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The Invisible Password Thief Strikes Again -
06-10-2008, 06:38 PM
The Invisible Password Thief Strikes Again
By Louise Vinciguerra
Would you take out your credit card, leave it on a Starbucks table and walk away? Probably not. Then why leave your passwords unattended on the web? Everytime you type your password onto a public computer you are a target to keyloggers.
Key - What?
Keylogging is the logging of, or recording of, the number of precise strokes you take on your computer keyboard.
Keyloggers are the people or programs behind the activity.
Different Strokes For Different Folks.
Keylogging programs were born with good intentions. Used appropriately, keylogging is efficient in monitoring computer usage, typically used to see what sites your children are logging into or how often they use the computer. They can help identify if unwelcome people have been typing away where they shouldn't be. And they are perfect for recovering your lost passwords...
Wait...Did I Just Hear Passwords?
An invisible surveillance device which is created to retrieve lost passwords...something smells phishy. Once all of your keystrokes are collected, keylogging programs send them out to be analyzed and then...
Your data which may include passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers etc. takes a nice trip around internet land and the rest is history. The damages of such programs getting into the wrong hands, quickly transforms the term keylogger into an internet evil.
A Bad Workman Always Blames His Tools
Protection begins with getting informed. You can have the most up to date Operating System, password protect your computer but if you do not choose the right tools, you will get the wrong results.
Most internet users know that having a minimal form of malware protection is a must. Norton AntiVirus has become a household name because of its thorough anti-virus/spyware protection software.
Panda ActiveScan is another smart choice. It will scan your computer, making sure your anti-virus is detecting all the hidden things you really don't want on it. Your not the only one who needs regular medical check-ups - your computer does too.
Better 'Safe' Than Sorry
Password protecting your computer is perfect if you don't want friends, family or colleagues to be able to access your computer while you are away from it. But more importantly, how do you prevent strangers (or spyware) to access your computer while you are actually using it?
Lock it up in a safe and memorize the key -- keep unique passwords for every account you have and store them in an online password manager. Applications such as Passpack store your passwords in an online safe so that only the account user is ever able to access it. Passpack themselves can't even see what's in your vault. And auto-login eliminates the need to type your password onto your keyboard.
Sit back. Enjoy your coffee. And say goodbye to rogue keyloggers!
Born and raised in New York City, Louise Vinciguerra has a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Binghamton. She is currently living and working in Rome, Italy where she writes and handles public relations for Italian start up PassPack - leading online password manager.
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