Protection for Your PC - Painless and Free!

Viruses, Bugs, Worms, Dataminers, Spybots, and Trojan horses. The Internet is a veritable minefield of things that can invade your PC and affect it's Security and Performance.

You can do something about it and you can do it FREE, using some or all of the following programs and tips.

Anti-Virus protection.

One of the best Free programs for this is AntiVir Personal Edition Anti-Virus software. Download it from: http://www.free-av.com Install on your PC and leave it running to block any incoming bugs or viruses! It can also be used to scan your system for any previous invasions, but be patient, this takes about 15 minutes to complete. Worth running periodically, to check all is ok.

FireWalls and Broadband.

If you are on Broadband, consider using Firewall software. Most good ISP's now supply free. (eg AOL). If yours doesn't, you can get a reasonably good Free personal firewall system from 'ZoneAlarm' at http://www.zonelabs.com . Tip ? DON'T leave your PC connected to the Internet when you are not using it! Reduce the chance of something loading while you are not monitoring things !

SpyBot finders and Ad blockers.

Various programs available on the web, both 'Paid' and 'Free'. You can get good results from using 2 Free packages that are available. These are 'SpyBot Search & Destroy' and 'Ad-Aware'. Downloads available at http://www.lavasoft.de for AD-Aware http://www.safer-networking.org for SpyBot Using both of these packages ensures that, you get with one, any 'bots' that the other one misses.

Suspect you have a virus?

If you think you already have a virus, a good Free tool for checking and killing them is McAfee Stinger. Free download at: http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger

Some General Tips

Get in the habit of, every time you disconnect from the web, deleting ALL files from the following folders:

C:/WINDOWS/Cookies
C:/WINDOWS/Temporary Internet

Beware 'Boys Toys' and 'Freebies'! Think, if someone wants to spread a bug, get tracking software onto your PC etc, the best place for them to do it is places where you go to get 'freebies' to download! The above sites are normally 'ad free', but be aware that if you download porn, free music, free games, free software, there is often a 'price' to pay. Always use the above programs after visiting ANY of these sorts of sites!

John Roberts is a Freelance Training Consultant and Director of JayrConsulting Ltd. (http://www.jayrconsulting.co.uk) John is also an active member of TrainerBase (http://www.trainerbase.co.uk) and is always open to discussion on any training topics.

---

Hacking Threats and Protective Security

The 1998 Data Protection Act was not an extension to,... Read More

Are They Watching You Online?

When surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity for... Read More

Social Engineering - The Real E-Terrorism?

One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support... Read More

The Bad Guys Are Phishing For Your Personal Information

Do you know what "phishing" is?No, it doesn't mean you... Read More

Watch Out For That Scam

The IFCC (Internet Fraud Complaint Center) received over 200,000 complaint... Read More

Spyware is Not Like a Nosy Neighbor

Remember the television show about the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz... Read More

Avoid Internet Theft, Fraud and Phishing

Since its birth, the Internet has grown and expanded to... Read More

Internet Small Business and Fraud

Be careful of sites that promise to send you "instant... Read More

Cyber Crooks Go Phishing

"Phishing," the latest craze among online evil-doers, has nothing to... Read More

Phishing: A Scary Way of Life

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified "phishing" as the... Read More

Internet Scams: Dont be a Victim

As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More

SCAMS ? Be Aware ? And Report When Necessary

The Internet is a vast International Network of people and... Read More

Spy Scanners ? Don?t Compromise your Privacy

Spies, spyware, internet parasites are among what they are usually... Read More

If You Sell Anything Online Your ePockets Are Being Picked

You and I are a lot alike. We are both... Read More

Internet Privacy

Over the past few years as the internet has become... Read More

Phishing

Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company,... Read More

Top Five Spyware Fighting Tips

Spyware and adware are becoming major problems for online surfers... Read More

Is Adware - Spyware Putting Your Privacy at Risk

Do you sometimes notice your computer running slower. Is your... Read More

Another Fine Mess!

I'm in the Anti-Spyware business, and I'm doing a lot... Read More

Spyware Attacks! Windows Safe Mode is No Longer Safe

Many of us have run into an annoying and time-consuming... Read More

Is Your Music Player Spying On You?

In today's times spyware is a very serious issue and... Read More

Types Of Computer Infections

Computer infections can be broken up into 4 main categories... Read More

Adware and Spyware: The Problems and Their Solutions

The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no... Read More

Its Time to Sing the Encryption Song - Again!

Yes, I'm wearing my encryption hat again. Why you may... Read More

3 Things You Must Know About Spyware

1)Spyware is on your system. Like it or not, statistically... Read More

Is Your Email Private? Part 1 of 3

In a word, no - an email message has always... Read More

Data Security; Are Your Company Assets Really Secure?

Is your data secure? Think again. Securing data is unlike... Read More

Is Shopping Online For Your Horse Gifts Safe?

Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the... Read More

Can I Guess Your Password?

We all know that it's dangerous to use the same... Read More

A Painless Plagiarism Solution

A crowded marketplace can lead to unethical webmasters using underhand... Read More

Spyware, This Time Its Personal!

First the basic definition of Spyware: It is a type... Read More

How to Fight Spyware

If you are wondering how to fight spyware for safe... Read More

8 Surefire Ways to Spot an EBAY Scam E-Mail and Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Ebay is a great site and is used by many... Read More