Search results for 'app:weblogs' matching tags 'Spyware' and 'Trojans'

Check My Sidebar For New Links To Secure Your PC

dgosling — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Please have a look at the new links I have added to the sidebar of my blog, to decide if the websites and programs may be useful to you, my readers.I am hopeful that these quick links to online information will help you keep your computers safe and healthy:

There is a new section “News” where I have added several links including my favourite site to help children surf safely on the internet. The theme and title are “Be Web Aware” and you can rely on it for safe topics and links appealing to children. There are many sites online that are setup to attract children and teenagers that you should be aware of. Know what your children are finding on the internet. Drop by and check it out, Web Aware will help your child/children remain safe online. Every computer a child uses should have parental controls activated, as there are many inappropriate websites that children find when they are surfing. If you have Windows XP on your system you can find Parental Control software that can be downloaded and installed at . If you have Windows Vista there are built-in Parental Controls for you to use. There are criminals on the internet looking for children they can exploit and you need to know if your child/children have come in contact with them, before they are exploited by the criminal element.

Another item in the “News” gives you a list of Anti-Spyware forums where you can get help with your PC, infected or not. Also included is a link to a forum where you can Stand-Up and Be Counted among those who want to fight back against the malware writers, and have changes made to the laws in their country that allow them to write malware with impunity. I have added a few new categories that include Security Information, Free AV Products, Free Firewalls, Free AntiSpyware Products, Free Rootkit and Trojan Scanners, Online Scanners and Anti-Trojan products and Free Security Tools that you can install on your system, as well as links to the original sites and blogs.

“Security Information” contains several sites where you can read reviews on the features and effectiveness of different AV products, AS products, and Firewalls. Also included are links to sites with information such as Rogue Software products that you should avoid, Steve Gibson’s site that is full of information about Securing your PC, as well as a link to a product called “Belarc Advisor” that will inventory all of your hardware and software.

The Free product sections include links to approved Free Antivirus, AntiSpyware, Firewalls and other security software products that can be used if you are unable to purchase the software. You require all of these products in this day and age, to keep your computer and yourself safe online. If you are able to afford one but not the others, then please download and install the free products so that you have one of each type of software. However, please remember that you should never have more than one Antivirus product or Firewall protecting your system because more than one will conflict with the other, causing them to be ineffective. You can have more than one AntiSpyware program as long as only one is setup as a resident program and the others used to scan your PC on a regular basis for malware. A regular schedule is recommended for a full scan of your hard drive(s) by each of the products you have. The reason that more than one AntiSpyware program is recommended is that they often have definitions for different infections. Online Scanners including Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Trojan, and Anti-Dialer, become very useful if you are questioning whether something has taken up residence on your system through email or other download. Often when a PC is infected, the onboard programs on your hard drive (antivirus and/or firewall) are unable to find the infection because those programs which you have relied on to keep your PC safe, have been compromised and no longer protect your system. If you think you have been infected an Online Scanner is needed to find and remove the infection. It is wise to run one or more Online Scans on a regular basis because the malware today is insidious and embeds itself in your system, often for a period of time before you become aware of it.

I always recommend that anyone who suspects they have a Malware infection, should visit one of the Anti-Spyware Forums and get help from the trained volunteers. Many of the malware infections we see today are very invasive, requiring sophisticated tools and the help of someone who has been trained in the removal of that specific malware so that permanent damage is not done to your files. Many of the removal tools used now, unlike the tools we used a few years ago, can damage your PC if not used properly, by someone who has been trained in their use.

I hope you find the new sidebar links useful as they are now easier to get to than they were when included in my articles.

Santa Brought You A New PC ... 30+ Days and the Clock Is Ticking...

dgosling — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Did you get a new computer for Christmas? If so, you have probably spent the time since Christmas exploring your computer and surfing the internet to find out what all this Internet fuss is about. Perhaps playing games, watching videos, exploring things you are interested in - hobbies etc., chatting with others, and generally looking around. In a word you’ve had fun with your new toy!

Included with your new computer are the OS (most likely Windows XP or Windows Vista), some Proprietary software from the manufacturer and some Trial software. Most manufacturers today no longer include disks containing the Windows Operating System, the proprietary software or the trial software that was on the hard drive of your new PC. In other words, the manufacturere gives you nothing with which to restore your computer to the condition it was in, when you first turned it on.

Instead of disks, the manufacturers provide you with a program that helps you create your own backup disks of the data on your PC when it was purchased. Many people procrastinate or ignore this procedure because they may not have the CD's or DVD's to use for the backup, and they are thrilled with their new PC and anxious to get online to find out what their computer has to offer. These disks are vital to your future computing needs because at some point in the future, you will have to reinstall everything your computer came with. This can occur when a problem arises with your hardware, software or as a result of a malware attack. However, if you haven't created these disks containing the original software, you will be left with a large, very expensive paperweight when your hardware fails, you are the victim of a malware attack, or you have one of a myriad of problems that requires you to reinstall all of your software.

The software included with your new PC, especially the Trial Software needs attention within a short time of starting to use your new PC. The operative word here is TRIAL, meaning that this software expires after 30, 60 or 90 days and on that date it becomes totally useless! New PC's usually have several trial programs, maybe Microsoft Office, a few games and a Security Suite. Buying Microsoft Office, the games and other trial software are a personal decision that will not affect the security of your new PC at this time. However, the Trial Security Suite Software will affect your security because during the trial you and your PC have been protected by a trial AntiVirus Program, a trial AntiSpyware Program and a trial Firewall as part of the Suite, for 30, 60 or 90 days. The Trial Security Suite has been your only protection from the evils of the internet including malware, rootkits, Identity Theft etc. for the specified length of time, and at the end of that time it becomes totally useless if it has not been either purchased or replaced. After just over 30 days of use you may still have time before the trial ends to ensure your PC is protected, preventing you and your computer from becoming a victim of the evils of the Internet. You may think I am exaggerating, but the results of studies have shown that an unprotected computer will become infected with some type of malware, in less than 5 minutes of exposure to the Internet!

You've now had time to familiarize yourself with your new PC, have searched the internet, played a game or two, sent and received email and you now know how to enjoy your new PC. Now it's time for you to take a few minutes to make sure your fun continues without any unpleasant and nasty interruptions. Start preparing your computer for a safe and secure future with the following:

1. The first thing you need to do is make the backup disks of all the manufacturer’s software and the Operating System. The built-in software from your computer manufacturer only allows you to make ONE copy. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THESE BACKUPS, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RELOAD YOUR ORIGINAL SOFTWARE INCLUDING THE OS. Use the built-in backup software to make the only copy of your built-in software NOW. Then put the DVD’s, CD’s or other backup media in a safe place where they can’t be damaged. If you used DVD's or CD's, I suggest that you buy cases for the disks to keep them safe from dust and other contaminants

2. Your Anitvirus, Antispyware, and Firewall program as well as other offerings in the Security Suite on your new PC, are in most cases TRIALS. Assess each program that is trial software that came with your computer.

· Is it a Security Suite? If so you need to make a decision to either BUY it or REPLACE it as soon as possible to maintain continual protection, so that it does not expire leaving you unprotected.

· If you don’t like the Security Suite that was included with your PC, then check out the available Security Suites on the internet or individual programs Antivirus, Antispyware and/or Firewall. Download and install them before the trial ends and your security suite expires. You can always use the Windows built-in Firewall and a free Antivirus and/or AntiSpyware such as the ones from AVG, Antivir or Avast while you decide which Security Suite you like best that is easy to use. Free Security programs are available see my article Protection For Your PC

· Is it a program like Microsoft Office that you may not want or need? If it is a suite of programs like Microsoft Office, do you want it? Is it affordable? If your answers are yes, then buy the program. The most important protection for any program or suite is to set it up so that when there are updates, they will be downloaded and installed.

3. Setup your AntiVirus, AntiSpyware and Firewall Programs to update automatically when there are either updates to the program itself and for new definitions. Your computer is not protected unless it has the most recent definitions for your programs.

4. Set up Windows to automatically update your Windows Operating System when an update is available. If you set it up to notify you of updates, make sure you download them as soon as possible because it is likely the updates are to close a hole or vulnerability that has been discovered.

5. For your other programs, check each program for an update setting in the Options that will automatically update your program. If there is no update setting in the options, then go to the developer’s website and arrange to have them notify you when there are updates by email. You will then receive an email anytime there are updates to the program, and you will be able to go to the website, download and install the update as soon as you are notified.

6. You will also need to check for updates from the manufacturer of your computer because the proprietary software that came with your PC and usually major updates to the Operating System, will be available through them. Your hardware including your video card, audio system, modem, Ethernet card, in fact all of your hardware is operated by software ‘drivers’. Without these drivers your hardware will not function. Updated drivers are released regularly by your PC manufacturer. If by any chance you are unable to sign up to receive email updates, check the manufacturer’s website regularly. I suggest you use a calendar to remind yourself to check for these updates on a regular basis.

7. If you have any questions about your computer, the manufacturer of your PC should be contacted first. If you do not receive a satisfactory response to your question, some of the manufacturers have a forum where you can ask questions and receive answers. There are also many online forums where trained people respond to users questions. You will find them by using a search engine with the basic information in your question as the search string.

8. To prevent the loss of all of your personal files, you need to set up a schedule for backing them up onto a DVD or CD or other media. It is very important to have them backed up onto media that is not accessible to a malware attack or you will lose all of them if/when you have to format your computer.

Whether your OS is Windows XP or Windows Vista, it is absolutely necessary to complete the above. There are many ongoing activities that will keep your computer running well eg: Defragmenting the files on your hard drive which improves the speed of your computer. Current protection and security with up-to-date definitions is also necessary for a good online experience. Windows Vista is advertised, quite rightly, as the most secure Windows Operating System to date. However, the scumware writers keep busy creating more and more devious ways of infecting innocent users and their computers, to rob you of your positive Internet experience and make your life miserable. In many cases prevention is far more effective and much less trouble than cleaning up after a malware attack. Prevention involves keeping ALL of your software and hardware drivers up-to-date. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that your PC will remain clean but there is a far better chance of staying clean, if you follow the simple rules of protection and security.

Malware Meant To Destroy Your Life As You Know It

dgosling — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Almost 2 years ago I wrote the first article called Protection For Your PC and the second Protection For Your PC - Part 2 almost 6 months ago. All of that information, though 6 months and 2 years old respectively, applies today. However, in the past 2 years since I wrote the first article, the nasties have become nastier, the ID theft more rampant, and the scumware writers more adept at creating Spyware, Malware and other Scumware that is harder to detect and more invasive into your private life.

Though gains have been made against this evil that has entered our lives with the computer age, there are still plenty of scumware writers out there producing junk to make your life miserable. The scumware writers took a hit when Microsoft introduced Vista last year, but they are rapidly trying to get back their hold on the Internet and more needs to be done to stop them.

The next article in the series: "Protection For Your PC - Part 3" is here today. In it I have focused on the worst and most malicious of today’s Malware, because it is the most damaging for the innocent computer user and web surfer. This particular type of Malware surfaced in the fall of 2005 and is much more difficult to recover from than the advertising popups, the spyware that tracks your online surfing habits, and the take over of your computer by an infection so that you are unable to surf the internet. This type of Malware steals your identity and takes over your life, not just your PC.

Please read "Protection For Your PC - Part 3" for an update to my previous articles and added information on Securing your PC. Other articles on PC security will follow.

But My OS is Linux, I don't need security! ...or do I?

dgosling — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT

People who use Linux as an Operating System, often say they don't need to protect their computer from Malware,Spyware, Adware, Identity Theft etc etc. because they believe Linux is not at risk partly because it is not the main target of the scumware writers. Well they are wrong. The Malware writers are increasingly aiming at the alternate OS's with their scumware because it is more of a challenge now than Windows. Every hacker/cracker writes scumware for Windows, not every hacker/cracker writes for Linux. BUT the day is coming folks when Linux will be as heavily infected as a Windows OS. Many of the Security recommendations are the same as they are for Windows, but there are also unique

Minimal protection for a Linux System is:

a firewall such as Smoothwall Express or SmoothGuardian which is a commercial firewall with more advanced features. Please read A Linux Firewall Primer for a discussion of the use of Firewalls in Linux
the National Security Agency of the US government has been researching the use of firewalls in Linux. This research of Security-Enhanced Linux has resulted in the development of the SELinux firewall, and several versions available for download making this an excellent site for security information related to the Linux OS.
an Antivirus program to prevent viruses from infecting the Windows computers that connect to your system several are discussed in Antivirus Solutions For Linux
Keeping the OS up-to-date is as important with Linux as with Windows to prevent any vulnerabilites in the Linux core OS remaining unpatched
run the OS as a 'Limited User' rather than as 'Administrator' will prevent many infections from taking over your system.

For an excellent article about Security on a Linux system including why it is necessary and measures you can take beyond the above, to protect yourself please read: Best Practices For Securing Your Linux System.