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When it comes to high tech crimes, like modem hijacking,
a little prevention can cut your chances of becoming a victim. The
sobering truth: nothing is 100 percent.
Practically speaking, "you need a multitiered
strategy" to prevent, detect, eradicate and recover, says Jim
Goldman, associate head of the department of computer technology
at Purdue University.
Here's how to protect yourself and make it more difficult for the
bad guys:
1. Get virus protection and keep it current.
2. Keep your computer system patches up to date. To make that easy,
"turn on automatic patching," says Alan Paller, director
of research for the SANS Institute, a organization devoted to security
education for computer professionals. That way, the computer does
the work for you.
3. Use a firewall. This will prevent a lot of malicious codes from
getting into your machine, says Goldman.
4. Use pop-up blockers and anti-spyware. Computer users "really
need both," says Goldman.
5. If possible, adjust your computer security options so that your
machine will not use active scripting or Java scripting; or download
Java applets or Active X controls, says Goldman. (This may eliminate
some pop-ups, too.)
6. Unplug the phone cord from your modem when you're not using
it. And check periodically when you are online to make sure the
dial-up number you are using is the one you selected.
7. If you don't use phone lines to access the Internet anymore,
remember to disconnect the cord from your computer. And if you only
use your phone line periodically to receive faxes, get into the
habit of attaching it only when you're using it.
8. Don't click on live URLs offered in e-mails, instant
messages or pop-ups, says Paller. Instead, manually paste the address
into your browser. That way you know you're not being taken to another
site. For ultimate protection, Goldman recommends taking precautions
a step further. Type the URL into the browser yourself, and make
sure it's an address you either recognize or already have verified,
he advises.
9. Consider blocking international calls, 10-10 codes,
and 900 numbers on your line. Obviously, this is a lot more convenient
if you have a separate line for your computer. If not, you have
to weigh your need for access to certain services against your concern
over modem hijacking.
10. Don't use automatic bill-pay for telephone bills, says Susan
Grant, director of the National Fraud Information Center. You want
to review your bills, she says, "and see if there are any unexpected
charges before you pay them."
Dana Dratch is a freelance writer
based in Atlanta.
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