Post by charliegirl on Jan 5, 2007 22:33:18 GMT -5
PC Security
« Thread Started on Jul 2, 2006, 8:14pm »
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*Free* AVG anti-virus software:
www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
Avast! 4 Home Edition is a full-featured *FREE* antivirus package.
www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
*Free* AntiVir Personal Edition:
www.free-av.com
If you suspect you may have a virus or Trojan horse or that your PC is not secure several online virus scanners are available for *FREE* These are great if you suspect your system has been compromised or to use as an insurance that your virus checker is not missing something.
Note: Some online scanners do not remove the virus threats but will point you in the right direction for removal, most all require a small download.
There are many online virus/spyware scanners I have only listed a few of the free ones. There are others that are free and some that are subscription as well.
Symantec offers a **FREE** online virus and security check.
security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
Trend Mico's *FREE* online virus scan
housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Panda's *FREE* Virus/Malware Scan (this scans for both viruses and spyware)
www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
Bit Defender *FREE* Online Scanner
www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner *Free*
www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
2. Run a Firewall, and keep it updated.
*Free* Zone Alarm Firewall software:
www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zadb_button
**NOTE: Zone Labs has ceased it's support Windows 98/98SE/Me with the introduction of version 6.5
Sygate Personal Firewall *FREE*
smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
Tiny Personal Firewall represents smart, easy-to-use personal security technology that fully protects personal computers against hackers.
*FREE* for home use.
www.webmasterfree.com/tpfw.html
R-Firewall is a *FREE* program comparable with commercial firewalls
www.r-firewall.com/
Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) is a software agent that builds a barrier between your personal computer and the Internet. KPF is designed to protect your PC against attacks from both the Internet, and other computers in the local network.
*Free* for personal use. (Kerio Personal Firewall was recently acquired by Sunbelt Security so this link may change without notice)
www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm (Updated link)
Windows XP Firewall -Windows XP has a firewall built into it...it's lame but it works and the price is right.
Not having a firewall is like leaving your front door open and allowing technically savvy crooks to walk right in and help themselves to your personal information, credit card numbers, bank account balances, and leave Trojan horses and so forth through your computer's insecure connection to the Internet. Don't think you are just a small fish in a big pond and that no one will notice you, a high tech crook using high-speed "Internet Scanners" can probe every computer in a small country within a short time! Don't think it can't happen to you...it will! Get that firewall up and protect yourself!
**A note about routers: A router *does not* offer you firewall protection...you should have a personal firewall even if you are behind a router, I do!
ShieldsUp! - Test your firewall! The Internet's quickest, most popular, reliable and trusted, *FREE* Internet security checkup and information service.
www.grc.com/
3. Keep your Windows Operating System updated via Windows Update
windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Firefox Updates - www.mozilla.com/
Opera Updates - www.opera.com
**Notice to Windows 98 and ME Users: Microsoft says these operating systems are "outdated" and "pose security risks' to customers, which is why it is ending support for them on July 11 of this year. The time to upgrade has arrived. Be aware that with Microsoft dropping support for Windows98 & ME that other software manufacturers will also be discontinuing their support within their software products. Your security is now even more at risk, and you should upgrade your OS ASAP to avoid possible catastrophy. If your hardware isn't up to snuff for XP or VISTA, I recommend Windows2000, it's a solid OS and it isn't as hardware demanding.
4. Spyware
Spyware/Adware has really become a problem, you should regularly scan, detect and remove Adware/Spyware from your computer. Today's spyware goes far beyond annoying software that tracks a user's Web browsing habits to sell them discount drugs or a cheap vacation. Spyware is instead one of a virulent ecosystem of harmful software that work together to clog systems, frustrate help desks, steal confidential information or even shake down victims for protection money.
Adware is any software application in which advertisements are displayed while the program is running. These applications include additional code that displays the ads in *pop-up* windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. Some Adware is also Spyware.
Spyware is defined as any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes but sometimes for criminal intent. Spyware applications are sometimes bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Be aware of the source of any free software or toolbars that are offered to you through a pop-up window or banner, sometimes if it says free there is a price to pay. Remember Bonsai Buddy is * NOT* your buddy! Some spyware also installs itself without your knowledge from websites you may have visited. Certain tracking cookies are also spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to "someone else". Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users can unwittingly install the product when they install something else or it's installed when they visit a dubious website. Webroot recently discovered tens of thousands of stolen identities that were collected by a Trojan Spyware that was installed via visiting a website, this is an example of a "banking" Trojan, which are programmed to spring to life when computer owners visit one of a number of online banking or e-commerce sites .
Note: Spyware also eats up your memory, system resources and bandwidth and can cause your computer to run slow and crash frequently. Is your computer crashing frequently? Does it seem to be running slow? Getting pop-up windows from nowhere? These are a just couple of things that might indicate a spyware problem. Download anti-spyware software to help protect your PC from spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
DO NOT underestimate the threat to you or your business from spyware, if you do, you'll do so at your own peril. It's a huge problem that opens you to a variety of risks including confidential information loss, Identity Theft, compromised compliance, and all the legal, financial, and PR nightmares that come with them.
� Spybot Search & Destroy (S&D)
*Free*
� Lavasoft Ad-aware
*Free*
SpyCatcher� Express: Free Spyware Removal Software
*Free*
Microsoft� Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) (Now known as Windows Defender)
*Free*
Bazooka� Adware and Spyware Scanner
*Free*
**Important: Makers of spyware and other unwanted software sometimes disguise their programs as anti-spyware tools. Click the links to the programs above or ask someone you trust to recommend a tool before you download and install it.
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products (stay far away from these *deceptive* products) www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products
Be sure to check out the rest of the Spyware Warrior site too...all good info!
Trend Micro offers a free online spyware scan, Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for the Web is a *FREE* online tool that checks computers for spyware, and helps remove any infections found. (small download required)
www.intermute.com/spysubtract/free_spyware_scan.html
Webroot Spysweeper also offers a *FREE* online scan for spyware (8+ meg download)
www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php?WRSID=366552302ea058ed10ca721ab0a85788
One last note on spyware. Be sure to keep your spyware definitions updated just as you would your virus software, most have an update option, USE IT! As with viruses there is new spyware every week too! I don't think I need to say this but when you install and run anti-spyware, read the instructions for properly setting it up and pay special attention to what it does pick up, so you can exclude some directories that might be misinterpreted as spyware.
Help win the fight against the criminals who wish to control the Internet
Mailwasher *FREE* View, delete, and bounce SPAM before it gets to your inbox.. This program also has filters for setting addresses to blacklist or friends list. MailWasher is fast, very sophisticated and extremely simple to use. MailWasher is free to use and won't ever expire. It also integrates with SpamCop, a great combo for fighting SPAM!
(Most all POP3 Email Clients like Outlook, OE, Incredimail, Eudura)
SPAMCOP - Spamcop is all about reporting spams to the providers who host the people sending spams and hosting their websites. Spamcop maintains ongoing spam reports from users and compiles them into a database used by ISP's, Webhosts.and others. Sign up for a FREE reporting account
SPAMfighter Standard is 100% *FREE* for private use (Outlook/Outlook Express)
SpamPal *FREE* (Outlook/Outlook Express)
.
Most ISP's, Email Services and Webmail providers do offer some *FREE* SPAM protection, check with your ISP or Email Service for more information.
« Thread Started on Jul 2, 2006, 8:14pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Free* AVG anti-virus software:
www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
Avast! 4 Home Edition is a full-featured *FREE* antivirus package.
www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
*Free* AntiVir Personal Edition:
www.free-av.com
If you suspect you may have a virus or Trojan horse or that your PC is not secure several online virus scanners are available for *FREE* These are great if you suspect your system has been compromised or to use as an insurance that your virus checker is not missing something.
Note: Some online scanners do not remove the virus threats but will point you in the right direction for removal, most all require a small download.
There are many online virus/spyware scanners I have only listed a few of the free ones. There are others that are free and some that are subscription as well.
Symantec offers a **FREE** online virus and security check.
security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
Trend Mico's *FREE* online virus scan
housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Panda's *FREE* Virus/Malware Scan (this scans for both viruses and spyware)
www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
Bit Defender *FREE* Online Scanner
www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner *Free*
www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
2. Run a Firewall, and keep it updated.
*Free* Zone Alarm Firewall software:
www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zadb_button
**NOTE: Zone Labs has ceased it's support Windows 98/98SE/Me with the introduction of version 6.5
Sygate Personal Firewall *FREE*
smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
Tiny Personal Firewall represents smart, easy-to-use personal security technology that fully protects personal computers against hackers.
*FREE* for home use.
www.webmasterfree.com/tpfw.html
R-Firewall is a *FREE* program comparable with commercial firewalls
www.r-firewall.com/
Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) is a software agent that builds a barrier between your personal computer and the Internet. KPF is designed to protect your PC against attacks from both the Internet, and other computers in the local network.
*Free* for personal use. (Kerio Personal Firewall was recently acquired by Sunbelt Security so this link may change without notice)
www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm (Updated link)
Windows XP Firewall -Windows XP has a firewall built into it...it's lame but it works and the price is right.
Not having a firewall is like leaving your front door open and allowing technically savvy crooks to walk right in and help themselves to your personal information, credit card numbers, bank account balances, and leave Trojan horses and so forth through your computer's insecure connection to the Internet. Don't think you are just a small fish in a big pond and that no one will notice you, a high tech crook using high-speed "Internet Scanners" can probe every computer in a small country within a short time! Don't think it can't happen to you...it will! Get that firewall up and protect yourself!
**A note about routers: A router *does not* offer you firewall protection...you should have a personal firewall even if you are behind a router, I do!
ShieldsUp! - Test your firewall! The Internet's quickest, most popular, reliable and trusted, *FREE* Internet security checkup and information service.
www.grc.com/
3. Keep your Windows Operating System updated via Windows Update
windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Firefox Updates - www.mozilla.com/
Opera Updates - www.opera.com
**Notice to Windows 98 and ME Users: Microsoft says these operating systems are "outdated" and "pose security risks' to customers, which is why it is ending support for them on July 11 of this year. The time to upgrade has arrived. Be aware that with Microsoft dropping support for Windows98 & ME that other software manufacturers will also be discontinuing their support within their software products. Your security is now even more at risk, and you should upgrade your OS ASAP to avoid possible catastrophy. If your hardware isn't up to snuff for XP or VISTA, I recommend Windows2000, it's a solid OS and it isn't as hardware demanding.
4. Spyware
Spyware/Adware has really become a problem, you should regularly scan, detect and remove Adware/Spyware from your computer. Today's spyware goes far beyond annoying software that tracks a user's Web browsing habits to sell them discount drugs or a cheap vacation. Spyware is instead one of a virulent ecosystem of harmful software that work together to clog systems, frustrate help desks, steal confidential information or even shake down victims for protection money.
Adware is any software application in which advertisements are displayed while the program is running. These applications include additional code that displays the ads in *pop-up* windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. Some Adware is also Spyware.
Spyware is defined as any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes but sometimes for criminal intent. Spyware applications are sometimes bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Be aware of the source of any free software or toolbars that are offered to you through a pop-up window or banner, sometimes if it says free there is a price to pay. Remember Bonsai Buddy is * NOT* your buddy! Some spyware also installs itself without your knowledge from websites you may have visited. Certain tracking cookies are also spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to "someone else". Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users can unwittingly install the product when they install something else or it's installed when they visit a dubious website. Webroot recently discovered tens of thousands of stolen identities that were collected by a Trojan Spyware that was installed via visiting a website, this is an example of a "banking" Trojan, which are programmed to spring to life when computer owners visit one of a number of online banking or e-commerce sites .
Note: Spyware also eats up your memory, system resources and bandwidth and can cause your computer to run slow and crash frequently. Is your computer crashing frequently? Does it seem to be running slow? Getting pop-up windows from nowhere? These are a just couple of things that might indicate a spyware problem. Download anti-spyware software to help protect your PC from spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
DO NOT underestimate the threat to you or your business from spyware, if you do, you'll do so at your own peril. It's a huge problem that opens you to a variety of risks including confidential information loss, Identity Theft, compromised compliance, and all the legal, financial, and PR nightmares that come with them.
� Spybot Search & Destroy (S&D)
*Free*
� Lavasoft Ad-aware
*Free*
SpyCatcher� Express: Free Spyware Removal Software
*Free*
Microsoft� Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) (Now known as Windows Defender)
*Free*
Bazooka� Adware and Spyware Scanner
*Free*
**Important: Makers of spyware and other unwanted software sometimes disguise their programs as anti-spyware tools. Click the links to the programs above or ask someone you trust to recommend a tool before you download and install it.
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products (stay far away from these *deceptive* products) www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products
Be sure to check out the rest of the Spyware Warrior site too...all good info!
Trend Micro offers a free online spyware scan, Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for the Web is a *FREE* online tool that checks computers for spyware, and helps remove any infections found. (small download required)
www.intermute.com/spysubtract/free_spyware_scan.html
Webroot Spysweeper also offers a *FREE* online scan for spyware (8+ meg download)
www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php?WRSID=366552302ea058ed10ca721ab0a85788
One last note on spyware. Be sure to keep your spyware definitions updated just as you would your virus software, most have an update option, USE IT! As with viruses there is new spyware every week too! I don't think I need to say this but when you install and run anti-spyware, read the instructions for properly setting it up and pay special attention to what it does pick up, so you can exclude some directories that might be misinterpreted as spyware.
Help win the fight against the criminals who wish to control the Internet
Mailwasher *FREE* View, delete, and bounce SPAM before it gets to your inbox.. This program also has filters for setting addresses to blacklist or friends list. MailWasher is fast, very sophisticated and extremely simple to use. MailWasher is free to use and won't ever expire. It also integrates with SpamCop, a great combo for fighting SPAM!
(Most all POP3 Email Clients like Outlook, OE, Incredimail, Eudura)
SPAMCOP - Spamcop is all about reporting spams to the providers who host the people sending spams and hosting their websites. Spamcop maintains ongoing spam reports from users and compiles them into a database used by ISP's, Webhosts.and others. Sign up for a FREE reporting account
SPAMfighter Standard is 100% *FREE* for private use (Outlook/Outlook Express)
SpamPal *FREE* (Outlook/Outlook Express)
.
Most ISP's, Email Services and Webmail providers do offer some *FREE* SPAM protection, check with your ISP or Email Service for more information.