December 29, 2005
The WMF Image Handling Exploit discovered on December 27, 2005, hammers home the need to always take an active stance to protect your PC. This article provides tips for staying more secure in a hostile Internet environment. And it's not a matter of switching browsers or email clients - advice along those lines is well-meaning but falls short of real protection. In fact, Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, configured properly, can offer far more robust protection than other browsers and mail clients.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer offers several security zones. Properly configured (and it's quite easy to do), these zones can allow you to enjoy the sites you frequent and trust, while hardening the security on unknown sites or those that dish up unwanted pop-ups and other intrusive advertising.
Outlook Express
Colored fonts, embedded images, and stylized text are just a few of the reasons that HTML-rendered email has become popular with many folks. Sure, it makes email attractive and - in some cases - easier to read. But there are drawbacks to the glitz and glamor of HTML-rendered email. From a security standpoint, it leaves you at far greater risk.
Instant Messaging
IM, Chat, or Instant Messaging - call it what you want, but it's fast becoming as dangerous a vector for malicious code as email. In fact, IM users may be particularly at risk because today's malicious code can masquerade as chat and away messages from your closest friends and colleagues.
Windows Messenger Service
Not to be confused with Windows Messenger, the IM program, the Windows Messenger Service is a favorite target of spammers and other miscreant advertisers who abuse it to dish up unwelcome advertising on unsuspecting users. The service is also victim to a critical exploit that could allow malicious attackers to remotely run code on vulnerable systems. Disabling the service will prevent both the pop-ups and the exploit.
The are just a few of the easy steps you can take to greatly increase your online security - and even enhance your online experience. But don't stop there. There are lots of easy and quick configuration changes you can make to help keep your PC safe on a hostile Internet.
