As access to bank accounts becomes more readily available across platforms, consumers have more reason to fret about the security of their personal and financial information online. Are you concerned? If so, there are steps you can take to put your mind at ease. (click image to enlarge) EMBED THE…
With more than 800 million users, Facebook is arguably the most dominant social networking platform in the world. The social network’s popularity and fast growth also make it a prime target for cybercriminals. Below, we take a look at Facebook’s online presence, how it’s being attacked, and what you can…
Practically every adult in the U.S. knows someone who has had their identity stolen, if they have not been a victim themselves, which is plenty likely. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission, approximately 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. And many of these crimes rely…
Though the general public may be worried about Mayan predictions and the end of days in 2012, the real threats to fear next year aren’t those predicted in books and movies. It’s online attacks you should be worried about. From your smartphone to your Facebook profile, cybercriminals have one New…
Cybercrime is a worldwide threat that affects everyone from high-power governments to your hometown neighbor. But in the U.S., the average citizen is at risk of falling victim to malicious cybercriminals every day. Furthermore, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (a partnership between the FBI and National White Collar…
Teens today are immersed in the Web and, more specifically, on social media sites. As more relationships are built and maintained through social networking sites, kids are encountering a growing number of unkind peers. Are parents seeing this and becoming more connected and involved in their kids’ online lives? Find…
Holiday retail sales for 2011 are estimated to increase 2.8 percent to $465.6 billion during the months of November and December. Let’s look at how much the average American has spent since 2004 and will spend this holiday season. (click image to enlarge) by Zone Alarm Free Firewall EMBED THE…
As many as nine million Americans have their identity stolen every year. How much time and money does it cost consumers who become victims of identity theft and what steps can you take if your identity has been compromised? (click image to enlarge) by Zone Alarm Free Firewall EMBED THE…
Internet users need a strong firewall as well as antivirus software. If you don’t have a firewall, “it’s basically like leaving your home with the doors unlocked and the windows open,” said Michael Calce, the hacker once known as “Mafiaboy.” In addition to a built-in or pre-installed firewall, protect your…
We just released ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2012, the latest version of ZoneAlarm’s powerful 2-way firewall, and we’re very excited about it! ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2012 is compatible with any standalone Antivirus (AV) package, and it blocks hackers and prevents viruses and spyware that by-pass antivirus software. To download a free…
It sounds like an impressive James Bond gadget: Spyware. But this software is far from fantasy, and it is used everyday to steal information from millions of users. Spyware is a type of malware that gets onto your computer in different ways, but it all has the same goal: to…
Smart computer users know about the importance of security software. These are the programs that prevent hackers from stealing your information and protect against viruses corrupting your computer. But did you know that some of the programs advertised as security software are actually fakes that don’t protect, and in some…
On Halloween night, ghouls and goblins abound, aiming to scare anyone they can. And though these mini monsters only show up on your doorstep one night of the year, did you know that actual monsters exist online all year-round? It’s true. Virtual villains are constantly attempting to wreak havoc on…
As the world becomes increasingly digital and more of our sensitive information is stored online, the security of that information has become a major concern to both users and lawmakers. In an attempt to safeguard users’ online info, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Al Franken are cosponsoring the Personal Data…
Most people are thrilled when they encounter free Wi-Fi in various spots: the library, a local coffee shop, or the airport. As Internet access becomes an everyday necessity, cities across the country, from San Francisco to Philadelphia, are providing or proposing citywide Wi-Fi for their residents. However, though citywide Wi-Fi…
Yet another redesign of Facebook’s user interface has surfaced. Facebook continues to push the limits on the amount of content users can share and follow. At the social networking site’s f8 conference on September 22, Mark Zuckerberg announced the future face of Facebook. Are the new Timeline and Open Graph…
Complaints about Internet criminal activity dropped 10 percent last year, even as the number of computers hijacked by botnets shot up more than 600 percent. Computer users may be getting savvier, but online criminals are finding new methods of attack. (Click Image to Enlarge) by Zone Alarm Free Antivirus EMBED…
It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi thriller: Thousands of dormant robot cells lie poised to attack wherever their malevolent leader directs them, and once activated they wreak havoc on mankind. But this scenario is not fiction; it is happening every day in the digital age. Botnets, villainous computer…
Your computer is your gateway to the world of information. Unfortunately, it’s also the portal to your personal information. From online hackers trying to steal your financial information to power surges that can fry your hard drive, your computer is more vulnerable than you think. So how does the everyday…
Source The Web is an information playground, and everyone is eager to share. And with the recent addition of sharing tools – those little icons that allow you to like, post, and more across various social media platforms – users can “share” easily and instantly. But while those seemingly innocuous…
Source You may think hackers are only focused on FBI break-ins and bank accounts, but nothing could be further from the truth. According to a Ponemon Institute report published this June, 90 percent of surveyed businesses reported at least one IT security breach in the past 12 months. Any breach…
Time and time again, you are warned of the importance of having strong, secure online passwords, but how often are we given instruction on password management? Let’s take a look at recent password trends and how you can keep track of your passwords. (Click Image to Enlarge) by Zone Alarm…
Source Recent legislation suggested by the Federal Trade Commission is aimed at protecting consumers from having their online activity monitored. The Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2011, which would protect Internet users from having their activity tracked, stored, and shared with private companies for marketing and other purposes has been introduced…
Source As destructive as hackers can be on their own, they’re even worse when they’re in a group. With the most recent attack on Sony’s Playstation Network and a number of other major sites, we thought it’d be pertinent to list some of the most famous collectives, their ethos, and…
Julian Assange, World Famous Hacktivist Source Hacktivism–a portmanteau of the words “hack” and “activism”–despite all the recent news coverage, is not a new movement. In fact, it’s a concept that’s been around since the 1980s, and it typically used to achieve–or give awareness to–some political/social goal. It’s sometimes ambiguous in…
When it comes to health, privacy is of utmost importance. It’s necessary to ensure that, even while using a secure Internet service to store data, patient data is on lockdown. It’s also the law. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (also known as the Standards for Privacy of…
A VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, is a private network that uses a public network (like the Internet) to connect users together. VPNs can be used to send virtually any kind of data–voice, video, etc.– securely, using encryption. (It’s like a tunnel that establishes a “virtual link,” encrypts…
Parents are 85% more concerned about online privacy and security than they were five years ago. The risks are real, but the solutions are clear. Here are 10 tips that we believe are the best ways to protect your family online. (Click Image to Enlarge) Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite…
Are you worried about your security while playing online games? You should be: Between April 17 and April 19, hackers stole account information from users on Sony Corp.’s 77 million member-strong Playstation Network. Sony turned off the PSN in response, but said that the information stolen or compromised likely included…
With online account security breaches on the rise, parents should start exploring the option of changing passwords in three-month increments. While older online users might hesitate to change passwords frequently, younger users will just be more hesitant to allow parental access (but will probably opt to change passwords frequently.) Need…
It’s inevitable: Your child probably will be approached by a stranger online. So how do you help him/her prepare? Teach Them The Definition of A Stranger Source One of the most important things you can do to educate your children about interacting with strangers online is defining exactly what “stranger”…
It may shock you, but there are good and bad hackers out there. Here are seven types, what they do, why they do it and ways you can avoid them. (click image to enlarge) Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite EMBED THE IMAGE ABOVE ON YOUR SITE Zone Alarm Internet Security…
It seems like we store almost everything “in the cloud” these days–on social media networking sites, retail sites, or just in our webmail–but have little recourse when those sites become corrupted by forces outside of our control. Sure, keeping your info online is convenient and fast, but what extra precautions…
It’s always risky using the Internet, but if you know exactly what the risks are, you can takes steps toward preventing hacks and other compromises to your online security. Here are some of the factors that make us vulnerable online — you may be surprised by what you find: Uniqueness…
Today’s bullies have moved from the playground to the Web. Cyberbullying has grown into a big problem among middle and high school aged youths. 41% of kids report being bullied while online. 1 in 4 have had it happen more than once. Exactly what is cyberbullying and how can parents…
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the pressure is on to find that special someone to share the occasion with. In the digital age, millions of American adults use various online dating sites to find love. Exactly how safe is cyberdating and what precautions should you take to…
It can happen in a split second — you’re on the train, you look away from your bag, and just like that your laptop could be missing in action. Yes, you had some personal items in there, but it’s all the work files on the computer that are going to…
If you have a teen entering middle or high school for the first time, you are probably concerned about the possiblility of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying, for those unaware, is any form of hurtful or embarrassing harassment of another person over the Internet. This issue should not be taken lightly,…
Tax season is almost here – time once again to gather your income statements, W2 forms, and 1099s, and sort out how much you owe Uncle Sam (or hopefully how much he owes you). In our busy world, it is often easier to file online and ensure that the IRS…
Campaign highlights firewall as a critical layer of protection that anti-virus alone misses By ZoneAlarm Team Anti-virus alone cannot protect consumers against online attacks that are getting more and more sophisticated each year. The truth is, by pairing anti-virus protection with firewall, consumers increase the defenses against new viruses by…
By the ZoneAlarm Team We’ve got new and interesting survey results which revealed that 79% of consumers use risky password construction practices, such as using personal information and common words. This is quite risky because the very first thing a hacker will do to break into a computer or secure…
With Holidays just around the corner, we thought you might appreciate a chance to win a Flip Video (UltraHD™ 4GB) and ZoneAlarm Extreme Security for yourself and a friend! We know that everyone could use a convenient tool to capture all those precious moments, as well as a solution…
The ZoneAlarm Team We can’t wait to see those costumes! But, just as you have always lectured your kids about safety as they run off to enjoy this night of mischief, it’s time for us to share a few online security tips that will keep those scary online ghosts and…
By the ZoneAlarm Team The latest version of Norton Antivirus 2011 mistakenly notifies users about an incompatibility with ZoneAlarm Firewall Pro, prompting the user to remove ZoneAlarm. The notification is not correct – Zone Alarm Firewall Pro is compatible with this version of the anti-virus program, previous versions and is…
By the ZoneAlarm Team Whether you shop online, pay your bills or research your next vacation destination, no matter how often you surf the Web, all PC users need Internet security to protect vital information that can be used in identity theft or to prevent viruses from damaging the computer….
By the ZoneAlarm Team Perhaps you heard about malware injections from mainstream sites. Computerworld blogger Darlene Storm recently wrote about attacks that targeted the popular Web host Media Temple (really popular – ranked 20 in the US). Storm reported that Media Temple “provides web hosting for ABC, Adobe, NBC, Starbucks,…
Summary: We thought we were being proactive with our virus message. After listening to consumer feedback, we realized that it was mis-interpreted and have turned the pop-up message off. More Details: The popup message in ZoneAlarm Free Firewall was intended as an alert to a virus our technology discovered….
By the ZoneAlarm Team Did you ever get a ZoneAlarm alert telling you some application is trying to access the Internet? Did you wonder whether to click “Allow” or not? We don’t want you to have to wonder anymore. If ZoneAlarm is asking you about an application’s behavior, it’s because…
By Dameon D. Welch-Abernathy, CISSP, Check Point employee, a.k.a. PhoneBoy Facebook recently introduced a new feature called Facebook Places. Using your GPS-enabled Smartphone, you can “check in” to a physical location to let your friends know where you are. Competing services like Foursquare and Gowalla have offered this capability…