November 10th, 2009 -- Posted in Other |
With the number of identity theft victims growing every day, it is no surprise that computer security is a big concern for most computer users. With the increase in attacks on computers and theft of sensitive information,firewalls and virus protection programs have gone from being rarely used on home computers to being things even the most technologically challenged users want to have installed. After all, noone wants to be the main character of a true life made for t.v. story about hackers breaking into a family’s home computer, stealing their information, and then wiping the whole system out with a nasty virus or trojan program.
If you are one of the computer users who doesn’t worry about computer security, it is time to start worrying. Without protection, your computer is as open to attack as a bank that leaves its doors unlocked after it closes. Without virus protection and a firewall, it is just a matter of time until you are the victim of an attack. Hopefully, it won’t be serious enough that you have to buy a new computer, or even worse, try to repair your credit after someone stole your identity.
As dangerous as it is to have no security at all on your computer, there are still many people who simply don’t bother to use it. They don’t have even the most basic anti-virus protection or firewall software on their computers. Still, they happily open every email they receive, download files right and left and surf iffy sites as if they have top of the line security. If you talk to them about their lack of protection, they act as if you are speaking a foreign language. Often, they say they’ve never had a problem, but a quick check of their computers will reveal so many viruses and annoying spyware programs that the poor systems can barely manage to start up and do a few simple tasks.
Of course, not all the dangers are online. Offline problems with identity theft are also growing at an alarming speed. From withdrawing cash from your ATM to handing your credit card to the waitstaff at your favorite restaurant, every transaction is somewhat risky. Scammers continue to develop techniques to steal identities and money, such as taking a quick photo of your credit card with a camera phone or putting a reader on the local ATM machine that sends your information to them. Still, online problems continue to be a major concern, as well.
Now that you understand why computer security is such a major concern with people who spend time using computers, it is time to learn to protect your computer. Don’t worry that this task is only for tech heads. People who are complete novices to the world of computers can still keep their information safe and protect their computers. We have designed this site to help you do just that by avoiding all of that technical jargon that is so confusing to new computer users. Learn how to protect your computer and the next time someone asks you about computer security, you will be able to say that you have spyware detection, virus protection and a firewall on your computer.
November 9th, 2009 -- Posted in Other |
Spyware was in headlines for the first time in 1999 when a freeware game called ” Elf Bowling” circulated with spying software along with it. Since then spywares are creating a havoc in the computer world. Some of the downloadable software comes with a licensing agreement that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software. But most of us do not go through the agreement properly.
Spyware exists as independent executable programs. These malicious software have the ability to monitor keystrokes, change the default home page on the Web browser, read cookies, scan files on the hard drive, install other spyware programs and even spy other applications, such as chat programs or word processors. The spywares continuously relay this information back to the person who is spying. He will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.Â
Steps of protecting your computer against spywares
Protecting against spywares is very essential to safeguard personal identity and other vital information. There are four essential steps that are essential to safeguard your computer against this malicious software.
Updating the operating system regularly
Installing an anti virus software and updating it regularly
Utilizing the firewall software
Utilizing the anti spyware software
Regularly updating of the operating system
It is always essential to install all security related programs as soon as possible. One of the best ways to do it is by utilizing the automatic update option in the computer. But the problem with this is if the computer components are not genuine but pirated ones, then the automatic updating of the operating system may work. So one has to buy genuine parts and software and keep updating regularly
Installing anti virus software
Anti virus software prevents viruses from getting attached to the programs in the computer and prevent them from corrupting the files. Many reliable anti virus software are available some of which are downloadable for free from the net. But one should regularly update the antivirus software to prevent danger from newer virus threats.
The Firewall utility
Hackers use viruses and Trojan Horses to find unprotected computers and access them to delete information, steal personal information or corrupt the files. Firewall security prevents these hackers from doing these. Three types of firewall security are available
Hardware routers: for home networks connected to internet
Wireless routers: for wireless network
Software firewalls: for single computers
The Anti spyware software
The antispyware software protects the computer from those spying the web browsing habits of the victim, will prevent unwanted pop up windows and prevent uninitiated changes in the computer settings.
November 9th, 2009 -- Posted in Other |
Spyware was in headlines for the first time in 1999 when a freeware game called ” Elf Bowling” circulated with spying software along with it. Since then spywares are creating a havoc in the computer world. Some of the downloadable software comes with a licensing agreement that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software. But most of us do not go through the agreement properly.
Spyware exists as independent executable programs. These malicious software have the ability to monitor keystrokes, change the default home page on the Web browser, read cookies, scan files on the hard drive, install other spyware programs and even spy other applications, such as chat programs or word processors. The spywares continuously relay this information back to the person who is spying. He will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.
Steps of protecting your computer against spywares
Protecting against spywares is very essential to safeguard personal identity and other vital information. There are four essential steps that are essential to safeguard your computer against this malicious software.
* Updating the operating system regularly
* Installing an anti virus software and updating it regularly
* Utilizing the firewall software
* Utilizing the anti spyware software
Regularly updating of the operating system
It is always essential to install all security related programs as soon as possible. One of the best ways to do it is by utilizing the automatic update option in the computer. But the problem with this is if the computer components are not genuine but pirated ones, then the automatic updating of the operating system may work. So one has to buy genuine parts and software and keep updating regularly
Installing anti virus software
Anti virus software prevents viruses from getting attached to the programs in the computer and prevent them from corrupting the files. Many reliable anti virus software are available some of which are downloadable for free from the net. But one should regularly update the antivirus software to prevent danger from newer virus threats.
The Firewall utility
Hackers use viruses and Trojan Horses to find unprotected computers and access them to delete information, steal personal information or corrupt the files. Firewall security prevents these hackers from doing these. Three types of firewall security are available
* Hardware routers: for home networks connected to internet
* Wireless routers: for wireless network
* Software firewalls: for single computers
The Anti spyware software
The antispyware software protects the computer from those spying the web browsing habits of the victim, will prevent unwanted pop up windows and prevent uninitiated changes in the computer settings.
