Practical Ways to Keep Your Computer Free of Viruses

By Leave a Comment
Malware logo Crystal 128. 

Image via Wikipedia

There are so many products out there designed to save your backside from unexpected attacks on your computer. Those nasty gremlins come in the form of malware, viruses and spam. Some are really devastating to your computer hard drive and others are simply annoying and time consuming. Either way, you don’t have to spend the rent to prevent unwanted visitors from landing in your system.

How To Send Spam Visitors To the Neighbors

Send that unwanted email to visit someone else. No, no, no. Don’t forward it to the annoying guy next door. That’s just a little joke. Instead, set up an extra email account or two. Keep your primary account for friends, family, and maybe business. Then set up a few accounts, via a free email service, for online shopping and browsing. Seems like every website wants you to register. It’s hard to tell if they’ll protect your privacy or not. Assume they won’t. Never enter your primary email into any website. Use those others. Then remember to check them regularly for things you do need, and then purge them to get the junk out of there.

Let’s Talk About the Kids

It’s impossible to prevent kids from going to those sites that will infect you with a virus or malware. Kids love free stuff, but they’re usually to naive to realize anything that sounds too good to be true probably is too good to be true. Best, low cost solution? Buy them a cheap little netbook. Let them destroy their own computer. Explain that when they kill it, they buy the next one.

Minimal money spent. Invasion thwarted! Awesome!

Filed Under: Spam Tagged With: , ,

Computer Security for n00bs: Don’t Get Pwnd!

By Leave a Comment
Malware logo Crystal 128.

Image via Wikipedia

 

The Internet can sometimes be a scary and intimidating experience to the new computer user. The potential hazards that can come with personal information or falling prey to hackers and scammers can often times be overwhelming. Luckily, there are many things that new computer users can do to avoid falling victim to these computer security concerns. Here is a look at the very basic rules everybody should know and understand before using the Internet for the first time.

The Essential Firewall and Anti-Virus/Spyware Program

Many computer users believe that since they only use the computer occasionally there is no need for firewall or antivirus software. The fact is if your computer is hooked up to the Internet you run the risk of downloading viruses, malware or worms onto your computer. A firewall or antivirus/spyware program is the first step to protecting your computer’s security. These programs can prevent a number of potential computer problems from happening in the first place as they will detect any problem before it reaches your computer.

Guard Your Password with Your Life

Your computer password can be compared to your social security number in that you never give out to anyone. This goes for all passwords, whether they are for your e-mail, bank account or computer. Should someone gain access to your security password they could potentially gain personal information such as bank account or credit card numbers and addresses that can be used for identity theft.

Basic E-Mail Concerns

To the new computer user e-mail might appear as if it is an electronic version of the snail mail. The problem is that there are potential risks that exist with e-mail that are not present old fashioned post. E-mails can contain harmful viruses and malicious software that can steal personal information or render a computer useless. This is why you should only open e-mails that come from trusted sources. You should also make sure that you do not download any unknown attachments as an attachment on e-mails is the number one way that computer users download viruses and spyware.

The Proper Way to Handle Sensitive Personal Information

The Internet and the world wide web can be filled with multiple websites that offer contests and giveaways. It is important to remember that your personal information needs to be protected online just as you would in any real life situation. This means if a contest or giveaway is asking for your bank account information, social security number and address then it is most likely a scam, and your details could fall into the wrong hands.

Authorized Sites Only

To protect your computer security and your personal information it is essential you only visit authorized and trusted websites. Viruses, worms and spyware can all be downloaded onto your computer when you visit an unauthorized or unknown website.

Following these basic computer security guidelines will allow you to use your computer and the Internet in a safe, secure way. By following these steps you will reduce your risk of downloading viruses and malicious software that could put the personal information in your computer at risk.

Don’t get pwned. (Owned, for those of you that don’t speak Warcraft-error speak.)

Filed Under: Spam Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Why Is My Computer Running Slow?

By Leave a Comment

Malware logo Crystal 128.

Image via Wikipedia

While we wish our computers would always run as quickly and smoothly as the day we first purchase them, often times we come to a point where they begin to run slowly.  Before running out and purchasing a new computer or paying a computer repairman money to come out to fix the problem, first take a look and see if it is one of these common problems.

Needs Updating

One of the common problems we face with computers that will cause them to run slow, is when a computer needs updated. While there are those little boxes that will pop up telling us we need to install updates, often times we ignore them or postpone them till later. These updates are actually really important and imperative to it running correctly so it is important that we take the time to go ahead and install them.

Check for Viruses or Malware

Viruses and malware can be the cause of a computer running slowly. This is especially common if the computer’s anti-virus software has not been kept up-to-date or has expired. To see if this is the reason a computer is running slowly, try running a full computer scan and see what the results are. For those who are not able to get virus protection, there are a few good programs that can be downloaded off the internet with some that are even free. These programs are good for catching any unseen problems and can even get rid of any dangers that may be going on in the computer such as removing the viruses or any spyware or malware that may be there.

Filed Under: Guidance & Advice Tagged With: , ,

Signature Detection: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

Protection is paramount — this is a truth you understand, have forever sought to maintain. A system must be guarded. A hard-drive must be secured. Your computer is to be offered all of the necessary precautions, allowing it to defend itself against any problem that may arise.

And such problems are most often revealed by signature detection.

Defined simply: signature detection is a form of anti-virus discovery that allows specific files to be scanned, with all of their codes revealed. Those codes are then compared to an existing directory of known malware, spyware and Trojan concerns. If the comparison yields possible matches, the files are then rejected by a computer — deemed unsafe and forced to be examined by the user. If they don’t share any commonalities, however, they can then be downloaded as requested.

And it is this method that spares most individuals the invasion of viruses.

Signature detection is formed of a comprehensive collection of sources and information — allowing each file to be appropriately dissected. This ensures that known worries can be avoided (and reported as needed). This makes it an invaluable part of all operating systems.

There are times, however, when those systems will still be exposed to malware. Signature detection has one unfortunate limitation: it requires prior knowledge of a virus to expose it. New complications (that haven’t yet been applied to the directory) can be overlooked. It’s important then to couple this precaution with other forms to ensure the defense is complete and not merely basic.

Signature detection is the foundation of most anti-virus programs — and all users will quickly understand why.

Filed Under: Warnings Tagged With: , ,

Heuristic Advantage: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

Technology — you fear — is a limited thing. Boundaries define it. Specificity shapes it. There is no chance for wisdom. Instead it evolves as its makers intended, following strict rules and all too frustrating patterns. And anti-virus software is no different, you believe. It can only detect what it’s been programmed to. It can only seek out what it understands. And this makes it all too useless against ever changing malware and Trojan source codes. There can be no protection, just the pretense of it.

This is a common concern shared among users — they assume that programs are ultimately futile against viruses, can’t anticipate their variations. The truth is more hopeful, however: it involves Heuristics.

Simply defined, Heuristics is a form of analysis used in certain anti-spyware programs. This analysis learns to identify the root elements of viruses and then tracks any variations of them. All progress that a specific concern may make (passed from hacker to hacker, with new language shoved into the strands to trick systems) can be understood and deflected. The use of a genetic algorithm — which can decipher all forms of coding — enables this procedure to locate malware.

And this brands it invaluable for the modern user.

Anti-virus programs are necessary in today’s world. There can be no denying this. Too often, however, do individuals assume that such programs are weak. They’re not — and Heuristics proves this. It allows computers to understand all worries (pinpointing specific markers within codes and deeming them unsafe). This allows for systems to receive far more protection and helps to tame the number of virus invasions.

All are encouraged to seek out programs that feature this algorithm. It’s an advantage that shouldn’t be refused.

Filed Under: Guidance & Advice Tagged With: , ,

The Malware Potential: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

Time is elusive — there are too few seconds in the day; there are too few hours to claim; and wasting them on treks to the store, searching through shelves for anti-virus software, is not what you deem worthy. You want speed. You want convenience. Downloading therefore seems to be the easiest of solutions. All products can be found quickly. All efforts can be reduced. It’s a simple thing to click a link, let a product launch itself into your hard-drive (this spares you the horrors of shopping, of clerks interested only in sales and not offering information). There is nothing but comfort to gain…. and malware.

The need for anti-virus protection is paramount. Such protection is too often considered costly, however — and individuals search through the virtual world, try to find downloads that will save them time and money. While this is an understandable process, it can come with a far greater price than expected: malware can be hidden inside the codes and can be welcomed into a hard-drive.

A common worry with downloading is that it provides no assurance. Users are forced to rely on anonymous creators, must place their trust in sources they can’t see. And this can lead to danger — with some programs corrupted, allowing hackers to gain access to any system they choose. All information can be stolen. All files can be erased. An entire computer can be rendered useless within mere minutes.

And it is because of this that downloading anti-virus software is not recommended — unless extreme precautions have been taken. Always research the program, looking for any reported failures or concerns. Discover the reputation of the creator (seek out testimonials about his work and what others have experienced from it). Make sure any host site can guarantee a lack of malware. And never download items that demand personal information (such as name, credit card numbers and more).

Choosing to upload applications into your computer can be done. It simply demands vigilance — and an understanding that the anti-virus name is not always true.

Filed Under: Warnings Tagged With: , ,

Protecting Your Computer from Spam

By Leave a Comment

Spam has the potential to harm your computer and damage your financial standing and reputation. Investing in quality software, such as PC Tools Antivirus, is a smart way to protect your computer and prevent your important information from getting into the wrong hands.

Understanding Spam

Spam is typically transmitted through email. A spammer who has his hands on your email address can send you unwanted sales pitches. Someone can hack into your friend’s email account and spam everyone in his address book. In this scenario, you open your friend’s email and click on the enclosed link because you trust your friend. Little do you know that you have now landed on an unsafe website or downloaded a malicious file filled with malware.

Spam Damages Financial Standing and Reputation

Likewise, if a computer hacker gets into your computer, he can send out emails to everyone in your address book containing offensive messages and virus-filled documents. Your reputation is in danger in this scenario. Some people will know that your computer has been hacked. Others aren’t knowledgeable enough about computers and will jump to conclusions. In an even worse scenario, spam can result in the theft of important financial information from your computer. Identity theft is another large risk once someone has access to important personal data. All of these situations can bring on unwanted hassles.

Protecting Your Computer Using PC Tools Antivirus Software

Your best defense against such threats to your computer and to your personal information is to invest in antivirus software such as PC Tools Antivirus. With this product you can rest easy knowing that you will be alerted anytime your computer is presented with a malicious attack. You will benefit from automatic protection against viruses and other malware. You have the comfort of knowing that your computer is protected from spam and malicious threats at all times.

Filed Under: Protection Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

To the Top