Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Internet users not as safe online as they believe, researchers report 1 HI 1 MIL ASMJ^IA 1 ILL! rKlLoo WASHINGTON — Internet users at home arc not nearly as safe online as they believe, according to a nationwide inspection by researchers. They found most consumers have no firewall protection, outdated antivirus software and dozens of spyware programs secretly running on their computers. One beleaguered home user in the government-backed study had more than 1,000 spyware programs running on his sluggish computer when researchers examined it. Bill Mines, a personal trainer in South Riding, Va., did not fere much better. His family’s 3-year-old Dell computer was found infected with viruses and more than 600 pieces of spyware surreptitiously monitoring his online activities. “I was blown away,” Mines said. “I had a lot of viruses and other things I didn’t know about. I had no idea things like this could happen.” The Internet always has had its share of risky neighborhoods and dark alleys. But with increasingly sophisticated threats from hackers, viruses, spam e mails and spyware, trouble is finding computer users no matter how cautiously they roam online. The technology industry is feeling the pain, too. Spurred by the high costs of support calls from irritated customers, and fearful that frustrated consumers will stop buying new products, Internet providers, software companies and computer-makers are making efforts to increase awareness of threats and provide customers with new tools to protect themselves. _ Still, many computer users appear remarkably unprepared for the dangers they face. The study being released Monday by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 77 percent of 326 adults in 12 states assur4d researchers in a telephone poll they were safe from online threats. Nearly as many people felt confident they were already protected specifically from viruses and hackers. When experts visited those same homes to examine computers, they found two-thirds of adults using antivirus software that was not updated in at least seven days. Two-thirds of the computer users also were not using any type of protective firewall program, and spyware was found on the computers of 80 percent of those in the study. The survey participants, a cross section of Internet users, were selected in 22 cities and towns by an independent market analysis organization, said AOL spokesman Andrew Weinstein. The alliance, a nonprofit group, is backed by the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Trade Commission, plus leading technology companies, including Cisco Systems, Microsoft, eBay and Dell. The group’s chief, Ken Watson, said consumers suffer from complacency and a lack of expert advice on keeping their computers secure. “Just like you don’t expect to get hit by a car, you don’t believe a computer attack can happen to you,” Watson said. “There really is quite a perception gap,” agreed Daniel W. Caprio, the Commerce Department’s deputy assistant secretary for technology policy. “Clearly there is confusion. We need to do a better job making information and practical tips for home users and small businesses available.” Wendy Avino, an interior decorator in Lansdowne, Va., said researchers found 14 spyware programs on her borrowed laptop and noticed that her $50 antivirus software was not properly configured to scan her computer at least monthly for possible infections. “We don’t go in funny chat rooms, I don’t open funny mail,” Avino said. “If it says ‘hot girls,’ I delete it. We do everything in the right way, so how does stuff get in there?” She complained she was misled believing her commercial antivirus and firewall programs would protect her from all varieties of online threats; most do not detect common types of spyware. “It is very complicated for the average home user,” said Ari Schwartz, an expert on Internet threats for the Center for Democracy and- Technology, a Washington civil liberties group. “There’s a lack of accountability all around, from consumers who don’t believe they should have to do this to companies who blame the consumer. It’s finger-pointing back and forth," Schwartz said. Microsoft’s chairman, Bill Gates, said the company spent nearly $ 1 billion on its recent upgrade to improve security for customers using the latest version of its Windows software. AOL purchased full-page advertisements in major newspapers this month pledging better security for its subscribers. Dell has begun a campaign to educate customers how to detect and remove spyware themselves. The government is increasingly involved, too. The FTC this month filed its first federal court case over spyware. The House overwhelmingly approved two bills to increase criminal penalties and fines over spyware. The Homeland Security Department offers free e-mail tips for home Internet users to. keep themselves secure. www.dailygamecock.com - Five days a week I .—I DIERKS BENTLEY ---—---1 Be In Good Company Wt'ra more than just th« largest health insurance company in South Carolina. We are one of the notion's leading administrators of government contracts. And we operate one of the most sophisticated data processing centers in the Southeast. We are successful because our employees are dedicated to serving our customers. If you snare this commitment, consider joining our team! We are looking for people to join our Entry-level Training Program This 10-week paid training program will prepare you for a future as a mainframe application developer. We will have two classes, in January 4 June 2005. To qualify for this program, you must have less than 6 months of IT work experience, plus one of the following: • 2-year degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field. • Successful completion of an approved, non degree computer science-related program. • Successful completion of a computer programming language training program, plus 6 months of programming experience. After successful completion of the BCBSSC Entry-Level Training Program, you will be assigned to a development team in our Information Systems department. Your progress will be monitored and you can expect to receive frequent training opportunities and excellent career growth I BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association To apply, e-mail, fax or send resume to: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina IS Recruiting M/S AA-175 1-20 at Alpine Rd Columbia, SC 29223 Fax: 803-264-8096 E-mail: IS.Recruiting@bcbssc.com> US citizenship or permanent residency is required. An independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 8 Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The company provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, religion, sex. sexual orientation, national origin, age or cftsability. Proud To Be a Carolinian “Fill the Bus” Food Drive for Harvest Hope Food Bank on Greene Street all week. Sponsored by Office of Community Service programs Sunday, October 24 Creed Week Kickoff - The Blue Dogs: 3:30pm - 5:45pm Russell House Patio Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council Monday, October 25 Lapel Pin Giveaway: 10am - 2pm Greene Street Get spotted wearing your pin and win a DVD player Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council Garba Night: 7pm Capstone Hall Sponsored by Indian Cultural Exchange and Hindu Students Council Real Talk: Perceptions & Misconceptions: 8pm Gambrell Rml53 Sponsored by NAACP Tuesday, October 26 Evoka and Agynst Concert: 11:30am - 2pm Greene Street Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council Leaving a Legacy by Showing Concern for Others Time and Location TBA Sponsored by Dance Marathon Ethics Program: 7:30pm Russell House Room 322/326 Sponsored by Alpha Lambda Delta Wednesday, October 27 Lapel Pin Prizes Awarded: 1 Oam - 2pm Greene Street Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council Young Democrats, Young Republicans Political Ethics Debate: 7 - 8pm Gambrell Room 153 Sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa t Birdcage: 8pm Russell House Ballroom Sponsored by BGLA and Carolina Productions Thursday, October 28 Georgia Sea Island Singers: 7pm Law School Auditorium Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council Gay Marriage Debate: 8pm Russell House Ballroom Sponsored by Carolina Productions Movies Sponsored by Mon 10/25 & Wed 10/27 WRHA 2pm & 2am: Pay it Forward 8pm: Paycheck 11pm: A Civil Action Tues 10/26 & Thur 10/28 2pm & 2am: Music of the Heart 8pm: The Green Mile 1 lpm: Higher Learning Proud to Follow the Creed For more information and a complete schedule of events go to www.sa.sc.edu/creed _ _ Sponsored by Carolina Student Judicial Council, Residence Q ro liniflil Hall Association, Student Government, University Housing, _ and Office of Student Judicial Programs. 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