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P2P Dangers |
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P2P Dangers
- File Sharing Can Compromise Your Computer's Security
Peer-to-peer
file-sharing programs appear to be a godsend: they allow you to swap digital
files with others who have the same file-sharing software. Thousands of people
use peer-to-peer (often called P2P) programs to exchange music, videos, movies,
games, and software. But P2P programs are seemingly synonymous with trouble.
First, there are the well-publicized copyright infringement issues that arose
when Napster, the first widely used P2P program for exchanging music files,
became wildly popular in the late 1990s. Other examples of P2P programs are
Kazaa, Morpheus, eDonkey, and Gnutella.
Less well-known, but perhaps more significant, is how using P2P programs can
expose your computer to viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, and spyware, and
even expose you to identity theft and fraud. How can these things happen? A P2P
network allows users with the same file-sharing program to access files stored
on each other's computers without the typical network interaction with file
servers. This makes file sharing quick and easy, but these are unsecured
Internet connections unprotected by firewalls, making them prime targets for
hackers and virus writers.
It's easy for virus writers to attach malicious code to an innocently titled
file that resides on a file-sharing network. In fact, the infamous MyDoom virus
that wreaked havoc on e-mail systems worldwide in 2004 was initially spread in
this way by unknowing users of the Kazaa file-sharing program.
The same goes for adware and spyware. These unwanted programs could be attached
to an otherwise useful file downloaded from a file-sharing network, exposing you
to a flood of unwanted spam, ad pop-up windows, and web browser hijackings.
Even worse, a skilled hacker can gain access to your entire hard drive through a
file-sharing network, exposing you to identity theft and fraud. A hacker can do
this by using access to the files you intend to share on the file-sharing
network to gain access to personal files not intended for public use. If you
have information such as Social Security numbers and credit card information on
your computer, the potential for identity theft and fraud is very real.
Here's how to protect yourself on P2P networks:
Help With Routers
- Get Your Connection Back Up And Running
Many DSL and
wireless customers are purchasing and installing routers to share the internet
connection in their home or office. KVN encourages customers to get the most out
of their connection. However, KVN can not be expected to provide phone support
for every manufacturer's equipment. With this in mind, KVN thought we would give
you a contact list that you could print and save for future use. If you do not
find the manufacturer of your router in the list below, take the time to look up
your support information on the web before a problem occurs.
If you do own a router, the first step in resolving Internet connection problems
is to unplug your router and all other devices that connect you to the Internet.
Wait 5 to 10 seconds and plug everything back up. Tip: (Many routers lock after
a storm; by power cycling the router, it will usually start working again.) The
second step is to by-pass your router and just connect the Internet connection
directly to one computer. Restart your computer and check to see if you can get
online. If you are still unable to re-establish your connection please give us a
call to notify us of the situation. By taking the time to follow these simple
steps you can get your connection back up and running as quickly as possible.
Linksys Brand Routers - (800) 326-7114
Netgear Brand Routers -
http://my.netgear-support.com
Belkin Brand Routers - (800) 223-5546 ex 2263
D-Link Brand Routers - (877) 453-5465
Ask The Help Desk - Why
Is My Computer Screen Wallpaper Distorted?
Question: Sometimes
I save images off the Internet for wallpaper on my computer screen. However, the
images I save quite often look very distorted when I stretch them to full
screen. How can I avoid this?
Answer: You are probably running into a couple of problems. The first is
that of proportions. If the image you are grabbing from the Web isn't
proportional to your screen, it will look distorted when it's stretched.
Remember, your screen format is rectangular having horizontal and vertical
dimensions. So if you save an image that is much more vertical than horizontal,
the image will look "fat" once it is fitted to your screen.
The other problem is that most images found on the Web are not a high enough
resolution to be used for wallpaper. Many computers, for example, are set to a
resolution of either 800x600 pixels or 1024x768 pixels. When grabbing an image
off the Web, the image needs to be close to the same size as the resolution
found on your screen in order to appear undistorted. If the image is only
250x100 pixels, for example, there just won't be enough pixels to fill your
computer screen in an undistorted manner, unless of course you are using a very
small screen.
Note that most site owners have copyright restrictions regarding their site's
content (text and images) so you must first get permission before grabbing an
image to use as computer screen wallpaper.
Great Sites To Check Out This Month
Head To A
Drive-In Movie Theater This Summer
http://DriveInTheater.com -
Do you remember the fun times you had going to the drive-in movie theater on
weekends with your family or friends? There were over 5,000 drive-in movie
theaters located across the U.S. and Canada back in 1958. Today there are less
than 600 left in North America but they are still great fun. Check out the
site's database listing of drive-in theaters and then treat your family to a
night of old-fashioned fun while vacationing this summer. The kids will love the
experience and so will you.
Visit A Lawnmower Museum
http://lawnmowerworld.co.uk/ - Those of you who are really into lawnmowers
have probably already got this site bookmarked. For everyone else, this is the
link to the British Lawnmower Museum. Yes, an actual museum dedicated to nothing
but lawnmowers. Check out the "Gallery" section for interesting pictures of
antique cutting contraptions. It'll make you appreciate the improvements that
have been made in lawn mowing technology since the early twentieth century.
Calculating Your Social Security Benefits
http://www.SocialSecurity.gov - There's been much debate regarding the
long-term solvency of our Social Security System. Most agree that the funds will
be depleted at some point in the future because of the changing ratio in the
number of people working versus the number of people retiring. If you have not
yet retired, have you ever figured out what you can expect in monthly social
security income based on the current system? SocialSecurity.gov can calculate
this for you. Simply go to the "Calculate your benefits" link and enter the
requested information.
Sign The Declaration of Independence
http://archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration.html -
The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration restores and archives
important government documents from our nation's history. Celebrating the
anniversary of our declaration of independence during the month of July provides
a great opportunity to see and learn more about our historical treasures. Go to
the Declaration of Independence area of this site and click on the "Join the
Signers of the Declaration" link. There you can add your name to the ranks of
the 56 original signers who stood for freedom and then print off your copy to
show friends and family.
The Cut - The Next Hit Reality TV Show
http://cbs.com/primetime/the_cut/ - The new CBS TV show The Cut
appears to be the next hit reality TV series. During each weekly episode,
clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger pits fashion-savvy contestants against one
another in real fashion world challenges to find the next great trend setting
designer. One contestant is eliminated each week. For more information about the
contestants, each episode, and some behind-the-scenes drama, head to this site.
Short Tutorial - Images
Saved On Your Computer Screen As Repeated "Tiles"
As the FAQ in the
"Ask The Help Desk" section above explains, it can be difficult to grab images
off the Web to use as wallpaper without the images appearing distorted on your
computer screen. Rather than trying to stretch pictures to fit your computer's
screen, an alternative is to "tile" your selected image. This process saves the
picture repeatedly in rows on your screen as a background. The result may be
cluttered but probably preferable to the distorted alternative.
To tile an image as your screen's wallpaper when using a PC and Internet
Explorer as your browser, simply right-click on the chosen picture and
select "Set As Background."
If you are on a PC and using the new Firefox browser, right-click on the
image and choose "Set As Wallpaper." When the "Set Wallpaper" dialog box
appears, look for the "Position" menu. It will list "Stretch," "Tile," or
"Center" as options. Choose "Tile" from the list. Click on the "Set Wallpaper"
button. The background of your computer screen will change to multiple rows of
the picture you selected.
If you get tired of using this image, right-click on your PC's desktop
and choose "Properties." With the "Desktop" tab selected, choose the wallpaper
you want from the list that appears. Click "Apply" and then click "OK." (This
works whether using Internet Explorer or Firefox as your browser.)
If you are using a Macintosh running OS X, right-click your cursor arrow
on the image (if you have a two button mouse) or click on the image while
holding down the "ctrl" key (if you have a single button mouse) and select
"Download Image To Disk." Next, go to the Apple menu then drop down to and
select "System Preferences..." Click on the Desktop & Screensaver icon and click
on "Choose Folder" in the left hand pane of the window. Click on "Desktop." The
picture you downloaded to disk should be there. Click on it to select it and
then click on "Choose." Next to the preview picture you'll see a button that
says "Fill Screen." Click on it and four choices will appear: "Fill Screen,"
"Stretch to fill screen," "Center," and "Tile." Choose "Tile" and then close the
window.
We hope you found
this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the
happenings at our shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins
on a monthly basis, click HERE.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
KVNet
Internet Services
KVNet Inc.
KVNET Inc.
411 Ring Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
270-763-9101