How To Keep Your Computer Virusfree

Somewhere out there in cyberspace are malicious vandals hard at work dreaming up new computer viruses. Eugene Kaspersky, (of Kaspersky Lab Virus Research), in a November 23, 2005 article posted in Security News, said, "The number of new viruses and Trojans is now increasing every day by a few hundred. (Our) virus lab receives between 200 and 300 new samples a day." That is Not a misprint. He said 200-300 per DAY!

The worst ones we hear about. The large majority are quiet and anonymous like termites, often doing much damage before they are detected. Like human viruses, their effects run the spectrum from mostly benign to potentially fatal to their unwilling and unwitting hosts. Also as in human viruses, there are two different approaches to dealing with them: Prevention and Cure.

Preventing virus infection begins with guarding the portals of contact. Do not open suspicious e-mails or attachments without scanning them first. Most anti-virus programs have a right-click option to scan a selected file for viruses, which makes scanning easy. Similarly, when you download software, eBooks or whatever, always save to a file, then scan the file before opening. If you bring in data or software by floppy disk, CD or other portable media, the same rule applies; scan it first!

A good firewall can help somewhat in keeping viruses at bay, but there are too many ways to hide them in regular data or software transfers for a firewall to catch them all. A firewall (like chicken soup for human flu) can help, but don't rely on that alone.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." However, sooner or later, some viruses are going to get through your defenses somehow, and you will need to turn to cures.

If you should get hit by a really bad virus, you could lose most of your files before you know that there is a problem! The first step to enable cures is to prepare well in advance, positioning and backing up your files for easy recovery. Set up your computer with a small hard drive (4-10giga) for your C: drive and a much larger hard drive for all your data. Use your C: drive for programs only. Keep copies of your software purchase receipts, registration and activation codes and setup info in a file on your data drive. You can always download them again, if you can give the seller your purchase info to show that you already bought.

Almost all virus infections will be in the program section of the C: drive, so scan it daily. This won't take much time since you have arranged for it to be relatively small. Then scan your (larger)data drive once or twice a month.

You should still back up your data files frequently. If you cannot backup everything, at least backup the crucial information that would be difficult or impossible to replace. CD and DVD burners are a good way to do this backup, as are removable hard drives.

Finally, you will need good anti-virus programs to go after the viruses and either quarantine or (preferably) destroy them. There are many anti-virus solutions being touted and hyped out there. Some are good, most are not. Here is how to find the good ones:

1. Look for programs that offer both active and passive protection. Active protection means that part of the program remains memory-resident, actively watching for potential incoming viruses. When they detect a virus they can sound an alarm and give you a series of options for dealing with it. Passive or on-demand protection will let you ask for a scan of specified areas when you want it, but it waits for you to ask.

2. Select your anti-virus software based on the recommendations of independent testing agencies. Checkmark (by westcoastlabs.org), AV-test.org and PC World magazine are among the most respected independent testers of anti-virus software. For ratings of anti-trojan software, check with Anti-trojan - Forum. Use more than one anti-virus and anti-trojan program. Very few detect all problems, but what one program misses, another may find and defeat.

3. Keep your anti-virus programs up to date. There is a running gun battle going on between virus writer-disseminators and virus catch-and-destroy experts. New viruses are found; new anti-virus program patches to find and destroy them are usually ready within hours or days. Until your software is updated, you are still vulnerable to the new viruses.

In addition to using anti-virus software on your personal computer, consider using an Internet Service Provider or e-mail service that includes server-side anti-virus and spam e-mail filtering as a third layer of protection.

In summary, be careful, get good software, run it often and update it frequently... and stay alert to new developments! This struggle between new viruses and better anti-virus software is ongoing, and developing rapidly.

Article Source: about spyware articles - Kokkada

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Things you must do if you want to avoid Spywere

Some of these adware spyware programs are harmless as they are used to track browser habits and geological location as a result are only a minor annoyances and can be cleaned from your system easily with nearly all adware remover programs. However some more infectious adware spyware programs can be potentially harmful to your pc system, your life and your bank account.

A simple solution to this is to arm yourself with an adware removal program that is capable of removing such adware spyware intrusions such as data mining, aggressive advertising tactics, Trojan's, dialers , malware ( another form of adware), tracking components, and browser hijackers.

Some survey’s recently conducted have shown that 85% of all internet users have some form of adware spyware on there computers. On average each of these computer have been infected with an average of 24 adware programs. I know I was alarmed when reading this statistic.

So what is the definition of adware, adware is considered an unreasonable advertising tactic. So how do you catch adware, it is usually installed from software that has no charge as long as you accept the adware agreement.

Adware has been typically known to install alone side such software programs as shareware and freeware. A perfect example of this is the software you install with kazaa.

When installing any programs such as these, remember nothing is for free and the supplier of the software usually has adware spyware hidden in the install file. The purpose for this is to track your movements so they can aggressively market products to you through pop-ups or browser hijacking.

Now on to spyware and this is where adware gets its bad name from. Spyware is extremely intrusive and is very similar in nature to a Trojan in this way any users installing software have no idea they have also given access to spyware.

One of the most common ways to become infected with spyware is through using peer to peer programs which are commonly file sharing or swapping programs you install on your own pc.

Spyware is an independent executable program it can monitor every keystroke on your computer, have a look at the files on your hard drives, install more malicious spyware programs and even change your home page. And while you are trying to work out what is happening all this information is being sent back to whoever created the adware spyware.

Worst case scenario is that these malicious adware spyware programs can transmit your back details and passwords back to whoever wants them.

Article Source: Antispyware articles

Ron is the webmaster and owner of Detecting adware spyware and felt the need to make every internet user aware of the growing adware and spyware threat on the internetnet today. Ron has some very simple and easy solutions to detect and remove spyware from your computer.

Microsoft antispyware download

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta1 expires at July 31st. Upgrading is to Windows Defender Beta2. If you have instalated original Microsoft windows, you can download free Windows Defender Beta 2 from Microsoft antispyware download . It protects your computer from pop-ups, slow performance, security threats from unwanted software. Real-Time Protection.
In new version:
- Spywere detection. Quickly and easily finds spyware and other unwanted programs that can slow down your computer, display annoying pop-up ads, change Internet settings, or use your private information without your consent.
- Straightforward operation and thorough removal technology. Eliminates detected spywere easily at your direction. If you inadvertently remove programs that you actually want, it's easy to get them back.
- Scheduled scanning and removal. Runs these processes when it's convenient for you, whether it's on-demand or on a schedule that you set.

Spy Sweeper

Webroot Software made Spy Sweeper antispyware tool for your Windows.
Minimum System Requirements for using it are:
* Windows 2000, XP.
* 300 Mhz
* 15 MB HD free space
* 256 MBRAM
* Supports Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher.
Why choose Spy Sweeper?
* Most comprehensive antispyware solution available.
* Continuous monitoring stops spywere before it can attack.
* Advanced detection and removal capabilities for stubborn spyware.
* Automatic defense updates keep you protected from the latest threats.
* FREE customer support.
Also, on SpySweeper site, you can free download tool for free scan.

Adwere inside your computer?

Adware is on of those things that most internet users don't even think about until its too late. More often than not the majority of us do not even realise the existence of spyware until the damage has been done. Each and every day thousands of hidden applications are trying to gain access to computers all over the internet.

The amazing thing is that only a small percentage of people protect themselves from this kind of adware parasite and most only seek protection once the damage has been done. There are many ways that spyware and adware can take advantage of those of us who tend to be lacking in the area of computer security. Most times it is just our internet usage details that these nasties are after but at the other end of the scale there are some adware programs that are acting in a completely sinister manner.

If we all treated our computers like our bank accounts then you would not even be reading this article. The sad fact is we do not and every day there are thousands of people that are putting their private details at risk. None of us should have anything in our computers that we do not want and did not willingly invite but I would bet my last paycheque that anyone reading this article has a few unwanted extras lurking in the depths of their P.C's.

It is absolutely essential that you be very aware of the possibilities with the latest of today's scumware. If you are not willing to purchase some internet protection on the grounds that you might be infected then you should at least take advantage of an online scan. These scans are free and easily accessed so to be honest it would be sheer madness to ignore their existence and simply carry on regardless.

Run a free adware scan and the end result will be you are either spyware free or do in fact have a computer stowaway nestling inside your computer. If you are adware free then you can carry on without a care in the world, Your money will still be in your pocket and your computer will be running safely. If on the other hand you do find an intrusion then you can simply spend a little of your cash and rid the gremlin from your computer.

There are many free adware help sites all over the internet and it is very easy to get the latest news on all the recent adware outbreaks. Listen to the experts and weigh up what you have to lose.

If your computer is clean then a free scan will cost you nothing.

If it is infected then just how much do you stand to lose should your data be accessed?

Article Source: Kokkada

To seek out the hidden horrors of adware or spyware visit Monty Cordello's adware tips and information portal Adwarefound

Who Needs a Firewall?

Who Needs a Firewall?
by: Shanna Riley

You do! Read more to find out what a firewall is, how it can keep you safe, and how to get one.

A Firewall is, actually, pretty much the same as its non-tech definition. A firewall, in building construction, is set up to contain or prevent fire from traveling from one side of the wall to the other - an extra bit of protection, if you will. A firewall on your pc does, essentially, the same thing.

Seven Design Avenue describes a firewall this way:

A firewall is a safeguard utilized by many Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs) to protect the network from unauthorized access from the outside. They are basically gates that verify the users before they leave or enter the network by way of a User ID, Password or IP address.

bytown internet explains it another way:

A Firewall is a system which limits network access between two or more networks. Normally, a Firewall is deployed between a trusted, protected private network and an untrusted public network. For example, the trusted network might be a corporate network (ie: Queens University), and the public network might be the Internet. A Firewall might grant or revoke access based on user Authentication, source and destination network addresses, network protocol, time of day, network service or any combination of these. These settings are normally controlled by the Network Administrator.

So how can a firewall help you - the average, home user?

By giving an extra level of blocking protection against spam, viruses and other malware.

Those lucky enough to be running WinXP SP2 (that's Windows XP, Service Pack 2) already have a built-in firewall that they can use. All they have to do is turn it on. Here's how to make sure you have SP2 and your firewall turned on:

How do I know if I'm running Windows XP?

Easy enough. On your Desktop, right-click once on My Computer and choose "Properties". The little window that pops up should tell you which operating system you are running. If not, you can also open My Computer and choose Help: About Windows from the taskbar at the top of the window.

Ok, I'm running WinXP - how do I know if I have Service Pack 2?

The same way we just went through! Both of the ways listed above will tell you if you are running Service Pack 2 (or sp2).

Great! How do I make sure my firewall is turned on?

First off, go into your Control Panel (usually found on the Start menu). Find the "Security Center" and open it up. You should see the firewall as one of the security features offered - simply make sure it's switched to "On".

I don't have Windows XP or Service Pack 2 and I have no plans to upgrade any time soon.

That isn't a problem. There are other legitimate, and trustworthy firewall sites on the Internet (of course, there are some of the other kind, too!).

______________________________
From homecomputersafety.com and articlecity.com

About The Author

Shanna Riley - Professional I.T. tech & geeky-girl gamer who feels her duty to warn the average user about the dangers of the Internet. Feel free to use, please link back to homecomputersafety.com.

Free online antispywere tool

Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for the Web is a free online tool that checks computers for spyware, and helps remove any infections found. When the detection process is complete, the tool will display a report describing the result including which if any, spyware were detected, and prompt you before the removal process.

online antispywere tool