What are System Patches?

A patch is a small piece of software designed to update or fix problems with a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing bugs, replacing graphics and improving the usability or performance. Though meant to fix problems, poorly designed patches can sometimes introduce new problems.

Security patches are the primary method of fixing security vulnerabilities in software. Currently Microsoft releases their security patches once a month, and other operating systems and software projects have security teams dedicated to releasing the most reliable software patches as soon after a vulnerability announcement as possible. Patching Tips

It is best to have computers automatically download and apply all critical security patches as soon as they are available. Malware authors write their software to attack security holes on systems that are not patched.

Patching Resources

Here are some Microsoft Windows resources for automating your security patches.

• How to turn on automatic updates
• Windows Downloads – Internet Explorer 7, Windows Defender and more.
• Windows Update website

What is Phishing?

Phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. eBay, PayPal and online banks are common targets.

Phishing is typically carried out by email or instant messaging, and often directs users to enter details at a website, although phone contact has also been used. Phishing is an example of social engineering techniques used to fool users. Attempts to deal with the growing number of reported phishing incidents include legislation, user training, public awareness, and technical measures.

Phishing Safety Tips

There are a few steps you can take to help protect yourself from being caught in a phishing trap.

• Use a browser with phishing protection (free)
• Use a content filtering program that blocks phishing sites (like K9 Web Protection)
• Never click on a link in an e-mail to take you to a financial website. Enter the address yourself.

Your bank or other financial institution should never ask for confirmation of your personal information in an e-mail. If for any reason you believe that it may be valid, directly type the address to the desired website into your browser and login. If there is a valid reason to be contacted, you should see that information there.

Links in e-mails can appear safe and correct but lead you somewhere else entirely. Additional Resources

• Firefox web browser Phishing Protection
• Microsoft Internet Explorer Phishing Protection
• Content Filtering Software

What is Malware?

Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

Most computer users are not familiar with the term and don’t use it. Instead, “computer virus” is commonly used incorrectly to describe all kinds of malware, though not all malware are viruses.

What is a Computer Virus?

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. A virus can only spread from one computer to another when its “host” (the infected file) is taken to an uninfected computer. This can happen by a user sending it over a network, the Internet, or by carrying it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, or USB drive.

Today, viruses are somewhat less common than network-borne worms, due to the popularity of the Internet. Anti-virus software, originally designed to protect computers from viruses, has in turn expanded to cover worms and other threats such as spyware, identity theft and adware.

Ways in which viruses and worms spread:

• Web browsing security holes
• E-mail
• Instant Messaging
• File sharing systems (Peer-to-peer networks)
• USB drives
• Shared network drives

Types of Viruses

Trojan horses

A Trojan horse, or simply trojan, is a piece of software which appears to perform a certain action but in fact performs another such as a computer virus. Trojan horses are different from a virus because a trojan cannot replicate automatically.

Worms

A worm is a piece of software that uses computer networks and security flaws to create copies of itself. A copy of the worm will scan the network for any other machine that has a specific security flaw. It replicates itself to the new machine using the security flaw, and then begins scanning and replicating anew.

E-mail viruses

An e-mail virus will use an e-mail message as a mode of transport, and usually will copy itself by automatically mailing itself to hundreds of people in the victim’s address book.

Often, a malicious file like a Word document, PDF, image, video, batch file, etc. can be attached to the e-mail and the user is tricked into opening the file. There are software protections that will scan e-mail attachments for you. Additionally, it is a wise practice to not open video files and others in an e-mail attachment.

Logic Bombs

A logic bomb is a piece of code intentionally inserted into a software system that will set off a malicious function when specified conditions are met. Software that is inherently malicious, such as viruses and worms, often contain logic bombs that execute a certain payload at a pre-defined time or when some other condition is met. This technique can be used by a virus or worm to gain momentum and spread before being noticed. Many viruses attack their host systems on specific dates, such as Friday the 13th or April Fool’s Day. Malware that activates on certain dates are often called “time bombs”.

KDC Free Pick

Windows: Avast! Free Home Edition – Free and commercial versions

Additional Resources

• ChildSafe International – Virus Detection / Elimination
• PcPro UK – Compares commercial and free Anti-Virus packages
• PC Mag Compares Commercial Anti-Virus Packages
• AV-Comparatives – independent comparisons for Anti-virus software
• AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
• Consumer Research Anti-Virus Comparison

Content filtering software, also known as content-control software or web filtering software, refers to computer programs designed for controlling what content is allowed to be viewed on a computer.

• pornography
• mature content
• language
• hate-speech
• illegal content
• gambling websites
• phishing websites
• social networking sites
• known websites with spyware
• websites on a parent block list

This is an important tool that can help parents protect both children and computers. There are many types of programs and they have a variety of features. Which tool is right for your family is a personal decision.

KDC Free Pick

Windows: K9 Web Protection

More Information

• ChildSafe International – Web Filtering Software
• FilterReview.com – Reviews of many different web-content filtering products.
• PcMag.com Reviews of Parental Controls – Commercial software reviews for Parental Control & Monitoring software.

What is Spyware?

Spyware is computer software that is installed secretly on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent.

While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user’s behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and visited sites. It can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, accessing websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Spyware can even change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs.

Infection Symptoms

Symptoms of a spyware or malware infection include, but are not limited to: NOTE: A combination of more than 2-3 of any of these symptoms could mean a major clean up is in order.

• Browser Homepage Changed – Meaning you have no idea how this happened. This is commonly called a browser hijack. This is one of the oldest and most common spyware tricks.

• Extra Toolbar in IE – This is toolbars that you didn’t install yourself. Often times, a Google or Yahoo toolbar can be installed along with other software that you did want. Just pay attention to the options when software is being installed and deselect those extras. There are many types and varieties of toolbar infections.

• Firewall Alerts – If you are using a firewall that notifies you of software that is trying to connect to the Internet, then you may notice new unknown programs trying to access the Internet. This usually means something has already gotten by your defenses and you need to take action, and in many cases most infections rarely travel alone. Another firewall indicator is that it is actually turned off by the malware. Many aggressive malwares target multiple anti-virus and anti-spyware applications.

• New Desktop Shortcuts – When new shortcuts appear on your desktop or your task bar, or even your system tray that you didn’t put there nor know what they are, this can be an indication of problems.

• New Favorites – If you notice new links in your favorites folder that you didn’t put there, you may have a problem.

• Sluggish Computer – When software is running on your computer, it requires processing time. This can have the effect of seeming sluggish with a high CPU load. This can be unrelated to malware/spyware. Just be aware that when coupled with other symptoms it may indicate a problem.

• Excessive Pop-Up Windows – Are you unable to stop them or close them? Do they appear from nowhere? This is a strong indication of a malware infection.

• Anti-Spyware Software Closes – If your firewall software, anti-virus or anti-spyware software is disabled or doesn’t run properly this is a strong indication. Malware can actually target common or popular protection software to disable it.

• Searches Return Unusual Results When you do a web search, you are returned an unusual or unknown list. You may get 1 to 3 pages of unrelated results before getting actual search results. This is often referred to as a “search page hijack”.

• New or Multiple Programs in Add/Remove Programs In the Start > Settings > Control Panel, there is the Add/Remove Programs options. Unknown software can sometimes show up in there. If you are lucky, it will be able to be removed. More than likely it won’t.

• Unable to Access Certain Computer Tools – You may find that you are no longer able to access Task Manager, Regedit, and MSCONFIG. They may launch and then just disappear. The idea behind this little trick is to prevent you from being able to access key sections of your computer for removal of the infection. Usually a special registry merge is required just to fix this part.

• Returned E-Mails You Didn’t Send – You get a lot of bounced back mail and see evidence of e-mails being sent without your knowledge. This could be a sign either that your e-mail address was faked as the sender (does not require an infection) or that your machine actually sent the e-mail without your knowledge (from an infection).

• Phone Bill Shenanigans – Your phone company charges you for ‘1-900’ phone calls you didn’t make. This is only a possibility if you have a phone modem connecting you to the Internet.

• Java Console Appears – The Java console appears in your task bar when you hadn’t run any Java software recently.

Malware software has become more sophisticated and does a better job of hiding. So, having good anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed is important to block infections and remove others. Note: this comes at a price. The price is the protection software can actually affect the performance of your computer as the software is continually evaluating threats and performing analysis.

KDC Free Pick

Windows: Windows Defender – Free WinXP Spyware Protection from Microsoft

Why do we recommend Windows Defender? It isn’t the best. It is a common problem that good quality anti-spyware packages won’t catch or be able to remove all spyware. If you find yourself with an infection, or you suspect a problem, it is advisable to install and use multiple anti-spyware programs to remove infections. As for Windows Defender, it is free and easy to use. Additionally, integrates well into Windows and the Windows Update process.

Additional Resources

• PC World – Our Favorite, Free Anti-Spyware Programs
• PC Mag Compares Commercial Anti-Spyware Packages
• AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition
• Ad Aware Free Home Edition
• Consumer Research Anti-Virus Comparison

Is there something more I can do?

The surest way to protect your computer and your family from all the bad stuff that targets Microsoft Windows is to not use Microsoft Windows.

The leading recommendations would be Apple’s Mac OS or Ubuntu Linux. The chances of infection to a Mac or Ubuntu Linux right now are slim to none. Both options have great performance and security. Non-Windows operating systems is a much larger topic and just know that you should research them or test them out before jumping in.

A Personal Firewall is typically software that is installed on one machine and is used to block or allow communications going to and from that computer using a security policy.

There are 2 major benefits for using a Personal Firewall.

1. Protect your computer from being broken into
   Computers from around the world get broken into and become “zombies”. They are controlled to search the Internet and try to take over more machines. A good Personal Firewall will block attempts coming from the Internet to break into your computer. An unprotected computer can be broken into in as little as 15 minutes from being hooked up to the Internet.
   
   Once your computer is broken into your personal information is at risk.

1. Block software on your machine from getting out
   When software on your computer sends information out on the Internet that you don’t know about or don’t want shared, that is called a “leak”. A good Personal Firewall includes “leak protection” which blocks software on your computer from communicating on the Internet if you don’t allow it.
   
   Malicious software called “spyware” is created to infect a computer and steal personal information. When Spyware tries to “phone home” leak protection can block the communication. Typically it will ask you if you want to allow the communication because it can’t always tell what is a program that you want and what is Spyware. This gives you a chance to tell the Personal Firewall if the program trying to communicate should be permitted to do so.

Please note that not all programs trying to access the Internet are bad. Some are valid programs checking for updates and more. I had a friend who blocked anything and everything that tried to communicate over the Internet and was left with a machine that couldn’t do very much at all. If you are unsure of something, Google it to find out what it is.

KDC Free Pick

Windows: Comodo.com – Free and commercial versions

Recommendations

We recommend you consider the following options. They are in no particular order.

• ZoneAlarm.com – Free and commercial versions.
• Comodo.com – Free and commercial versions.
• Online-Armor – Free and commercial versions.

Important Tips

• Do not install multiple firewall products at the same time.
• Microsoft XP Service Pack 2 and later includes a built-in firewall. This should be used as a minimum of protection. The downside with this solution is that it doesn’t notify you when something new and unknown on your computer is trying to access the Internet. It is silent in this regard and doesn’t offer the “leak” protection mentioned previously.

More Information

• FirewallGuide.com – Personal Firewall reviews and tips.
• WikiPedia.org – Personal Firewall article
• WikiPedia.org – Firewall Comparisons article (technical)

The folks at Animal Planet have done it again. The network has been bringing documentary-style shows to American homes for years. Children and adults alike are captivated by the cinematography and fascinating animal stories the network is known for. Animal Planet’s website is no exception.

The panel of parent reviewers at KidDotComs.com set out to find websites that appeal to kids of all ages and interests. The Animal Planet website is one of those special finds we can’t wait to share. It is a great exploratory site where kids can learn and discover without the boredom often associated with classroom lectures or textbooks.

Children love animals. All kids wants a pet. The Animal Planet website will satisfy the interests of every zoologically minded child of reading age. The site features videos, articles, games and much, much more. Whether you homeschool or simply want an outlet for your child’s curiosity, the Animal Planet website will deliver. The site offers a plethora of information- encyclopedic in its scope. We couldn’t wait to add it to our list of recommended sites on KidDotComs.com. Add it to your child’s KidDotComs homepage today!

Our 4-yr-old daughter, Megan loves Curious George. I mean, LOVES. Every morning at 7:00, she turns the TV on and watches her favorite monkey. She’ll be in the family room all by herself and I’ll hear her laughing like she’s just seen the funniest comedian on stage. I’ll start laughing at her laughing! It’s really hysterical. Since Curious George only comes on twice a day, we were thrilled to discover the Curious George website on PBSKids.org. The site is very kid-friendly and features 80 video clips of real-world curiosities. It’s an educational gold mine. Megan likes learning about anything her buddies, Curious George and The Man in Yellow Hat are interested in.

Megan also loves to color and the Curious George site delivers on that too! There are enough Curious George printable pages to make Megan her very own coloring book! Megan’s favorite part of the site is the game section! With over 20 games, that curious little monkey keeps her entertained for hours!

As a parent, I appreciate her independence and was very excited when we discovered KidDotComs.com. Now Megan can navigate the Curious George website and many others without me constantly hovering. I feel safe knowing the sites she visits are parent-approved and that by following the KidDotComs security recommendations, I don’t have to worry about her stumbling upon an inappropriate website. Now Megan can satisfy her own curiosity without getting into as much trouble as her primate friend! Hooray for Curious George and KidDotComs.com!

Welcome to the official KidDotComs blog! We are thrilled to bring KidDotComs to other families! We’re really excited to share lots of great information with parents, schools, and other child oriented institutions. We’ll help you find the resources and tools for safe entertainment and quality education.

Goals for the blog

• Great kids sites you may have never heard about.
• Free security software for protecting both your children and your computer.
• Free software resources for education, play, and productivity!
• Solutions for helping your children get the most good out of the computer without getting the bad!

If you want all that now, just set up a free KidDotComs account and have access to the Parents section with articles, software recommendations, and computer advice today!

So, what is KidDotComs exactly?

First and foremost, it is a tool for you as parents to select the child websites that you want your children to have easy access to. You’ll select the sites for your children and make a “child homepage”. Then, you will make the homepage easily available to your child. At this point, it becomes a tool for the children. Your children can easily get to all the child safe websites that you have selected for them. Oh… and they can do it without constantly asking you for help to get to the next site they want!

To see it in action, check out the short demonstration video then sign up for a free no-hassle trial and witness your child enjoy it for yourself!

Do you have more questions? Check out the FAQ, check out the site, read how the site came to be, or just ask!