Notebook computers bring a tremendous convenience to personal computing. Just sit within range of a wireless hotspot and you can connect to your office or home network, access your email, and complete important projects for work. However, roaming from one unsecured wireless network to another can leave your computer vulnerable to malicious software attacks.
Spyware and Viruses
If you are connected to a wireless network without its own firewall, hackers can easily intercept the signals you send and receive across the airwaves. Malicious individuals can also install spyware and viruses on your computer.
Spyware refers to an application designed to track a computer user's internet activities, keep note of sites visited, and gather other information. The term, "spyware," can also refer to any non-viral malicious software, including software that takes over your internet connection, pops up unwanted advertisements, or even blocks your internet connection. A tracking program is technically labeled as spyware only if the computer user does not consent to the download or installation.
Spyware collects information and sends it back to the spyware controller. The owner of the spyware program usually sells gathered information to marketers. For instance, spyware can get a computer user's email information, using that information to bombard the user with advertisements and spam. Spyware is also known as "malware" (Malicious Software), as it can be used to aid identity theft and fraudulent activities (some spyware programs mine credit card information and other sensitive financial information). Keylogging programs, used to steal credit card information and passwords by monitoring everything a user types, fall under the umbrella of spyware/malware.
Viruses are another type of malicious software. A virus is a piece of code that attaches itself to a program, a file, or your boot sector. These malicious programs are called viruses because they work much like a viral infection ? they spread to other files, programs, and even computers, and they are designed explicitly to damage your files and destroy your applications.
Protecting Your Notebook from Spyware and Viruses
Protecting your notebook computer from spyware and viruses protects you against fraud and protects your privacy, too.
The first thing that you need to do is install a secure web browser. Internet Explorer is particularly vulnerable to unauthorized scripts which could be run and installed on your computer without your knowledge. Instead of using Internet Explorer, you can try using Mozilla Firefox, one of the most secure web browsers around. Firefox will always inform you about any download or installation, inform you about suspect sites, and update your browser automatically to continually improve security.
Aside from using Firefox, it is important that any computer user install a personal firewall to block unauthorized access attempts. For Windows XP users, Comodo Personal Firewall is a free option (there is an Alpha version of Comodo Personal Firewall Version 3, which adds Vista support, but this would not be a stable option until they reach the final release). Even the best firewall can sometimes allow spyware through, however, so scan your computer with a free program like Spybot: Search & Destroy or Ad-Aware SE, two of the very best anti-spyware programs available. You should not neglect to install anti-virus software, too. If you have an anti-virus program you already use, stick with it, but the free home edition of Avast and the open-source (free) anti-virus product ClamWin are two excellent options. Be sure to keep your security software updated (most programs will automatically update themselves, but they will sometimes prompt you for your permission) to give yourself the very best protection against malicious software.
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I will also give you a good hint of what you can do to fully protect yourself and your computer against SPAM, Viruses, Spyware and other threats on the internet.
The technical definition of SPAM is : If a message is sent to a receiver which identity is irrelevant because the message is applicable to many other potential recipients, and the recipient has not verifiably granted permission for it to be sent. ( You have probably received those "Personal" emails saying "RE:Important", Urgent, RE: Reply, or those including your name.) These emails aren't personal at all. They SPAMMERS are using these tricks to fool you into thinking that they are to you only and that you have to read them.
You have most likely been infected by a computer virus once or more times. Well, then you might know that some computer viruses are highly destructive and some are in fact totally harmless. If you have been lucky you have been offer for something innocent as a joke or a popup with a scary picture and loud sound just to make your heart stop for a moment.
But, there are those viruses that could destroy your computer's operating system, and even destroy your computer's hardware components such as Hard drive, Processor, RAM, or BIOS etc. These are software with CRUEL intentions, and created ONLY to harm and destroy.
To bring in the term SPYWARE too, I will give you a brief indication on what these software programs can do. SPYWARE is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. These could be Trojans, Web Bugs, and Advertiser software.
Trojans are named after the Trojan Horse. It is programs which are placed on your system by tricking you to think it is something else. A popular method of delivering viruses.
Web Bugs or Cookies are ActiveX controls that monitors what your actions are on the net, and then sends targeted Ads(Popups and Banners.)
Advertiser software is software that comes with many Free ad-supported programs. Most file sharing software such as Bearshare and Kazaa comes with advertiser software. This will also annoy you with banners, popups and ads.
Down to the bottom line.
With all these threats floating around on the net it seems like a good idea to protect yourself against it, or what?
I will narrow it down to three things that is necessary to protect yourself from threats on the internet.
* A firewall protection. ( Protects you from hackers and software that tries to breach into your system without your knowledge)
* Antivirus Software ( Protects you against Computer viruses)
* Anti SPYWARE software ( Protects you against Spyware,Adware, and Web Bugs)
There are hundreds of brands to choose from, and many of the most trusted ones comes all-in-one. Which means that you are fully protected with only one application. Some brands are more expensive than others. But you could actually protect yourself and your system with Free software too.
Many of these free applications are great and works just fine, and you won't pay a cent. Paid software is usually better than the Free, but it is a start. Because without any protection your are totally naked to this kind of threats.
(A tip for everyone: If you don't have a Firewall but run on Windows XP there is implemented firewall in the operating system. This is a great firewall that lays there, and all you have to do is to make sure it is turned on.)
Both Robert Thomson & Manual 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.
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