newer threats of 2009. If your adobe flash or other software says there is a new version go to the Adobe or originater of the softwares site.

Some of the most famous sites have been spoofed. Phishing web sites do this all the time. The address is always slightly different then the original. Among them are paypal, banks etc. Usually your Internet Security suite will catch this and warn you. The address's for this site are http://lauras-playground.com (no chat access) and http://www.lauras-playground.com . That will always be the first part of the address here followed by file and directory names such as forums or chat or other page names. Get familiar with addresses of sites you visit so you recognize them.

When you buy Internet Security software make sure your favorite browser is supported. Some only support Internet explorer for anti-phishing or anti-malware. It means if you are browsing with Opera only that browser's anti-phishing software is working not your security suite's. Many now support Firefox as well.

Don't respond to emails from users you don't know or click on the links inside. Assign it to your junkmail or blocked mail. This trains your junk mail filters. Email is probably the number one door to virus's trojans and malware. This is second only to malicious websites.

Instant messengers (Yahoo, MSN) have become very popular. Check for updates often as this often has security fixes. NEVER ACCEPT FILES FROM SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW. When you add someone to your messenger it puts them into the trusted (Files etc) category. Do you really trust someone who just paged you a minute ago? Let them earn their way onto your list. This takes time. Don't click on links given you unless you trust the person. NEVER RESPOND TO UNINTELLIGABLE MESSAGES (prbmn fe dt etc). Use your IGNORE or block key. Most messengers have a feature for recording conversations. Be aware before you make inappropriate or reveal secret information about yourself. It could come back to haunt you. If you use your web cam that picture is out there forever. If you do voice conversations on yahoo messenger your words can also be recorded. Some Internet suites do not protect messengers and some do. Research before you buy. This is why I don't use voice or cam chats here. It's for your security.

A word about Yahoo or MSN messenger profiles

Your profiles here can only be seen by members who are logged in. Again you should not include personal information you don't want seen. Yahoo and MSN profile information however is public. I am amazed at the amount of personal details people put in their messenger profiles. I've seen phone numbers and addresses. I've seen people identify themselves as gay and Transsexual. If you want attention you will get it not only from transsexuals but public hate groups as well who will be sweet to you at first. Others will prey on those with female names. Please use your heads. Hate crimes happen to us often enough. Don't invite them.

Your best Internet weapon whether you are Transgender or not is ANONYMITY. We encourage that here. There is absolutely no reason I need to know your real name phone number or address. If it's important I'll PM you. I also don't need your ISP provider email. You should use that for personal private correspondence only. Some banks will insist on your ISP provider email, we won't. On most sites and for most web memberships use a throw away email such as hotmail or yahoo. They are throw away because you can abandon them or change them anytime. While I try to reply to email sent to me I never initiate it.

Porn sites and news groups

Before you join always check the privacy policy of the site. Is your information private or shared with other third parties? Always use throw away emails. As newsgroups are public be aware that some files are malicious and not all files are virus free. Expect some attacks. Internet security provides some protection but it's not 100% fool proof. The best protection is not to visit. This isn't a judgement, it's a safety fact.

The security software here is updated regurlarly and I pay extra for this. We do everthing humanly possible to protect you here. All the money in the world though won't help if you yourselves reveal your personal identifying information on this site. Protect yourselves and your computer. Stay anonymous on the net. Don't exchange your personal identifiers, phone number, real name or address on any site. We don't say this to be mean we say it to protect you.

Laura

[Guest mia 1]

Wll thanks for all the info. I'm headed to "My Contols" right now. Thanks to everyone, Mia

[Guest Sarah Marie]

Thank you, Laura, for the very thoughtfully written updates. In a bit I will launch a new topic on this in which I will pass along some additional information and prespectives that arose from several rude awakenings I have encountered this year.

One point that cannot be emphasized enough is two-fold: a) if you think your system is secured by your current software, it probably isn't, and just because a website looks legitimate and safe doesn't guarantee that it is, or that its Privacy Statement is accurate,up to date, or entirely honest.