Firewalls, anti-virus
scanners, where to get them and how to trade safely!

Trojans, password stealers, etc. All dirty words when it comes to our UO
accounts, and not something we ever want to have on our computer right? Right!
So having an updated virus detecting program is critical! I personally use a
virus program called Ez Anti-Virus, you can download a trial version at this
link: http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10093-108-95158.html
It's important to keep these programs updated, and run them often. I update
every night before I go to bed, just close your connection, end any programs, and
let it run while you sleep! For those who don't want to download a whole program
you can do a free check on your system by going to this link http://security2.norton.com/us/home.asp
This website can not only help you see if you might have a potentially dangerous
virus! But you can also check to see if you have any security risks on your
computer as well. Security risks brings up an important topic.

FIREWALLS!

Where to get them, how to use them, and
what ones to use!

A very popular firewall program is zone
alarm. You can download a trial "Free!" version at http://www.zonealarm.com/.
Once you get the program installed and running remember to activate it each time
before you sign online, or it's worthless. Once you get the program it will be
very easy to determine dangerous vicious attacks from ordinary internet jargon.
Vicious attacks will show you a red exclamation point or something else that
really catches the eye! It will also tell you the type of attack that caused the
warning. One I'll refer to is a back orifice attack. My firewall picks them up by
the dozens! A back orifice attack (basically someone tried to see if a
program was installed on my computer that would give them access to my pc) How
do we find out what kind of attack is bombarding our firewall? Easy! Just click on more info, almost all firewalls have
an option like this. It will give you the IP of the attacker, which can be used
to report the person doing the attacks, the time, the type of attack, and the
date it occurred. Using some of the steps described in the email section of this
post you can track down the admin of the IP causing you problems, and you can
report the attack. I strongly suggest it! As a rule of thumb attacks that need
to be paid attention to usually flash in orange or red, green attacks, and
sometimes yellow attacks, are just the internet being the internet and shouldn't
be a problem unless the attacks persist.

Feel free to ICQ me if you need any help setting up your
firewall! ICQ: 60323833

The following are some helpful tips that can be found on http://www.staysafeonline.info/sectips.adp
that's a great website for updated info on how to keep your info and your pc
safe.

1. Use protection software "anti-virus
software" and keep it up to date.

Make sure you have anti-virus software on your computer! Anti-virus software is
designed to protect you and your computer against known viruses so you don't
have to worry. But with new viruses emerging daily, anti-virus programs need
regular updates, like annual flu shots, to recognize these new viruses. Be sure
to update your anti-virus software regularly! The more often you keep it
updated, say once a week, the better. Check with the web site of your anti-virus
software company to see some sample descriptions of viruses and to get regular
updates for your software. Stop viruses in their tracks!

2. Don't open email from unknown sources.

A simple rule of thumb is that if you don't know the person who is sending you
an email, be very careful about opening the email and any file attached to it.
Should you receive a suspicious email, the best thing to do is to delete the
entire message, including any attachment. Even if you do know the person sending
you the email, you should exercise caution if the message is strange and
unexpected, particularly if it contains unusual hyperlinks. Your friend may have
accidentally sent you a virus. Such was the case with the "I Love You"
virus that spread to millions of people in 2001. When in doubt, delete!

3. Use hard-to-guess passwords.

Passwords will only keep outsiders out if they are difficult to guess! Don't
share your password, and don't use the same password in more than one place. If
someone should happen to guess one of your passwords, you don't want them to be
able to use it in other places. The golden rules of passwords are: (1) A
password should have a minimum of 8 characters, be as meaningless as possible,
and use uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers, e.g., xk28LP97. (2)
Change passwords regularly, at least every 90 days. (3) Do not give out your
password to anyone!

4. Protect your computer from Internet intruders -- use firewalls.

Equip your computer with a firewall! Firewalls create a protective wall between
your computer and the outside world. They come in two forms, software firewalls
that run on your personal computer and hardware firewalls that protect a number
of computers at the same time. They work by filtering out unauthorized or
potentially dangerous types of data from the Internet, while still allowing
other (good) data to reach your computer. Firewalls also ensure that
unauthorized persons can't gain access to your computer while you're connected
to the Internet. You can find firewall hardware and software at most computer
stores nationwide. Don't let intruders in!

5. Don't share access to your computers with strangers. Learn about file
sharing risks.

Your computer operating system may allow other computers on a network, including
the Internet, to access the hard-drive of your computer in order to "share
files". This ability to share files can be used to infect your computer
with a virus or look at the files on your computer if you don't pay close
attention. So, unless you really need this ability, make sure you turn off
file-sharing. Check your operating system and your other program help files to
learn how to disable file sharing. Don't share access to your computer with
strangers!

6. Disconnect from the Internet when not in use.

Remember that the Digital Highway is a two-way road. You send and receive
information on it. Disconnecting your computer from the Internet when you're not
online lessens the chance that someone will be able to access your computer. And
if you haven't kept your anti-virus software up-to-date, or don't have a
firewall in place, someone could infect your computer or use it to harm someone
else on the Internet. Be safe and disconnect!

7. Back up your computer data.

Experienced computer users know that there are two types of people: those who
have already lost data and those who are going to experience the pain of losing
data in the future. Back up small amounts of data on floppy disks and larger
amounts on CDs. If you have access to a network, save copies of your data on
another computer in the network. Most people make weekly backups of all their
important data. And make sure you have your original software start-up disks
handy and available in the event your computer system files get damaged. Be
prepared!

8. Regularly download security protection update "patches".

Most major software companies today have to release updates and patches to their
software every so often. Sometimes bugs are discovered in a program that may
allow a malicious person to attack your computer. When these bugs are
discovered, the software companies, or vendors, create patches that they post on
their web sites. You need to be sure you download and install the patches! Check
your software vendors' web sites on a regular basis for new security patches or
use the new automated patching features that some companies offer. If you don't
have the time to do the work yourself, download and install a utility program to
do it for you. There are available software programs that can perform this task
for you. Stay informed!

9. Check your security on a regular basis. When you change your clocks for
daylight-savings time, reevaluate your computer security.

The programs and operating system on your computer have many valuable features
that make your life easier, but can also leave you vulnerable to hackers and
viruses. You should evaluate your computer security at least twice a year -- do
it when you change the clocks for daylight-savings! Look at the settings on
applications that you have on your computer. Your browser software, for example,
typically has a security setting in its preferences area. Check what settings
you have and make sure you have the security level appropriate for you. Set a
high bar for yourself!

10. Make sure your family members and/or your employees know what to do if
your computer becomes infected.

It's important that everyone who uses a computer be aware of proper security
practices. People should know how to update virus protection software, how to
download security patches from software vendors and how to create a proper
password. Make sure they know these tips too!

More safety tips:

As a "rule of thumb" be very wary of broker websites that are not their own domain. For example sites set up on geocities, lycos, tripod, and others are very easy to set up and move and should be observed with extra caution. This is not to say every broker with his/her own domain is safe, but it is usually one of the first indicators that should be looked for.

Always remember if it's too good to be true it probably is!

Try not to buy accounts for UO gold. If you want to buy them safely sell your
gold, get some cash, use the cash and UO's account transfer method.

If a broker says his or her ICQ is down and isn't working ASK another
broker from the same organization to assist you in checking the ICQ! Don't assume people are honest. Many are not.

Never put checks in a bag. If it's a simple house for money trade and you
can't fit however many checks in a bag I'll personally assist you in doing the trade for free.
NEVER PUT YOUR ITEMS IN A BAG IN TRAMMEL OR IN FELUCCA.

Never purchase stackable items! They have commodity deeds! USE THEM!

If you can think of any other tips to add to this please send us an email, we want to make this as comprehensive as possible.