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[N137]Network And Computer Security
by Pete, Pet
Working on the Internet provides Internet marketers with the opportunity to make a living in the comfort of their own home. Computer Security includes threats such as viruses, identity theft, spyware, adware to name but a few. The latest statistics show that at least over 900 new viruses are created each month which makes keeping track of them really quite difficult. This article would cover three (3) subtopics namely: The Internet, Spyware and Antivirus.

Internet

If you use your computer on the internet, you need (at minimum) anti virus software. The problem of computer security is the number one problem in todays networks and Internet engineering. As hackers use different means to crack the security systems it often happens to be impossible to resist and computer security system fail.

Computer Security on the internet is vital for home and business use as there are increasingly hostile environments when users surf the net. It is very important for users to be educated on the dangers they may face while on the internet. Your computer connected to the internet is similar to your house in many ways. Users search on the internet for free computer security software which they dump into their computers and hope for the best.

The Internet is a wonderful place. Anyone with an Internet connection can stay in touch with family and friends via email. Computer security is growing rapidly by the minute and the only one who has control over their files of information is the user. It is strongly suggested that users equip their pc with an armed fire wall for vital protection.

An advice is to use Microsoft Windows Update to keep your operating system and Internet Explorer patched. Other advice could be to only conduct Internet transactions that have secured processing. Even if you have a computer connected to the Internet only to play the latest games or to send email to friends and family, your computer could be a target.

Although confidentiality, integrity and authenticity are the most important things when it comes to computer security in general, for everyday internet users, privacy is the most important one, because many people think that they have nothing to hide or the information they give doesn't seem sensitive when they register with an internet service/site.


Spyware

An avenue for Spyware to infect your machine is through popular Peer-to-Peer File Sharing software such as Kazaa. Extreme spyware like Rootkits and other advanced spyware have fundamentally changed the playing field in todays computer security.

While it may seem to be common sense, many of the most widely-spread attacks have involved spyware and email attachment worms. Often these packages come as ?suites? including a firewall and Spyware scanner. They scan and destroy spyware as it's found in the user's computer.

Regardless of the type of spyware, it can slow your computer to a crawl and needs to be removed from your computer. Spyware occurs when certain websites run programs in the back ground of your computer while gleaning information from it. There is now a bill in the US Congress to make Spyware illegal.

Anti-spyware tools will greatly assist in protecting your privacy and restoring full computer functions that spyware may have taken over. In the internet world it is vital for users to have a good spyware scan (a recommended and reliable one can be found in the Author Resource Box below) and removal tool because of the multitude of different spyware, adware, Trojans and other malware constantly looking to attack your system. Spyware can slow down your computer, and would have to be removed.

There are tools available which include good free Spyware removal software among other security measures the user can take to protect the computer from malicious attack such as Viruses, Spyware and Adware. The recommended one is staed below. Spyware not only covertly runs in the background and steals personal information of the user it is a potential security threat of which the extent of the damage cannot be determined.


Antivirus

With all of the marketing commotion that surrounds viruses, you should already have antivirus software on all of your computers. Let me explain something, just because you have a antivirus software program on your computer you are not cured. Until recently could one install a firewall and an antivirus program and feel quite secure.

Protection services could commonly include the ability of an administrator to monitor activity throughout the system as well as potentially block hazardous material on the internet from being viewed by other users, the ability to manage automatic updates and what's more the ability to enquire about the status of antivirus software. These include firewall, spyware scanning software and antivirus software.

Everyone needs to have proper computer security measures in place to make sure they are consistently free from all these malicious software. Urgent action should be taken now.

In the new computer age, We don't always log on from home where our PC's are thoroughly protected. (You took care of that already, right?) Cyber cafes, libraries, airports, hotels and other places offer use of a public terminal for those on the go. But, unfortunately, those computers may not always get secured well nor checked regularly. And, since others use them, they can get infected only minutes before it's your turn.

Here are a few tips for how to protect your information while using a public computer.

Most of the email clients nowadays allow you to forward email from one account to another, just as you forward your phone calls. Take advantage of this feature to enhance your security.

If you plan to be away from home for a few days - but aren't using your regular computer or laptop - try to forward your email to an account you set up especially for the trip. This helps protect your information a lot.

Both the account and the password are much less likely to be known to scam artists. Yet, you can retrieve any email sent while you're away from your regular PC. Also, if the userid and password do get cracked, your ongoing risk is low, since you'll be abandoning this temporary account shortly.

If you have to log in to a public computer with one of your regular username change the password the first time you use it away from home. Then change it back when you get back home, This limits your exposure time.

Public computers can contain a specific kind of spyware/trojan called ?a key-logger? that records your every keystroke. Apart from getting your logins and passwords, that also allows the thief to access anything else you typed in during your session. So, you must avoid making credit-card transactions online or accessing your online banking and credit-card accounts.

Before you go to any site that would require a username and/or password, disable any auto-complete or password storing feature. If you can because some public computers have these features locked down by the administrator.

Avoid unfamiliar sites, if practical, while you are away. Most online hacks come from auto-downloads of spyware, viruses, etc. Few of the sites you visit regularly are likely to have those. Just as you would avoid talking to unsavory strangers while on a trip, avoid dicey websites.

Defer clicking on ads while you're away from home. Those can lead to just the kinds of sites mentioned above.

Once you are done using the public computer, erase - if you can - here again administrators may not allow you to access the feature - any Temporary Internet files, cookies, etc. This helps protect not only you, but leaves the computer in a better state for the next user.

Needless to say, don't leave any downloaded files on the computer and never allow anyone to look over your shoulder while you are typing in a password or other sensitive information.

Paranoia isn't needed. But a little awareness and sound judgment while using a public computer will help keep your information secure - then and after you get back home.

One last tip would be to use a better secure browser like Firefox or Opera while surfing on your home PC as well as a public computer.

Article Source : Sdram Pc 133 Desktop Memory

About Author
Both Pete & Deepesh Agarwal are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Pete has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop. Peter Crest is a Webmaster at http://www.pc-matters.info. Check out other Computer Security Articles there.. Pete's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Deepesh Agarwal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Personal Desktop. Deepesh Agarwal is author of several award-wining software's, most of them being distributed under free ware software license. You can download his best free software at
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