![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
I know that computer Security can be a big drag however it's something that everyone needs to be hyper aware of these days - before I start please check this blog post by Phill where he gives some thoughts on the topic of security, and also please be aware that where I've used technical terms in this blog post I've tried to give a Wikipedia link to give a simple definition of what is being talked about. But theres some bits that Phill missed... For a start there's viruses/Worms/Trojans/etc and spyware/adware. Just to quickly cover some of the simple basics for dealing with them
Viruses
Regularly scan for Viruses - if you need a virus check you can get a free one from here http://free.grisoft.com/ - I personally have this set to update and run every evening (well every day in the small hours of the morning)
Adware/Spyware
Also try and keep an eye out for spyware infecting your computer - you can get Ad-aware for free if it’s for personal use which should help you keep your computer free from extra programs installed without you realising it.
Pop-Ups
Avant Browser stops them, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer 7 all claim to have built in pop-up blockers though I haven't tested this so you're better off checking with regular users of the browsers. And there is a reason you want something to block the popups - they will come and either force you to install their product (and a pile of other rubbish you dont want) by not allowing you to close them - OR they’ll just quietly install stuff whilst your shouting at it to go away, a simple popup blocker should help prevent at least some of this.
Passwords
<>The current thing going through the world of computing is that passwords can be cracked through Google. More information can be found here, and there's a useful tool for checking whether your passwords are secure found here: http://utilitymill.com/utility/Goog_Your
One last thing to note - you can get alot of emails forwarded around from people warning about Viruses and various other bits of malware that are supposedly going round by email - the best thing to do if you get one of these is too google the name of the virus/malware/good cause/etc as theres several sites out there that investigate these to tell people of the hoaxes from the real threats (and the majority are just hoaxes) also if your unsure Symatec the people who make Norton Anti-Virus do a threat level indicator on their website that you can use to find if theres A) any major Viruses/Worms/Trojans you need to worry about, B) Any vulnerabilites that are being exploited heavily and C) how to fix up your computer if you run into any of the above (for most viruses Symantec offers a free fixing tool which you can download from this website)
So the important thing is to be wary and to be safe
Hope your all well
A.For many the scurge of the internet - but theres browsers out there with ways of stopping them - I know that
Viruses
Regularly scan for Viruses - if you need a virus check you can get a free one from here http://free.grisoft.com/ - I personally have this set to update and run every evening (well every day in the small hours of the morning)
Adware/Spyware
Also try and keep an eye out for spyware infecting your computer - you can get Ad-aware for free if it’s for personal use which should help you keep your computer free from extra programs installed without you realising it.
Pop-Ups
Avant Browser stops them, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer 7 all claim to have built in pop-up blockers though I haven't tested this so you're better off checking with regular users of the browsers. And there is a reason you want something to block the popups - they will come and either force you to install their product (and a pile of other rubbish you dont want) by not allowing you to close them - OR they’ll just quietly install stuff whilst your shouting at it to go away, a simple popup blocker should help prevent at least some of this.
Passwords
<>The current thing going through the world of computing is that passwords can be cracked through Google. More information can be found here, and there's a useful tool for checking whether your passwords are secure found here: http://utilitymill.com/utility/Goog_Your
One last thing to note - you can get alot of emails forwarded around from people warning about Viruses and various other bits of malware that are supposedly going round by email - the best thing to do if you get one of these is too google the name of the virus/malware/good cause/etc as theres several sites out there that investigate these to tell people of the hoaxes from the real threats (and the majority are just hoaxes) also if your unsure Symatec the people who make Norton Anti-Virus do a threat level indicator on their website that you can use to find if theres A) any major Viruses/Worms/Trojans you need to worry about, B) Any vulnerabilites that are being exploited heavily and C) how to fix up your computer if you run into any of the above (for most viruses Symantec offers a free fixing tool which you can download from this website)
So the important thing is to be wary and to be safe
Hope your all well
A.For many the scurge of the internet - but theres browsers out there with ways of stopping them - I know that
contemplativeLeave a comment