Is it possible to be overly paranoid about computer security? see details...?

Question

I am fairly new to having a personal computer, less than a year. I have the usual software protection programs.

However, I will not venture into any online banking or bill paying online because I am afraid of some unknown boogeyman stealing my money.

I won't even email anyone outside of a small circle of people because once again, I am afraid of some stranger showing up at my front door.

Are these fears valid? Or just ignorance based? I would like to be more active online, to get more use out of my purchase, but I am just scared.

What is your opinion? I am not l really looking for links to computer products, as I am too, yes, scared to click on a link from here...just talk me down out of these fears....

Answer 1

Hello,Lady;)

The three people sitting on my head all have very valid points...
To an extent...
I will reciprocate a mailing too you and see if i may assist you when i get a few minutes lady...

Thank You

Answer 2

Let's see..... you're at Level 7, almost 30,000 points, over 6,000 answers with almost 20% best answers..... you allow people to email you..... and you're wondering if you're paranoid? You've spent quite a bit of time on Y!A and I'm sure an equal or greater amount of time on other sites. Doesn't sound too paranoid to me. So let's examine your questions.

1. Someone stealing your money online. Do you take a purse or wallet with you when you go shopping? Are you afraid of getting mugged and ripped off? How did you overcome those fears?
2. Email only a small circle of friends. Do you use snail mail? Do you put your return address on the envelope? How many people do you think have access to that return address just within the post office? How many strangers have shown up at your doorstep?

A scenario you didn't ask about: leaving your house to go to school, work, visit friends, driving a car, using a credit card at a store or restaurant, showing your driver's license for ID..... all of these every days tasks and leaving clues about yourself all over the place. Name, address, phone number, driver's license number, etc. How paranoid are you about these things?

Now tell me again why you think you're more vulnerable using a computer.

plrr

Answer 3

It is possible to be too paranoid. There are many ways ID thieves get information that don't depend on you using a computer, including stealing paper bills from you mail or trash. Using online banking is reasonably safe and you might notice unusual activity earlier if you check your account more often rather than waiting for the paper statement. If you do use online banking, do not answer any e-mails from your bank saying "verify your information or your account will be suspended." Not answering such messages is entirely reasonable paranoia, those e-mails are almost always fraud.

E-mail is hard to track back to your home address, but the more you give it out, the more spam you will get. You can sign up for another e-mail like [e-mail] and use it for dealing with most people.

Answer 4

Your fears are well justified. At the same time you want to be able to use your computer as there is a world of knowledge that one can gain from the use of their computer.

The key is to use good common sense. The computer is not your friend or none friend that you talk to in person face to face. With them you can feel their energy, see their body language or look into their eyes, (the mirror of ones soul). And you will know right away if you like this person or feel very uncomfortable around them. You have the options to let them into your space or keep them out of your space.

The internet does not give you this option, because the person who sits behind their computer, you are unable to see them in person. Even if they sent you a picture this does not mean that the picture is who they say they are.

Here are two excellent sites that you can open by left clicking on the link. The first one is from Australia Government of Security Alerts that I subscribe. (I don't reside in Australia, I subscribe because they come out faster with security alerts then any of the antivirus or antispyware companies do. Plus they give you excellent advise on all subject matters, on how to stay safe and enjoy your pc).

http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au


The second link below is from my daily BBC News, that I subscribe. This link has indepth knowledge on how the criminals use you and your lack of knowledge to ripp you off. Plus there is a section that goes into safe surfing on the internet. Very interesting reading.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6083818.stm

Again your feers are valid. Although you can enjoy the internet and gain all of the knowledge that the internet has to offer. Again just use really good common sense. If you do, you will always be safe an evolve an enjoy the internet.

Clinical Psychiatrist, France

Excuse my english.

Answer 5

It is better to be safe then sorry, sometimes it is worth keeping up your guard. There are many obvious ways to avoid personal info ex.

1. You Just won a FREE Laptop ( As the old saying goes, if it is to good to be true then yes it is,

2. You recive an email "Dear Client we regret to inform you that a security flaw has accidently compromise your account. Please sign in (here) To verify your account." ( Well you have to watch out for scam emails like this.

to tell if the email address is real when you open the page always look for 2 things!

1) What company is this from? If its from paypal does the Address say www.paypal.com or is it a long address that I can not type?

2. Is there a little lock on the bottom? If you see a small lock on the bottom that means that the site you are typing in your information is secured/ encrypted. Sign in to your yahoo mail and look at the sign in screen page. If you do not see the lock then look for the link secure sign in.

For your questions:
1. Its ok not to pay bills online, if you are not a slacker and you perfer to get things done and over with then there is no need to pay the bills online, if you do everything on time. Heck I perfer to pay by cash then credit or check.

2. Email is important - Easy way to protect yourself. Sign up for a free email address like yahoo or hotmail. First Use a phony name like James Smith etc.. Then fill out the information as best you can. Use this phony email with your phony names to sign up and register for games and sites. When you recieve spamm or email containing your fake name then you obviously know not to open it.

3. If you wish to purchase things online then get a disposalable credit card. Im sure you can find them somewhere. There like gift cards except they are credit cards and you can spend only so much on the card and it can be used for so long. (You put the money in the card and when its use up then just cut it up and throw it away)
example: (What Visa Credit Card offers, there are others.)
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_gift_card.html?it=wb|/|Give%20a%20Personal%20Gift
Im sure you can get it somewhere at a bank or at AAA where I am from.

4. Always keep your computer protected.
Essential computer tools:
1. Virus Scanner ( Scan your computer once a week for safety)
2. Firewall ( To prevent anyone from accessing your computer)
3. Spyware/Adware scanner ( This prevents people from planting stuff on your computer to collect personal Info
4. I would not recomend annomyus proxy unless your very paranoid. Reason to use a proxy (see below)

Reason 1: You are surfing the web and says find jobs at (your city!) Do not worry!

The only reason they know this is based on your IP information. They do not know who actually is behind the computer only the address.


Ex seattle-Wa-Verizon-net-23.566.777.432

http://www.ipchicken.com

If you are afraid of things suddenly install on your computer create a new user account and make it as a guest (for restrictions) Then when you need to work or do important stuff use your main login screen name for full access.

Thats all I can think of. Anyways Welcome to The World Wide Web! If you have any questions then feel free to ask again!

Answer 6

u better be paranoid....let me catch u slipping

ill tell ya what ...yes are are right to be scared...there is alot of people out there that like to wreak havoc..watch this video..it is about 5 minutes long but i think u will find it interesting
http://www.hispasec.com/laboratorio/troyano_video_en.htm
u can use all the security software u want butyour fingers are what is gonna keep u out of trouble..or get u into trouble
as long as u have a good firewall..antivirus and a couple spyware programs and make sure they are updated...but if u want to do banking then make sure u are on a secure site...u will see a lock on the bottom of ie
a few goodies to use if u use ie is
spyware guard
spyware blater
ie spyad
mcafee site advisor
or check this out
http://www.msfirefox.com/

Answer 7

There is a world of convenience out there available to you. Only use reputable sites of reputable companies that you know.

It is very safe and comfy under a rock, but you'll get more accomplished on line if you venture out with wisdom.

The Cyber Sage

Answer 8

umm let me tell you my story.. i had hackers when using Norton and Mcafee.. mischief makers. started off with turning my yahoo page upside down.. had my mouse going crazy and opening lots of windows.. frooze my mouse up and then frooze the keyboard.. one hacker was able 2 get on my instant messenger and talk 2 my friend at the same time i was talking 2 her and the hacker was using my screen name 2 do it.. strange.. the hacker knew how 2 disable my anti's.. after having my comp worked on by a pro twice.. and went 2 my account and changed my real name and put in a screen name.. i recieved mail from the mail man from the post office with my screen name on it..soo back 2 my account i put in a fake address.. downloaded AVG.. went back 2 my account and changed my password.. changing your password once a mo. is a good idea..then recently my daughter had my name on her comp, and a hacker got in, used her yahoo addy and went online 2 see about a 209,000 dollar loan.. the loan company called me, because the hacker used my name.. i called the big 3 credit card holders and had a red flag put on my name.. all is quiet now.. and never would i put my addy on profile..2 me it's like leaving your front door unlocked.. bummer eh..

Answer 9

Education and understanding of security issues will make you both: more secure and less prone to be paranoid when there is no need for it. In my opinion not venturing into thing which you don’t understand is called common sense.

Try listening to auditions from this page. Auditions are excellent in depth, simple term review of wide aspect of security issues and PC & Internet world in general:

http://www.grc.com/SecurityNow.htm

Also if interested could read article (by same author) which is account of attack experienced from teenage hacker. Interesting lecture:

http://www.grc.com/dos/grcdos.htm

Author of site is Steve Gibson, creator of AdAware, who became famous after blowing publicly whistle on AOL, Netscape Navigator and Real One player – in result of which all three of them ended up being sued. Gibson has been asked numerous times by FBI for assistance among others in extrusions attacks cases made by Russian mafia on E-bay, Yahoo and others.

Link below allows exchange views with Steve Gibson himself directly - on his forum (700 thousands of registered users, one of major security forums containing top Universities researchers and practically all major software and security software comapnies engineers):

http://www.grc.com/discussions.htm

In my opinion, excellent source of knowledge and understanding for all security conscious people.

I am sophomore of Computer Network major in major University in US. Audition has been recommended by my professor in school.

Answer 10

In time ..you will let your guard down a little at a time. Most of us did it the other way around..we just went here... did that ect. Better safe than sorry.