Microsoft_Consumer_Magazine.pdf

safety and security

www.microsoft.com/protect

online

protect your computer, yourself and your family

inside

online safety

and security

is all about you

volume 1, issue 1

letter of introduction

safety and security

online

Can you remember the irst time you ventured onto the Internet? I can. I remember feeling like my world

had suddenly multiplied in size. I have been involved with computers for a long time, starting as a pro-

grammer over 15 years ago. However, it was in about 1996 that the Internet began to change my life. It

was in that year, when I was working as a consultant traveling the globe, that all of a sudden e-mail be-

came a substitute for voice mail, and business information was available online rather than only through

research teams. Collaboration on projects across the globe became possible since we had the opportu-

nity to communicate. Needless to say, a world of new opportunities opened up, increasing my reach and

my connection with others, and enabling me to use real-time information in decision-making.

2 Letter of Introduction

Kristin Johnsen, Microsoft senior director of security outreach, discusses online safety and what Microsoft is

doing to help people protect their PCs, themselves and their families online.

cover story

4 New Safeguards, Education and Law Enforcement Ease Web’s Growing Pains

Featuring commentary from a real victim of cybercrime, this feature story describes the threat of cybercrimi-

nals and tells how law enforcement is taking action against online crime. Learn how to be cybersmart in your

online ventures.

Kristin Johnsen

Senior director

of security outreach

Security Technology Unit

Microsoft Corp.

Today the Internet is no longer new or novel to most of us. A 2005 study by the Pew Internet & American

Life Project found that more than two-thirds of Americans are now using the Internet. They use it to com-

municate with friends and family, pay bills, comparison-shop in a worldwide marketplace, watch movies,

and perform other tasks that would have seemed impossible even a decade ago. However, high-proile

cases of online identity theft, child exploitation and computer viruses are quite understandably fueling

concern about safety and security on the Web. The economic impact of these online threats is steadily

rising as well; because of viruses and spyware, over the past two years American consumers spent at least

$7.8 billion for computer repairs, parts and replacement, according to the 2006 Consumer Reports “State

of the Net” survey.

8 Technology Solutions

A sampling of security products and services, and advice on choosing the best options for

your security needs.

parents

11 Bridging the New Generation Gap: Straight Talk and Advice on How Parents

All of us who enjoy and beneit from the Internet also play a vital role in helping make and keep this

valuable resource safe and secure. To help ensure a more trustworthy Web experience, parents and their

kids irst need to clearly understand the risks that exist online. The good news is that today’s online

threats are for the most part manageable and avoidable, and there are solutions — both technological

and behavioral — for the various problems and risks. Microsoft Corp. and its partners have developed

this publication, Safety & Security Online , to share a broad range of security information, tools and

other resources available to help people protect their PCs, themselves and their families online.

Can Help Protect Their Kids Online

Real-life accounts of the importance of online safety, from the perspective of consumers and their families

expressing real-life concerns about safety and security on the Internet.

17 Acronyms 101: Understanding Online Jargon

A quiz for households with children online. Do you know what your children are really talking about online?

As you read on, you will ind easy-to-understand online security guidance tailored to the interests and

concerns of speciic groups: parents, teens, kids, and seniors. Through this and many other educational

resources within Microsoft’s ongoing Trustworthy Computing efforts, we aim to put people in control

of their information and give them the opportunity to realize the full potential of the Internet. We are

doing this through the following means:

50+

18 Online Safety Advocates Boost Efforts to Educate Older Consumers

A real-life account of cybercrime from the perspective of a cybervictim. Read her story to learn what she did

to get even and how you can help protect yourself from similar crimes.

teens

21 Don’t Get Trapped in Your Own Web Social Circle

Tips and tricks for those who blog and use social networking sites. Learn more about safe ways to share your

information online.

• Making our products more secure out of the box, including our lagship operating system, Windows.

• Providing a broad range of additional security-enhancing tools for consumers.

• Bringing helpful information to the public by collaborating with other companies and advocacy groups

to organize activities, such as through the creation and maintenance of http://www.staysafe.org, an

independent Web site that provides an array of Internet safety resources.

• Helping law enforcement and government agencies crack down on online criminals through joint

educational efforts and new technology.

partnership

24 Working Together to Increase Online Safety and Security

When organizations work together, they can communicate strong messages to a wide-reaching audience.

This feature outlines Microsoft’s work with several organizations to help educate consumers on the best

practices for online safety.

You will see evidence of these and other efforts throughout Safety & Security Online . We hope these

resources will inspire you to take a closer look at your own online safety habits as well as those of your

family. Microsoft and its industry partners would like you to spend your online time realizing your per-

sonal potential, using the Internet safely to help reach your goals.

27 Online Safety Information Cards

For quick reference, these information cards provide quick online safety guidance, tips and resources. Easy to

cut out so you can keep them handy

Be safe and secure online,

Kristin

OCT 06 | SAFETY & SECURITY ONLINE

COVER STORY

new safeguards, education and law

enforcement ease the web’s growing pains

And, despite studies that indicate a majority of consum-

ers are still vulnerable to online criminal activity, Kristin

Johnsen, senior director of security outreach for Micro-

soft’s Security Technology Unit, is optimistic. “If people

know about the online risks, follow the right safety steps

and use technology to help protect themselves, they can

almost always be avoided,” Johnsen said.

16 million instances of malicious software from 5.7 million

computers by running a monthly scan for malicious soft-

ware during the 15 months after its January 2005 debut.

• Windows XP Service Pack 2 has reduced the number

of critical vulnerabilities compared with the previous

version of Windows XP, according to internal Microsoft

analysis.

AfterhurricanesKatrinaandRita,theInternetdemonstrateditspower.And,asreliance

ontheInternethitnewhighs,onlinecriminalactivitysoaredtonewheightsaswell.

vocabulary lesson

v. A method of identity theft carried out through the

creation of a Web site that seems to represent a legitimate

company USAGE Online criminals pretend to be

legitimate businesses to phish for personal information.

• Windows Live OneCare, an all-in-one,

automated PC Care service that com-

bines anti-virus, anti-spyware, irewall,

data-backup and restore protection

features, as well as tune-up features and

around-the-clock online support.

PHISHING

PRONOUNCED \FISH-ING\

Almost overnight, scam artists went on a “phishing” spree,

soliciting donations online to phony charities via e-mails

that directed people to equally phony Web sites designed

to look like those of trusted companies. Business was so

brisk that Katrina-related Web domain names were being

sold through online auction sites, with starting bids as

high as $15,000, according to The Washington Post in

August of 2005.

Covering All the Security Bases

• In addition to its fully managed “take care of everything

for me” service, Windows Live OneCare offers consum-

ers certain free services such as Windows Live OneCare

Family Safety, OneCare Advisor and Windows Live OneC-

are Safety Scanner. Windows Live OneCare Family Safety

is a free safety service in beta form that will include

content iltering for the Web, contact list management

tools for communication services, and online activity

reports. OneCare Advisor is also available free as a part

of Live Toolbar; it provides quick and easy access to the

Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner, a free, on-de-

mand online resource to help consumers protect

themselves and keep their PCs running well, as

well as an updated version of Microsoft Phishing

Filter that includes additional functionality to help

protect consumers from online data theft.

Consumer Joe Macher is among the latest converts to

this new generation of security software. Macher’s two

home PCs began to slow and crash earlier this year after

he downloaded some free online games for his grandkids.

The retired paper-industry supply engineer thought his

old security software would protect his PCs if any spyware

was stowed away in the games; it didn’t. “The games

looked fun and innocent enough,” he said. “But in the

background, someone was busy loading up my machine

with spyware, adware and viruses.”

Welcome to the Internet’s dificult adolescence. As

the Web has matured from fad to work tool and

now to a daily necessity for tens of millions of

Americans, the potential risks unleashed by hack-

ers and criminals have also matured. A seemingly

constant stream of media reports tell of Web-

borne threats: computer viruses that can dam-

age millions of computers in one fell swoop,

spyware and phishing attacks that fuel nation-

wide identity theft, and personal networking

services that can be misused to lure children

and other unsuspecting Internet users.

When both computers began

slowing and crashing, Macher

realized that he had to do

something and do it quickly.

He looked to newer security

programs; in the end, the

Windows Defender beta

— a free download

from Microsoft

— uncov-

ered the

spyware

that was

causing the problems,

and Macher was able to eliminate it by having a

technical support person help him reload his operating

system.

• SmartScreen ® Technology, which helps ight

spam and phishing, is available across e-mail

platforms from Microsoft to help protect users

from unwanted e-mail.

Much of the hope for increased Internet

safety rests with a new generation of

easy-to-use and comprehensive Internet

security products, as well as a funda-

mental change in the way technology is

developed: with security in mind from

the ground up. This maturation also

hinges on people taking advantage of

these products and educating them-

selves through the broad variety

of guidance available from online

companies, law enforcement of-

icials and consumer advocacy

organizations.

• The Microsoft Phishing Filter is also available in

the Live Toolbar and Windows Internet Explorer ®

7 to help protect customers from rapidly evolving

phishing scams.

“Software services, such as Microsoft Automatic Updates,

are also helping increase online security,” said Microsoft’s

Johnsen. These services can automatically download soft-

ware updates to your computer that help protect against

new threats, like viruses or worms and other potential com-

puting security vulnerabilities before they become issues.

Macher is one of the millions of people who have down-

loaded the Windows Defender beta since its debut. In

addition to Windows Defender, Microsoft offers a variety of

security offerings to help protect the computing experience:

“This helps keep your Windows-based computer protect-

ed and up to date against potential threats,” Johnsen said.

“It also gives consumers a good feeling that their machine

is safer.”

• Stand-alone security software products including the

Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT), which removed

OCT 06 | SAFETY & SECURITY ONLINE

COVER STORY

7.8 HOURS

10.3 HOURS

Cracking Down on Cybercriminals

PER WEEK

Macher and other Internet users beneit from another

type of security effort, even though they aren’t the target

audience: Law enforcement agencies are taking action

against cybercriminals, which in turn helps all Internet

users. Joint efforts — which often combine the resources

of Microsoft, law enforcement and other organizations

— have led to hundreds of cases legal action against

spammers, phishers and other cybercriminals worldwide.

Most notably Microsoft and the New York state attorney

general sued spammer Scott Richter (formerly known as

the “Spam King”), resulting in a $7 million settlement in

August 2005 for Microsoft. Efforts like this send the mes-

sage to others thinking of sending spam that it’s a crime.

Microsoft then donated the settlement funds to further

technology and education efforts.

I’m Fighting Back…

COMMUNICATING WITH FRIENDS

VIA COMPUTERS OR CELL PHONES

DOING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Source: Paul Hitlin, Amanda Lenhart, Mary Madden, “Teens & Technology: Youth Are

Leading the Transition to a Fully Wired and Mobile Nation,” Pew Internet & American Life

Project, July 27, 2005. http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/162/report_display.asp

Getting Cybersmart

Equally encouraging, Johnsen said, is the mainstream

media’s increased attention to Internet security. “There are

daily news reports about the dangers posed by worms,

viruses and online predators,” she said. “Consumers are

getting the message that there is a need to be careful so

their family can get and stay cybersafe.”

The good news is that people don’t have to look far to

ind abundant resources, most of which are available at no

charge. People can take their choice of trusted advocacy

groups and organizations, from technology companies

such as Microsoft (http://www.Microsoft.com/protect)

to sites that combine the knowledge and perspectives

of numerous organizations, such as GetNetWise

(http://www.getnetwise.org). In addition, community-

based sites such as http://www.staysafe.org compile

guidance from several different sources: i-SAFE, Microsoft,

NCMEC, NetFamily News, Net-Mom Approved, OnGuard

Online and SafeKids.com.

By closely tracking malicious code and rapidly alerting law

enforcement when outbreaks occur online, technology

companies are reducing the spread of worms and other

destructive software and are helping to bring cyber-

criminals to justice. Microsoft is in a unique position to

help law enforcement combat cybercrime, because it can

document the activity and provide the evidence needed

to bring a case to court. Providing law enforcement with

resources, expertise and information that make it easier

for them to prosecute cybercriminals is not only the right

thing to do, it helps keep the Internet safe.

Pre-emptive efforts have produced new law enforcement

tools such as CETS. Developed by Microsoft, the Royal

Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Toronto Police

Service, CETS software tools and technologies help make it

possible for law enforcement to capture, share and search

for information worldwide about online child-exploita-

tion cases. Several countries have expressed an interest in

the system since the tool was unveiled in Canada in 2005.

Most recently, Indonesia adopted CETS in June 2006, and

Microsoft is working with governments and law enforce-

ment agencies worldwide on future CETS rollouts.

Many of the organizations dedicated to online safety are

banding together to take their safety and security lessons

on the road, through nationwide or regional tours. The

Get Net Safe Tour, traveling to 12 cities across the United

States, is a joint effort by Microsoft and 10 other orga-

nizations to offer safety education events for students,

parents, teachers, those over age 50, and government and

community leaders across the country.

Macher believes that taking the time to learn about how

to stay safe online is as important as implementing a

security technology.

As the Internet outgrows its adolescence, lessons learned

through Hurricane Katrina’s massive online response

and experiences like Macher’s spyware attack show that

some level of crime on the Internet will likely always exist.

However, if people’s awareness about how to help protect

themselves online matures along with the Internet, many

online threats may be avoided and people can positively

experience all the Web has to offer.

“You really need to educate yourself,” Macher said. “At-

tend an informational seminar; sit down with a cybersavvy

friend, or visit one of the Web sites. Just make sure you

learn the do’s and don’ts before you do something silly

like I did.”

Microsoft has provided special training to more than

15,000 of its developers, program managers and

testers on how to build more secure computer code

— and this training is regularly updated to help these

employees keep up with changes in security threats. More

secure code makes it harder for hackers and thieves to

break into your home PC, and is just one of the enhanced

processes in Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle.

OCT 06 | SAFETY & SECURITY ONLINE

COVER STORY

Firewall

Anti-spyware software

A must-have security feature for those who don’t yet have

Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Live OneCare or

another security offering with a built-in irewall.

To provide optimal anti-spyware protection, Microsoft

developed Microsoft Windows Defender:

• Windows Defender. In addition to helping defend

against pop-up ads, slow performance and security

threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software,

this service offers a user interface that adapts how it

alerts you based on the severity of a threat. This reduces

intrusion while helping ensure urgent threats don’t go

unnoticed.

For more information and download details, visit

http://www.microsoft.com/protect.

Software updates

Online services, such as Microsoft Automatic Updates,

help ensure that your PC has the most current updates

and protections for today’s ever-evolving online threats.

These updates can be delivered and loaded onto your PC

via the Internet automatically — with your permission, of

course.

Available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender.

additionalmicrosoftsafety

andsecuritysolutions

For more information and for installation instructions,

visit http://update.microsoft.com

Windows Live OneCare

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

This is a favorite with those who don’t have a lot of time

or want to help ensure that their security software works

well together. Windows Live OneCare is an all-in-one PC

care service that manages protection, maintenance and

backup, so customers don’t have to worry about protect-

ing and maintaining their PCs. It performs the following

protective duties and PC maintenance:

technology

solutions

This update to the Windows XP operating system is all

about security improvements, and it’s one of the most

important service packs ever released. For those who

already have Windows XP, this all-in-one update includes

the following:

helpingpeoplebetter

protecttheirPCs,themselves

andtheirfamiliesforasafer

computingexperience

• Windows Firewall helps defend your computer against

viruses and intruders trying to access your computer

over the Internet.

• Anti-virus protection features remove viruses, worms

and Trojan horses, based on a continually updated list of

threats.

• Windows Security Center is a command central for

managing your Windows XP security settings, includ-

ing irewall status, automatic update settings and virus

protection.

• Windows Defender defends against pop-up ads, slow

performance and security threats caused by spyware and

other unwanted software.

• Two-way irewall checks for threats in incoming data

— as well as viruses or stealth programs, such as zom-

bies or spyware — that can run unnoticed in the back-

ground and send information from your computer to

the Internet.

• Pop-up Blocker gives you more control of your Internet

browser by stopping most pop-up ads.

Many people experience frustration when they try to protect their PCs, themselves and

For more information and download details, visit

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.mspx.

• Performance tune-ups automate tedious but important

maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up your hard disk

and reassembling broken iles and other faults that can

slow PC performance. They also install updates to Micro-

soft operating systems.

their families online. Although some understand the importance of staying safe while

Anti-virus software

on the Internet, with all the options available it is often hard to know what you and your

Don’t let a computer virus or other unwanted software

ruin your online experience. If you don’t use OneCare,

make sure you seek out other anti-virus software — and

follow the recommendations for keeping it up to date.

family should use. Here are some security products and services, and some related

advice on choosing the best options for your computer security needs.

• Backup a restore service helps re-create lost iles — in-

cluding those you may accidentally delete — and create

an extra copy of valuable iles on CD, DVD or an external

hard drive. The service also puts things back where you

left them; you don’t even have to remember where they

For more information and download details, visit http://

www.microsoft.com/protect.

OCT 06 | SAFETY & SECURITY ONLINE

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