(Edited by Chester K. Larkin)

Internet Security in search activities:

When you search for something on your favorite search engine, like Google or Yahoo, do you pre-suppose that all the results shown are licit, good web sites? You can't. Hackers have found ways to implant search engines with malicious sites, that covertly redirect you to a site that could download numerous pieces of malware without your noesis.

The computer and the internet are marvellous pieces of man's ingenuity. Today the entire world is so dependent on computers that almost every activity grinds to the halt whne the dreaded 'system down' phrase is uttered. But PC security has become more critical as well.

The threat environment to pc security has expanded by quantum leaps rather strikingly. Attack methods have evolved to a level that is alarming.

With a new range of virulent and malicious scripts, hackers make a simple internet connection a possibly damaging move, unless well planned pc security measures are in place.

The websites you visit regularly could pepper your computer with sleezeware next time you come by. Not that tthese websites are doing it deliberately. They are victims as well. What happens is that these perfectly legitimate and creditworthy sites may have been hacked and infected.

Social networking is a great way to stay connected with friends and family and expand your network, but be alert and be careful what personal information you expose. And with the proliferation of networking sites, pc security has become more important. Social networking sites, are tempting attack zones for hackers, because of their viral nature. One infected site can affect hundreds, depending on trafffic volume.

Apparently, attack by demographic selection is also becoming fair game to hackers, who target wealthy or elderly surfers, who, they assume, are not well-informed on pc security measures.

While paranoir may be an overkill, a gung-ho attitude towards using the internet could be a serious laxity. A sensible balance through properly implemented pc security tools and a multi-layered pc security method is needed.

Besides using a dependable and inclusive internet pc security program, download patches for your OS and applications. Pay particular attention to Java, flash players, browsers, [no browser is 100% safe], media players and any other software you may have installed.

* Essential PC Security Programs.

There are dozens of offers to choose from so do some research before selecting your pc security apps. Much depends on what you use the internet for. If it's mainly for emails and reading news sites, don't go overboard in pc security measures. If you're into social networking, P2P downloads, games and other entertainment, and surfing, then a stronger arsenel is needed. As a minimum, you need an anti-virus program, a firewall [hardware or software or both - but only one (1) software firewall at a time, anti-spyware and preferably a site security indicant, as basic pc security protection.

* Firewalls:

An essential component of pc security, these protect your 'ports' while controlling which programs have access to the network. They help block trojans from transmitting personal information if you're unfortunate enough to have picked up one. Firewalls also limit in-bound traffic connections to those with a legitimate purpose. Unless you're a network administrator intimately familiar with pc security measures and firewall configurations, it's best to get one that operates 'out of the box.' A wrongly configured firewall can create all sorts of connection problems that are very difficult to unravel.

Some feel personal firewalls are not needed if you have a home router/network with a built in firewall. But most home network routers don't provide outbound firewalling (blocking the outbound port 25) and if they do, most people wouldn't know to configure this port specifically. While the built-in firewall does help prevent scanning, and can filter packets to and from the PC through various ports, setting it up is not a job for a novice, unless you want to make your internet connection useless. It does not however monitor which programs have access to the network, so is limited in preventing unauthorized access and transmissions.

.* Anti-malware:

There are software that depend on signature-based identification, heuristics or both. Better get one that offers both as those with heuristics or HIPS offers zero-day protection, and are much more effective pc security apps, though not impregnable.

* Anti-virus:

Like anti-malware, there are both signature-based and HIPS or just signature-based versions. Again it's better to get one with both as the value of multiple layers of pc security can't be over-emphasized.

The best way to protect yourself from cyber malefactors is simple: Buy and install pc security software from companies that are well respected and that you trust. Check with forums, google or yahoo, knowledgable friends and other sources before making your decision. It's time well spent.

Other considerations:

1. Applications that are generally considered scareware are those pop-ups that inform you your computer is infected and to scan or download some fancy pc security software that will clean your computer, perform some fancy surgery and turn it into a quad-core sizzler in 3 seconds. They display false information to convince users into believing their PC is infected with viruses, spyware and/or other forms of malware.

This is simply a ploy to get you to install their pc security software. Don't. It could well be malware. If you are tempted, do some research first.

2. Processes that try to write/change registry keys or run scripts. A good pc security combination can help prevent this.

3. Zombies or bots: PCs are often hijacked to send spam or other undesirable communication. Hackers create computer banks involving hundreds of computers, and use them to send spam or other sleezeware to hundreds of thousands users. They use your account and bandwidth of course.

4. Scumware: These scripts are mainly destructive and cripple your computer just for the fun of it - fun for the perpetrator that is, not for you.

5. Spyware: These scripts monitor your computer activity for a variety of purposes, none of them to your benefit.

6. Adware: These are not harmful, only annoying. They serve you various ads through pop-ups on, in some cases, are integrated with the software. Adware is common with freeware, so do read the EULA before installing that fabulous app you simply can't now live without.

7. Spam: Most of us intensely dislike spam and use filters to find and block them, or use pop mail checkers to delete them from the server or bounce them.

Where does all this spam actually come from?

Statistically, approximately 50-80% of all spam comes from hijacked home PCs. When home PCs get hacked, the payload is a spam engine. The hijacked user's PC begins sending large amounts of spam to the rest of the Internet.

Are you now convinced about the importance of pc security and the need to identify and install appropriate pc security apps to make your internet presence more pleasant?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The subject of PC Security is very wide. A weak pc security system is almost as bad as having none. More explanations, utilities, tools and links to further reading and/or applications can be found by clicking the 'PC Security" button at www.vmsbonline.com

And while you're there, check out the download offered to see if you can use it.

Copyright: Dan Jeremiah. This article may be freely reproduced provided the contents, author's name and all links are included without editing.