The Ten Most Dangerous Things Users Do Online Options

[quietman7]

...The following is our list of "The Ten Most Dangerous Things Users Do Online," along with some explanation of the risks -- and solutions -- associated with each...

1. Clicking on email attachments from unknown senders
2. Installing unauthorized applications
3. Turning off or disabling automated security tools
4. Opening HTML or plain-text messages from unknown senders
5. Surfing gambling, porn, or other legally-risky Websites
6. Giving out passwords, tokens, or smart cards
7. Page 8: Random surfing of unknown, untrusted Websites
8. Attaching to an unknown, untrustworthy WiFi network
9. Filling out Web scripts, forms, or registration pages
10. Participating in chat rooms or social networking sites

darkreading.com

[Archer-of-Death]

what about warez?

[Nat Sci]

what about warez?

Uhh.. Thats no. 5.

5. Surfing gambling, porn, or other legally-risky Websites

This post has been edited by Nat Sci: Dec 6 2006, 09:49 PM

[fozzie]

Warez refers primarily to copyrighted material traded in violation of copyright law. The term generally refers to illegal releases by organized groups, as opposed to peer-to-peer file sharing between friends or large groups of people with similar interest using a Darknet. It usually does not refer to commercial for-profit software counterfeiting. This term was initially coined by members of the various computer underground circles, but has since become commonplace among Internet users and the media.

The term "Piracy" is used in this article to refer "unauthorized use of intellectual property", where "unauthorized" refers to a lack of authority granted by the holder of the intellectual property and the use is within the jurisdiction of the legal authority under which a property right requiring such authorization for use is established.

Source

[phoenix777]

Like any New York hooker will tell you, nothin's free
If it's giving you thrills and good stuff for "Free" it's probably scanning your drive for valuable stuff or infecting you with trojans and dialers and all sorts of nasties. You'd be surprised how many people have their ss#, credit card numbers and various other info that people could exploit for money stored on their system somewhere.
If it's "hooking you up" be skeptical, be very skeptical.

[phoenix777]

Like any New York hooker will tell you, nothin's free
If it's giving you thrills and good stuff for "Free" it's probably scanning your drive for valuable stuff or infecting you with trojans and dialers and all sorts of nasties. You'd be surprised how many people have their ss#, credit card numbers and various other info that people could exploit for money stored on their system somewhere.
If it's "hooking you up" be skeptical, be very skeptical.

Let me amend this statement, this site is very reputable and the free help you get is very reliable. This is one of the sites that provided great info a couple years back when my ex-wife got my desktop infected with the look2me bug.

[MickinPlymouthUK]

5. Surfing gambling, porn, or other legally-risky Websites
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Huh? You mean there are other things I can do with my PC besides that??

[paige3663]

10. Participating in chat rooms or social networking sites

Seriously??? What else are us single women with no life supposed to do?

[usasma]

10. Participating in chat rooms or social networking sites

Seriously??? What else are us single women with no life supposed to do?

You can always hang out at BC!

Seriously tho' - I met my wife on a chat room and we dated for 2 years over the internet. We've been married for 4 years now and everything is rosy (no infections until the kids got on the internet)!

[TMacK]

paige3663, have you visited Bleeping Computers sister site ThoughtVent?
It's a community where you can talk to your peers about whatever you want.

[paige3663]

You can always hang out at BC!
Seriously tho' - I met my wife on a chat room and we dated for 2 years over the internet. We've been married for 4 years now and everything is rosy (no infections until the kids got on the internet)!

And so I am

Sweet - congrats Usasma
That doesnt surprise me having read some of the comments people have left on your profile
Sounds like you were quite the catch

paige3663, have you visited Bleeping Computers sister site ThoughtVent?
It's a community where you can talk to your peers about whatever you want.

I haven't. Didnt hear of it till now
I shall thou
thanks

[kalpia]

My top 10 (IMHO)
1. Opening email attachments from unknown/untrusted senders [this should be a no brainer for everyone at this point]
2. Installing pirated software without scanning it first [should be another no brainer after all everyone uses pirated SW]
3. Not having a good firewall and virus protection [there REALLY are good free ones available - get one and USE it]
4. Putting any personal information (SS#, CC#, etc.) on your computer [that's why God made paper & pencils]
5. Allowing anyone under the age of 18 unrestricted/unsupervised access to the internet [it's a dangerous world kitds]
6. Send threatening emails or posting threats on your personal web page (Blog) [not nice and the Fed's will track you down]
7. Impersonate another gender while in a chat room or other social networking site [I hate it when that happens to me]
8. Use CC to pay without being sure of the site or if they have a secure server [most say what they're using - read it carefully]
9. Not updating your virus/firewall protection automatically or manually [should update at least weekly if not more]
10.Posting 10 items when you really only have 5 or 6 that are worth while [OK, I'm desperate]

The real thing to keep in mind is just using a little common (not really that common) sense. There are some very good free things out there and a wealth of good info but be careful, there's a reason things are called Trojans; they can hide nasty stuff and keep in mind that anyone can post any piece of crap (ala me) that they want so use your own brain, it's your best defense!

Happy and safe surfing to all. BTW - I found this site while just surfing and I'm glad I did.

[Orange Blossom]

after all everyone uses pirated SW

Actually no. I don't, and I know I'm not alone in this.

1) There is a wonderful collection of completely legal and free software available. BC maintains a list of such tested and used by our members in this link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3616.html

2) There are significant legal issues involved in using pirated software: copyright violations and lawsuits come to mind. BC does not endorse the use of pirated software of any sort. Please read the BC Board Rules for our position on this.

Installing pirated software without scanning it first

It is not merely the illegal software that could be infected. The sites themselves are infested with malware.

Some of the worst types of malware infections can be contracted and spread by visiting crack, keygen, warez and other pirated software sites. In many cases, these sites are infested with a smörgåsbord of malware. Those who attempt to get software for free can end up with a computer system so badly damaged that recovery is not possible and it cannot be repaired. When that happens there is nothing you can do besides reformatting and reinstalling Windows.

Merely visiting such sites without downloading ANYTHING is one of the worst things a user can do online.

Orange Blossom

[ruby1]

kalpia

Installing pirated software without scanning it first [should be another no brainer after all everyone uses pirated SW]

if you value the health of your pc and your bank balance you will NOT install ANY pirated software

everyone uses pirated SW? as I am part OF that everyone I must disagree with that statement;

you SHOULD perhaps say that NO one should use pirated software

I wonder if we dare ask if you practice the running OF pirated SW?

[kalpia]

OK, I stand corrected, it seems that very few people have ever tried or used pirated sw, I am the rare exception and I am dutifully standing in the corner with my head hung low.

I've been in the "computer" biz for over 25 years and I have NEVER found anyone who can HONESTLY say that they have never accepted and used a "pirated" or gifted piece of sw...but I do run in pretty dicey crowds. And yes Ruby1, I'm guilty; then and now. I'm reluctant to shell out several hundred dollars for sw that may or may not live up to its marketing claims, and the little demo pieces that they give you to try are so chopped up that you really don't know if it will work or not...but that's me and I do it with my eyes wide open and accepting the risks and if I like it I buy it.

OB, I would not expect this site, or any other site like this, to endorse anything remotely illegal, I don't endorse it either but it happens and as such people should be aware of the risks and do all they can to guard themselves (I don't believe kids should be sexually active either but if they are I hope they take precautions). As a general practice I DO reformate my HD about every year, it helps get rid of much of the useless clutter that I've LEGALLY collected and don't use. I don't know why people are so afraid of reformating, it's a couple of hours spent re-acquainting yourself with your system.

On a separate note it would be interesting to do a poll of those who come to this site to see how many have ever D/L and/or used Unlicensed sw.