Privacy & Security Education

Personal Privacy for Computer Users (continued)

Summary

There are many threats to privacy in this age of increasing connectivity. You can prevent compromise by criminals and by privacy-invading pest infestations by following these simple rules:

• Read the fine print before installing any software, and especially adware that is supported by channeling ads to your computer;
• Install and configure a personal firewall on your computer to identify and block unauthorized outbound connections as well as unauthorized inbound connections;
• Always run an antivirus program that updates itself automatically to counter new threats;
• Scan your system regularly with a tool like PestPatrol, which identifies and removes not only spyware but also many thousands of other pests that can hurt your computer and your privacy.

About PestPatrol

PestPatrol, Inc. is a Carlisle, PA based developer of anti-hacker tools founded in May 2000 by a team of security software professionals to counter the growing threat of malicious non-viral software. The company's founders, Robert C Bales and Dr David Stang, were the original founders of the National Computer Security Association (NCSA), later the ICSA and now known as TruSecure Corporation. The company's flagship product, PestPatrol™, detects and removes hacker, remote administration and distributed denial-of-service attack creation tools, trojans, spyware and adware. Further details about the company and a free evaluation version of the software may be downloaded at www.pestpatrol.com.

Further Reading

Alderman, E. & C. Kennedy (1997). The Right to Privacy. Vintage Books. ISBN 0-6797-4434-7. 411 pp.

Bosworth, S. & M. E. Kabay (2002), eds. Computer Security Handbook, 4th Edition. Wiley (New York). ISBN 0-471-41258-9. 1200 pp. Index.

Cate, F. H. & M. H. Armacost (1997). Privacy in the Information Age. The Brookings Institution. ISBN: 0-8157-1315-0. 248 pp.

CERT® Advisory CA-2001-20. Continuing Threats to Home Users. http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2001-20.html

EPIC, the Electronic Privacy Information Center http://www.epic.org

Garfinkel, S. (2000). Database Nation: The Death of Privacy in the 21st Century. O’Reilly (Sebastopol, CA). ISBN 1-565-92653-6. vii + 312. Index.

Lessig, L., D. Post & E. Volokh (1997). Cyberspace Law for Non-Lawyers. Published via e-mail. http://www.ssrn.com/update/lsn/cyberspace/csl_lessons.html

Hayes, B., H. Judy & J. Ritter (2002). "Privacy in Cyberspace." Chapter 52 of Bosworth & Kabay (see above).

Kabay, M. E. (2002). "Anonymity and Identity in Cyberspace." Chapter 53 of Bosworth & Kabay (see above).

PestPatrol Web Site:

• Overview http://www.pestpatrol.com/Pestpatrol/index.asp
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) http://www.pestpatrol.com/Support/FAQ.asp
• White Papers http://www.pestpatrol.com/Whitepapers/Index.asp

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse http://www.privacyrights.org/

Smith, R. E. (2000). Ben Franklin’s Web Site: Privacy and Curiosity from Plymouth Rock to the Internet. Privacy Journal. ISBN: 0-9300-7214-6. 407 pp.

Whitaker, R. (2000). The End of Privacy: How Total Surveillance Is Becoming a Reality. New Press. ISBN 1-5658-4569-2. 208 pp.

Reprinted From Pest Patrol which has great software and privacy site information!