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So just how sneaky can spyware be?

2010-03-19T12:00:00-08:00

Suppose someone had an MSN instant message conversation on a computer that had spyware on it (unbeknownst to them). Could a hacker access these messages, without access to the computer that had the spyware on it, where the messages were sent from? In other words, from an unrelated computer source?

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The scenario you outline is a little unclear, but the short answer is probably ... Yes

Spyware can be extremely invasive and, for lack of a better term, "sneaky".

There are some very frightening scenarios.

Continue reading So just how sneaky can spyware be?
Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Can a recovery partition be infected?

2010-03-19T11:17:42-08:00

Many of the new computers make a "D" partition that holds the equivalent of a Restore Disk, that used to be common practice to come with a new machine. My question is: if a machine is contaminated with viruses and/or malware, is the "Rebuild Partition" also infected?

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Is it affected? Maybe, maybe not. It varies.

Can a recovery partition be infected? Absolutely.

Add that to my long list of why I dislike recovery partitions, and typically get rid of them - after doing a couple of things first.

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Is is safe to leave a flash drive plugged in all the time?

2010-03-18T11:07:50-08:00

Some time ago I think I read on your site that flash drives can wear out. Now, I keep my flash drive in all the time because I'm a writer and am always backing things upon the computer and the flash drive, but I dislike having to close the flash drive down, take it out, only to reinsert it again after I take a break or run an errand. And I always leave it in when I run a full system scan because the flash drive will get scanned also.

1. Is it harmful to the flash drive to just leave it plugged in 24/7, even when I put the computer on standby for the night?

2. Why is it necessary to shut the flash drive down before removing it from the computer? Why can I just pull it out when done?

3. And if I am correct about flash drives wearing out, what wears out? As far as I can tell they have no moving parts. And at what point should I consider replacing the flash drives I have?

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These are very legitimate questions, but unfortunately very tough questions to answer.

Flash drives do wear out, absolutely.

But exactly when a flash drive will wear out can vary based on so many things it's almost impossible to give a specific answer.

I'll give you my best guess answers, and then also throw out some guidelines that I'd follow on using a flash drive were I in your shoes.

Continue reading Is is safe to leave a flash drive plugged in all the time?
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How do I keep my laptop safe at the airport?

2010-03-17T16:58:39-08:00

How can I protect my laptop at airport security, and really what is the problem with the measures the laptop goes through?

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I'm not sure what problems you might be referring to. Airport security, while it certainly has its annoyances and issues, rarely causes problems related to laptops.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared, though.

Having just gone through this with my recent international travel I've put some thought into it.

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What's the difference between a "quick" and a "full" scan, and which do I want?

2010-03-15T14:37:53-08:00

Should I be running a 'Full Scan' or a 'Quick Scan' on my various anti-spyware, anti-malware, anti-virus software? The options, and their differences aren't always clear to me - when would one be more suitable than the other, and what might be the dangers of running the wrong one?

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Naturally, the answer changes slightly depending on which program we're talking about, but ultimately the software giving you a pretty basic choice:

Do you want the scan to be quick, and pretty good? Or would you rather it take much longer but also be much more thorough?

Of course it all depends on what I mean by "pretty good" and "much more thorough".

I'll outline what they usually mean, and then which I suggest using and when.

Continue reading What's the difference between a "quick" and a "full" scan, and which do I want?
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How do I make something run automatically when I log in to Windows 7?

2010-03-12T15:44:03-08:00

Running Windows 7, I'd like Internet Explorer to start automatically when I log in. How do I do that?

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As is evidenced by all the malware that does it, making something start when Windows starts or when you login is actually pretty easy.

I'll show you one of the simplest approaches.

Continue reading How do I make something run automatically when I log in to Windows 7?
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Why are emailed attachments larger than the original file?

2010-03-12T11:43:14-08:00

Why are email attachments in general much larger than the actual attachment sent? Is something added to them by the email client?

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I wouldn't say that anything is "added" to the attachment other than perhaps some administrative data like its name - the attachment is still just the attachment.

However, something is done to the attachment that will most definitely make it larger.

And it all has to do with the fact that the technology behind email is, basically, older than dirt. (In internet terms, of course.)

Continue reading Why are emailed attachments larger than the original file?
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How do I get rid of all this spam?!?!

2010-03-11T08:00:00-08:00

If it seems like the amount of spam you're seeing has been getting worse that's only because it has. Spam in all its variants has only been increasing, and attempts to legislate a solution appear to have had little if any impact.

So what's a poor user to do?

Continue reading How do I get rid of all this spam?!?!
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What are (and how do I get rid of) "Antivirus 2010" and "Vista Spyware 2010"?

2010-03-10T09:54:53-08:00

We're seeing a rash of Internet Antivirus 2010 and Security Center malware installations in customer computers. Do you have any information concerning where these infections are most likely coming from (email, web browsing, etc) and what are the best recommendations for catching infection attempts before they wreak havoc?

Hi Leo, Can you please tell me what is this "Vista Spyware 2010". It seems like an unwanted program and shows me messages every now and then claiming my system is infected and I should subscribe their software.

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What they are is pretty easy: malware.

As these two questioners point out, there's been a rash of infections related to both of these two. In fact, it's looking like an annual event, since we seem to have seen an "antivirus 20xx" every year for the last few years.

The good news is that they're fairly easy to prevent with a little diligence on your part, and several reputable anti-malware tools will also remove them.

Continue reading What are (and how do I get rid of) "Antivirus 2010" and "Vista Spyware 2010"?
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How do I know when it's safe to allow programs that cause the User Account Control (UAC) notification to occur?

2010-03-07T13:34:35-08:00

With Vista and now Windows 7, I get prompted to allow or dis-allow programs looking to access my computer - to give my permission for that or to deny. I have no idea how to know what is legit, illegitimate, or grey area (like manufacturer of my laptop collecting info on my computer use to try to sell me more stuff). Any ideas?

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What you're seeing, of course, is Windows "User Account Control" or UAC - a feature not unlike that present in both Linux and the Mac operating systems. The basic premise is that before software does anything that would (or could) potentially install software or otherwise harm your computer, the system simply asks first.

The knee-jerk reaction is "if you're not sure, say no". However, there are some things you can keep in mind that will let you be a little more sure a little more often, and as a result allow you to make a more informed decision.

Continue reading How do I know when it's safe to allow programs that cause the User Account Control (UAC) notification to occur?
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When do I actually need to run a virus scan?

2010-03-06T08:00:00-08:00

Do you have more than one anti-virus program running at any one time, to stop newly arriving viruses, or do you just have them ready to run when you've got a virus and want to clean it out?

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Virus scanners are best used to prevent viruses from ever reaching your machine, but you raise a very good issue that most folks don't realize.

There are two types of scans, and each has a place and a purpose.

Continue reading When do I actually need to run a virus scan?
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What are the pros and cons of web-based email over desktop email?

2010-03-05T15:19:45-08:00

My wife and I once used Eudora where email was downloaded, but right now seem to be happy with the huge amount of space we have available for our web-based email on the ISP's servers. We do lots of housekeeping, retaining only what we need for as long as we need it. What other things should we consider? What does a traditional email program like Thunderbird provide that we might consider?

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Web-based and PC-based or downloaded email are two fairly radically different ways to approach email. As you can imagine, there are arguments in favor of or against each, and which might be most appropriate for you depends on many things, not the least of which is what "feels" right to you.

I'll look at both, identifying what I think are the important issues, and also outline the approach I take.

Continue reading What are the pros and cons of web-based email over desktop email?
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