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Posts Tagged ‘virus’

Get to Know Essential Things About Internet Cookies!

September 11th, 2009
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To get better understanding on how to prevent information theft in guarding computer security, it is best that we have this specific knowledge about cookies. This knowledge may be tiny and of less excitement but we can acquire a huge understanding on how they operate and use it for our protection against security threats.

1. Cookies place in local drives details about your computer and settings. For example, if you have been to a site before, meaningyou are a return user, and this information is stored in cookies. Besides that, it also can store specific informations such as city names that will be used for automatic local weather updates from a site.

2. Internet cookies are made by a web site server to be stored onto a computer at the time the user first visits a site. Later in the session between the user and the webpage, more cookies could be saved or altered.

3. Cookies are written in name-value pairs such as “ZipCode,” and the value is “60119″ for zip code a user last entered in a web page query.

4. Web site’s cookies will not obtain data from a computer. The user may be asked to provide data in a query regarding his / her personal information, but a cookie can’t obtain it alone although the file was in the computer drive.

5. Even though a cookie can store various other data, it can’t retrieve data saved in other cookies.

6. You are allowed to erase the cookies on your computer by going into the Temporary Internet Files folder.

7. In terms of internet cookies, “targeting” is intensely focused marketing to internet users based on information (like past preferences on sold items) found in their cookies.

8. Cookies are also used to track users whereever they are in the internet not just in one site. This technology was developed by DoubleClick company.

9. In 2003, White House Office of Management and Budget forbade the use of persistent cookies, which are cookies that remain active, even after a user has exited out of his or her Web browser. This kind of cookies are easily abused to become spyware and viruses.

10. The small, 1×1 pixel cookies called web bugs stored in banner ads are small 1×1 pixel cookies hidden in banner ads that store cookies onto a machine when a user clicks a banner ad.

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5 Cheap and Simple Steps to Have Your Computer Free from Worms, Viruses and Trojans

September 10th, 2009
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Do you find that you keep on getting compromised by virus, worms, or trojans although you have the best security tools installed? Each one of the details in the following list is part of an all-inclusive and easy to apply security system.

You can protect the system as well as the computer from threats on your security and privacy only by implementing the following points or something resembles them.

1. Each and every patches to Windows security for your Windows OS must be updated. All you need is a working internet connection and you will have an always updated Windows OS without any cost.

2. Have the best antivirus software installed. Consult software review for the best antivirus ranking to date. Nowadays, antivirus software solutions are sold at very affordable price; some with limited capablities are even free. Provide internet connection to let the antivirus update itself anytime, and let it run automatically when the computer starts. This can be done automatically by default with most programs.

3. Install a firewall and have it configured. Either a software or a hardware firewall will do fine, you just need to make sure it is working properly. A router, in case you are using it, usually have a firewall already built in it, so that you just need to set the rules to make it work properly and effectively. Software version of firewalls are widely available, even the free ones!

4. Don't let yourself run or install any program without having it tested and declared safe in a different computer first. A virtual machine or a virtual computer can do this tricky job with no cost at all and act as a free virus protection.

5. Keep a regular backup of your files just to be prepared. A best plan includes a way out of the worst. All you need is only a few DVDs. If you have a big harddisk to store a backup, there will be no cost at all!

Evidently, to fully protect yourself from the worst security threats cost almost nothing.

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Computer Virus Spreading Through Psychological Lures

September 6th, 2009
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I guess you have been in a situation where you are convinced to buy certain goods but regretted later when you’ve got home. I have. I usually categorize that kind of marketing as high pressure psychological selling, because the salesman usually applies high level of psychological pressure on the prospect to finally succeed in selling the goods. Trojans and worms are more and more into these practices of iplementing psychological pressure in order to compromise a victim. Such techniques implements but not limited to the exploitation of human basic psychologies: Curiosity, Greed, and Fear. How do we tell that a trojan or a worm virus is trying to get into our system using a psychological pressure? These are things to beare of to help us tell just prior to their attempts to compromise our system: 1. Is it forcing us to run or download something, for fear of something such as getting our computer infected by a trojan, computer virus or worm? If it is while it’s not at all the active running antivirus software we have installed, we can say that it is definitely a virus, malware, or even a worm. 2. Is it free and giving away a software that's too good to be true even after we cross checked it with other people? At times, it can be just a marketing hype, but it’s a best practice to beware about the urge to download or agreeing on something it is offering. Downloading a program or just opening a page containing java script or flash application would be enough to get our computer compromised by a computer virus, malware, or trojan. 3. Are we aware of the brands (if any)? Is it a rather famous antivirus brand, or just some very popular one, but not an antivirus? At times the viruses take advantage of well known brand names only to trick uncautious people. Do you remember the “XP Antivirus 2008″ virus disguising Antivirus Software Downloads? Its high success rate really was boosted by the “XP” brand, riding on Windows XP’s brand. Lately, a brand new release of the virus is already spreading, one that we know as “XP Antivirus 2009″. 4. Always best to double-check weather the URL or domain name we type is right to make sure it is safe. You have to do this if you wish not to unwantingly enter a phishing site, in which case is a much worse scenario compared to contracting a virus. A rogue site is an latest psychological scam in that it tricked visitors into thinking that it’s the right site they’re searching to visit. Everything they have on the page would in turn then be taken for granted by unsuspecting visitors. 5. If you are not sure about those things mentioned above, consult someone you know who knows better about them. There should be at the very least something certain about it, like a popular brand name of antivirus or computer security software solution, the exact URL or at least domain name of the target site, what should be classified into being too good to be true and what not. The success rate this way of contagion has is surprisingly high, assuming the wide availability of legitimate computer security software and antivirus or Internet Security Software available in the market. Based on this fact, I always tell everyone who asked me about computer security to continuously learn about it, even for just a small bit of knowledge. As only with knowledge even for just a little, can we actually pertain in the safe environment against malicious software.

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Free Spyware Removal Tools Are Available!

July 11th, 2009
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When it comes time to purchase a spyware removal program you will possibly most likely be put off by the high cost. Because the overall development of a good spyware removal program requires a large team of programers to work together to provide a good solution that will assist in the removal of spyware from your computer. All of this unfortunately costs money and is the very reason that you generally do not find free spyware removal tools easily available.

There Is No Harm In Trying

Of course, many of us realize that it is necessary to pay for spyware removal tools, but, we don’t have to if we don’t wish to. The fact is that with a little research it is possible to find free spyware removal tools though many of these options are actually nothing but free trial versions of the paid spyware removal tools. Anyhow, if you do get to have a try of some free spyware removal software then there is no harm done in doing so because with any luck you may be able to remove the problem without having to buy the full version of the software.

Of course, many of the features found in the paid spyware removal tools might actually be disabled in the free spyware removal tools version, but, there is no harm in trying the free trial versions because you never know whether with some luck such tools might even be able to get rid of your spyware problem in the preliminary stages.

A good example of free spyware removal tools, Lavasoft is generally believed to be a good option that might be able to solve your spyware problems for you. It is certainly critical for the health of your computer that you remove spyware before things go completely awry. In case you suspect that your computer has become infected with spyware you should try out the first spyware removal tool that you can lay your hands on.

Of course, the experts Will warn you against depending on free spyware removal tools to remove all the spyware and in fact these removal tools might not be absolutely free and they are also less than efficient, in most cases. What’s more, you need to be especially watchful that the free spyware removal tools that you plan on downloading and installing on your computer are not infected with their own spyware which will really mean more big trouble for you.

It could be a better idea not to depend on any of the trial spyware removal software and instead to pay a little extra money to buy a good and an efficient spyware removal tool. This means that you must first know where to find the best free spyware removal tool. Some would say that one tool that goes by the name of Malwarebytes might actually be the best option.

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Spyware Removal Programs Will Reduce Risk Of Infection

July 2nd, 2009
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Some spyware that will infect a computer is definitely an unwelcome presence that overstays its welcome and does some nasty damage to the host computer which of course is your computer and also to you, the end user. Spyware will make your computer slow down serverely and it will also  attempt to steal your personal details including your credit card number and pass-words. Also anything else it can be captured through surreptitious means. The best way that you can prevent such a bad thing from happening to you, is to protect your computer. This is only possible if you use good spyware removal programs.

You Secret Information Will Be Compromised

Spyware will attach it to your files and that in turn means that it gets an opportunity to gain access to vital information stored on your computer. If you want peace of mind then invest in good spyware removal program and help get rid of the problem before it harms you and your computer.

A good spyware removal program must be designed in such a way that they will remove every last piece of spyware from your computer. The high importance of using good spyware removal software is such a good thing that you simply cannot put off buying and installing one at the earliest. Given that you will be using the Internet which is the home of all spyware it makes sense to first install good spyware removal program and then do the surfing rather than use the opposite route.

If you surf the Internet without protecting your computer against spyware you might find that even a very good spyware removal program will not be able to undo all the damage that the spyware has caused in the meantime. Good spyware removal programs are those that can scan your computer in real time and ensure that the risk of infection from spyware is minimal. Of course, even good spyware removal programs cannot entirely prevent spyware from sneaking into your computer; but, they will ensure that the risk is very little.

To install an effective spyware removal program you must first become knowledgable about what spyware really does and how it get into a computer system. Only by inspecting some of the best options available, will you be able to source the best spyware removal software for use on your computer.

Of course, you should always pick the best spyware removal program. That in itself means choosing only a proven spyware removal program that is absolutely efficient and which is also inexpensive. Don’t go for the cheap and nasty spyware removal programs because they will be unlikely to detect all manner of spyware and secondly they may not even be able to effectively remove those spyware that it has detected.

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The 2 Biggest Computer Virus Threats

May 12th, 2009
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It is essential when surfing the net to have effective computer security such as a solid anti virus protection suite. In fact, surfing the net without anti virus protection is like walking through a hospital without having an immune system. There are threats in the thousands from minimal nuisances, like pop ups and add banners to very severe viruses and worms that can completely and permanently disable vital functions, such as Internet browsers, parts of hard drives, destroying even the best of computer brands, including, Dell computers as well as important data. 

There are many different types of malware and viruses, as well as different types of security software that can protect, detect and remove these threats. The best anti virus software will have real-time or drive-by protection that will alert to and block malicious sites and downloads when surfing the web. There are many cheap computer softwares that are very effective at preventing virus infections.

Malware is short for malicious code software (mal-ware), which includes any and all forms of malicious code designed for destruction, advertising and other schemes. Malware is the term under which all Internet dangers fall, such as viruses, worms, spyware, adware, phishing, tracking cookies and rootkits.

2 Worst Computer Infections and Threats

Viruses
Computer viruses range from intermediate to severe in danger levels.  And there are thousands of different viruses and new ones emerging everyday. Viruses are malicious pieces of code that download to computers and existing programs. Viruses on computers can spread quickly and cause lots of damage. Including potential destruction of operating systems and data. The Trjona viruses comes in several forms and is some of the most dangerous viruses in history. The Conficker virus is the latest of major threat viruses to computer security.

Computer viruses can not only disable major computer functions, such as Internet browsers, they can also destroy data and completely lock you out of your system.

Rootkits
Rootkit are especially dangerous because they actually hide the existence of Malware from computer operating systems and from users. Rootkits create stealth program codes that run at a lower level than the user can see with most below average anti virus software. 

Not all anti virus software have rootkit protection so it is important to choose one that does.

One thing to keep in mind is to never surf the Internet or have an open connection to the Internet without a solid computer security virus protection suite installed, up to date and running on your PC. The best protection against computer viruses is prevention, early detection and removal. A good anti virus software has an accurate and up to date virus database and can detect, quarantine and remove malware efficiently. Another crucial

It is much more difficult to remove viruses if infection occurs than to protect against it. This is why it is crucial to have real-time or drive-by protection. This feature actually has a real time scan running as you surf the web and will alert you to bad sites and viruses trying to install themselves. This is not always standard with all anti virus software and should be a part of any good virus protection suite.  Prevention with anti-virus and Spyware software is key to keeping your computer secure and safe from malware.

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Faster PC with Less Errors just one Registry Scan Away

January 11th, 2009
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There are so many computer utilities out there I’m sure it baffles even the experts. I know because I often get confused which tool I should be using to speed up my computer or to check for malware. I had always just had a virus and adware scanner installed on my computer until recently when someone cued me into registry cleaners.

Registry cleaner are a type of software that performs a Windows registry scan to ensure this vital part of Windows is staying clean from errors and old configuration data. Surprisingly after running a free scan from Registry mechanic I couldn’t believe all the items the program found.

Should You Be Doing a Registry Scan?

Few of us have ever heard of registry repair software, let alone knowing if we should be using one to test the quality of our Windows registry, so should you own one?

Truthfully I wouldn’t be rushing off to purchase yet another piece of software. Instead I’d consider downloading a free scan tool available from most of the registry cleaners out there. This free scan tool will check over your entire windows registry and look for any errors that might exist. Only if you find a critical error would I bother spending a dime on the software.

Which Program should I Use?

Again, since there are probably 100 different registry cleaners you can’t avoid finding one when you do a search online. Some of the best registry cleaners are Regcure, Registry easy and Registry Mechanic.

My personal preference is with Registry Mechanic. This product was created by PC Tools, a well respected PC utility software developer. I’ve put together a detailed and unbiased review of registry mechanic here you can read to learn more about how the program works, and where you can download their free scan tool from.

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