My AV program found 'Exploit:Java/CVE-2012-4681' on my laptop. It's a primer that sets up my machine for future exploits, but I haven't found any further infections using AV or Housecall. What steps should I be taking to assure myself that the machine is clean, and what can I do to prevent this kind of problem in the future.
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posted by Urtylug
on Jan 12, 2013 -
3 answers
How safe is a virtual machine for testing unknown software or browsing unknown websites?
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posted by apip
on Aug 29, 2012 -
9 answers
Is it troublesome to be able to obtain access to the names and e-mail addresses of students, faculty, employees, and alumni of a university? If so, how should I go about reporting it without being misinterpreted or punished?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 19, 2011 -
18 answers
Please help, computer techies. Asus Eee PC wireless connection problem with Windows 7.
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posted by Viomeda
on Aug 21, 2011 -
6 answers
I'm having trouble disassembling an old desktop PC to get to the hard drive before I can destroy it and throw everything out. Is there a quick and easy way to destroy the drive in situ, using everyday household objects?
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posted by tel3path
on Apr 6, 2011 -
36 answers
Asking for a friend: He is a security manager. The client told him to document
post orders, but they wouldn't provide him with the resources to do them. He did them on his own computer. Then, his hard drive failed. (A bit of a long story inside.)
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posted by methroach
on Mar 8, 2011 -
5 answers
Please recommend good websites and blogs about computer/internet/social media security issues, someplace where I can find out about the latest scams, phishing attempts, malware, etc. I don't really like Snopes, due to the pop-under ads (what is up with that, anyway?). Thank you.
posted by SillyShepherd
on Feb 1, 2011 -
4 answers
Today I clicked on the Chapters
website's "My Account" link, which usually 'remembers' who I am and shows my email address, asking only for my password. Today, however, it showed a stranger's email address and name. Do I need to be concerned?
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posted by smilingtiger
on Jan 31, 2011 -
10 answers
What damage control measures can I do for selling my PC on eBay which was only partially wiped? Yes, I know how stupid this was.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 15, 2010 -
8 answers
In the event of a loss or theft, how safe is the data on a password-protected PC laptop?
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posted by Clambone
on Aug 24, 2010 -
12 answers
My MacBook's keyboard mysteriously changed to Dvorak! How can I tell if someone messed with my computer?
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posted by k.
on Mar 19, 2010 -
8 answers
My house was broken into and among other things, I had my iMac stolen, but I was able to get the burglar's IP address... What can I do with this info?
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posted by mwang1028
on Mar 16, 2010 -
9 answers
When I log into Gmail, Firefox redirects me to a page on Facebook. What gives?
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posted by reenum
on Feb 1, 2010 -
10 answers
Someone hacked my laptop! What do they know now, how much can I find out, and how can I keep it from happening again?
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posted by atchafalaya
on Sep 10, 2009 -
13 answers
Wi-Fi security. How much of the contents of my a) iPhone or b) iBook can be "seen" if I'm on a public network? Particularly concerning the latter, I've never been clear whether, in logging on to network X--be it a free municipal net or my employer's "guest net"--I'm simply an inscrutable blip on a network or I'm making my hard drive an open book to anyone who cares to peek. Any insight would be appreciated.
posted by the sobsister
on Jul 19, 2009 -
11 answers
How can a competent but not technical geek person browse internet as securely and privately as possible, keep files private on a pc etc? Linux distro? specifics -
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posted by Not Supplied
on Jun 8, 2009 -
12 answers
How to I compute safely in dangerous places? Looking for advice on hiding data, protecting accounts, and securing connections.
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posted by Nothing
on Jun 2, 2009 -
25 answers
I need resources / links information to convince a friend that his small computer network might be of interest to hackers?
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posted by jacobean
on Jan 11, 2009 -
7 answers
It's become apparent that my computer may have a Trojan. I just received a Returned Mail notice for mail I never sent, which instead of displaying my name it displayed "jasen kimberly," and was sent to a strange russian email address: munsov@pobox.spbu.ru. I'm concerned that this may be the result of a trojan "phoning home," or using my computer to send spam.
posted by matkline
on Oct 5, 2008 -
9 answers
Help me with some free, easy to use software for elderly people to use on a computer. Specifically: hands-off, self-maintaining security, and a good replacement for Windows Explorer.
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posted by biwa-shu
on Jul 2, 2008 -
9 answers
I think my computer might have a virus. Are there any trustworthy security testing services that I can use to conclusively prove whether or not this is the case?
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posted by Jack Alucard
on Jun 10, 2008 -
7 answers
I need your help to settle a debate. Could you suggest the safest antivirus setup, within the confines of Windows XP and a wireless internet connection, with the
least bloat,
and provide the statistics to prove it?
I need more than simple AV comparatives. I need stats on the virtues of Firefox versus IE, on using two function-differentiated user accounts (admin versus everyday, with the 'everyday' account having no admin privileges), etc. Can you help?
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posted by flibbertigibbet
on Mar 25, 2008 -
6 answers
General network and computer security: keyservers, PGP/GPG, encryption, etc...book/instructional recommendations?
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posted by jjsonp
on Mar 10, 2008 -
6 answers
Why does my Mac appear to have other people's computer names at the command line? What's up here?
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posted by Happy Dave
on Nov 12, 2007 -
8 answers
How do we know that highly regarded secuity suites are not surreptitiously malicious?
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posted by Kevin S
on Oct 27, 2007 -
14 answers
In Windows XP, is there a way to see the password that is stored in the system to log into a wireless network?
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posted by al_fresco
on Oct 24, 2007 -
6 answers
Is there a method/program for limiting a guest's access to my computer to -only- a web browser (no start menu, programs, file directories, etc.)?
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posted by JFitzpatrick
on Jun 30, 2007 -
10 answers
I am looking for either high-resolution wireless IP cameras or Video Capture card recommendations and I have a few additional questions.
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posted by Raichle
on Apr 19, 2007 -
3 answers
Help me figure out how I can do really cool computer security stuff for a living. The catch: it can't be work for the NSA or Justice Department or anything that requires a security clearance.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 27, 2007 -
15 answers
Can I allow users on a Windows computer to access only one website in one program (IE Explorer or Firefox) and nothing else on that computer?
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posted by einarorn
on Feb 26, 2007 -
8 answers
Is there an application for my mac (OS 10.4) that would enable me to have a folder that would "self destruct" if the contents in that folder are not accessed for a user set ammount of time?
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posted by superdeluxe
on Feb 5, 2007 -
15 answers
I typically use Safari, and have my preferences set to store all of my passwords and user names in my Keychain.app. However when it starts acting up and giving me the spinning beach ball, I use Camino (v. 1.0.3.) When I try to log in to a website, it asks me for my user name and password - do I really have to fill in ALL those passwords and user names all over again? In other words, is there any way I can get Camino to access the passwords I saved using Safari?
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posted by invisible ink
on Sep 19, 2006 -
6 answers
network management filter: I'm working for a local government education department. My team is meant to be maintaining/improving several large websites. The IT support people refuse to install a web browser that isn't IE 6, citing network security as the reason.... are their fears reasonable?
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posted by Tixylix
on Jul 10, 2006 -
23 answers
I'm dropping my laptop off for service--what do I need to do to protect myself?
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posted by divka
on Jul 8, 2006 -
10 answers
I have a linksys wireless-G 2.4 ghz router. I use a macbook pro. The set up cd for the router works only on Windows. The router works and i get wireless, but i was unable to set up a security feature. I am guessing anyone in my neighbourhood can use my signal. How can i make this secure if the set up cd with instructions is incompatible with my OS ?
posted by cascando
on Apr 15, 2006 -
9 answers
What do I need to do, practically speaking, after a computer theft? (Several related questions inside.)
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posted by catesbie
on Mar 24, 2006 -
18 answers
I know that cookies may be automatically and surreptitiously installed on my computer when I arrive at a webpage, but what about spyware/malware/virus ?
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posted by studentguru
on Feb 25, 2006 -
13 answers