[PCWorld]

Post your comments for The 10 Biggest Security Risks You Don't Know About here

[Dryvlyne]

This is an excellent article. Thank you for keeping users informed of the latest security threats. It's pretty scary how sosphisticated some of these threats are becoming. For example, I didn't realize how complex phishing attacks are now. I work in the IT department of a relatively small, community-based bank and can now see why the U.S. federal government is mandating that all U.S. operated banks utilize a form of multi-factor authentication by the end of this year (no doubt a good topic for PC World to cover in a future issue). Basically, multi-factor authentication involves verifying an online banking user in a minimum of two out of three ways - by something they know (typical Access ID & Password), something they have (a hardware or software-based token) or something they are (biometric identification).Geez, I'm only in my late 20's now and I can't even begin to imagine the kinds of security threats that computer users are going to face in the coming decades. I'm really worried that I'm going to have a difficult time in the future on keeping up on the latest threats and ways to mitigate them.

[Spiderman]

I just installed "Amust 1-Defender" 3 days ago. (find pcworld.com/54892)It is surreal! Before you go to this website go to whatsmyipaddress.com and run their security check on your open ports. I have "DefenderPro 5 in 1 2006" and my firewall is set on "stealth" but only 3 ports are actually stealthed. Now install Amust 1-Defender and check it again. Every known port on my pc showed stealthed. I was blown away! Not bad for a freebie. The only drawback was that my DefenderPro Antispy won't update. I guess Kapersky labs hasn't worked out this bug yet, but I'm keeping Amust 1-Defender until the "enemy" has figured out how to defeat it.

[atishey]

this is an exceptionally cool article.I strongly believe that internet security is going to be major concern for PC users in the coming time.

[Rondil]

The first step in securing or proofing your PC against Spyware, trojans and viruses is to change the way you log onto your computer. If you use a limited logon instead of Admin log on you can limit the hackers ability to do damage or spy on your computer. When logged in this way No software can be installed and No changes can be done to your machine which should prevent any trojans from being installed or drive-by installs. I always log on as a limited account except when I want to install something. I have found a couple programs don't like this so keep that in mind if you folks decide to try this. Yes it can be bypassed with a couple changes to your registry, but the majority of spyware does not do that, plus it has to install first which it cannot do.Heres how its done.Open Control Panel --> User Accounts --> Create a new Account --> Type in a name -->Next -->Click Limited --> Create Account

[TheNameless]

As for threat number 10, malware-writers MIGHT target nix users more. But let's use the example of banks and homes. More homes get robbed than banks, yet banks are more popular. Popularity isn't the only issue at hand. And the forrester report was incredibly skewed, and told everyone that Linux users were unpatched from vulnerabilities for insurmountably ridiculous amounts of time.Also love to see this little set of vulnerabilities: "Release Date: 2006-09-14" -- "2006-11-14: Added additional information from Microsoft. Updated "Solution" section." (url]http://www.microsoft...06-067.mspx_)As for EVERY single "worm" that has attacked any Linux PC/server, they aim at vulnerabilties.I think I stand pretty close to [this article, when it comes to most things.But I'm not in such a state of a security that I can't be infected, thus, I still run an AV. But it's free. The AV vendors that are trying to charge you for protection, just marketing, not protection. ClamAV and Avira[Antivir], both excellent anti-malware programs. I have not yet gotten a virus on a Linux box.If someone manages to trick a few handfuls of people with a virus that is able to self-replicate, maybe there's going to be a huge, wide-spread Linux malware case. But my bet is that it won't happen. And if it does, the Linux vendors/software makers are not going to have third parties trying to solve it, like Microsoft does with malware vendors.Just had to get the nix/Windows debate going, by any means necessary. =)But overall, enjoyed the article.

[macforme]

Thank you so much for all your hard work researching this article. I feel safer now that I know what to look for and how defend myself.
Kudos on a terrific job.