Internet Security

How to avoid virus or spyware infection?

New viruses, spyware and worms are emerging every day looking their way into your Windows PC. Windows is the most popular operating system used today, thus most virus producers focus on that system.

1. Beware of the email. Email messages are the most common way of getting a virus. Most of the time, you are safe to open emails, but remember to never, ever click any link in that message, no matter how much tempting it may look like. You may only click links in messages that you've verified are 100% from genuine sources.

You also want to check if the URL leads you where it says: hover your mouse over the link and the status bar will show you the actual URL address you are going to visit if you click that link. If the link isn't consistent with the URL, be assured you are being scammed.


2. Sometimes while you work, a strange pop-up window may come up on the screen informing you that a virus has been found on your system and you need to click it to resolve the problem. Don't even think about doing it. Crackers and cybercriminals have found ways to display such messages remotely on poorly secured Windows systems and they simply want to scam you into doing something evil to your computer. Clicking that window may result in deleting all your disk files or installing highly dangerous spyware that may be used to track your online activity or to turn your computer into a zombie (which may be used to conduct online crime, such as Massive Denial of Service Attacks).


3. Be careful when dealing with instant messaging. Instant messengers are often used by criminals to send spam, and scam messages that can also contain viruses. Remember to never open any file, may it be sound, video, picture or text, if the message they are in is not from your buddy.

Some documents, including video files, can be really dangerous. Crackers have already discovered ways to smuggle viruses using video files, so be careful before opening any of these.


4. Don't download any files from any dubious website. If you are suspecting the site you are visiting may not be 100% legitimate or you are visiting a site that is not well-known to be safe, refrain from downloading any software. Don't download any documents, may it be executable file, Word file or any other file. All of them may be a virus.

Hypermedia & Hypertext

Hypertext

*Hypertext is basically the same as regular text - it can be stored, read, searched, or edited.

*hypertext is text with pointers to other text.

*The browsers let you deal with the pointers in a transparent way -- select the pointer, and you are presented with the text that is pointed to.
Hypermedia.

Hypertext, made famous by the World Wide Web, is most simply a way of constructing documents that reference other documents. Within a hypertext document, a block of text can be tagged as a hypertext link pointing to another document.When viewed with a hypertext browser, the link can be activated to view the other document.Hypertext documents can either be static (prepared and stored in advance) or dynamic (continually changing in response to user input). Static hypertext can be used to cross-reference collections of data in documents, software applications, or books on CDs.

A good characteristics of good hypertext consists of:

-lots of documents
-lots of links
-range of details
-correct links

Example of hypertext.
http://www.edwebproject.org/hyper4.html


Hypermedia

*Hypermedia is a superset of hypertext.

*Hypermedia documents contain links not only to other pieces of text, but also to other forms of media - sounds, images, and movies.

*Images themselves can be selected to link to sounds or documents.

*This means that browsers might not display a text file, but might display images or sound or animations.

*Hypermedia simply combines hypertext and multimedia

Examples of hypermedia.
http://www.iicm.tu-graz.ac.at/hwbook/22/22.11/node351.html

what are web blogs?

Weblogs

A blog is a website in which journal entries are posted on a regular basis and typically displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log.Term “weblog” coined in 1997 by Jorn Barger then shortened to “blog” by Peter Merholz in 1999. blogs have been popular since 2001 until now from the "Baghdad Blogger".

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a blog as a

“website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.

Wikipedia goes on to talk about the range of blogs from “individual diaries to arms of political campaigns, media programs, and corporations”.

Terminology :

Blogger – person who maintains a blog
Blogging – the act of creating a blog

Blogrolling – moving form blog to blog
Blogrolodex – a listing of other blogs
Blawgs, Klogs, Trackback, Ping, Permalink, …


Formore example of blogs.

http://www.elearnspace.org/blog
http://www.downes.ca

Chapter 4: Using Internet : Net Competency

After 5th week of class, I have learn many so things about Internet. One of the things that I have learned is the Netiquette on the Internet.

Netizen means the people who actively contribute online towards the development of the Net and discuss the nature and role of this new communications medium. They also understand the value of collective work and the communal aspects of public communications and promote the communal nature of the Net.

While, Netiquette refers to etiquette on the Internet. Good netiquette involves respecting others' privacy and not doing anything online that will annoy or frustrate other people. Three areas where good netiquette is highly stressed are e-mail, online chat, and newsgroups.

The are many type of etiquette such as the things we should do and shouldn't do on the Internet.

The do's and don't on the Internet:-

1. Use Computer Courtesy

Whether a person is sending an email, chatting in a chat room or speaking in a forum, it is important to be courteous and respectful of others online. Always remember the Golden Rule!

2. Use Emoticons

When communicating online, it can be difficult to gauge a writer's emotion. Unless a web camera or microphone is used, the writer's expression or emotion is difficult to determine. By using emoticons, the writer's proper emotion will be conveyed to the reader.

3. Be Brief Online

It is important to keep messages short, especially when writing an email or typing in a chat room. By using common chat abbreviations , not only will the reader appreciate the brevity of the message, it will save the author valuable time typing the message. Remember, keep it short and be brief!

4. DON’T SHOUT

No matter what forum, writing in all capital letters is considered SHOUTING and is considered very rude. A word or two in caps is fine, but shouting is not recommended.

5. Pay Attention to Language Issues

Improper, inappropriate or bad language may get a participant kicked out or permanently banned from a forum or group. It is also important to remember people from other countries may be participating in the conversation and language barriers may be an issue.

6. Think Before Posting

It is important to note, what is posted online today, may come back and haunt the writer tomorrow. That silly or fun photograph posted on a social networking site, may keep that person from getting a job later on. Many colleges and employers are now searching social networking sites prior to hiring.

7. Keep Personal Information Private

Posting private and personal information in the wrong location can have serious consequences. Identity theft is a rapidly growing concern. Divulging too much information could give predators and those with bad intentions valuable information. Be careful where personal information is posted. If private information is posted in a group setting, read the guidelines prior to posting. Children should not post private information online

8. Obey Copyright Laws

Obey copyright laws. Don’t steal!

9. Help Internet Newbies

Be patient and helpful with others. Remember, everyone was a newbie once.

10. Be Aware of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is increasing rapidly. Parents should talk honestly and openly to children about the issues of electronic bullying. Studies suggest most children do NOT tell a trusted adult if they are a victim of electronic bullying. If targeted by a cyberbully, do not respond. Keep all ORIGINAL correspondence, with dates and times if possible. If the messages are of a threatening nature or safety is a concern, contact local law enforcement as soon as possible.

By following these simple and straightforward Netiquette guidelines, the online experience will be enjoyable and safe for all!

10 Golden Rules on Lomography

1. Take your camera everywhere you go.
2. Use it any time – day and night
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it.
4. Try the shot from the hip.
5. Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible.
6. Don’t think.
7. Be fast.
8. You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film.
9. Afterwards either.
10. Don’t worry about any rules.

What is Lomography?

Lomography is the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG, Austria for products and services related to photography. The name is inspired by the former state-run optics manufacturer LOMO PLC of Saint Petersburg, Russia. LOMO PLC created and produced the 35 mm LOMO LC-A Compact Automat camera — which became the centerpiece of Lomography's marketing and sales activities. This camera was loosely based upon the Cosina CX-1 and introduced in the early 1980s.

In 1991, the Austrian founders of Lomography discovered the Lomo LC-A. As the company states, they were "charmed by the unique, colorful, and sometimes blurry" images that the camera produced. After a series of international art exhibitions and aggressive marketing work, Lomography signed an exclusive distribution agreement with LOMO PLC — thereby becoming the sole distributor of all Lomo LC-A cameras outside of the Soviet Union.