Tips for Protecting Your Computer From Security Attacks

With the numerous instances of viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware that can threaten your computer, to not be fully protected is to invite trouble. Your computer, although a marvel of technology, can also become the channel of significant problems when connected to the Internet.

You are likely already familiar with email worms that meander their way through millions of computers over a short period of time. Well, obviously, you do not want to be one of those people. To avoid this you need to make sure you follow the following tips to protect your own computer from threats via the Internet.

One practical and very simple tip to protecting your computer is to simply update your Windows operating system (OS) when new releases are stabilized. Even if you have the new Vista OS, Microsoft routinely develops updates for bug fixes, enhancements, and other threats.

Most computers automatically download updated software when there is something new. However, you can still go to the Microsoft web site to ensure you have the most recent updates. This is one of your best ways to ward off security threats that may be lurking near your PC.

Another simple tip to protecting your computer is to increase the security levels on your Internet browser. If you use Microsoft Internet Explore, you can click on the Tools dropdown option, and then click the Internet Options section, and then finally the Security tab; there you will see your level of protection for the Internet, Local intranet (if you are on one), Trusted sites, and Restricted sites. There you can make selections based on either the default settings the PC is shipped with, or you can consult with someone comfortable with computer security for advice on appropriate settings that will simultaneously not be too restrictive for your computing needs.

Under the Privacy tab, if the security is not at least Medium-High, you may want to consider changing it. Medium simply does not offer the protection you typically need for your computer. Having it set for Medium-High will keep out most harmful programs. It will also help prevent annoying pop up ads and other attachments that may show up containing a virus.

Additionally, you need to use some common sense. Make sure you always think carefully before opening any attachments from people you do not know. The same goes for emails as well as clickable links. If you are not already familiar with the content that has arrived, then it is not important enough to click and take the chance of ruining your computer. When you receive an attachment in an email message, you should have it assessed with virus scanning software before opening the file.

Lastly, if you receive something that looks suspicious, just put it into your junk folder so it can be deleted properly. No email is so important that you need to risk your computer and data over it.

By taking these steps, your computer should remain relatively safe from cyber threats. As long as you ensure your security programs are routinely updated, you can rest fairly comfortably that you will not be the next victim who loses critical computer data.

The Spyware Nuker Review

by Kenneth Lim
Spyware Nuker is one of the most popular adware and spyware removal software available in the industry. Spyware Nuker works to remove adware and spyware from your computer, which can enter your computer through third party programs. These spyware are designed to track your actions on your computer, and pose a serious threat to the confidentiality of your private information.

Thousands of new adware and spyware are appearing all over the internet today, with many more new ones spawning every day. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all computers connected to the web should contain a spyware remover like Spyware Nuker, and these spyware removers should be regularly updated. Spyware Nuker can do a quick scan of your computer and immediately identify where these spyware are hiding your PC. You are also given the choice of whether you want to delete the spyware found on your computer. This is a useful option since I do not always delete everything, as I choose to leave certain cookies in my computer. Such cookies are reliable sources that I trust and wish to leave them in my system so that I do not have to repeatedly type my username and password.

Adware and spyware cause many irritating problems for you when they hide in your computer. Such problems can include multiple intrusive popups that appear when you are surfing the internet. Closing these popups can be very difficult, since closing it will open another popup. Other examples include significant slowdown in computer processing speed. This is how Spyware Nuker will help you tremendously. It easily and quickly removes the adware and spyware on your computer to eliminate all these irritating problems for you.

After using Spyware Nuker, my computer speed has improved and the strange popups were gone. A free downloadable version is available, and this version scans your PC for all the adware and spyware located in the files in your computer. The most important aspect of Spyware Nuker is that it always upgrades itself with new security features that deter the threats that developing adwares and spywares bring.

If your computer does not have a spyware remover, it will most probably be infected by spyware, most of them hiding in seemingly innocent files. Such sources can include your opened emails, music, games and other files that you download from the internet. Spyware Nuker is fast becoming a basic component that every computer should have in this digital age, and it is vital to protect your privacy and your computer's security.
Link

Remove Adware: Users must be very careful

by Salihu Ibrahim
You may think as long as you have tools for your computer to remove adware that you don't have anything to worry about. It can be frustrating to try to access information online and be constantly bombarded with pop up advertisements. You may not realize that these pop ups contain adware. This is used to track your pattern of use online and it can even identify your passwords for online accounts. It is a type of spyware that many people just aren't aware of.

There are plenty of free adware programs out there to select from if you want to protect your computer from such adware infiltrations. You want to make sure you are using a quality adware removal program though or it may not be sufficient to take care of the problem for you. Even if you immediately notice a reduction in pop up ads and other types of advertising, there may be more serious programs installed on your computer that you don't know about.

An effective anti adware software program will scan all of the information you have on your computer. It will identify anything that needs to be fixed or removed with the entire system. There are plenty of codes that can be found to identify spyware on a computer that most of us wouldn't be able to identify on our own.

It has been identified though that some of the free adware removal programs are actually a good disguise for applying adware to computers. While consumers think they are adding a line of defense for their online activities, they are unknowingly allowing these companies access to it. Always look into the reputation of any adware removal program before you install it. This pertains to those you find for free and those that require a payment as well.

It is a good idea to pay for a complete anti-virus program to effectively remove all adware and prevent future incidents. These are much more effective than the programs you will find for free. In addition, the complete anti-virus programs have continuous updates available. This means if a new way of introducing adware is found they can immediately send an update to your computer to protect you against it. They are also very easy to install on your computer in a matter of minutes with step by step instructions.

You need to work very hard to keep the information on your personal computer private. Never click on any pop up ads that may appear. If you are interested in what they offer, use a search engine to find their website. It is very easy for those issuing spyware and adware to get people to open them up without thinking about it. As a result you put all of your personal information at jeopardy.
Link

Removing Adware From Your Computer

by Salihu Ibrahim
Adware is a type of online advertising that you need to be very concerned about. Once you click on the various pop ups that it is incorporated in, the adware penetrates the various aspects of your computer system. You won't even know in most cases that anything is going on until it is too late. It is important that you have an excellent software program for your computer that allows you to remove adware and continues to prevent it from attaching to your computer system in the future.

The main reason you need to worry about adware is it can compromise your personal information that is on the computer. Some of the adware just tracks the sites you look at so it can send you advertisements in that area of interest. Others are more aggressive and actually classified as spyware. These actually track everything you do and can give the sender access to your credit card account numbers and the passwords you use to access such accounts.

There are a few clues you can watch for that could indicate your computer has been compromised by adware. The most telling sign of adware is that you will start having more and more pop ups appearing on your computer. Pay attention to where you are taken when you type in a URL. If it is isn't the site you indicated and you haven't made any typos, it is a good possibility that adware is redirecting your browser.

In many instances the presence of adware will result in web pages opening slower and interrupted service of your internet access. If you see these signs it is vital you implement a way to fix it as quickly as possible. Do all you can to minimize the damage and to prevent it from happening again.

There are many different adware removal tools you can access online or purchase at retail stores. You need to make sure you are getting a quality program or it won't be effective for stopping adware and spyware from affecting your computer. Some of these adware removal tools are free of charge and others you will need purchase.

It is worth it to invest in a quality adware removal program that will remove any problems you already have and prevent new ones from developing. Look for a quality program that offers continuous updates so you will never have to worry that your adware protection can be breached with advances such scrupulous people have made.

Ironically, some of the different free adware protection tools out there are actually nothing more than a clever way to provide you with adware. While you are installing it to protect your computer, you are actually giving such criminals access to everything they want.

It is never a good idea to click on any pop up advertisement no matter how appealing it is. They are likely infected with adware or even spyware that you need to avoid. Don't fall for scams that ask you if you want them to scan your files or remove any viruses from your computer. These are designed to give them access to your information as soon as you click on them.

It is a good idea to have an operating system in place that will block out all pop ups on your computer. This is a good line of defense against the various types of adware and spyware. Since most people rely on their home computers for a variety of activities, you want to make sure your computer is safe and able to run as efficiently as possible.
Link

Free Adware Removal Software: What You Need To Know

by Salihu Ibrahim
Protecting your computer from adware is vital if you want to keep it running properly. Having adware on your computer can also compromise your personal information if it is advanced enough. Spyware is the version of adware that can read passwords and access online accounts from behind the scenes. At the very least all those pop ups are very annoying when you are using your computer. Never click on any of them because this is the first step to infecting your computer with adware.

You will be surprised how clever adware really is when it comes to hiding in your computer system. While you won't be able to find it even searching specifically for it, the program continues to embed itself in your system and track your internet patterns of use. They are able to access the codes for your computer system so they are able to continue hiding out.

In order to effectively remove such adware from your computer, you will need to have a very aggressive software removal tool. Yet this is a process that needs to be carefully followed in order to get the most benefits. There are plenty of adware removal tools to select from. Yet some of them do nothing but actually put adware onto your computer so make sure you research the background of the program before you commit to using it.

Most adware removal programs are very simple to install and to use. Make sure you follow the directions and always accept the new updates that are sent your way to provide you with the very best line of protection. Look for those adware programs that have implemented the very latest technology as they will be able to fight the various types of adware programs that seem to get more complicated all the time.

It is a good idea to consider a complete package of protection for your computer system. Invest in an anti virus program rather than settling for a free adware removal tool that you can implement. These anti virus programs can protect your computer from various types of infiltration processes that are engaged in to get your personal information.

Once you have selected the right anti virus or adware protection program for your needs, carefully install it following all of the given directions. You will need to close all of your computer applications in order to do this successfully. In many instances you will be asked to turn off the internet connection during the installation process.

As soon as the program has been installed it will run a complete scan of your entire computer system. Any adware it finds will be removed immediately while safeguards will be in place to prevent further attacks of your computer. Most adware removal tools will continue to work behind the scenes to watch for new adware on a regular basis.
Link

Don't Operate Your Computer Without A Program To Remove Spyware

by Salihu Ibrahim
Using a personal computer to download information and to surf the internet is a very common occurrence. Unfortunately the fact that spyware can be attached to pop ups and other forms of advertising means that others can gain access to the information inside of your computer. This includes all of the files you have downloaded as well as your passwords and account numbers.

You don't want to open yourself up to such problems though because they can spell disaster for how well your computer operates. You will also find they can result in identity theft and all of your banking and credit card accounts being accessed. The best line of defense is to have a quality spyware detection and removal program in place.

You will find plenty of excellent anti spyware programs online. Many of them you can download quickly and easily online at no cost. The majority of them come with step by step instructions that walk you through the process. It only takes a few minutes and then you can go back to using your computer as you did before. The only difference is you will have the peace of mind that no one else will be able to easily access your information.

If you don't know the right spyware program to access, you can do some research online, Keep in mind that some of them are actually a ploy to get you to download the very spyware you are trying to protect against. Make sure you do your homework before you rush into making a decision.

No matter how good the spyware program is, it will only be operational if you install it correctly. Look for those that are compatible with the operating system you have in place. This can take some time but it will serve your best interests. Make sure you get confirmation that the spyware program has successfully been installed. If you have problems contact the customer service for the spyware program.

Once you have successfully installed the spyware it should automatically scan your computer. Don't just assume that it will though because some of them don't. Carefully read all of the information for the spyware program before you commit to it. Automated spyware programs are the easiest though because you don't have to remember to run them.

Having the most current program available is going to offer you the most benefits. Look for a spyware program that will send you automatic updates. These are in place to continually look out for new tactics used to get spyware into computer systems. They offer the very best protection for your information stored on your personal computer.
Link

Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making Computer Software

By: Lance Winslow
Currently many industries are developing artificial intelligence software and decision matrix protocols to evaluate and determine the best choice of action for a given scenario. In the future probability and complexity will be no match for such tools. One will be able to ask a question and get a relevant and best possible answer within extremely short amount of times. Even NASA scientists are now developing such software, which will be able to evaluate options for mining materials for life support, colony building materials and refueling in lunar factories.

The most advanced of these artificial intelligent decision-making computer software systems can now rate and compare more than five different types of lunar or Martian Base station manufacturing systems and compare components of each for the best possible choices. In the future more and more criteria will be added to insure the best possible decision for the situation. For instance using the Moon as our platform to manufacture in Space to service needs of Manned Mars Exploration.

Indeed, such systems will be good templates for future decision matrix artificial intelligent systems, which NASA can use to determine how to best use the materials, elements and compounds on other planets too, as mankind expands their horizons. With NASA using such AI decision programs to determine the best systems, which by the way they are now designing these things to make Business Decisions too; NASA should be able to evaluate the choices without the human politics of choosing systems.

Often when you mix politics, science and business you are asking for problematic situations in the bidding and design contracts, which are inherently corrupt; IE people, humans involved. Those who design such AI decision systems will need to consider the manipulation of criteria and how even those who exhibit the greatest level of integrity might justify it as the human mind of an individual is looking for financial gain or scientific status among peers.

These decision making matrix systems can take the human element out of such decisions and thus allow the negative innate characteristics of the species to screw up lesser important decisions, yet still feel in control for piece of mind. Undoubtedly those who program such systems will need to consider in advance the human animosity as they question the decision process and the AI systems decision?

Can humans design a system to make decisions that they will trust and that they will believe? Will these decision matrix systems stand the test of human being scrutiny? Human psychology predicts that if a human does not have a way out and has something to prove to save face or needs to be duly respected to fulfill personal desire that there will be issues with AI decision-making? Perhaps the biggest question maybe the interaction aspects as humans learn to trust such systems, without attempting to manipulate them to serve their will at the expense of the mission. Think on this.
Link

Spyware, Adware, and Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?

By: Steven Adam
The world we live in today is mostly governed by high-speed in almost every aspect. From the cars we drive to the internet that we use. It's all about speed, fast and now. Technology has taken steps in keeping up with the phase of modern human life. Because of the steady climb of the internet and information technology towards better and more convenient ways of mass transferring of data, photos, audio and video files and almost transferable and moveable piece of information over a network, people have also found numerous ways of keeping up with the drastically changing network environment.

But with all the technology present and ready for utilization anytime, anywhere, the number of malicious softwares like spyware, that are not necessarily viruses but poses the same level of threat if left to be challenged and unchecked, have also grown to triple their previous size and keeps on growing.

Malicious softwares are the kinds of softwares that automatically activate a link while we are on the internet. Their main function is to act like an annoying salesperson who wouldn't take no for an answer. They lead our computers to sites that have a hyperlink or permanently hyperlink a page for us. There are two distinct kinds of malicious software, one is the adware and the other one is the Spyware.

Although both act in the same direction, they do have differences. We are well aware of what a pop-up ad is and how it can be annoying at some point in the time we are using the internet. A pop-up ad however just pops up at random during any occasion that we are using the internet. Programmers have devised a way to insert a pop-up ad into the programming string of a webpage. They usually insert it in the beginning of a webpage. Programmers usually rewrite the whole programming string at the start of the webpage so it won't be noticeable to the real author. On the other hand malicious software like spyware and adware are independently programmed applications and doesn't need the help of a webpage to trigger its effects.

Spyware and adware works by entering your computer and constantly opens a link for an ad. Although spywares don't really affect your computer right away, unlike a virus where computers have the drastic and almost instant effects Spywares just sit inside your computer opening up links to and ad or directing you to it. One thing you'll notice is that the spyware is constantly getting in the way of your business and the spyware is pretty hard to detect because it does not contain the usual programming string normal viruses have. You could say that spyware is a hybrid program that confuses a normal anti-virus program.

Spywares get passed on to our computer virtually undetected, but software vendors have come up with a way of solving our spyware problems for us. They've come up with a spyware detection software that scans the computer for programming codes that would normally have a lot of hyperlinks.

Spywares are really a menace to us and our computers but with the right information and the proper tools we can protect our investment from spyware, adware and anything else they can come up with.
Link

The Never Ending Spyware Story

By: Doug Woodall
Its been with us since 1993, its gotten more intrusive, more complicated.

Its created a whole ecosystem, so to speak.

A person sits somewhere, writing a new virus, a new application of Spyware. It is put onto the Internet and Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware vendors begin to develop definitions to combat it, maybe even to stop it permanently. These fixes are incorporated into the new versions of the software they sell, or distribute as freeware.

Existing companies, businesses, and users struggle to keep up with what to use, overwhelmed, their lifeline to the Internet depends on it. In this portion of the ecosystem you have;

The end user. YOU!

Your Internet Provider, Hosting Service, ect.

The businesses on the Internet, all of em.

The existing companies and vendors providing the Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Programs.

Adding to this ecosystem, new companies start up to get into the rapidly exploding business, marketing their own software.

More additions occur as new businesses start up to sell the software the companies have produced.

New and old online users buy upgraded and new software to try and protect their personal information from being stolen. Interlaced into all the above is the knowledge required to know how to protect ourselves with the basics. A hardware or software Firewall, Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware.

Whew! Ok, rest.

Point to ponder while resting.recent eWeek.com tests reveal that some Vendors are failing to provide solutions when it comes to finding and permanently destroying Viruses and Spyware.

Rested? Then lets look at it from another angle shall we?

Without the person somewhere in the world writing the virus or Spyware, there would be no need for the person that is writing the program to combat it. There would be no need for the company that employs the person writing the programs to combat the virus or Spyware. No need for the Businesses that sell the programs the company markets.

Still with me? Good. And finally, No need for the user, you, to protect yourself. I hope this lil exercise has proved informative.
Link

Spyware Symptoms

By: Gary Gresham
Spyware symptoms happen when your computer gets bogged down with spyware programs running in the background without your knowledge. Spyware, adware, malware and even spamware can cause your computer to behave very strange.

If you are experiencing any of these spyware symptoms listed below, chances are you have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

Slower Computer Performance

One of the easiest spyware symptoms to detect is if your system suddenly starts operating slower than usual. Spyware and Adware programs use a lot of your computer resources to track your activities and deliver pop up ads that slow down your computer and can even make it crash.

If you are getting a lot of program crashes, your computer is much slower than normal or your hard drive whirls away when you're not doing anything, these are common spyware symptoms.

E-Mail Symptoms

If you get a lot of bounced back email and see evidence of email being sent without your knowledge, then it's possible that you have spamware in your computer files.

Spamware can send spam messages from your computer and create a lot of headaches for you. Trojan spamware is very dangerous because it can steal a copy of your email address book and send it back to an email spammer.

New Desktop Shortcuts or Homepage

Some spyware programs add new shortcuts on your desktop. Browser hijackers actually change your default homepage you selected to a different homepage. Sometimes the program won't even allow you to change back to your original homepage.

Bombarded With Pop-Up Ads

Adware is another common spyware symptom that bombards you with pop-up ads often for adult or other objectionable web sites. Computer hijackers like this have huge system effects and can make your computer completely useless.

Unwanted Search Results

Computer hijackers can even change the results of your web search and suggest websites the hijacker wants you to see instead of what you actually searched for.

New Toolbars

Computer browser hijackers can also add new toolbars to Internet Explorer that you did not knowingly install. Sometimes it's next to impossible to remove them.

Spyware dangers have now moved ahead of viruses as the number one danger facing computer users today. Quality spyware protection software is designed to find all of these hidden programs and disable them before they have a chance to work.

If you experience even one of these spyware symptoms, your personal information and computer are completely at risk.
Link

Tips on Understanding the Dangers of Spyware and Adware

By: Paul W Wilson
Money is the very crux of adware and spyware. These pose several problems and are a security risk.

Adware is a program that displays advertisements on the computer whether you want them or not. They are not just connected to particular websites or free software but are programmed to start up whenever your computer is switched on.

Programs like Eudora mail client display advertisements in lieu of charging registration fees for use of software. It helps developers recover program development costs. Kazaa the file sharing application comes bundled with at least three ad-ware programs. Two of them serve ads to the desktop while another redirects the users browser to a search engine with advertiser sponsored web results. Well known ones are: BroadcastPC; Comet Cursor; GeoWhere; Network Essentials, 123 Messenger, Direct Revenue, and so on.

Unfortunately, other guises of adware are spyware and malware.

Spyware is a program code that relays information about you and your work without your permission or knowledge. Some just spy on you conveying your Internet habits to marketing companies, while others are thieves they access credit card information as well as other sensitive files. In plain terms, it is malicious software that can intercept or take control of a computers operation without user knowledge or consent. Termed as malware the redefinition of spyware, the programs can:

Steal personal information and the address book.
Flood the browser with pop-ups.
Spam the system.
Slow down programs and connection.
Hijack the browser and redirect the user to a con page.
Uses the computer as a server to broadcast porn.
Can cause a crash.

Spyware reaches a computer through innocent web pages, game demos, MP3 players, search tool bars, and other downloads like free software. It installs itself and leaves a mark on the windows registry. It can hog the computer resources such as memory and hard drive and cause a crash or lock up. Keystroke-logging spyware can steal passwords and credit card information for thieves.

To protect the files one has to:

Use anti adware and spyware programs. Examples: Spybot, Search and destroy, Pest Patrol, and Lavasofts Adware.
Keep windows as well as Internet explorer up-to-date by applying the latest security patches.
Maintain the security level of the Internet Explorer at medium. Users must not lower the security level.
Use firewalls and web proxies to block access to web sites known to carry spyware.
Install layered protection.
Update the antivirus program. An up-to-date program will stop spyware as well as Trojans.
Install a startup monitor to protect your system.
Never accept free as being free---check out free software and downloads, there will be a hidden surprise or catch.
Never download software from warez sites. Pirated software is always distributed along with adware and spyware.
Use Spy checker to determine if the download has spyware. This can be accessed from the free computer securities pages.

An anti-spyware coalition has been instituted by Microsoft, Earthlink, McAfee, and Hewlett-Packard. They are working towards anti-spyware legislation and putting protection systems in place. A survey shows that 87 percent of users know what spyware is and of this 40 percent through firsthand experience. Protect yourself and your work; keep your system free of adware and spyware.
Link

Spyware - Is It All Bad?

By: Michael Russell
Spyware is getting a lot of bad press. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I love the idea of spyware but most of it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Before I go on I guess I should give a brief, if incomplete definition of what spyware is. Spyware is a program or group of programs that monitor your computer and report back to the company that installed the spyware, all of your Internet activities such as search engine searches, purchases, or just simply sites that you visit.

Now the legitimate companies use this spyware as marketing tools to find out people's Internet viewing habits and quite honestly there's nothing wrong with that if used legally. Sure, some people may feel that their privacy is being invaded and might object to this and if that's the case they can always uninstall the spyware. Of course that's not as easy as it sounds. But I'll get into that later.

The real problem is the companies that use this spyware to steal your credit card and other private information for the purpose of charging items, using your account, and who knows what other illegal activities. Credit card theft is rampant and easier to do than most people would think. The illegal spyware programs are responsible for many of these thefts.

The even bigger problem than what is done with this spyware is even detecting that the spyware is on your computer to begin with. I'll give you an example of how you can innocently end up with spyware on your PC.

I was looking up some song lyrics one day and in order to view this particular song lyric the web site said that I had to download a special viewer but assured me that it would in no way harm my system. Now, I have Norton Security on my PC so if a program tries to attack me I am warned. Well, sure enough as soon as I tried to install this online viewer I was bombarded with attacks from the Internet. They wouldn't stop no matter what I did. Norton kept warning me but couldn't stop it unless I specifically pointed out each file I wanted access denied for. Finally I just let the installation complete. To make a long story short the viewer also installed spyware, that Norton reported to me, was sending info back to a site somewhere in Asia. I knew this wasn't good. So I stopped the program from transmitting and immediately got a spyware removal program to get rid of this monster. It took me 4 hours that night to clean up my PC.

Spyware removal programs are just that. They scan your PC for anything they recognize as spyware and remove it if they can. Some spyware can only be removed through the uninstall programs that comes with the spyware. Funny thing is, when you try to uninstall these programs, you get all these messages saying that the software REALLY isn't dangerous and you will lose all the benefits of the program, such as making your surfing experience faster. Trust me, the only thing these programs do is slow up your computer because they are constantly transmitting data.

Unlike viruses, security programs don't stop the spyware in it's tracks. You have to manually tell the system which files to disallow access to. This can be a real pain in the neck. So how DO you avoid getting hit with spyware? I wish there was an easy answer to this question. Security programs help but the best way to avoid it is to ONLY go to sites that you know you can trust. I'll never go look up song lyrics again where I have to install a viewer to see them.
Link

BHO's- Browser Helper Objects.

A "Browser Helper Object" is a DLL that allows developers to customize and control Internet Explorer. When IE 4.x and higher starts, it reads the registry to locate installed BHO's and then creates them. Created BHO's then have access to all the events and properties of that browsing session. The APIs for building BHO's are very cool -- they give developers almost complete control over Internet Explorer.

Applications which install BHOs are becoming more and more popular because BHOs allow application developers to control Internet Explorer. For example Alexa uses a BHO to monitor page navigation and show related page links. GetRight and Go!Zilla use BHO's to monitor and control file downloading. Flyswat, Quiver, Blink, iHarvest, etc use BHOs to extend and control Internet Explorer. BHO technology has allowed the development of some very powerful (and cool) applications.

BHOs don't require a user interface per se, though many install Internet Explorer toolbars. Therefore, its possible that there are BHOs installed on your system that you don't know about. What this means is that while there are some really good uses for these things, they may not necessarily need your permission to install and they can be used for malicious purposes like gathering info on your surfing habits.

A lot of spyware and BHO's are written quickly and poorly. This can cause anything from incompatibility issues to corrupting important system functions making them not only a threat to your security but to your systems stability. The programmers of spyware applications obviously do not care about you or your system other than as a source of marketing information so they do not error check most of their products.

Some companies go out of their way to hide the presence of the spyware BHOs that they install. They go so far as to find ways around the most popular detection tools by changing their product regularly just enough to avoid detection until the next version of the detection software comes out.
Link

Your PC is probably infected with adware & spyware if:

By: sevil123
What is Spyware and Adware?
Spyware and Adware is software made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, invade your privacy, and flood you with those horrible popups. If you are like most users on the internet, chances are you are probably infected with these applications. That is why we have designed our revolutionary product.

Why does Spyware and Adware affect every internet user?

All information you enter via the web can be intercepted

Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your desktop (icons)

Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your internet favorites

Your browsing activity can be tracked and monitored

Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval

Your personal information can be sold to other parties without your knowledge or consent

Your default homepage and settings can be hijacked so you can't
change them

These malicious components not only invade your PC so they can not be removed, but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC!
Link

Spyware is on the Attack!

By: Isaiah Henry
Do you know what spyware is all about? Well, I can assure you if you enjoy downloading anything for free off the internetbrace yourself, because you probably have a few these malicious programs crawling through your PC this very moment.

Some creators of spyware do not care about your PC security or privacy. Spyware is their intelligent tool to make money at the expense of your privacy being destroyed.

Their most popular maneuver is to pin the coat tail of another seemingly innocent program. These carriers, freeware or shareware, are usually free programs off the internet. The biggest of the freeware used would be free porn, games & file sharing applications. Believe it or not, it is a legal way of advertising is most scenarios.

Like most folks, you download a free program in hopes of finally receiving something free in life. Then you click to install the freebie, but there is a small stomp in your waythe license agreement. Just like any brave soldier, you click the I Agree button without actually reading the long set of words. And thus the spyware has legally invaded your home.

Usually spyware either displays advertising or it tracks what you are doing. Ever notice pop up windows suddenly appears on your computer? This is from spyware trying to get you to buy something. Other spyware tracks everything you are doing online and transmits the information to an advertising company.

Spyware can also gather email addresses in your address book, as well as passwords and other information off your computer and transmit it without your knowledge.

How do I know if I have spyware on my computer?

Here are the warning signs of spyware:

1) Pop ups even when you are not browsing the Internet

2) Toolbars and/or icons appear on your browser or desktop out of nowhere

3) Web browsing seems slower and your PC appears to have inherited a turtle gene

4) Your browser constantly goes aloft with advertising with sites.

5) Settings have changed on your PC even when your kids are not home

6) Advertising appears everywhere on your computer

If any of these symptoms are visible, do something!

Do what?

1) Get a reputable firewall program for your PC. If you have a Windows computer that was built within the last five years, then there is already a firewall built-in. Just make sure it is not disabled. Also virus protection software have firewalls integrated into the application.

2) Never click on popup advertisements. If you click, they will know that you are a real person, and you will just get more.

3) Stay away from free downloads. There is no such thing as free! Make sure to do some research first to determine the legitimacy of the software.

4) Keep your PC up-to-date. It is wise to keep your automatic update feature turned on.

5) Use anti-spyware software. Most virus checking programs also check for spyware. Numerous other programs are available.

Never click on or purchase spyware cleaning programs that come from spam email or from popups! These are so-called spyware cleaning program are themselves spyware! Make sure that you buy spyware cleaning software from a reputable company or youll end up making your problems worse!

Good antispyware provide you with a scheduling feature that enables you to automate the spyware scanning of your computer.
Link

Cursor Freezes Up On The Computer

By: Karl Sultana
The answer is pretty simple. All computer crashing and hanging problems occur because of similar reasons.
Not just the cursor but also windows, programs and everything can crash if your computer is not up to date. Or has a lot of junk files, downloads, pictures and useless information. Or you do not do any computer maintenance. (It does not refer to cleaning your keyboard).
Steps to take now:
Clean the Junk from your computer by following:
Removing temporary internet files using Disk Cleaup.
Removing unwanted (you do not use) folders, files, shortcuts, software, games, programs, icons, images, videos, downloads and all you can find on your computer that is useless. However delete only things you that you know they are safe to be removed.
That should not only fix the cursor that hangs but also improve your computer performance. Cleaning your computer, maintaining it in good shape will ensure it never crashes and works at its best.
Your cursor freezes when the computer has problems. If problems occur often it is because your computer is not at its best performance.
In rare cases it can be a spyware/adware or some critical objects. So you need to scan your computer with an anti adware and spyware
software and also with an antivirus software.
Temporary Solution
1) Click Start, then Click Control Panel
2) Double Click Mouse
3) Enable the cursor trail
You will be able to see your mouse, even after the original cursor freezes on screen.
Steps that can fix the problem.
This may also solve your problem. ONLY do if you are sure that you know how.
1) Right Click on MyComputer icon. Then Click Properties.
2) Click on Hardware Tab, then Click on Device Manager.
3) Uninstall your mouse AND keyboard. Connect your mouse directly to the USB.
Then reboot your computer (restart) and let the mouse reinstall automatically.
Keep your computer in shape and you will have less problems.
Link

Poor Computer Performance - 9 Free or Inexpensive Fixes

by Jed Jones
Poor computer performance by your Windows-based machine can sneak up on you gradually. You may find its performance deteriorating increasingly until one day you realize you must fix it or buy a new one. Signs of poor performance can include applications running very slowly, programs closing or freezing up suddenly, and a generally slower response time to OS (operating system)-related commands. I have compiled 9 fixes for you here that you can leverage right now to greatly improve your computer's performance.

Fix #1: Download and run MS Service Pack 2: Every operating system requires patches and upgrades by its maker from time-to-time, with Microsoft XP being no exception. While Service Pack 2 was released in 2002, some people with older systems are still not running it: make sure your computer is. You can download it FREE from Microsoft's Web site.

Fix #2: Run the Disk Cleanup utility: Your computer likely has a number of unused and unneeded files that take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow performance. Run your FREE, built-in Disk Cleanup utility to automatically remove these files. Find it by going to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup and following the prompts.

Fix #3: Defragment your hard drive: Over time, your computer will store files in an increasingly inefficient manner on your hard drive, affecting file retrieval times and other performance factors. To fix this, you need to defragment your hard disk drive. To do this for FREE, just go to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter. First, highlight the drive you want to clean up (e.g., C drive) and choose Analyze. Once complete, choose Defragment. Note that the defragmentation process could take up to an hour or more, so do this during a time when you can step away from your computer.

Fix #4: Run an anti-virus tool: Computer viruses are malicious programs that drastically affect your computer's performance, either all at once or insidiously over time. You can stop a virus attack by installing and running anti-virus software which performs regular scans, locates the offending viruses and quarantines them. Symantec's world class antivirus tools are an excellent choice.

Fix #5: Clean your registry: Your computer's registry is a tool that most non-computer specialists never see but which is vitally important to computer operations. Your registry stores settings and options for your hardware, operating system, and other software. Unfortunately, given its fundamental role in the performance of your system, your registry is often the target of attack or infection. To thoroughly and automatically clean your registry, run a regular registry scan using a registry cleaning tool. You can find a number of excellent products by doing an Internet search. Look for one that offers a free scan.

Fix #6: Run anti-spyware software: Spyware is computer software that installs itself in your computer and performs a number of unwanted functions, including monitoring your computer usage and interfere with your control. It represents a real threat and has become a significant problem in recent years. Fortunately, fixes are easy to find and include a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware programs. Try SpyBot Search & Destroy, great free product.

Fix #7: Increase your computer's memory: Today's applications require more and more memory (RAM) to run. If your computer is more than two years old or if you selected the minimal memory option upon purchase, you might benefit from adding another 1 GB or more to your computer. Check online or at your local computer dealer for pricing.

Fix #8: Clean your hard drive: More comprehensive than the Disk Utility tool introduced above, cleaning your hard drive with professional cleaning software is a great way to improve performance. Try CCleaner for free by doing an Internet search.

Fix #9: As a last resort, re-format your hard drive: If after trying all of the above items and your computer still performs poorly, a last resort is to completely reformat your hard drive. Warning: proceed with caution since this action will erase your entire hard drive, including your operating system (OS)! If you decide to take this route, consult an online tutorial for how-to steps. At minimum, remember two things: be sure to back up all of your files and applications and retain a copy of your OS on CD so that you can re-install it later.
Link

Free Ware Best Registry Cleaner

Scan at tips get rid of internet explorer script error. The only job left for the user to do is to manually run the Registry cleaner from time to time
Your personal computer saves all the processes that are happening within it. The operating system has its own log of these programs running, and changes that are happening within it. What is a registry cleaner? First you must understand what a registry is. A registry is an applet within your compendium pack of an operating system. Within the term itself registry registers the processes that take place. It also takes note of the automatic processes that are happening in your PC and are running in the background. Think of the registry as a big notebook of your PCs to-do list and it logs everything into it. This is called compressing the registry. Free scan at windows error messages fatal login error hr 3d. Here is where you will be educated on the use of a registry cleaner utility and where you can get one.
Downloading one of these registry cleaners takes no longer than a couple of minutes depending on your internet connection and then it takes just a few seconds to install. Registry Repair Utilities Once you have made the decision to fix Windows Registry errors on your system, you will need to know something about how to go about it. Although some versions of Windows provide built-in background system utilities designed to maintain Registry structure and stability, these utilities only address the most basic Registry problems in the most primitive ways, making them insufficient when a Registry becomes very large and complicated. However, there are many third-party Windows Registry repair utilities available on the Internet that are inexpensive and easy to use. See http://www.registryrepairtool.info/free-registry-cleaner/sharewhare-registry-cleaner.php. So uninstalling the Spyware from the programs folder is not enough the ware must also be removed from the registry and there is no better way to do this than with a Microsoft Spyware removal tools
Link

Free Internet Security Software

There are amazing free internet security software products available in any category imaginable. If you select the proper combination of quality free products you will be provided protection as good as or better than that afforded by the purchased alternatives.

You must realize that there is a wide range in the quality and performance of free software, so you need to stick with products that have been tested and have an established track record or at least have been developed by an organization that has previously proven themselves. It is difficult to tell if most internet security products are performing as expected. For example, if a game is not working properly you will be able to immediately tell because the game will not play correctly. In contrast, if a firewall or antivirus program fail to function properly you may not have any idea until long after your computer has been compromised. This certainly is a risk that few of us can afford to take.

I like to think of internet security as a triangle with the three main categories making up the three corners and the secondary categories lying on the lines of the triangle or within the security triangle. The three corners are antivirus, firewall and antispyware. The differentiation between product classes has begun to blur and there are many combination products especially among those sold commercially. To simplify our discussion and allow us to look at a number of unique free products we will look at them as distinctly unique product classes. There is excellent free software to satisfy our triangle concept with this article focusing on a couple of the top products in each category.

There are about 15 free antivirus products that are worth considering with a few other specialized products that also fit best into this antivirus group. My favorite free antivirus product without question is Comodo Antivirus. Comodo is involved in the high end enterprise area of the internet and decided to provide this antivirus product free to help make all consumers safer while online. The bottom line is that Comodo gets a lot of goodwill and free publicity from making such a great product available free of charge. It is a win-win situation! This antivirus product detects and eliminates viruses from desktops and networks, protects with real-time on access scanning, uses proactive heuristic analysis to intercept unknown threats, has host intrusion detection to block malware before it can run, and provides automatic daily updates of virus definitions. The other free antivirus product that I will touch on here is from PC Tools well known for their Spyware Doctor and also Registry Mechanic. In this case there is also a paid version that has direct customer support and faster updates but the two products themselves function the same whether free or paid. PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition provides world-leading protection, with excellent database updates, OnGuard real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your system remains safe and virus free. This product is Vista compatible.

There have been many changes in the category of free firewalls with a number of popular free products no longer available and a few new arrivals to take their place. There are about 15 free firewall software products that I feel are worth considering. The two free firewalls that I prefer are Zone Alarm Free Edition which now is Vista compatible and has been a #1 choice for a number of years. It has proven itself as real winner practically defining the firewall class. The other free firewall I would like to mention is the Comodo Firewall, which like their antivirus software mentioned above, is fully functional yet free. The Zone Alarm Firewall is a reliable but basic product that lacks some of the features of their higher-end retail products. This is not to say that there is any type of reliability or quality issue just that it is feature limited. Comodo's firewall on the other hand is in no way a limited feature product in fact it has some of the most sophisticated features of any firewall free or paid! Many reviewers consider it the best software firewall in existence.

There are almost two dozen good free antispyware products available. One feature of antispyware software compared to antivirus and firewall software is that more than one antispyware product can usually be used at the same time. I currently use Windows Defender from Microsoft, Spybot Search and Destroy and Spyware Terminator all running at the same time. They work fine together on my particular system with no performance hit or other problems.

Picking any one product from each of the three primary groups above should give you a more than adequate triangle of internet security protection.
Link

The Adware Threat

Adware can be basically defined as software that tracks your activities on the Internet so that it can trigger off pop-up ads and other marketing-related actions. The Internet has many free adware removal tools, which can help you run a scan to remove adware.

When your computer slows down and behaves strangely, chances are you have adware installed. You didn't ask for it, but neither did you ask for new toolbars, websites you don't recognize, continuous popups! Read on to know just how annoying and dangerous adware can be.

Adware doesn't let your computer respond quickly to your commands. When you click to go to a website, it takes you elsewhere and you wonder why. Adware presents you with toolbars you never asked for and keeps adding strange new websites to your favorite folder so that it looks like you gave it permission to be there. Here's the worst part - it steals your personal information, spies on you and sells this information to advertisers who can then irritate you with a flood of advertisements that they think you are interested in.

Nobody Is Spared From Adware

Practically every computer that connects to the Internet has loads of spyware and adware getting into it, collecting confidential information from the user. This can be in the form of information about browsing habits, or more serious threats like spying on your credit card number, and other personally identifiable information so that it can misuse it and put you in danger.

Adware can be basically defined as software that tracks your activities on the Internet so that it can trigger off pop-up ads and other marketing-related actions. It installs components in your system without your being aware of it so that it can collect personal data like surfing habits and other demographics. Saying no when adware asks you has nothing to do with what it does. It just goes right ahead and installs itself in your system.

In recent times, adware and spyware have been evolving so fast that it is more than adware removal tool manufacturers can do to keep up with them. Adware poses a major security risk to any computer and every user must make it a point to ensure that he or she runs a scan to clear their systems from adware and spyware. The Internet has many free adware removal tools, which can help you do this. But you've got to be cautious in selecting a reliable vendor. There's every chance that a vendor who promises to remove all the adware from your computer will do just the opposite - that is, install more spyware and adware. Reliable adware removal tools can protect you against unwanted intruders like adware in your system.

Look around and compare the features of various paid adware removal tools available. While some free adware removal software will only scan your computer and present you with the results, they won't actually clean it from your computer until you buy it. Beware of this ruse.
Link

Spyware versus Adware

Have you ever had pop up after pop up on your computer screen? Or have you ever seen it happen on someone else’s? This is something that is happening everyday. What is it? It is either Adware or Spyware.

What is Spyware?
Spyware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then send the information that is gathered over the internet back to companies. The companies then bombard computers with advertisements.

What is Adware?
Adware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then automatically install advertisements onto the computer.

Spyware and Adware: What is the difference?

You may be thinking that the definitions of spyware and adware sound very similar. They are similar indeed. The only difference between the two is that adware does not report to the company, instead it bypasses that and automatically loads the ads onto the computer.

So, what's the big deal? Spyware and adware are taking computers over. The more adware or spyware that is loaded onto the computer, the longer it takes for the machine to go through its start up process. New toolbars appear in the browser. The homepage is changed and cannot be changed back. Pop-ups will not go away when the computer is running. It can slow your machine and your level of productivity down.

Isn’t Spyware and Adware just a way to advertise?

Spyware and Adware are an effort to advertise. Think about it this way though. Do you want to be spied on? That is exactly what is happening. Every move you make on your computer is watched, and then based on your computer activity, you receive pop-up ads. Now, ask yourself this question 'If you are watching television, do you have to watch the commercials?' No, of course not. You can choose whether you want to watch the ads, flip to a different channel or turn the television off. Okay, now, if you are driving down the road are you required to look at the billboards? No, you can completely ignore them. Advertising in and of itself is not a bad thing. It becomes a negative thing when people are forced to watch, see or read the advertisements. That is what happens with adware and spyware. The harder you try to eliminate the pop-ups, the more pop-ups you have to deal with. The simple truth is that it's not really fair to force people to watch advertising.

What do the companies that make the Spyware and Adware say?

You might wonder about the response from the companies who create such products. They say that all they are doing is advertising. They are actually the ones who coined the term adware. Spyware was coined in order to get people’s attention and alert them to what spyware was doing to their computers. In an effort to redeem themselves, the companies created the adware that does not “spy” in that it does not report the computer activity to someone, but instead automatically installs the advertisement. They said that adware is simply to advertise and that some people just do not like advertisements. They claim that their software is legitimate.

So, is the software legitimate?

Well, let’s take a look at what these companies do. Many will install root kits in an effort to adware files so that the computer user does not find them. If it is legitimate then why do they need to hide the files? Adware often puts more than one file into the memory. Then, if one process is canceled out, another can kick in and restart it. If the files are changed, then they are changed back. If it is legitimate then why do the companies take such extreme measures to make it hard for you to remove their software? The adware takes over the computer by displaying pop-up after pop-up after pop-up. The pop-ups become so numerous that no matter how many you close you can not get them to go away because closing them causes more to open. The software causes bogs up the computer memory and eventually causes the computer to crash. If computers are crashing due to the software, then is this really legitimate?

What You Can Do About It

I cannot stop the companies from loading the adware and spyware by myself. You can not stop them from loading the software by yourself either. However, together we can inform people what spyware and adware is. Then, we all need to take a stand against it.
Link

Estimator viruses and antivirus

Don't worry; technological diseases have nix to do with your personal health, unless you are a computer owner and your nervousness break down easily! ! See, once your computer gets connected with the global earnings it faces various threats and attacks from unfriendly microelements walking freely through the cyber space and seeking for new victims. It doesn't help if you wash your hands before touch the keyboard; the little monsters called computer viruses could be defeated in their own methods. This is where the blade and shield aren't able to help your romantic tendencies and the only way to get rid of this gross injustice is to accept a battle with electronic weapons! While computer viruses behave pretty much like biological ones, they need special treatment that admits no analogy in biological terms. As insidious as their biological correspondents, they infect every living cell and paste around in record time. Thusly, if you really need a functional pc, you should procure some electronic pills to get your work safe. In this case you cannot become a faithful guardian to your machine until you have installed an antivirus program skilled enough to detect viruses, worms and Trojan horses - all "trustful" members of a happy family unit! It is important to keep clear about the differences between these sorts of malware, in order to protect your computing machine from them all. Viruses, as we used to know them when first dealing with a computer are no more that widely spread since the Net became popular. Once again: you need an antivirus that helps against viruses, worms and Trojan horses (not only viruses)! See the slight differences in methods and effects: Viruses intend to destroy your data. They act in dodgy movements and this is how the predominant negative effect of viruses is their uncontrolled self-reproduction, which wastes or overwhelms computing device resources, until your cyber work space doesn't leave you elbow room for your actions. But since we've got Internet link we have to deal with the most popular visitors from "out there"! Introduce yourself to malicious worms: worm uses a network to send copies of itself to other systems and it does so without whatever intervention, thus, you stay helpless face to face with it. In general, worms harm the network and consume bandwidth, whereas viruses infect or corrupt files on a targeted computer. Viruses generally do not affect network performance, as their malicious activities are mostly confined within the target computer itself. And here is the moment when the masquerade starts: Trojan equus caballus is a malicious program that is disguised as legitimate software system. Trojans use false and sham names to trick users into dismissing the processes. In most cases the program performs former, undesired functions, but not always. The useful, or seemingly useful, functions serve as camouflage for these undesired functions. Spell some of them are in particular benign or simply annoying, others are extremely harmful and deadly dangerous. In analogy, just compare a regular cold with pneumonia� no need to mourn for you computer! What it truly needs is an anti-virus security. Remember, they are active in this certain moment, when you're peacefully typing. Hurry up to get protected and try out PC Tools AntiVirus 2.0 as a fair

Pick out Adware Removal Spyware

How not to get spyware Last you need to install and run a good spyware/adware removal program. The results displayed by a spyware/adware removal program tin be disheartening. Step 1: The first thing to do is download a free and trustworthy adware and spyware removal program. Download and run an adware or spyware removal program. A dictionary suspicious adware removal winfixer behavior consists of the replacement of the adware removal winfixer spyware program designs came. Download and run an adware or spyware removal program. GoodBye Spy is a multi-adware removal program, which supports the removal of spyware, adware, Brotherware, and more. private headers, program adware removal, program to remove spyware, send off insomnia, psyware, pyware, redsheriff, referee update, reffile. Thither are some utilities specifically designed for adware and spyware removal from your computer. Fortunately, in that location are many options for prevention and the safe removal of Spyware/Adware from your computer. Confer with their websites and especially the Help sections for details on how to use these spyware/adware removal tools to scan your computer. All spyware/adware removal package will require periodic updating, standardised in concept to updating virus definitions, so always check for updates before scanning your reckoner. The easiest and best direction to fully detect and take away spyware/adware from a computer is to use adware removal software package like Ad-Aware or PestPatrol. Calculator repair support for removal of adware and spyware. and protect yourself from scumware and all sorts of adware spyware, a super adware spyware removal tool for your ! If you would rather not peruse endless folders or risk re-infection, a trusted tool such as Spyware Doctor should be used for adware removal. Best disengage adware and spyware removal puppet downloads. The removal tool will eliminate any adware or spyware that you have in your machine for good. This spyware and adware removal tool detects and removes of security threats such as spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, tracking cookies, and trojans. Choose among the listed applications to cover these bases: adware, spyware, espial, removal, protection. OVERVIEW MyCleanerPC Go-ahead is a comprehensive spyware/adware detection and removal system for small, medium and large enterprises. Sleuthing, prevention and removal of spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, and tracking cookies. Malware, adware, spyware, trackware, thiefware, and Big Brotherware signal detection and removal utility with multilanguage support. SpyBuster 3.0 has been rebuilt from scratch to give users the ultimate in detection and removal of spyware and adware components.

PC tools Spyware Doctor

Spyware and adware can not only report your activities without your knowledge, but they can also bring your system to a crawl. If you're among the majority of users who don't have adequate spyware protection, Spyware Doctor might be worth a look.

Spyware Doctor installs quickly and easily and immediately offers a scan. The default download scans all drives, which can be time consuming if you have external hardware drives. Registered users can customize the scanning process (via the start scan button) to search likely locations of spyware or specify particular drives.

After the scan, spyware details the threats it finds by category and danger level. If you purchase the product, spyware will let you remove the threats it finds, offering to create a system restore point first.

Spyware Doctor's OnGuard utility will block spyware and adware programs as they hit your PC using seven components you can enable or disable individually. They provide formidable protection, blocking cookies and spyware, stopping programs from executing at startup, blocking invaders from hijacking your network connection and more.

Spyware Doctor doesn't allow much customization and may be too aggressive for some users. Spyware Doctor did a decent job of discerning between beneficial and malicious tracking. However, with tracking cookies, there were several false positives, and you cannot unmark for deletion (or easily mark for exception) individual items. Users who don't want to lose cookies with stored preferences from benign sites will either need spend more time on exception management or else exclude tracking cookies from their cleaning sessions altogether.
Link

Anti Spyware: The Key Facts

Spyware is relatively new to the classification of malicious code since it has traditionally been considered harmless. Spyware was thought to be a legal method of packaging software and vendors have been concerned with the legal aspects of preventing spyware from running. Since the dangers of spyware to exploit your computer system have been recognized, many vendors have moved forward with the production of anti spyware solutions. These solutions are available with various degrees of accuracy in detecting and eliminating spyware. Variations exist in the time necessary to complete a computer system scan and the number and types of malicious code that may be detected. In the same manner that new spyware is evolving, vendors are also developing new methods and spyware definitions to combat spyware. Some anti spyware software, particularly free software and downloads, are only capable of detecting spyware. They are not able to delete spyware programs or to correct the effects of spyware, such as modifications to your operating system or web browser. To protect your computer system from spyware you need to install the newest anti spyware software. Older anti virus software does not provide protection against spyware. Spyware does not necessarily propagate as typical viruses do. However, spyware will degrade the performance of your system and provide methods for others to infect your system with viruses. The newest antivirus programs offer some type of protection against spyware and most web browsers, firewalls and ISPs provide free anti spyware software. Though anti spyware software is advertised as part of many security suites, it is your responsibility to ensure that any chosen anti virus software actually includes an anti spyware solution.

The installation of most anti spyware software is similar to the installation of antivirus software. Anti spyware software is not as efficient at detecting spyware as some antivirus software are at detecting viruses, but neither type of software is completely foolproof. Like anti virus software, anti spyware software may be configured to run regularly and to automatically update to provide real time detection and protection. You may also be able to configure the software to meet your individual needs. If you are not familiar with your chosen anti spyware software you are encouraged to use its default settings and modify those settings as you become more familiar with the software. Full anti spyware scans should be scheduled on at least a weekly basis as well as on system boots.

Anti spyware software may alert you to spyware that you may want to keep resident on your computer. There are some applications, such as games and other file sharing applications, that perform spyware activities and will fail to function if the spyware is removed. When installing such applications, they may generate spyware detection alerts. If such an alert occurs during a software installation, you must determine the risk potential of having spyware resident on your system versus the need to install the application before continuing with the installation. If you install an application and then remove the embedded spyware, an anti spyware solution is likely to let you restore the application if it no longer functions. You must research the application and determine if the risk potential outweighs the benefit of keeping the application resident. Spyware-Guide.com, Pestpatrol.com and other vendor websites provide information on the extent of compromise posed by known spyware.

Some spyware has been shown to be robust and sometimes multiple scans are necessitated to detect and remove malicious code. Installing multiple anti spyware software will assist in providing the best spyware protection. Free anti spyware software may be downloaded from some websites. Some trusted websites provide anti spyware software that is as effective as commercial solutions though the free software may not provide as many options and configurations or the speed of scans. Unlike with antivirus software, the installation of multiple anti spyware software has not been shown to degrade performance of computer systems or cause internal conflicts.

If spyware is already resident on your computer system and anti spyware software don't seem effective in ridding your system of the nuances associated with the particular spyware, you may need to manually remove malicious code from your computer. Some spyware is known to be particularly difficult to get rid off and requires specialized tools for removal. A search of websites may produce a listing of sites that provide instruction for ridding your computer system of these particular types of spyware.
by Anthony P Mullen
Link

What Anti Spyware Software Does

There are many kinds of PC security software that prevents people from an outside source being able to track your web patterns. Spyware presents a major threat to your privacy and your ability to freely surf the web. Anti-spyware software prevents these spyware programs, which you inadvertently download, from being able to install themselves in your system.

Unlike viruses, which are contained within program downloads, spyware files piggyback onto a variety of sources. Many websites install "cookies," which are small files that track your usage of the website. These cookies are generally not malicious but do invade your privacy. They can be considered a form of spyware. Other spyware files are more dangerous, designed to track your overall internet behavior or even record keystrokes for purposes of stealing your passwords and/or gaining access to files on your system. This type of spyware is often attached to free software downloads or clickable popup ads.

In some cases, the line between spyware and adware becomes fuzzy and undistinguishable. Adware monitors your shopping patterns to create popup advertising that is customized to your needs. Strictly speaking, adware is not spyware since the focus is on creating advertising rather than tracking your movements. Then again, since the adware invades your privacy by noting your habits, it could be considered a non-malicious form of spyware similar to website cookies.

Unlike viruses, spyware files generally cause no noticeable damage to your system. Your computer's performance may be somewhat slowed or otherwise affected, but you will not notice a loss of data or system crash. This means that without appropriate anti-spyware software, spyware files may linger undetected for weeks, months or even years. Even if you happen to detect spyware on your own, uninstalling the files can be tricky. The piggyback nature of spyware makes the malicious file difficult to remove without uninstalling the wanted file to which it is attached.

Since spyware is difficult for the user to detect and remove, anti-spyware software is required. This PC security software will scan your system regularly for spyware files and remove them. Most anti-spyware software can be set to remove adware as well.

Free anti-spyware software is available from many sources across the internet. Be sure that you trust the source prior to downloading the file, however, or you could end up with more spyware piggybacked to the utility that is supposed to remove spyware! This is an uncommon occurrence, however, and many free anti-spyware programs perform comparably to purchased products.

Whether you choose a free or purchased anti-spyware program, there a few things you should look for to determine whether the program will meet your needs. The most important features are functionality and effectiveness. You want a program that will consistently monitor your system as an antivirus program does, blocking the majority of spyware from ever entering your system. The program should also give you the option of allowing or blocking suspected files, since no program can be 100% accurate in its determination of what is actually a spyware file.

The ability to customize the program is important, as is the ability to schedule full system scans at your own convenience. The program should be easy to install and use, and should offer regular updates. Finally, there should be a user's manual or website available in case you have questions about the program.

If you feel like you're computer is loaded with spyware, then go ahead and spend the money to get a program that will clean it. Going forward you can then protect yourself by using a system of computer firewalls and anti-spyware software to prevent the installation of new spyware. Don't put it off. The security of your private information is at stake.
by Denise Nuttall
Link

Malware And Antivirus Software

Malware And Antivirus Software

Warning: most antivirus programs will not protect you against all forms of malignant software (often called "malware") on their own. Find out how to protect yourself.

Sure, your antivirus software will protect you against viruses. It will probably even do a good job against worms. But what Trojans, exploits, backdoors, spyware and the dozen other nasty software parasites?

Malware and Antivirus Software: a History

The war on computer viruses has led to an arms race between the designers of antivirus software and the designers of viruses (you didn't think viruses just created themselves did you?). Some years ago, virus designers responded to ever more successful antivirus software by creating the descendents of viruses, worms, which did not infect files but rather installed themselves directly on the hard drive, making them harder to detect.

The arms race has since led to a total of at least eleven distinct types of what is now called malware, a neologism meaning bad (as in malignant rather than shoddy) software. According to Wikipedia, these eleven types of malware are:

1. Virus
2. Worm
3. Wabbit
4. Trojan
5. Backdoor
6. Spyware
7. Exploit
8. Rootkit
9. Key Logger
10. Dialer
11. URL injection

There's a twelfth kind of malware: adware, which Wikipedia considers simply to be a subset of spyware.

Why Antivirus Software Isn't Enough for Malware

As you can see, makers of antivirus software have their work cut out for them if they're going to keep every instance of malware off your system. As a result, antivirus software makers have often had to pick their battles. Adware, whose makers often claim they are doing nothing illegal or even questionable, often gets treated more lightly.

Even when antivirus software makers do come out with a product that fights all twelve or so kinds of malware, responding to each new instance of malware to come on the market isn't easy. First the malware has to be identified, which means someone's computer, and probably tens of thousands of computers, will be infected first. Then, the malware has to be dissected. Then a removal program and a filter must both be written. Then the removal program and filter must be tested to make sure they work, and that they don't interfere with any other functions of the antivirus software or the computer itself. When a fix for the virus is out, it then has to be loaded into an antivirus software update and transmitted to every single computer worldwide that has the antivirus software installed.

The speed with which antivirus software makers are able to deliver updates for newly discovered malware would impress even Santa Claus. Yet there's still a crucial window of one to a few days between when the new malware has reached a critical mass of thousands of computers, and when the update is released. If your antivirus software is not set to check for updates automatically every hour or so, that window opens even wider.

Practically speaking, then, you're better off having more than one line of defense against malware. Even if two different anti-malware programs utilize the exact same database, there might be a crucial difference in the speed of getting updates. It makes sense to back up your antivirus software with anti-spyware software. When you consider that dedicated anti-spyware software developers make protection against the non-virus forms of malware their stock-in-trade, you can see why anti-spyware software is so essential. In fact, you should strongly consider having two anti-spyware programs running on your computer at all times, since the gap in updates between two anti-spyware programs can be even longer than for two antivirus programs.

After all, with a dozen kinds of malware out there, shouldn't you at least have two pieces of software to fight them?

Author:
Joel Walsh: Joel Walsh writes for http://www.spyware-refuge.com on how to remove spyware: http://www.spyware-refuge.com? spyware adware blocker [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: "spyware adware blocker" OR leave this bracketed message intact.]

Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source

Anti Spyware Software Reviews

Finding the Security Suite that meets your needs

Before proceeding to read this article, it is important that we state something up front. It is essential for the reader to understand and appreciate that there is no such thing as a secure operating system or web browser. While the use of security suites and other complementing products can significantly reduce your risks, they are not magic wands that you can wave to eliminate 100% of your risk. Any product claiming they can do this should be viewed with great skepticism.

With that being said, let's talk computer security and security suites. There are numerous ways in which the security of your computer can be breached. The most common threats come from worms, viruses, Trojans, phishing, hackers and crackers. Potential security breaches can come in the form of downloading unfamiliar email attachments, being monitored by spyware, maliciously attacked by malware, or probed through port scanning.

Dshield.org (www.dshield.org), a non-profit company, functions as a "dominating attach correlation engine with worldwide coverage". In short, they work with people and companies to track, among other things, port scanning violations. Port scanning involves a person (referred to as a hacker or cracker) who attempts to break into you computer through the open ports in your system. Once an open port is located, the individual attempts to collect your personal data or install a malware program into you computer. On average, Dshield.org logs over 1.1 billion reported attempts of port scanning each month. What is even scarier is that this is just based on their program participants. You can imagine how many more incidents are occurring each month to the general population of computer users.

Dshield.org also reports on survival time. Survival time refers to how long it will take before an unpatched PC is attacked or infected. Below is a snapshot of their current operating system breakdown:

Current OS Breakdown Category % Adjusted Survival Time Windows 27.0000 128 min Unix 0.5000 3648 min Application 3.0000 1203 min P2P 1.5000 1591 min Backdoor 0.5000 5432 min Source: Dshield.org - Survival Time History (11/8/05)

In short, if you have a Windows-based operating system and an unpatched PC, you will be attacked or infected in a little over 2 hours. When looked at in these terms, securing your computer becomes a mission.

Here are a few easy steps you can take to immediately protect your computer.

1. Don't run unfamiliar programs on your computer. It sounds like common sense, but many of the most prominent attacks have involved spyware and email attachment worms such as Bagle and Netsky. If you don't recognize the sender, don't download its attachments. 2. Don't allow unrestricted physical access to your computer. If you have sensitive or proprietary information on your computer, allowing other employees or family members to use your computer can lead to potential breaches in your computer's security. 3. Don't use weak passwords. Use passwords which are difficult for someone to figure out. People frequently use the names of children, pets, anniversary dates, or birthdays. Because there seems to be a password needed for everything, it is not uncommon to see many people using the same password for everything. Big mistake! The use of only one password provides a hacker with easy access to a smorgasbord of personal information. If you have to write your passwords down, it is best not to leave them on a post-it, attached to the screen of your computer. You may chuckle at the absurdity, but it happens more than you think. 4. Don't forget to regularly patch your operating system and other applications. Many industry experts believe that most network security attacks would be stopped if computer users would just keep their computers updated with patches and security fixes. Too often, we forget to do this on a regular basis. Remember that every day, new viruses, worms and Trojans are being created and distributed. They are looking for the weaknesses in your computer system. Having outdated software is basically the same as holding the door open and inviting them in for a visit. 5. Don't forget to make regular backups of important data Always keep a copy of important files on removable media such as floppy/ZIP disks or recordable CD-ROM disks. Store the backups in a location separate from the computer.

In most cases, Windows desktop and screen-saver passwords provides adequate protection for normal security concerns. However, if you feel more comfortable taking additional security measures consider obtaining a comprehensive security suite.

Selecting a Antivirus Software The next question is how do you pick the best product for your needs? You start by asking yourself a series of questions. Do you need password protection for individual files, your desktop, a network, or to block someone's access to the Internet? Is your computer used only by you or do multiple users have access to the computer? How many users in total do you expect on your computer? What are your system requirements? How much do you want to spend?

Once you are able to answer these questions, you can begin to research which security suite will best meet your needs. Product reviews and user statements provide a great starting point. PCMagaine (www.pcmag.com), Zdnet.com (www.zdnet.com), and Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) are just a few informative sites that offer research on various computer software products.

There are numerous security suites available on the market. Take the time to choose the one that meets your specific needs. As a starting point, we've listed a couple of the more popular programs:

1. Kaspersky Personal Security Suite Description: A comprehensive protection program package designed to guard against worms, viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious programs. The program offers five pre-defined security levels and is convenient for mobile users. System requirements: Window 98/2000/XP; Internet Explore 5.0 or higher, Memory: minimum of 64 MB RAM, 100 MB free on hard drive.

2. Shield Deluxe 2005 Description: This program provides protection from viruses, adware, spyware, and privacy threats while using very low system resources. Additionally, the maker, PC Security Shield offers ongoing free technical support. System requirements: Windows 98 or higher, WinNT, WinXP, WinME; Internet Explorer 5.1 or higher, Memory: 32MB ram or higher, 65 MB free disk space.
Link

Remove Spyware. Learn How to Identify Spyware Before It's Too Late

Everyday, computers and technology become more advanced, and so do hackers. They are creating new spyware, new viruses, and new trojans, all of which are becoming extremely hard to prevent. Spyware is a silent killer, it's virtually impossible to pick up. There could be even spyware running on your computer right now, and it doesn't just put your computer in jeopardy, it can lead to stolen files, stolen passwords, and even identity theft. This article will outline exactly what spyware is, how to indentify spyware, how to remove it, and how to prevent it from getting on your computer all together.

What is Spyware?

Spyware is a program that is run on your computer that allows someone else, probably miles away from you, to see everything you are doing, virtually "spying" on you and your computer. Spyware isn't snuck onto your computer like a virus is however, most of the time you download them yourself. Many P2P downloaders can contain spyware (Kazaa, Blubster, etc.). It is important to know the background of a program before you download it off of the internet.

How to Identify Spyware

Day by day, spyware is becoming more and more undetectable. Nowadays, it's almost impossible to identify it yourself. There are certain anti-spyware programs that can do that job easily for you. Although, recently a lot of spyware has been slipping by most programs. It is very important to make sure you download the correct spyware removal programs to insure your safety. If you download the wrong ones, you may just miss the spyware that steals your credit car numbers. Below are 3 of the best spyware removal products on the internet today.

Netcom3 - Netcom3 Internet Security Software speeds up your computer, detects and removes spyware and adware, Viruses, Trojans, Dialers, Worms and a host of other dangerous parasites.

RegSWEEP - RegSweep is the latest in PC error diagnostic and repair. RegSweep can do a complete scan of your entire file system and registry in under 2 minutes! All corrupt files, paths, and registry keys will be analyzed and automatically repaired so that your PC functions just as when you first purchased it, Guaranteed.

Registry Fix - This software will inform you of where the errors exist, and what potential errors they might cause. Registryfix will scan for errors related to ActiveX controls, DLL issues, Windows explorer errors, Windows installer issues, Internet Explorer errors, Iexpore and System32 errors, Runtime errors, Outlook and Outlook Express Errors, EXE errors, Svchost errors and a wide variety of other system issues.

It's important to buy AT LEAST one anti-spyware program, as you should use it very often. All of these programs should be able to find and identify all the spyware that is on your computer. To do so, open your program (almost all of them function relatively alike), and find the "Scan, Scan Files, Scan PC, etc." button in the program. The program should find all your corrupted files, be it viruses, trojans or spyware, and organize it into a list. Some programs have specific scans for spyware. If yours does, it is essential to use that scan.

How To Remove Spyware

Once you've got your list of spyware in front of you, it's important to see where these files are stored. Run a quick background check on each file, make sure you aren't deleting anything important for you computer to run, and delete all your spyware. You do not want to clean these programs. They were designed to steal your identity. Find your "delete" button and get rid of them!

How to Prevent Getting Spyware

Preventing spyware isn't hard. It is just important to make sure you know and trust the source you are downloading from. If not, try to check around a bit and make sure it's valid. After you download a new program, run a quick scan and make sure it's OK. If it passes, you're in the clear. If not, DELETE!!

Spyware will not go away. It will not get nicer. It will just keep getting more advanced and more efficient. The only way to protect yourself is to own a program, and scan frequently. I personally scan my computer after every download and do a virus check at least once a week. As a result, my computer runs quickly and error free.
Link

Spyware Protection: Simple Caution Can Prevent A Lot Of Damage

Spyware is one of the biggest threats to online systems today, and must not be taken for granted. Unless you actually experience the consequences of spyware infiltration in your system, it is hard to imagine the extent of damage that these malicious software can bring you.

You've probably heard about people suddenly being in debt because somebody else used their credit card information. Or businesses that have suffered tremendous losses because of inadequate spyware protection. But perhaps you didn't really pay attention because you thought it can't possibly happen to you.

Reality check...it could happen to anyone, and you are not an exception. Everyone who is online faces the threat of having spyware embedded in his computer system. That is why spyware protection is required for everybody.

There are many programs out there that offer spyware protection. Hundreds of anti-spyware programs are available, some more effective than others. There are free anti-spyware programs and there are the more expensive ones that offer a greater amount of spyware protection.

It certainly helps to have such programs installed in your system, but an even more effective spyware protection comes from simply being careful.

Most people fall victim to spyware programs merely because of carelessness. In fact, more than 90% of spyware damages could have been avoided if the user had only exercised more caution and better judgment while surfing on the Internet.

Spyware programs are being developed almost everyday, and even the most comprehensive spyware protection software may miss some of the most recently released spyware. This leads us to the conclusion that the most effective spyware protection is still to practice caution.

If you want to have better spyware protection, you will have to stop clicking here and there while surfing. You need to be more discriminating about which sites you visit and which programs you download. Here are some basic ways of being careful on the Internet that everyone should practice:

1. Never click on dubious sites. Ignore unsolicited ads and offers, as these are among the leading carriers of spyware. 2. Never open email attachments from unknown sources. Resist your urge to take a peek. Just delete the file unopened. 3. Never open email attachments from friends when the subject or body of the email looks bogus. 4. Never click on unwanted popups. 5. Delete cookies on a regular basis. This will prevent spyware from getting any useful information from your computer. 6. Update your system and your anti-spyware programs constantly.

These are just some of the most basic ways to provide yourself with spyware protection. Once you make these practices a habit, you will be certain that you are providing yourself and your system with the best form of spyware protection there is.
by David Faulkner
Link