Internet Computer Security

Recognizing that there are numerous threats to a computer user because of vurises, adware, spyware, Trojan horses, and other malware, users are now more aware and conscious of the need to install anti-virus software and adware blockers. But because of the growing demand for such security software, unscrupulous persons are proliferating the market with rogue security software, which in themselves are malware, fake, ineffective and deceiving.

Signs that your PC security software is a rogue type

A rogue security software may be detected if there is a browser plug-in or extension is required, if an image, screensaver, or archive file is attached to an email message, if a certain video clip is being required to play, or if a free online malware scanning service is offered. Once installed, the rogue software attempts to entice a user to purchase or install additional software by simulating the existence of a malware or a system crash and reboot or disabling parts of the system to prevent the user from uninstalling. The software may slow down the computer or corrupt files, install pop-up windows giving false or misleading alerts, prevent visits into antivirus vendor websites, or disable Windows updates. An offer to donate a portion of the sale of the software to a charitable cause is a tactic used by many rogue security software developers and vendors.

Actions done by the US government against rogue PC security software creators

Because of the growing number of rogue security software, the US government has stepped in and has been prosecuting their developers and vendors. A list of these rogue software are available on the Internet as a reference for computer users. In 2006, the government has been able to require a rogue security software vendor, Secure Computer LLC, to pay a USD75,000 restitution to consumers. In 2008, the assets of another producer and marketer of rogue security software, Innovative Marketing, and its web host, ByteHosting Internet Hosting Services LLC, were frozen. They were barred from advertising and using domain names associated with their software. The government has likewise asked banks to disallow the processing of payments for purchases involving such software.

The computer user must be vigilant and more careful in his or her installation of freeware because of the proliferation of viruses, malware, and rogue security software. It is best that he or she checks the reliability and authenticity of the source and the software itself.

A computer user faces so many threats that will adversely affect the software that are already installed in one’s computer: destroy the files that have been saved or gain access to personal information that violates privacy and may be used in fraudulent transactions. Such security threats to one’s personal computer include viruses, Trojan horses, adware, spyware, and other malware.

What is adware?

Adware is the more famous term for advertising-supported software. It is a software package that is incorporated in particular software that is downloaded from the Internet. Adware automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements, while a legitimate software application is being installed or used. Adware is being used by a software developer as a means to recover its research and development costs or as a means to recover costs for the free use of the legitimate software or access of the software at a discounted price. Pop-up adware, while sometimes informative, can be a nuisance, distraction, or threat for the user. One type of adware that is most dangerous is known as spyware, which is classified as privacy-invasive software. Spyware usually includes a code that tracks a user’s personal details and these in turn are passed on to third parties without the user’s authorization or knowledge.

How do you get rid of harmful adware?

Because adware is harmful, there are various ways to avoid them. The best way is to acquire and pay for a registered or licensed copy of the software that do not contain any advertisement. There is also the option of getting anti-virus software and “advanced adware blockers,” which intercept and destroy all forms of pop-up ads, give frequent updates to ensure that one’s PC is protected against the latest threats, and give free technical support to resolve any problem or question. A number of software applications are available to search, detect, and remove suspicious adware programs. Most prominent and preferred are Ad-Aware, OptOut, Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, and Spybot-Search and Destroy.

While it is now easy to get freeware by downloading software through the Internet, computer users should protect themselves against computer viruses, adware, and other software. These are threats to one’s personal information security, computer, and the files contained therein.

Even the most cautious computer user faces a number of threats in the form of malicious software. Here are two common types:

Viruses

Viruses are programs that come with executable files, programs, or applications, usually hidden in email attachments or downloadable files. When you open these files, the virus makes copies of itself and saves these copies onto your computer. Some viruses are merely the equivalent of annoying pranks, making error messages, annoying pictures, or irritating sounds appear on your computer. Other viruses are more harmful. They can delete existing files on your computer, or cause your computer to freeze or crash frequently.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malicious software that gathers information from your computer. Aside from being able to monitor your activities online, such as checking your Internet browsing history, spyware programs can also collect the usernames and corresponding passwords that you use on various websites. Spyware can also track any personal information that you enter online, such as credit card numbers when you buy something. The effects of spyware can range from the merely annoying, like pop-up windows and ads constantly coming up, to truly harmful. Spyware can change the settings on your computer, affect your connection speed, and destabilize your computer. A spyware infection can cause many programs to freeze or even make your computer crash entirely. Also, information gathered by spyware can be used to commit crimes such as identity theft.

With these threats to your computer, it’s important to safeguard against them by installing security software.

Antivirus software are programs that are used to prevent, detect, and remove computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware, spyware, and other malware. As new malware are constantly being produced, antivirus software are constantly updated as well. Here are some of the top antivirus for this year:

BitDefender Antivirus

This antivirus software solution offers security that is simple to use at a reasonable price tag. The BitDefender Antivirus offers real-time protection, intrusion detection, and optimized scanning. Other features include advanced heuristic Active Virus Control and easy on system resources.

Kaspersky Antivirus

Developed by Kaspersky Labs, this antivirus software is a complete package that offers real-time protection from viruses, worms, bots, trojans, and spyware. Other features include antivirus for IM, gamer mode, adjustable scanning to compensate for system load, and URL Advisor for proactive browser security.

Webroot Antivirus with SpySweeper

Installing antivirus software in your computer is a must these days especially if you are always connected to the Internet. If you want protection from spyware, try Webroot Antivirus with SpySweeper. The antivirus software is bundled with a full version of SpySweeper.

The number of identity theft cases has risen over the years. One reason why this is happening is that the victims themselves unknowingly supply the fraudsters with sensitive information. Here's how you can avoid being the next victim:

Don’t respond to anonymous emails and spams.

If you don’t know the sender and the message of the e-mail is vague, suspicious, and is asking you to respond immediately with sensitive personal information, this is more likely to come from fraudsters. Spam e-mails pop up in our inboxes daily. Even if they claim to be selling a product you really like at very low costs, refrain yourself from replying.

Don’t give out personal information at an unsecured site to avoid identity theft

Never fill in personal information like Social Security number, bank passwords, and account names, especially if you were led to that site by a link that is e-mailed to you. Most likely, the e-mail is from people who are running a phishing scam.

The bottom line is, exercise caution and common sense when online. This includes protecting your password and log-in information to prevent online scams.

Scams and scammers have been around for hundreds of years. With the advent of the internet, their modus operandi has become more sophisticated, faster to implement, and reaches more potential victims.

Work-at-home scams

Work-at-home scams offer income opportunities without leaving one's home. Victims are often stay-at-home mothers, retirees, the disabled, and individuals from low-income families. Scammers entice them through e-mail, website ads, and comments placed in forums by using words and phrases such as "earn $10000 a month from home," "quick typing jobs," and "guaranteed payments."

Phishing scam

Bank account usernames, passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive information are acquired by email messages that look like they come from legitimate sources. This is called phishing.


Check overpayment e-mail scam

This scam happens primarily to Internet sellers. The fraudster will respond to an ad or win a bid in an auction site and then sends a check payment that is more than the agreed price. The seller will then be asked to refund the excess amount immediately. Needless to say, the check will bounce.

A 100% virus protection for computers is a far-fetched dream that every anti-virus software aims to give us, their customers. Nobody can really promise a 100% protection because there are still unknown and cunning virus and threats that escape the shield of our anti-virus softwares. The least thing that anti-virus companies can do is to update their system at the same time discover more virus solutions for our benefit.

This is the simplest way to protect your computer: buy a security software that provides the best protection -- get a Bullguard protection! Bullguard is a security software that provides professional antivirus shield, spamfilters, and firewall. It also has an added feature that lets you back up your important files. Once your Bullguard back up folder is full, you can always store your files by other means. You can keep them through immediate CD burning or buy an external memory.

If your computer is undergoing a seasonal dysfunction caused by virus and computer bugs, you might wann to say Bullguard. You can only regain your computer's smooth functioning if it's secured and guarded, and nothing gives the best guarding but Bullguard Internet security software. The Bullguard creators say that Bullguard is a simple name, but PC bugs must brace themselves because behind this simplicity is toughness. You wanna live away from the fears of hackers and spam attacks? Let the Bull guard your life!

Evolutionary "legend" told us that the first man came from an ape who used a long branch to pick his fruit from a tree. The use of "tools" has become the first sign of intelligence man has exhibited ever since that ape-turns-to-man legend. If you believe this, then you believe that Firefox is the tool that will prove we are intelligent internet users. See, I'm getting nostalgic for it each time I browse using Internet Explorer, Opera, or even Snap. Firefox has tabs, easily customizable tools, security, and even easy web access for the blind.

I learned about Snap and saw that it was far better than Firefox when it comes to surfing since Snap shows up the website's interface in a window occupying a third of the computer screen. This way you'll know whether a website is legit, and by zooming it you can immediately tell if what you're looking for is there. Firefox certainly doesn't have this feature. Am I serving it an injustice here? Of course not. There are so many other things Snap browser can't do which Firefox can.

Like I've mentioned in the beginning: the tabbed browsing. How many times do I have to punch the Ctrl-T in the Internet Explorer browser only to realize it's impossible to come up with a tab? The tab relieves the "clogging" of the taskbar. Pop-ups can get extremely vexing, too. Firefox does a nice job of kicking the spam's ass each time it attempts to appear on my screen. If that is not enough, the disabled has much to thank for. There is a program in Firefox that hooks up with the blind's software so that the functions are read out loud.

There are computer criminals everywhere. Sometimes, they just give you an attractive email that contains virus. If you're a fool, you would open the unknown email and would suffer computer corruption. Know the hottest computer crimes so as to prevent them. These include the unauthorized use of somebody else's username and password; creating virus or any other dangerous computer programs. The last and most serious crime is harassment and cyberspace stalking because it involves YOU already.

When you use your computer for forging a signature or counterfeiting, you are committing a crime. When you steal someone's personal hard disk that contains critical information, you are stealing with malicious intent. When you show any sexual act to provoke sex in online world, you are most likely to commit prostitution. And, you can also use computers to commit larceny. We are familiar with all these old crimes, but we ignore them because these are criminal acts that we encounter even if we don't use our pc. With or without computer, a crime is still a crime.

The USA Punishment Law for computer crimes is not really that helpful to the victims. The fearless computer criminal will only be convicted for several months like 8-21 months. That is 2 years at the least. After that, you can go back to where you have started again, and this time you would be more careful. I think the "hardest" punishment is being forced in community service. It it really worth it to steal private information? Anyway, get an effective firewall protection to protect you from these criminals.

The Trojan Horse is not a virus per se. It is actually a computer program that destroys your computer as great as viruses. This program can enter your computer anytime through spams, seemingly attractive emails, and email images. It does not spread through your computer system, but it brings as much destruction as viruses. So if you see something beautiful and alluring in your computer, even a captivating email subject heading, you better be careful.

This destructive program originates from Greek mythology where Greek soldiers fooled the Trojans by using a huge wooden horse. The Greeks made this huge horse and brought it outside the Trojan gates. The Trojans thought it was a kind of peace offering from the gods so they brought the thing inside. When the horse was inside, the Greeks suddenly sneaked out of its body. They opened the gates of Troy to let others in.

Likewise, the Trojan Horse usually presents itself as a captivating program. It sometimes works as an anti-virus program but once you download it, it will suddenly destroy your computer. The Trojan Horse is among the common computer threats that everybody wants to avoid. However, without the sufficient Internet security, your computer will surely suffer. So, the next best step to take is get an on line support now. Download or purchase the best Internet security provider.

Among the major developers of security solutions is Panda Software which aims to serve online consumers by giving ultimate virus protection. It protects servers and ensures effective defense against many Internet threats like Trojans, spyware, hanckers, spam, viruses, and the like. Expert support people from different countries comprise the team of Panda solutions. If you love to cook fish, you can easily download that fish recipe sans the hassles of viruses. And, this is the power of Panda.

With its effective and trusted products, Panda has produced a new and more advanced security software for Internet lovers. It is an antivirus solution (beta version) especially designed for you. This is the lightest solution among other antivirus solutions. It is light yet it still embodies the Panda power that utterly protects us users against the attack of many Internet viruses and threats. Panda Antivirus 2007 is surely the best security you can ever give to your computer.

Get Panda Antivirus 2007 to break free from worries and fears. If you download a lot from the Internet, you are the most probable victim of these Internet bugs. So, to get rid of these bugs and to have a secure Internet transaction from anywhere in the world, get Panda antivirus now. Don't worry about fraudulent security companies because we hate them, too. Panda Antivirus 2007 is just right for your computer's needs.

Starting August 19, you will no longer be able to sign up for a free "Netscape.net" webmail account, according to the announcement of former oil giant AOL. The company mentioned, however, that existing accounts can be accessed using AIM Webmail interface. AOL claims that this is a form of upgrade although faithful Netscapers claim otherwise. This is a downgrade, they say. According to the Netscape FAQ, AOL believes that new users would be completely contented with the "AIM Mail service." Does this mean that Netscape is being phased out? Their answer is: "No, Netscape.com is being relaunched as a social news portal."

After negative comments from Netscape.com portal visitors, outspoken entrepreneur and AOL executive Jason Calacanis is offering a "truce" to them. It can be remembered that these portal visitors voiced their displeasure about Jason's new "social news" pet project. This pet project apparently destroyed the old Netscape.com web portal they used to love and cherish. In his blog, Jason Calicanis asks for a truce saying, "What if we created a view of the site that was programmed by our Anchors? We had a view just for you guys, which was professionally produced."

Jason Calicanis's blog earned comments and reactions from Netscapers. There were people who did not take his "truce" seriously. There were those who posted intelligent questions. I'd be careful on this one if I were them! But one thing is clear here: the people hate Calicanis's actions. Whenever Calicanis opens his blog, he is always flooded with negative comments, which, I think, he deserves. If I were him, I would take stock of my actions, including my belief system and religion, and whatever else matters. It is the proper time to use his brain or else give it over to his portal visitors.

I think I don't like what's inside the newspapers today. I came across an article about a planned bill that will provide the government full control and access to systems of Internet providers. This is extremely scary. Think about this guys: people in key positions of the government will be able to access our personal and business files. They'll be able to read our accounts in social networking websites like MySpace and FaceBook.

This plan by the government rooted from the bill created by Senator Mike Dewine. The purpose of the bill is to get easy access on information regarding terrorists, criminals, and law violators. But the thing here is that asking officials not to rummage our online files is like asking Garfield not to chomp on your lasagna. Critics of this bill and Jon Arbuckle have one thing in common: they know that politicians just like Garfield are untrustworthy.

If I'm not mistaken, online privacy is also the government's idea. However, with the rate things are going, I think the government is planning to violate the same right that they're trying to protect. I'm not in favor of this bill. The web is a sacred place, at least for us computer users. But if things swirl the other way around, I promise I will not add nor befriend Dewine in my MySpace account.