02 Jan 11 What is Tech Ministries?
Tech Ministries is not currently an incorporated non-profit. However, it is a goal (I believe given by God) to provide pro bono or donation based computer related services.
Tech Ministries focused passion is to help remove and prevent malicious software (malware) infections. Malware is an umbrella term that includes:
- viruses,
- worms,
- trojan horses,
- spyware,
- keyloggers,
- dishonest adware,
- scareware,
- crimeware,
- most rootkits,
- and other malicious and unwanted software or programs
According to the largest maker of security software, Symantec, malware is produced faster than legitimate software. F-Secure claims that, “As much malware [was] produced in 2007 as in the previous 20 years altogether.” Individual battles against this evil to our computers are very difficult, at best.
Tech Ministries scope is to provide malware prevention and removal for individuals and small businesses. Large corporations typically have dedicated security teams responsible for protecting their computers, telecommunication networks and other information systems. Small offices, home offices and other individuals often do not have the necessary resources to effectively protect their computers and networks. In addition to providing enterprise level security; other computer related services such as computer training and hardware repair will be provided on an as needed basis.
Tech Ministries vision is to provide service to anyone requesting help. Computers are quickly becoming the next necessary utility. Just as electricity became common in the early 20th century, computers are now as common in the early 21st. Cost of even trivial malware removal by a national computer service provider is often near the price of purchasing a new computer. Given malware’s rampant proliferation, the necessity of computers and these high service prices; the market is ripe for a lower cost alternative. Through the generosity of capable patrons and long term relationship pricing model, Tech Ministries will provide ongoing malware prevention and removal to as many as possible.
For more information or to schedule service, use one of your support options under the Help tab.
25 Jun 10 Viruses, and Trojans, and Worms! Oh, My!
In the The Wizard of Oz (1939) Dorothy had the wisdom to see danger on the road ahead:
Dorothy: Do you suppose we’ll meet any wild animals?
Tin Woodsman: Mm, we might.
Scarecrow: Animals that eat… s-traw?
Tin Woodsman: Some, but mostly lions, and tigers, and bears.
Dorothy: Lions?
Scarecrow: And tigers?
Tin Woodsman: And bears.
Dorothy: Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my!
What is Personal Information Technology Security?
Everyone I know uses some form of IT. We commonly think of computers and the Internet. We include smartphones with web access. But we must include any technical device that is capable of sharing information. Often this is through a network like the Internet. But this can include such simple devices as a plain old telephone service. Just like our homes, we can not make the information technology we use 100% secure. However there are reasonable steps we can take to drastically reduce the likelihood of a malicious attack (like locking our doors).
I don’t intend this blog to help with corporate or enterprise levels of IT. They have whole departments with very intelligent and dedicated staff to take care of their IT devices. Also their environment is different in a lot of ways from what you use personally. Since you don’t have a team of hired professionals watching out for your security, I’m here to help.
What I describe in this blog comes from my own experience of over 25 years in using and supporting IT devices for corporations, small businesses, individuals and myself. I want to educate you from that experience so you can apply it as best you see fit in your circumstances.
Most of the experiences I will share here will be related to protecting your home and small business computer(s) with some form of a connection to the Internet. I will also share some advice on securing your mobile devices like cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Occasionally, I help with other forms of attack that are sometimes purely social and don’t involve anything more complicated on your end than just answering your home phone.
I’ll do my best to keep the blog posts general enough so they can be applied in a variety of situations. For those wanting the more technical details related to particular incidents, I will link to a variety of news and technical sources as reference.
First Pitfall to Avoid — Social Engineered Attacks
I chose this pitfall to describe first because it can be applied across the most forms of interaction; even beyond IT. Also I was able to leap over this pitfall just this past Tuesday (June, 22nd) when I was personally attacked.
My personal attack involved a well known scam using collect calls from prison. Social engineering is all about using you to open the door. This could be the physical door to your home, a method to gain access to your computer or in this case, long distant calls made on your phone.
Social engineering comes in a wide variety of forms. They all contain two elements: gaining your trust in order for you to share information. In my case they wanted to tug at my heart strings to make me believe I had a friend in prison and needed my help. Other forms use information they obtained elsewhere to make you believe they have the right to additional information.
One very popular form of social engineer is phishing (yes, with “ph” and not “f”). It is like fishing as the phisher sends out a lot of bait and hopefully will get a few bites. If you have ever received an email asking to verify information from a trusted source, such as a bank or other online service, then you were being phished. I HOPE YOU DIDN’T CLICK THE LINK IN THE EMAIL!!! If you did, contact me right away and I’ll help you straighten out the potential mess.
So how do you avoid social engineered attacks. First, develop a radar for these things. Study examples of many of these attacks (I’ve only given you a couple examples from the hundreds that are out there). Then trust your instincts. Most often these attacks come unsolicited. If you receive a phone call, an email or knock at the door that you were not expecting, be extra cautious. Sometimes even trusted friends are unaware they are used as part of the attack. I will give more details on this when I discuss how social engineering is combined with malware to infect your computer through instant messages and emails.
Please be aware that malicious attacks are occurring everyday to gain information about you for someone else’s benefit. Be cautious, but don’t run and hide. I little awareness goes a long way to protecting yourself.
Please post a comment below and let me know what you think of this blog. Much of the content will be driven by your comments as I want this to be a help to you. Let me know what you liked and, just as important, what you didn’t like.
Until next time, keep looking out for those PITS!
