Internet Risks
Hacking	Definition: hacking Defense: computer based firewall and a router.  If you are a hacker yourself contact me and I can explain how to defend yourself better.  I don´t usually even run a computer firewall unless I know that I might open a virus.  The router is good enough.  (a virus is a gateway to a hacker) Description: This subject is probably the least done but scares people the most.  I´ve only seen it done about 20 times in the last decade, with the other sections combined I´ve seen thousands of serious occurrences.  I´ve met people who have been victims and offenders of every other section.  With hacking I´ve only met victims, never offenders.  Every time i ask someone if they can hack they say they cannot.  It´s extremely difficult and keeps getting harder every year.  To hack over the internet you have to be a master at networking, programming, software, and usually databases too.  Nowadays you need more than just a single desktop computer you buy from a store to hack anything.  If someone says they are hacking remotely, ask them if they are using just 1 dell computer.  If they say yes, laugh at them.
Virus infection	Definition: computer virus Defense: av software, something that stops programs from running without your permission, and updating your computer software on a regular basis (once a week or month) are the best ways to stop virus infection.  Other ways are if your computer is running slow it has a chance of being a virus, but it´s probably spyware if you keep your computer up to date.  If your computer gets infected take it to a consultent or a computer store.  If the person who is fixing your computer is not that good you need to bring your operating system disk.  If the person asks for your driver cds too don´t give them your computer.  A computer person never needs driver cds to reinstall an os.  (I will be adding instructions how to reinstall an os and clean most viruses yourself later) Description: I´ve come into contact with hundreds of viruses, 99% on other peoples´ computers.  I´ve been able to clean 90% of them and 8% of the rest I was able to save all files and settings and reinstall the os, and it was as good as new.  The other 2% I lost everything but I could still reinstall the os, and the computer was as good as new.  If a really good computer person cannot reinstall an os it was not due to a virus.  Computers have tons of safety protocols and you can always bring them back to square 1 with a fresh os.  The only possible way I can think of permanently damaging a computer with a virus is to disable the overheating safetys and then overheat the processor.  Even if that happens I know with the pentium 4s it takes more than one time to melt.
Identity theft	Definition: identity theft Defense: use a "strong" password.  When a website asks for a secret question, don´t put in the correct answer.  Like if it says who was your first teacher, put your high school english teacher´s last name.  When you enter your email address anywhere that you can use a different password, use a password other than your email.  I generally have 3 passwords.  One for banking, one for emails, and one for signups for internet sites.  I don´t write my banking down, and I make sure to use my email pw only to log into email and stuff like that.  Don´t give anyone but your bank your social security number.  Don´t give your credit card number if you aren´t 100% sure who you are giving it to, you can use paypal instead.    Description: All the other information like your address phone birthday real name anyone can find online.  There is no real problem giving it out or telling people unless you have a relative who you want to stay away from.  Here´s a rule of thumb.  If a person doesn´t know you they are as good as I am in finding out information.  99% of people can´t find out phone numbers and addresses and relatives without paying someone.
Identity misrepresentation	Definition: when someone pretends to be someone they are not (sex, age, race, job, etc.) Defense: no great defense, just don´t believe a person is who they say they are if you ask them for a picture or to talk on the phone and they come up with an excuse ANY excuse, no matter how good. If it´s someone who is supposed to be helping you with some computer problem, do not judge if they are who they claim to be based on if they know what they are talking about.  I know more than most of the people I talk to on the phone who deal with the general public with computer things.  I could very easily impersonate someone from dell.  Don´t give out your soc number and be very reserved when giving out a credit card number.  If someone calls you or contacts you over the internet, don´t give out any information as a rule, ask to call them right back.  Description: I´ve been fooled more than half a dozen times.  A couple times people have given me false pictures.  The internet is only as dangerous as the people behind it.  Robbing or hurting someone is only done in person.  Stealing can be done over the internet.  90% of the people on the internet don´t generally lie steal or hurt people.  You always hear about the 10% who do, and 95% of people are afraid because they don´t know how to defend against people who have the ability to steal from a distance.
Spying	Definition: "watching" something when the person being watched doesn´t realize it, and probably doesn´t want it.  It can be with video, text, pictures, phone calls, or just finding out information about a person.    Defense: don´t use a webcam, or disable your laptop webcam.  Don´t give out any personal information and use personal information over the internet as little as possible.  Description: this is more for people who don´t like you, If a hacker is able to hack your stuff, they would probably steal your identity or mess with something else.  It´s kind of like killing someone to steal $1.  It´s not worth it.