Keeping Your Information and Computer Safe
Two common threats can impact both the performance and reliability of your computer and Internet connection. These are viruses and spyware. If not properly addressed, these issues will lead to many problems, some of which are listed below:
- Slow performance while browsing or overall
- Increased advertising pop-ups
- Increased amount of email spam
- Your compter being used for criminal activity
- Unintentionally exceeding your transfer limit
- Intermittent crashing
- Loss of your privacy, your personal data stolen
- Loss of Internet connection
- Total system software failure
- Becoming the victim of fraud
It is mandatory to have the following at all times:
- An up to date Virus Scanner
- An up to date Spyware Scanner
- WindowsUpdate configured to do automatic updates
- A Firewall
Microsoft also has excellent resources about protecting yourself.
Viruses
Most viruses spread through email, downloads, and diskettes - however, some viruses can attack your system without your knowledge, if you are not running an updated version of Windows, you lack a firewall or you lack up to a date virus protection.
It is a requirement that you purchase virus scanning software and run it on your computer. Without it you will get a virus with near 100% certainty. You must also keep it updated to protect you from new viruses.
To find out if you have a virus:
If you do not have a virus scanner, or are not sure whether it is up to date, you can run a free online virus scanner at http://housecall.antivirus.com/.
This virus scanner will only scan once, and does not protect your system from viruses afterwards.
To prevent viruses from infecting your system:
New viruses come out every day, so you must run a virus scanner that can be updated to find new viruses on a regular basis. Most leading virus scanning software (Norton, Mcafee, PC-Cillin, etc.) has the ability to do so, most reputable companies charge a yearly subscription fee.
Be sure that you only download files from websites that you trust, and never open email attachments - even from people you know - unless you are expecting an attachment from that person.
Some viruses take advantage of security flaws in Windows itself. Microsoft creates updates for Windows to fix these flaws, but you must add them yourself. To update your Windows to be the most secure, go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and follow the steps shown there.
It is also critical to have a firewall. There are many hardware based firewall/router based devices on the market by manufacturers like Linksys and D-Link. They are typically below $50 and not only do they help to protect your computer, they also allow multiple computers to use your Internet connection simultaneously. The free firewall that is built into Windows XP is also better than most 3rd party firewall software on the market. The Windows XP firewall must be manually turned on.
Spyware
Spyware is a relatively new issue related to the Internet, and is similar in many ways to viruses - but technically spyware is not a virus. As a result, virus scanners and firewalls will not protect you. Viruses spread on their own, whereas Spyware is technically installed by the user (most often by accident).
There is an excellent video here provided by Microsoft that explains spyware.
If you have ever had an abundance of advertisements appear while you are working, or new "search bars", "date managers", or other software that does not perform any useful function - it is most likely Spyware.
Spyware is created by groups including advertisers, criminal gangs, pronographers and hackers. It is created for the purpose of putting advertisements on your screen, dialing expensive 1-900 calls from your modem, recording your activity ("spying") and sending that information back to them for financial gain. Some spyware has also been known to send personal accounting, tax, and credit information.
Some well-known spyware includes "Gator GAIN", "Precision Time/Date Manager", "Hotbar", "Searchbar", "SaveNow!", "Comet Cursor" and "Bonzi Buddy" - however, new spyware appears as often as new viruses do.
To find and remove spyware:
There are many utilities that claim to prevent pop-ups and remove spyware. Unfortunately, many of these products are spyware themselves - and only solve one problem to create another.
Our preferred software is "Ad-Aware" by Lavasoft. It has been shown not to contain spyware, and that it is quite effective in removing spyware. It can be downloaded here: http://home.efirehose.net/aawse.exe
To guarantee that the most spyware is removed, be sure to click "Check for updates now", and then "Connect" - to download the latest update. This ensures that even the newest spyware is found.
To prevent spyware on your system:
The best way to prevent spyware is by carefully deciding what to agree to while browsing the internet. Spyware cannot install itself like a virus can, it requires you to click a button that says "Yes", "Accept", "I agree", etc.
If you see a window pop up while you are browsing, that asks your permission to install something, be very careful before agreeing. Most of these windows are spyware, with a few exceptions (such as the two links in above: "Windows Update", and "Trend Micro HouseCall").
While browsing the internet, it is best to be cautious - do not agree to anything that you do not understand, and if someone is offering you a free software, know that there is almost always a catch to it.