Dealing with Digital Disease
A virus is a program that replicates itself. It cannot exist on its own so it attaches to another program, usually an executable one. A worm is like a virus?it also replicates itself. However, it can stand on its own and does not need another program to run. It usually infects your computer's networking features, which includes its internet connection.
Spyware and adware go hand-in-hand. Spyware is a kind of program which gathers information, specifically browsing habits. It tracks down what kind of sites you visit, and the adware will generate ads that fit with your interest which the spyware based on information it gathered in the first place.
Malware is malicious software. It's any program that is useless, or worse, destructive.
A Trojan a program pretending to be good but once it's deep in your system it proves to be quite the opposite.
In spite of all their differences, they have one thing in common: they are out to give you headaches by rendering your computer unusable.
To protect your computer as much as possible from being infected, here are four dangerous activities that you should avoid, or at least minimize:
? Opening email attachments
Do not open any email attachments if they aren't scanned by antivirus software. Worms can spread through email, so even a friend can unwittingly send you one by way of an attachment.
? Internet File-sharing
In file-sharing via the internet, your computer is exposed and open to others it is communicating with. If other computers' files can be transferred to yours, the same thing can be said about a virus, if the others are infected.
? Downloading free software of questionable origins
Free software is free for a reason.
If you bothered to read the End User License Agreement (EULA) of a software you are installing?which you probably didn't?you most likely will come upon a short and tiny clause saying that if you agree to the terms, you are allowing advertisements to pop up on your screen, or other software to be installed in your system. So be careful with what you download. Read product reviews and find out if other people got headaches from using it.
? Visiting ad-heavy sites
If you visit a site and you're immediately bombarded with pop-up ads, leave immediately. You might click on an ad that activates an automatic download of malicious software to your computer.
Here is a list of activities which you should be doing instead:
? Invest in good antivirus software. Going online without the protection of antivirus software is like going out naked in the snow.
That's just how vulnerable an unprotected computer is.
? Most antivirus software packages include an internet security program (also known as firewall). A firewall acts as a barricade between you and unwanted content from the internet. When buying antivirus software, it's better to shell out for the internet security as well.
? Once antivirus software is installed in your computer, keep it updated always so it can recognize and remove newly released viruses.
? Whatever browser you are using, check that its security settings are all in default unless you really know what you are doing.
? Periodically delete files that you no longer use.
? Download spyware- and adware-removal tools and run them at least once a week. Be warned that many of these removal programs are a scam, so make sure that what you download is reliable. You can easily search for product reviews to check if the program is legitimate or otherwise.
? Back up all your important files all the time.
? If possible, have two computers at home.
One will be used to connect to the internet, and the other should not be connected at all. The second computer will act as storage of all your important files so that even if the first one crashes, your life won't be in ruins.
Don't be dependent on removal tools and antivirus software packages, though. A bit of prevention is always worth a megabyte of cure.
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Will Microsoft Impact the Spyware and Adware Epidemic?
Microsoft has developed a anti-spyware and anti-adware strategy.
Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is now available for download, which is their first step toward combating the ever growing threat of security vulnerbilities that are created by spyware software and adware software.
For more about Microsoft's Anti-spyware beta software see our site:http://www.free-spyware-removal.net/spyware.htmThe question is, will they be able to effectively eliminate this every growing threat?Until they officially release their finished anti-spyware program, you might want to look at Webroot's Spy Sweeper Solution.
Webroot was just awarded their third straight PC Magazine Editor's Choice Award."The best just keeps getting better," said PC Magazine Reviewer Konstantinos Karagiannis in the January 12, 2005 review of Spy Sweeper v3.5. "The latest version, 3.5, with its slight but effective improvements,...
Adware > Will Microsoft Impact the Spyware and Adware Epidemic?
Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware
Recently, while checking our company web site statistics, we noticed a number of referrals from gambling and pornography sites. Since we are certain these types of sites would not house links to us, we investigated further and determined that some of our faithful visitors may be the victims of adware or spyware.What is adware?Adware, in it's most sinister incarnation, is a program that runs on your computer (like a virus) and occassionally pops up ads or redirects your browser to websites you had not chosen to visit.What is spyware?Spyware is software that collects personal information from you without your knowledge or permission. The information spyware collects can range from all the web sites you visit to sensitive information including user names and passwords. How can I make sure I don't get these on my computer?* Never download programs or files from a website you don't know and trust. * Never open email attachments unless you know what they are.
If you receive an email...
Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware
Adware > Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware
Not All Spyware Is Malicious But Must Be Removed
Some people believe that you may not always need to remove spyware because Spyware is not always malicious. There are many kinds of Spyware that can infect your PC. Most of them are, thankfully, not uploaded with malicious intent. But why take chances. First of all let us analyze how Spyware comes to get onto the system in the first place.
People who browse the Internet come across many sites that offer free download. Clicking on these downloads may bring with it some program in the background or hidden from the user. This may be in the form of ActiveX controls or components. When we download certain programs the download program flashes a message requiring the user to allow the download of an ActiveX control without which the download will not work. This ActiveX control is registered in the CLSID files of the registry.
Once the download is complete the ActiveX control stored as a .OCX file begins its stealthy work. Best Spyware removal programs are especially weary of...
Not All Spyware Is Malicious But Must Be Removed
Adware > Not All Spyware Is Malicious But Must Be Removed
Security Necessities To Prevent Your Computer From Spyware
In the internet world it is vital for users to have a good spyware scan and removal tool because of the multitude of different spyware, adware, Trojans and other malware constantly looking to attack your system.
Many spyware tools available are free and those up for purchase typically do not exceed $30 to $40.
Anti-spyware tools will greatly assist in protecting your privacy and restoring full computer functions that spyware may have taken over.Spyware gets into your computer and invades users' privacy.
Individuals or companies install spyware when you download freeware or visit certain web sites so they may track your internet habits and find personal information such as passwords, email addresses and even credit card and bank account numbers.
By eliminating these applications from running on your computer you will restore your privacy and you should notice a much more efficient computer system because spyware uses up its resources.Finding a good...
Adware > Security Necessities To Prevent Your Computer From Spyware
Firefox - the future of browsing
A lot of the work I do at AntBiz Consulting involves wandering around the web in search for new ideas for web promotion and web design.I accidentally went today to this website: www.SpreadFirefox.comYes, I did get there by accident (seen a button on one of Mishoo's sites - my best friend) and wanted to know what it is about. I cannot believe the community that has been created since the first time I used Firefox :)I use FireFox (Thanks to Mishoo, either) since it was at version 0.8 and I have to say that I am more than happy with this browser.But, let's take it step by step.1....
Firefox - the future of browsing
Adware > Firefox - the future of browsing
Free Spyware Removal Tools
There are many pseudo spyware removers out there, which intend to infiltrate your system under the pretence of an effective spyware removal tool. Many such spyware removal tools lured users and trapped them inside their own computers. Systems slowed down, crashed or were filled with spam. This reiterates the fact that users have to be extremely careful in choosing their free spyware removal tools.
Tools for effective spyware removal include those which scan, detect, eliminate and protect the system from potentially dangerous stuff. The first of these is of course, a spyware scanner like Spybot which routinely checks your system for unwanted material.
Make sure you use a pop-up blocker for your internet browsing engine.
Spyware Doctor is a powerful anti-spyware tool that can be downloaded for free into your system. It prevents any malicious and dangerous software from installing themselves on to the computer. This tool enhances your PC protection three...
Adware > Free Spyware Removal Tools
The End of Spyware?
The US House of Representatives has recently passed the "Spy Act" - or to give it its full title - the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act. This aims to prevent software companies from installing spyware on users PCs without their knowledge, and anyone found guilty of breaching the act faces a fine of up to $3 million.Does this mean the end of spyware as we know it? Unfortunately the answer is no, not really. The problem is that most spyware can continue to operate in exactly the same way as it does now, by asking the computer user to agree to a licence before it installs itself. The majority of people who are faced with a lengthy legal-looking page of text when installing a new program, automatically click the "I Agree" option without reading the terms. Therefore spyware programs can quite legally continue to piggy-back their way onto PCs.Add to this the fact that a large percentage of spyware originates from outside the US, and it quickly becomes clear that the Spy...
The End of Spyware?
Adware > The End of Spyware?
Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware
Recently, while checking our company web site statistics, we noticed a number of referrals from gambling and pornography sites. Since we are certain these types of sites would not house links to us, we investigated further and determined that some of our faithful visitors may be the victims of adware or spyware.What is adware?Adware, in it's most sinister incarnation, is a program that runs on your computer (like a virus) and occassionally pops up ads or redirects your browser to websites you had not chosen to visit.What is spyware?Spyware is software that collects personal information from you without your knowledge or permission. The information spyware collects can range from all the web sites you visit to sensitive information including user names and passwords. How can I make sure I don't get these on my computer?* Never download programs or files from a website you don't know and trust. * Never open email attachments unless you know what they are.
If you receive an email...
Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware
Adware > Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware