Monthly Security Tips
NEWSLETTER

Volume 5, Issue 1

From the Desk of Jason Fujihara

What  Are the Cyber Trends for 2010?

• Malware, worms, and Trojan horses: These will continue to spread by email, instant messaging, malicious websites, and infected non-malicious websites. Some websites will automatically download the malware without the user’s knowledge or intervention. This is known as a “drive-by download.”  Other methods will require the users to click on a link or button.

• Botnets and zombies: These threats will continue to proliferate as the attack techniques evolve and become available to a broader audience, with less technical knowledge required to launch successful attacks.  Botnets designed to steal data are improving their encryption capabilities and thus becoming more difficult to detect.

• Scareware – fake/rogue security software: There are millions of different versions of malware, with hundreds more being created and used every day. This type of scam can be particularly profitable for cyber criminals — as many users believe the pop-up warnings telling them their system is infected and are lured into downloading and paying for the special software to “protect” their system.

• Attacks on client-side software: With users keeping their operating systems patched, client-side software vulnerabilities are now an increasingly popular means of attacking systems. Client-side software includes things like Internet browsers, media players, PDF readers, etc.  This software will continue to have vulnerabilities and subsequently be targeted by various malwares.

• Ransom attacks: these attacks occur when a user or company is infected by malware that encrypts their hard drives or they are impacted by a Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDOS) attack. The cyber criminals then notify the user or company that if they pay a small fee, the DDOS attack will stop or the hard drive will be unencrypted.  This type of attack has existed for a number of years and is now gaining in popularity.

• Social Network Attacks: Social network attacks will be one of the major sources of attacks in 2010 because of the volume of users and the amount of personal information that is posted.  Users’ inherent trust in their online friends is what makes these networks a prime target.  For example, users may be prompted to follow a link on someone’s page, which could bring users to a malicious website.

• Cloud Computing: Cloud computing is a growing trend due to its considerable cost saving opportunities for organizations. Cloud computing refers to a type of computing that relies on sharing computing resources rather than maintaining and supporting local servers.  The growing use of cloud computing will make it a prime target for attack.

• Web Applications: There continues to be a large number of websites and online applications developed with inadequate security controls.  These security gaps can lead to the compromise of the site and potentially to the site’s visitors.

• Budget cuts: fiscal constraints will be a problem for security personnel and a boon to cyber criminals.  With less money to update software, hire personnel and implement security controls, enterprises will be trying to do more with less. By not having up-to-date software, appropriate security controls or enough personnel to secure and monitor the networks, organizations will be more vulnerable.

What Can I Do?

The following are helpful tips to assist in minimizing risk:

• · Properly configure and patch operating systems, browsers, and other software programs.
• · Use and regularly update firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware programs.
• Be cautious about all communications; think before you click. Use common sense when    communicating with users you DO and DO NOT know.
• Do not open email or related attachments from un-trusted sources.

The information provided in the Monthly Security Tips Newsletters is intended to increase the security awareness of an organization’s end users and to help them behave in a more secure manner within their work environment.  While some of the tips may relate to maintaining a home computer, the increased awareness is intended to help improve the organization’s overall cyber security posture. Organizations have permission–and in fact are encouraged–to brand and redistribute this newsletter in whole for educational, non-commercial purposes.

Brought to you by:

www.msisac.org

Monthly Cyber Security Tips
NEWSLETTER

Volume 3, Issue 9

What Personal Information is Collected?

Many types of organizations are interested in obtaining and using your personal information, and it’s important to know what information is being collected, by whom and how it will be used.

Websites track web users as they navigate cyberspace. Data may be  collected about you as a result of many of your routine activities including:

• When you make purchases and pay bills with credit cards, you leave a data trail consisting of purchase amount, purchase type, date, and time.
• When you pay by check, data such as phone number, home address, driver’s license number, etc. may often be requested to verify your identity.
• When you use supermarket discount cards, the store is able to create a comprehensive database of everything you have purchased.
• When you surf the web, you leave a significant data trail such as your name, email address, Internet address of your computer, the name of your computer, the last time you visited that particular site, the type of browser and operating system you are using.
• When you sign up for a subscription or service (for a magazine, book or music club, professional association, warranty card, etc.) or give money to charities your personal information is often collected and stored.

Protecting Your Personal Information

The following tips should be used to help you manage your personal information wisely, to help minimize its misuse, and to lessen the risk of your personal information being compromised:

• Most legitimate websites include a privacy statement.  This is usually a link at the bottom of the home page and details the type of personally identifiable information the site collects about its visitors, how the information is used—including with whom it may be shared— and how users can control the information that is gathered. Be sure to read the privacy statement on websites you are visiting prior to providing any personal information, to understand that entity’s policy regarding protection of data.
• When shopping online, guard the security of your transactions by ensuring the transaction is submitted securely. When submitting your purchase information, look for the “lock” icon on the browser’s status bar to be sure your information is secure during transmission.
• Periodically check your Internet browser settings (e.g. Security and Privacy) to ensure that the settings are adequate for your level and type of Internet activity.
• If you are not already using anti-spyware or adware protection software, start now.  This software is designed to protect against spyware or malware designed to extract private information from your computer without your knowledge. Make sure you keep the anti-spyware or adware protection programs updated.
• Be sure to have a firewall installed and enabled on your computer.
• If you store private data on your laptop or other portable electronic devices (e.g. USB), use encryption software to protect your private data in the event the device is lost or stolen.
• Use strong passwords on all your accounts, such as a minimum of eight characters and a mix of special symbols, letters and numbers.
• To protect against identity theft, always question someone who is asking you to reveal any personably identifiable information. Find out how it will be used and whether it will be shared with others.
• Keep items with personal information in a safe place. When you discard receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, health records, bank statements, or other personal documents, tear or shred them.
• Order a copy of your free annual credit report. Make sure it’s accurate and includes only those activities you’ve authorized.

References

To learn more about protecting your privacy, you may wish to visit the following sites:

• Identity Theft: www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm
• Consumer Action: www.consumer-action.org
• Electronic Privacy Information Center: www.epic.org
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: www.privacyrights.org
• World Privacy Forum: www.worldprivacyforum.org
• Free Annual Credit Report: www.annualcreditreport.com
• US-CERT Tips for Strong Passwords: www.uscert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-002.html

The information provided in the Monthly Security Tips Newsletters is intended to increase the security awareness of an organization’s end users and to help them behave in a more secure manner within their work environment.  While some of the tips may relate to maintaining a home computer, the increased awareness is intended to help improve the organization’s overall cyber security posture.

Monthly Security Tips
NEWSLETTER

Volume 4, Issue 12

From the Desk of Jason Fujihara

Why do I need to update my software?

One of the basic tenets of computer security is to update your operating system and other software installed on your computer. Software updates fix problems in the software, add functionality, and most importantly, fix vulnerabilities that impact the security of the software and subsequently your computer.  These vulnerabilities can lead to your computer—and information that resides on it—being compromised.  Exploitation of vulnerabilities may occur by opening documents, viewing an email which contains malicious code or visiting a web site hosting malicious content.  Seventy percent of the top 100 web sites hosted malicious content or contained a link designed to redirect users to malicious sites.²

What is a software patch (fix) and when should I install software patches?

Patches are often called “fixes.”  A patch is software that is used to correct a problem to an application (software program) or an operating system.  Computer companies are continuously addressing security holes (i.e. vulnerabilities) in computer software which could be used to infect your computer with a virus, spyware or worse.  When vulnerabilities are discovered, the software vendor typically issues a fix (i.e. patch) to correct the problem.  This fix should be applied as soon as possible since the average time for someone to try to exploit this security hole can be as little as a few minutes.  Most major software companies will periodically release patches, usually downloadable from the Internet, that correct very specific problems in their software programs.  Please check with your software vendor that the update will not interfere with the operation of your programs.

My computer includes hundreds of software programs– which ones do I need to update and how often?

One of the challenges facing the average computer user is to know which software needs to be updated and how often. Software programs that communicate or interact with the Internet are especially susceptible to attacks and should be kept at a vendor-supported version and current on all patches.

Many software programs include a feature called “auto update.”  This feature allows the computer to check for updates at periodic intervals.  The software will automatically check for updates and save them

to your computer.  Some updates will instruct you to “reboot” your computer before the software update can be applied.

At a minimum, you should enable the auto update feature on the following products:

• Anti-virus and Anti-spam signatures: anti-virus and anti-spam software requires regular updates to virus and spam signatures to remain effective.  New viruses and other types of malware appear every day and the anti-virus/anti-spam vendors release new signatures on a daily basis to stay on top of the new threats.
• Windows Office software: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. – (see below for updating Windows software)
• Internet Browsers: e.g., Internet Explorer (Microsoft), Firefox (Mozilla), Safari (Apple) and Chrome (Google).  Make sure you update any software you use for browsing the Internet.
• Adobe products: e.g., Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat, Flash, Shockwave
• Media Players: e.g., Windows Media Player (Microsoft), QuickTime (Apple), Real Player (Real Networks) and Flash Player (Adobe)
• Java (Sun Microsystems):  Java is software that is installed on most computers to allow users to play online games, conduct online chats, and view images in 3D, among other functions. It is also used for Intranet applications and other e-business solutions.
• Other software programs that communicate or interact with the Internet, like e-mail, web servers, and remote desktop software are especially susceptible to attacks and should be kept current on patches and version levels.

It is very important to promptly download and patch your operating system and programs whenever security updates or “service packs” become available.  These patches are created to protect systems against potential attacks.  Be aware that attacks sometimes occur before updates are released.

How do I update my Microsoft Windows programs?

Windows Update is a Microsoft service that provides updates for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft software.  Installing Windows updates, such as “service packs” and other patches, is necessary to keep your Windows system secure.   To activate Windows Update, go to Settings/Control Panel/Automatic Updates.  When you turn on Automatic Updates, Windows routinely checks the Windows Update web site for high-priority updates that can help protect your computer from the latest viruses and other security threats. These updates can include security updates, critical updates, and “service packs.”  Depending on the setting you choose, Windows automatically downloads and installs any high-priority updates that your computer needs, or notifies you as these updates become available. Be sure to set the auto updates to daily, as patches can be released at any time.

Note: Many organizations have formal processes to patch systems that will automatically update all appropriate software.  In these situations, no end user action is required.

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Source:  1.  F-Secure
Source:  2.  SC Magazine

For more information, please visit the monthly cyber security newsletter tips at:

www.msisac.org