Security
These programs have had good reviews from various sources and Avast and AntiVir ranks up there with the best of them, paid for or not. If you are on a budget it is an excellent alternative. I recommend you try Avast since it includes automatic updates. Running an Anti-virus program without the latest updates can be worst than no protection since virus writers target anti-virus programs. NEVER run more than one anti-virus program on your PC.
AVG is the recognized anti-virus protection tool that gives you full protection against
viruses, worms, Trojans and malware. AVG provides you with all what you need to
be completely protected: including a tool for scanning your hard drive and e-mail, as
well as a real-time shield to prevent infections.
*Winner of PC World People's Choice Award*
Home Edition is a full-featured antivirus package designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. The program is free but you need to register within 60 days to get a free license.
(Find it under the "download" programs tab)
Register at http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
The AntiVir Personal Edition offers the effective protection against computer viruses
for the individual and private use on a single PC-workstation. This program currently
has good reviews and includes heuristic analysis. Highly recommended.
Often Norton does not uninstall cleanly. Use the Norton Removal Tool when a Norton product does not uninstall correctly using the Add & Remove Programs. The tool unintalls all Norton products on the computer from 2003 to 2007. Other programs may use a Norton program, so only use this tool if nothing else works!
The current recommendation is to run more than one since none of the free ones (or even Norton Security) catch more than 50% of the spyware.
+ - Important Information
You must be careful in downloading free anti-spyware programs since some spyware programs have advertised themselves as being anti-spyware programs in order to trick the unawares. Spyware is very insidious. At best spyware slows your computer and internet surfing. Usually it causes crashes, and most likely will send info back to the writer from your PC. It takes only an avg. of 10 min. on the internet for an unprotected PC to become infected.
+ - Spywareblaster
+ - SpywareTerminator
Spyware Terminator is a free spyware scanner and real-time monitor with an optional Web site screening utility, an antivirus component, and a browser toolbar.
+ - Lava Soft
+ - Spybot-S&D
+ - Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Requirements: Intel Pentium 233 MHz processor or better; Windows XP; 64 MB RAM; 20 MB available hard disk space; IE 6.0 or later; Internet Access >28 Kbps.
A firewall is a must have for prevention of infections. Instead of cleaning up after an infection occurs, a firewall keeps the malware out of your computer in the first place! Windows XP & Vista includes a firewall. It only protects against incoming treats. It is HIGHLY recommended that you install a more aggressive firewall. Note: Only use 1 firewall at a time. If you install a new firewall, turn windows firewall off.
+ - PC Tools Firewall
Easy-to-use, free software firewall for PC users to protect your computer from intruders and malicious network traffic.
+ - Windows Firewall
The windows firewall isn't nearly as good as the best third-party firewalls, but it's better than not using one at all.
+ - Enable Windows Firewall in XP
Start, Control Panel, select Security Center, click Windows Firewall. Select General tab, click the ON radio button.
+ - Enable Windows Firewall in Vista
Click the Start button, click Control Panel, select Security, click Windows Firewall. Click Change Settings, select General tab, click the ON radio button, click Apply.
+ - Comodo
Comodo's Firewall has been found to offered the highest level of "anti-leak" protection -- in essence, a measurement of a firewall's effectiveness. Comodo offers true two-way firewall protection, is extremely configurable, and unlike most other firewalls, gives you a great view into your system and Internet connection as well and it's free. However, this firewall is very aggressive and can be annoying.
+ - Zone Alarm
Zone Alarm is a free firewall that provides protection both for outgoing data and incoming data. It is also easy to configure. Zone Alarm provides better protection than Windows XP firewall which only provides incoming data protection. This firewall is also very friendly. (Find the free firewall under "Download & Buy" tab.)
WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.
Cypherix is a security program that sets up a “virtual” secure drive on you hard drive. It is the most secure way to make sure there are no traces of sensitive information that can be picked up by spyware, malware, etc. It is easy to use since it is just like any other drive on your computer. You drag and drop files into the drive when it is opened. If you use it, make sure and use a strong password that you won’t forget – because the password can be guessed but it can’t be broken. (Find the free version under "Downloads")
Do you receive and send e-mails that are forwarded with many e-mail addresses in the heading, attachments with a number of pages, or petitions? If you do, please read the following article for safe emailing.
Use these online scanners to check if your system has been compromised by an undetected virus or malicious program. No security program catches everything!
~ http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
Spend less time sorting and shredding by opting out of solicitations for new credit cards, mortgages, or other loans. To eliminate future trash at its source, register to opt out!
You can reduce the amount of on-line adds and improve your internet speed by using this service. It uses cookies to identify your computer as not wanting the adds or tracking cookies loaded. (Small companies and scammers pay no attention to this so it is not 100%.)
If you use CCleaner (see free prgms), run the cleaner before activating the service. Then go to the web site and check all the boxes and submit. Next, go back to CCleaner and under Options, Cookies, select all the new cookies to keep. Using this method, you won't have to keep redoing the service everytime you delete cookies.
Lock your mailbox and be sure to stop mail when you're out of town for more than a few days.
Protect your computer with a firewall, anti-virus software and a program that removes spyware.
Monitor your credit reports annually (at the very least).
Don't give out information about yourself in public - like when you're on your cell phone.
Don't use your Social Security number as your health insurance member ID, or on any other identification documents.
Don't carry your Social Security card or your number on any documents in your purse or wallet.
Don't respond to ANY e-mails requesting personal and/or financial information.
Don't give your Social Security number out over the telephone, unless you initiated the call and know that the need to have the information is legitimate.
This website was developed to arm you with information so you don’t fall victim to these Internet scam artists. Education, good judgment, and a healthy dose of skepticism are the best defenses against becoming a victim. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Want to check out a story to see if it is true? These sites that do a good job at separating truth from fiction.
As April 15th got closer, there were more and more phishing scams that involve email messages claiming to be from the IRS. The latest variant says you have a tax refund due and asks you to click on a link to submit a form to claim it. The link takes you to a site that looks very similar to the real IRS site and asks you to fill in personal information - which of course can then be used for identity theft. The IRS does not send emails asking for personal information, and if they determine you have a refund coming, they notify you by snail mail, not by email. You should report bogus IRS email to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
I received e-mail messages from what I thought was an on-line payment service, a legitimate service which I've used many times in the past. I obliged the e-mail request for information. Within a few days, transaction after transaction began to appear on my on-line service account AND my bank account.
You attempt to sell an item on the internet, and the "buyer" sends you a counterfeit cashier's check for more than the selling price. You're asked to correct this "error" by wiring the excess back to the thieves, before you discover the check is worthless.
Note: just because your bank excepts the check and credits your account does not mean the check is good. If you want to sell items on the internet, use a service like PayPal and don't except checks.
You've received a huge windfall of unexpected money, where all you need to do is pay the "taxes" or "administrative fees" before receiving your good fortune, which never arrives.
You receive a fax or respond to an ad for a fictitious financial institution inviting you to open an account on-line. They, too, will request personal info, and then your previously untarnished identity is toast.