Your Daily Computer Security Tips

I have been keeping you advised of Vista Service Pack 1 developments. SP1 is due for general release soon. As I mentioned previously, Microsoft has published a list of 11 programs that may not run after you update to SP1, or you may have difficulty.

Check the list here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935796 before you update, and make a Restore Point. Most of the programs on the list are somewhat obscure, so it should not cause users too much of a problem. One exception, however, is the ZoneAlarm Security Suite. A link is provided for each listed program, where you can go for more information or updated software.

Meanwhile, down in New Zealand, an 18-year-old teenager has been charged, along with eight others, with running an international computer crime network. They penetrated over a million computers, putting ads in front of users, draining their bank accounts and enlisting their PCs into a botnet.

The teen was known online as AKILL, and conducted his illegal activities through computers in the Netherlands. Thirteen other warrants have been served around the world in connection with this investigation. The FBI estimates total losses in this operation at over $20 million.

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online. He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century. Find out how he does it; protect your own computer with five layers of protection right here:
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