Yes, What You Write on the Web Can Hurt You

It sounds like something on a talk show or in a Ripley's Believe it or Not article. However, the case of Kent Haluska and Marina Solo has a lesson that all real estate professionals can learn from.

Recently, Kent Haluska, a Realtor from Wisconsin, was convicted of criminal defamation and sentenced to 18 months probation, a 1 year ban on practicing as a Realtor and ordered to pay a $1838 fine.

Authorities have alleged that Haluska had targeted another Realtor, Marina Solo, with comments on ActiveRain.com such as "Russians don't shave their legs or armpits. Therefore, M.S. is very hairy."

While obviously a laugh-a-minute for Mr. Haluska, Ms. Solo was not as impressed with his wit. Neither was the law, as police managed to track Haluska via his IP address and arrested him in his home on May 20, 2008.

Haluska was also accused of using the identities of other agents to post his comments about Ms. Solo and sending letters to her clients, claiming that by employing her as their Realtor, they were funding Russian terrorism.

Aside from the fact that this illustrates that Haluska has some issues that definitely need to be addressed ASAP, this also makes a powerful statement about what we Realtors blog about and how we treat others.

The Internet, while it physically separates people from each other when they are engaged in communication, does not separate one from the law. Threats and insults on the Internet are starting to carry as much weight as those that are hand written or spray painted or shouted across a crowded room.

What Haluska was accused of doing is not something that most Realtors are going to have the time and inclination to do. However, we can all take note of how we address those people whom we personally dislike or professionally disagree with. It takes only a moment to reread one's post and only a few minutes to walk away from it and come back to peruse it, looking for things that not only expose one to ridicule, can also expose one to legal action.

The Internet gives many people a false sense of security. However, unless one is an Internet whiz and has the power to leap firewalls in a single bound, there always is a trail that is left. Make sure that it's a trail that you want to have leading back to your keyboard.

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4 Computer Crimes That Could Destroy Your Online Marketing Business

Identity Theft:
This is the most notorious crime that could bring a load of problems on an Internet marketer's head. Identity theft occurs when customers' personal information, which includes their addresses, passport information, banking details, credit card information are leaked on to the Internet. This leakage could happen as a result of some hackers prying into a legitimate online shopping site and stealing these pieces of information. Millions of dollars are lost yearly due to this crime. This malaise has affected many online shoppers

Illegal Downloading:
Whether you are offering services or selling certain products online, sometime an illegitimate user using very powerful software can download your products without the due payment. Users who shouldn't have had an access to them have regularly downloaded thousands of music files, movies, e-books and other products. Online marketers are hugely affected by this crime, which is increasing at alarming rate around the world.

Scams:
Scams are hard to detect nowadays, because most scammers pretend they are doing a right business and lure customers to buy goods and services on their sites, but which they would never deliver. Even some scammers have filtered into well-known shopping sites and deceive gullible buyers from parting with their money but shy away from delivering the products they had purchased. There have been tales of woes on auction and trading sites recently about scams.

Creation and Distribution Of Viruses:
The rate at which viruses are being created and distributed is high nowadays. Some viruses are quite destructive that they could destroy your computers or incapacitate other software installed on your computers. Annoying spy ware could make your pc slow. If care is not taken, you could lose some vital documents in your computer if attacked by some virulent viruses.

Internet Identity Theft - Wireless Network Security Issues

Seems that everything's going wireless these days and though it may be super convenient, it also brings up some issues about safety and security of your personal information. So we will be discussing some issues concerning wireless network security.

Since many of us may be coming online to do some business or to accomplish our shopping tasks, it is crucial to understand that there are security risks to using just any available wireless network.

Be aware of wireless network security issues including the risk that hackers could potentially break into that wireless network and get the information that can allow your identity to be stolen or allows the thieves to drain all of the money from your accounts. That is why it is so important for you to give some serious thoughts to wireless network security if you are often faced with using this type of technology.

Facts are that most home systems have build in wireless network security that is reliable and this should give you peace of mind. These systems are made so that no one can access them unless they have a specific access code.

If you have a wireless system, then you may notice that your computer can offer up many different signal choices when you go to connect your computer to the Internet. You will also notice that some of them are secure (requiring a password), and some of them are not.

You may be able to hook up to the unsecured ones, but unless you have access to a password you should not be able to access the secured ones. This is because their wireless network security is in place and working properly.

Nowadays, laptops make it very easy for anyone to get online in certain public places but heed the warning that always comes along with this!

During these times is when you should be considering your wireless network security. Most nice hotels and coffee houses among other places, offer free wireless Internet. However, there is very little security when you use these types of services.

For the sake of wireless network security, you should never use this type of access for important things like personal banking or shopping using Paypal or your credit cards. Thieves could very easily get into your accounts this way because you have made it extremely easy for them to see your personal information.

If you are in a hotel using their wireless Internet, and you find that you really must to do some personal banking, then ask the hotel if they have a business center that has a secure connection for this. Never disregard the importance of seeking wireless network security even in the safest looking places!

Also, remember that even though you may have found something that works for you and is convenient in a public business center, you have to be aware that someone will be coming along after you have long gone to use that same computer. So be sure to sign out of everything, and clear the cookies and history before you leave any public computer.

Even though wireless network security is risky, leaving behind clues on any secure connection shared with others can be risky as well.

Always use caution with any type of connection, even if it is one that comes from your home. Although, this is a much bigger worry in urban areas, remember that identity theft can happen in small cities or towns as well.

About The Author: Ana Hernandez DO is a practicing physician and self proclaimed marketing enthusiast. Her website at http://www.netrageouz.net is the portal to her delicious recipes for creating killer online marketing campaigns. Her online course, "NETfabulous! Marketing ECourse" is jam packed with tips n' techniques for both newbie and seasoned marketers alike. Subscribe for FREE by sending a blank email to NETfabulous.Marketing@gmail.com or at http://www.netrageouz.net

Keep Safe From a MSN Messenger Virus

Viruses spreading through messengers and IM clients are very popular as it has the potential to create havoc over a million computers within hours of release mainly spreading through the contact list and chat list of friends usually found in all the messengers.

These viruses usually disguise themselves as harmless links to sites, pictures and come with a compelling harmless title like "Geez, Is this really your picture?" or "Why did you do this to me?" or the like. These titles make you want to click on them and download the virus on to your system and propagate to those in your friends list.

Once affected, these viruses either provide a backdoor for the hacker to use your computer resources, or download more AdWares and viruses to crash your computer totally. You know that you are affected when:

1. Your computer slows down really bad.
2. Friends complain of you sending messages when you actually have not.
3. Computer shows heavy memory and hard disk usage even when it is idle.
4. Ads on antiSpyware and other anti viruses show up frequently as you browse the internet normally.

How to get rid of MSN virus?

It is possible to get rid of most these viruses in MSN or yahoo quite easily if you get to know what type of virus has affected your computer. Just find the name or some behaviour of the virus affecting your computer and manual instructions to remove the same can be found on the internet easily.

How to stop getting your computer affected by messenger virus?

Do not click on each and every link your friends send you! It might be a virus cloaked as a image. Do not open suspicious links and downloads. This will keep your computer safe and the friends on your chat clients will be thankful to you for not helping spread the virus to their computers. You can imagine the havoc if you send porn messages to your business clients due to a silly messenger virus!

MSN virus manual removal instructions can be found on our site at Remove MSN Virus

Your web host could be the reason why you are a sitting duck for a DDos attack

Just as we have been forced to face terrifying new terrorist attacks in the offline world that threatens our very way of life, online and less publicized dangers are an increasing and terrifying threat.

Few people realize that your choice of web host has a lot to do with just how secure your web site is going to be against attack. Even a simple assault from a lone hacker will tend to be easier with an unprepared web host with less resources and experience.

But the real terror emerges from Ddos attacks or Distributed Denial-of-service attacks. Deliberately designed to elude detection by today's most popular tools, these attacks tend to be swift and come without any warning, leaving behind huge losses that can never be recouped. Microsoft lost an estimated $500 million in just a few days from a Ddos attack on the site in January 2001. Of course the costs go way beyond simple monetary terms. Because site performance is compromised, the business ends up with frustrated customers.

The network infrastructure of the host you choose is very important if a web master is to ensure that their site is protected. And yet most of this protection does not come cheap. For example the most recent Cisco Ddos protection appliance costs about $200,000. Without this protection the host and his entire network are "sitting ducks" as any Ddos attack on any single site will affect the entire network and thus other web sites as well.

This is one of the reasons why it is becoming increasingly important for web masters to be aware of a lot of technical details behind the network structure and capabilities of the web host they choose to go with. It is just too risky to leave it all to chance or to base the entire reason for choice on a few simple factors like price and number of years in business.

About the Author

Web-Host-Search continues to do extensive research on web hosts and web hosting. This in-depth valuable information is available for free at the comprehensive web host directory, www.web-host-search.com. Visit now for your free website template.

The Bad Guys Are Phishing For Your Personal Information

Do you know what "phishing" is?

No, it doesn't mean you grab a pole and head to the late to catch some phish.

The official Webopedia definition of "phishing" is as follows:

The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user's information.

Phishers prey on ignorance, fear, and emotion. They also play the numbers game. The more bait they email out, the more phish they'll catch.. By spamming large groups of people, the "phisher" counts on his email being read and believed by a percentage of people who will volunteer their personal and credit card information.

The latest attempt by identity theives to steal the personal information of eBay members hit my inbox earlier this week and I have to say, this one is pretty convincing. Even this old dog did a double-take before realizing that the identity thieves were phishing for my personal information again.

The sender of this email is listed as: eBay Member - rivernick and the email subject line reads: Question from eBay Member.

The email begins: "Question from eBay Member -- Respond Now. eBay sent this message on behalf of an eBay member via My Messages. Responses sent using email will not reach the eBay member. Use the Respond Now button below to respond to this message."

Listen to me: DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON

Of course the email was NOT sent by an eBay member or sent via eBay's messaging system, as it appears.

The email then takes on a threatening tone.

It reads: "Question from rivernick: I'm still waiting payment for my item for about 7 days. What happened? Please mail me ASAP or I will report you to ebay."

The recipient is then prompted to respond to this rather disturbing email by clicking a "Respond Now." button.

Doing so will take you to a website designed to look like eBay where you will be prompted to login using your eBay user name and password.

Once you pass this point you will be asked to update your account information before proceeding. Unknowing souls will offer not only their eBay password, but personal and credit card information, as well, without even knowing that they are about to have their personal information stolen.

The one thing that makes this scam so effective is the threat by the supposed eBay member to "report you to eBay."

The email preys on the fear of most eBay members that they are in danger of receiving negative feedback. Many eBayers would rather you cut off a pinky than leave them negative feedback. It is this emotion that the new phishers are hoping to hook.

The phisher is betting that most people will either be horrified by the threat of being wrongly reported to eBay or they will be ticked off that some jerk is threatening them by mistake.

Either way the phisher is counting on a percentage of people to have a knee-jerk reaction and login to the fake eBay website he has set up clear matters up.

I've yet to see what percentage of people who receive these phishing emails fall for the scam, but if a phisher gets 1% of recipients to turn over their personal information, he will probably consider his phishing expedition a success.

I've warned you about these phishing scams before, but let's review it one more time.

NEVER reply directly to an email that appears to have come from eBay, Paypal, Amazon, or anyoen else asking you to click a link in the email to update your account information. If there is any doubt in your mind whether or not the email is really from eBay, for example, open a browser and type in the URL http://www.ebay.com. NEVER click a link within the email to respond.

NEVER believe that an email supposedly from another eBay member is for real. Again, do not click an email link to reply. Open a browser and go to eBay directly and log in. If the email was from a real member, there will be a record of the inquiry in your My eBay account.

You must be aware that there are bad guys out there who do nothing but spend time trying to come up with new and innovative ways to steal your information.

Be paranoid. Be aware. But don't be fooled.

The phishers will cast their line, but you do not have to take the bait.

Here's to your success,

Tim Knox, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Radio Host Founder, The Insiders Club, Giving You The Power To Start Your Business Today http://www.theinsidersclub.com Bestselling Author of: "Everything I Know About Business I Learned From My Mama" http://www.timknox.com

Computer Virus and Security Protection Tips

The internet has its fair share of threats and dangers that could harm your PC and access your personal and confidential information without your permission. Computer security entails both detection and prevention from such people and programs. "Prevention" would help in keeping you safe from all such malicious attempts whereas "detection" would inform you whether someone attempted to access/harm your system, either successfully or unsuccessfully and what harm they may have caused.

Why bother about your computer's security anyway? Well, nowadays computers are used for almost everything from shopping to banking and from having casual conversations through internet chat to investing. Yes, much of your information may not be that confidential but you still won't want someone sending forged emails on your behalf or reading your personal or official documentation, like financial statements and bank account information. On a more serious note, an intruder or hacker/cracker may gain access to your computer to launch attacks on other computer systems. With access to your computer they are able to hide their true location while they launch attacks on high profile computer systems, like those of banks and other financial institutions.

Computer hackers / crackers are always looking for weaknesses or holes in the system. Developers are not always able to run comprehensive tests on their softwares because of its ever growing complexity. Later on when these holes are brought to the developer's notice, they create patches to address the problem. So, the number one tip to all computer users is to make sure you obtain and install the patches and security fixes regularly. Some software like chat programs actually allow other users to execute commands on your system which could open the window to all kinds of harmful programs. Therefore there is a need to be more careful when using chat programs of various kinds.

Install a firewall. Hackers/crackers are constantly scanning for known holes or vulnerabilities in the system. Software or hardware based firewalls can provide good protection from such attacks. Having said that, no firewall is capable enough to keep out all threats, therefore having a fire wall is not quite enough.

Use Antivirus software on each PC that connecting to the internet but an anti virus software that is not updated may do little or no good. Some antivirus software comes with automatic update options - these are thoroughly recommended.

Disable JavaScript, Active X and Java if possible. By disabling these scripting languages you will keep your system safe from malicious scripts. By disabling these options you may degrade the functionality of some websites. For More information on disabling scripting languages please visit http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/malicious_code_FAQ.html.

It is also thoroughly recommended to disable scripting features in email programs as many email programs use the same code as web browsers.

Be careful not to open email attachments even if you are familiar with the source of the attachment. The only reason the Melissa virus spread so far and so rapidly was because it originated from a familiar address. Before opening an attachment, make sure your virus definitions are up-to-date, save the file to your hard disk, scan the file using your anti virus software and then open the file. If possible, even disconnect from the internet before you open the file.

Don't run a program that's come from an un-authorized or un-known source. Don't also send these programs to your colleagues and friends as it may contain a Trojan horse (these programs are used to enter into the system and trick the user into installing various programs which allow hackers and intruders access to your system).

Turn off your computer when it is not being used. A turned off system or a system that is completely disconnected from the network is safe from all intruders.

Make a bootable disk which will come in handy if your computer has suffered an intrusion or a hard disk failure. The bootable disk may help your computer recover from such an event but remember, the bootable needs to be created prior to any security breach or malfunction.

Make a back up of all important files on a removable storage device like a CD or DVD and keep the storage device away from the computer. In order to safe space, you may also choose to ZIP your data (compress your data) using a compression software while making a backup.

For more PC security tips, advice and anti virus software reviews visit http://www.antivirus-software.com