PC Security guides

25

Nov

Spams and PC Security: What You Can Do About It

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PC security is the method of identifying and inhibiting illicit manipulation of your computer. With the growing trend in PC security threats, preventive measures are necessary to help you combat illegal use of your computers. This can happen when somebody is trying to get access to your computer system without you knowing it.

With the latest inventions, PC security can help you detect any malicious programs installed in your computer or at least identify attempts to burgle and hack your computer system.

Among the latest PC security threats today, spam is considered as one of the most infuriating thing that you can receive.

Spam, or spontaneous e-mails on the Internet, is considered as one of the most widespread event online. At first, it may seem harmless and could only piss you off with endless accounts of unsolicited e-mails. However, it can also be one of the most dangerous threats on your PC security and even on your identity.

Spam may contain messages that will ask you to reveal any of your personal information in exchange of some bogus information. They can also send files that contain malicious programs. Once accessed, they will silently install their selves onto your computer system. Without knowing it, your computer system is already open to intruders.

So the key to optimum safety against spam and any threat to your PC’s security, it is best not to entertain any e-mail from unknown recipients.

Here is how:

1. Learn to filter your e-mails

If you suspect a particular e-mail, do not open it. The problem with most people is that they are enticed to open an e-mail simply because of the eye-catching line they have seen on the headers. Most spam victims do not know how to identify spam just by looking at the headers.

Hence, to start fighting spam, learn to filter your e-mails by looking at the headers. If it seems to advertise something, it could be a spam.

2. Be wary on giving your e-mail address

Your e-mail address is as good as the other information that will reveal your identity. Hence, if you want to avoid any incidence of spamming or other fraudulent activities on the Internet, it is best not to divulge your e-mail address to anyone, unless you are sure of its safety.

3. Use filters

One of the best things that technology has to offer is the ability to counter attack these fraudulent activities on the Internet.

For instance, you can use filters to detect potential spam.

Indeed, life is what you make it. If you do not like spam, do something about it.

24

Nov

The Advantages of Reading Best Reviews on PC Security Software

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In the enterprise world, healthy competition cannot simply be underrated. With so many products vying for the consumer’s attention, choosing the best product that will work for them can become a tedious work.

Consequently, choosing the best PC security software is one of the most important focus of most reviews. With the constant rise of PC security threats, getting the best software is crucial.

Reading reviews on best PC security software will render you many benefits. Best of all, reading reviews will facilitate your decision making, taking extra careful not to waste money on something that will not best work for you and your PC.

To learn more about the benefits of reading the best reviews on PC security software, here is a list that can help you choose the best PC security software.

1. First hand quality assurance

One of the best things about best reviews on PC security software is that the one making the reviews are actually testing the products and analyzing the product’s value, features, and quality.

So, with the best reviews on PC security software will definitely help you prefer the best software.

2. Get the best deal for your money

With the best reviews, you can get what you have paid for. Most people are not aware of what these reviews can do for them and so they end up buying the wrong item.

With the best reviews on PC security software, you can evaluate the item even before you spend on it. In that way, you get the best deal without compromising the quality and the value.

3. Up-to-date information

Information has become such an indispensable tool after the onset of information technology. And you get the best information that you need regarding a particular PC security software just by reading the reviews.

Just keep in mind that you have to visit the best review sites to get up-to-date information. Many people can write reviews, but only the experts can make the best ones.

4. Comparison like no other

With the best reviews on PC security software, you do not just get a detailed review on the product but a detailed comparison with its competitors. In this way, you get to compare features and values and decide which product will work best for you.

Reading reviews like this is not a waste of time. In fact, only the smart buyers know why there are such things in the first place.

23

Nov

What Everybody Ought to Know About Phishing and PC Security

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Since the emergence of information technology, endless possibilities have come into view. What once seem impossible is now possible. Bridging the gap between unattainable and feasible is technology working on the background.

It sounds good. Isn’t it?

However, if people will look at it in retrospect, technology may sometimes render negative results. For instance, with technology, fraudulent activities were heightened, unscrupulous people flourished, and millions of consumers were doomed.

With technology, getting access to information is so easy. That is why fraudulent activities in the Internet, such as phishing, had been constant problems.

In particular, scammers or unscrupulous people use phishing to obtain personal information such as credit card information, social security number, name, or any other information that will reveal one’s identity. Once these information were obtained, these fraudulent people will start using them to gain profit.

Phishing is considered one of the gravest threats to pc security. In fact, in the United States, phishing is considered as a “criminal activity.”

Unless you do not value your information that much nor is not bothered whether someone out there is actually buying things in your name, phishing is definitely the most damaging pc security threat in the internet today. It is also known as one of the fastest growing pc security hazard, with over 24% growth of phishing activities in the second half of 2004 alone.

The point here is that phishing takes place everyday. Whenever you open your emails, there is bound to be a phishing attempt included in your list.

Certainly, most people know that the Internet is a jungle and only the fittest on pc security can survive. But it never occurred that threats on pc security could be this maddening. The proliferation of phishing activities in the Internet is inevitable.

Fortunately, the government is trying to come up with feasible and effective solutions to lessen, if not eliminate, the production of phishing activities online. Innovative programs are created to detect hard-to-identify phishing activities.

Nevertheless, there are still innumerable ways for scammers to penetrate the industry just to get access to information. Hence, one can simply surmise that phishing is bound to thrive even if you have the best pc security around.

So what can you do about it? Experts say that the best thing that you can do now is to be informed about phishing and its latest activities.

Keep in mind that information and awareness are two of the greatest tool you can use to combat phishing activities.

22

Nov

Understanding the Different Levels of a PC Virus

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Viruses become a common thing in the Internet. But it should not be a common thing in your computer. Computer viruses behave the same as health viruses. They start small, propagate, and invade the body causing it to cripple and unable to perform well.

Microsoft is constantly updating its operating system software to make it virus free. But even computer virus evolves. It is keeping up with the times and the numerous security updates. It keeps on looking for holes where it can break into.

PC Virus threats are classified into different levels. These levels are standard and are followed by the major anti-virus software manufacturer. To understand what the different virus levels are, read on:

1. Critical Level. Critical level means the worm or the virus has the ability to create damage worldwide. It can easily spread globally and cannot be contained in an instant. This also means that the virus is widespread and that it can target everyone, including common home computer users. Malware and spyware are good examples of these.

2. Severe Level. A virus alert is tagged severe if the worm can target both patched and unpatched computer systems. It is also worldwide in nature, and has the potential to spread rampantly and swiftly, but has not done so just yet.

3. Elevated Level. This level alert is given out when a worm or a virus has the ability to spread globally and attack both patch and unpatched systems. But the virus cannot penetrate or propagate by itself. User intervention is usually needed.

4. Low Level. With a low alert level, there is no direct danger to systems that were successfully patched. The virus, malware, or spyware under this alert are in a controlled level and there are new activity reported.

These are the four personal computer virus threat levels. Your anti-virus software can use any one of these alert levels when they post new updates about recently discovered viruses and spyware.

So the next time you inspect the virus bulletin from your mail or from the anti-virus website itself, try to check out the PC virus level first. That alone will give you a faint idea as to how worse the situation can be.

But the bottom line is that viruses, whatever their alert level maybe should be given absolute attention. Do not take viruses for granted. Remember that a single one of them penetrating your computer system will cause it to crash.

21

Nov

Keeping Yourself In-The-Know with the Latest PC Security News Updates

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The vast ocean of information that the internet allows people access to is truly amazing. It is sad to say, however, that this wonderful tool also creates a venue for people with malicious minds to prey upon unsuspecting users whether just to inconvenience them or to gain something valuable from them. For this, it is very important to be knowledgeable about the latest news and updates about PC security.

The amount of harmful programs such as spyware, viruses, Trojans and worms that flourish throughout the internet everyday can just be imagined. Experts in PC security could just estimate that computers can only stay safe for just 20 minutes once it goes online, and afterwards it becomes very vulnerable to millions of threats. It is thus essential to know what you and your PC are up to whenever you go online.

Here are the latest news updates about PC Security:

Cyber-crooks victimizing Brazilians – a new Trojan that can see people’s authentication activities through online keyboards has just been discovered in Brazil. The Trojan named Branbra.DCY has the ability to make footages of people entering their authentication details using online keypads and keyboards. Now, people who imbed such a virus may see what information people are putting online, targeting online banking users.

Outpost Firewall Pro users are already protected MS06-040 Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability protection – Software developer Agnitum Ltd. Has assured its users that they are protected from what is considered by the US Department of Homeland Security as the most terrible bug for the month of August. PCs running the security program with Windows are no longer vulnerable to the threat.

Users of Yahoo mail have been hit by the new Yamanner Worm 6 – Yahoo! Mail users have been warned about emails sent by a suspicious address av3@yahoo.com. Although only a few users have been infected by the worm, Yahoo! Still advises people to update their PC security programs and block emails sent from the said address.

Microsoft is releasing a dozen fixes to major and minor glitches in their software – these patches are deemed to increase security in Windows programs and fix certain bugs with Microsoft Office programs. These patches may soon be downloaded via http://www.microsoft.com/security.

Symantec is about to launch a new product that would help protect people making online transactions – the product is known as Symantec Confidential. The program helps people avoid fraudulent sites and malicious authentication monitoring programs.

In a world with many threats, it is best to be protected and in-the-know. Whether it is in the real world or in the virtual world, awareness is power.

18

Nov

Warding Off Computer Threats – Practical PC Security Tips

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The internet has opened up a great world of opportunity for the people of today. However, this great tool has also opened up people’s computers to a vast ocean of threats that could do great damage to a lot of individuals who are quite dependent on technology. For this much priority should be given to PC security.

Multitudes of viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware and other dangerous data lurk online and their damage is growing ever more. In 2003 alone PC viruses have cost a lot of businesses over $55 billion worth of damages and the rate continues to grow. Millions of home computers have also been infected.

The importance of protecting your computer cannot be overstressed. Here are some practical security tips for your pc:

1. Update your Windows regularly and automatically – the power to protect your PC is actually already in your computer. You just have to tap this feature to make sure that your PC is ready to ward off any security threat. It is best that you keep your computer updated with the latest protection patches by having the Windows security system updated automatically.

2. Unhide your PC file extensions – a lot of viruses sent online mask themselves to appear like a harmless file by posing as an innocent picture or sound. Unhide file extensions so that you easily see what files really are. Avoid opening files that have filenames such as .exe .com or .cmd because they may be imbedded with harmful content.

3. Increase the security level of your browser – Web Browsers have security adjustment features that you could raise to increase your level of protection. This will ward off annoying and potentially threatening pop ups and attachments from various websites. Just be sure to register the sites you frequently visit so their features would not be blocked.

4. Be cautious about clicking emailed links – a lot of people catch the viruses themselves without knowing it. Avoid clicking suspicious links forwarded to through email even if they came from your friends or family. Viruses could mimic your contact’s addresses to make you believe that they were forwarded to you by them.

5. Scan email attachments – before opening email attachments, even those who came from trusted sources, be sure to scan them first so that you are sure that they are safe to open. Normal email attachments might still have virus attached to them so you want to be sure you will not get infected.

PC security is a very important matter these days. Follow these tips to increase your protection.

17

Nov

Generating Real Estate Buyers

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“Real estate lead generation” involves linking potential buyers to brokers of real estate. Usually it is a wise decision to utilize “real estate lead generation” service which only uses inbound or incoming leads, which means that the client or buyer makes contact with the lead generator who wants to locate a real estate broker. Here, the lead generator obtains as much information as possible from the buyer so to locate the most suitable real estate broker.

Most businesses want a “real estate” website which can assist them to generate leads. While a few are interested in drawing online buyers, some choose to target brokers or sellers and most want to use their website to aim at both sellers and buyer leads.

When the goal is “real estate lead generation”, the website is just a part of the answer. In such cases, a beneficial “real estate website” should be developed to satisfy a particular targeted viewers as well as it is also constructed to be found.

For instance, a real estate broker who wants to generate buyer leads can greatly benefit from a customized website that is optimized for search engine positioning.

Then, a real estate broker who wants to draw seller leads will gain advantage from a customized website that gives emphasis on the interests and needs of the sellers that bring together marketing outreach and local advertising.

Transforming leads Online to clients

1. Your online prospect. Online leads are usually in the process of researching and collecting data for a possible purchase.

Often these leads are hesitant as to providing accurate contact information. With this, agents are frustrated considering them a waste of time. Surveys show that ninety percent of agents don’t reply to online inquiries.

The key here is to use the correct instrument to efficiently and regularly follow up with them.

2. Manage your client. Focus on your “hot leads” the ones that are nearly ready to purchase, yet still maintaining communication with different sites to know how they’re improving.

3. Respond promptly and personally. Check and open your email at least three times each day and immediately respond to any inquiry that you will receive.

4. Auto Responders. Auto responders automatically respond with a prewritten information or message. Use the auto responder in handling specific requests and inquiries such as questions regarding homebuyer’s checklist or market reports.

17

Nov

Protecting Your Computer from Internet Threats with PC Security Test

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It is absolutely amazing how the internet has opened up a gargantuan mine of information to millions of humans throughout the world. Sadly, the internet has also served as a means through which some parties of malicious intentions would send dangerous items to unsuspecting internet users. This is why it is very essential for any internet user to arm their computers with sufficient protection and this can be done by getting PC Security Test.

The number of viruses, spyware, worms, and Trojans that lurk in cyberspace everyday are almost countless, and anyone who does not have ample means of protection or detection can greatly be affected. In fact, PC security experts estimate that a computer is safe for only about 20 minutes after it begins an internet connection, afterwards, it becomes entirely vulnerable to hacks, spywares or viruses.

While most PCs are generally protected from viruses, a lot of computers are actually not protected from spyware and other malicious software that infect computers. Moreover, the antivirus programs that people keep can easily become outdated and thus while you may be protected during the first few months of owning your PC, you may soon be vulnerable to threats if you do not update your PC security programs as often as they should.

PC users, especially those who are using Microsoft Internet Explorer are an easy target for these threats because they are using the most popular programs that are more often the target of spyware and viruses. These malicious software may attach to the Internet Explorer browser and create suspicious components like toolbars to display annoying pop up advertisements.

How to be Protected Against Such Malicious Content

To be greatly armed against such harmful programs, you need a real-time security scanning software to be used in conjunction with your usual anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall programs. One good example of such a software is PC Security Test which helps your regular PC security programs become more efficient.

What PC Security Test does is it simulates a threat attack and checks how quickly and how efficiently your protection software responds. That way, you are sure that your security protection system is up and running. Perhaps the best thing about PC Security Test is that it is distributed for free.

Making sure you are protected is easy with PC Security test. To get a copy, you simply need to visit http://www.pc-st.com/.

17

Nov

An Overview of PC Security Software Prices

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It cannot be denied that the Internet is indeed a great channel that gives people access to a vast ocean of information. However, being an open venue for data exchange, the internet also becomes a conducive medium to proliferate harmful items that can greatly damage the normal function of people’s life in information technology. This is why there should be a high regard to keeping one’s computer protected by the latest PC security software.

A lot of people still have double thoughts about getting PC security software because of the great expenses of getting one may entail. However, the costs of PC security software are but a minute percentage when compared to the billions lost by several industries to repairing the damages made by data threats. Moreover, one does not really have to spend much to get a good PC security software if one knows how to look for great value at a great price.

Here is an overview of PC Security Software and their Prices:

$50 and Below

SpyWare Doctor 3.5 and 4.5 - $29.95 – reliable protection against spyware

Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5 - $28.00 to $30.00 – perhaps the most popular spyware buster

McAffee Virus Scan 2006 - $12.00 to $50.00 – one of the most reliable and sought after Anti Virus programs in the market

Yahoo Mail! – Free – scans emails at no extra cost, comes with their free email service

OnlyMyEmail Personal - $3.00 – another good email scanner for personal use

Qurb - $30.00 – wards off unwanted Spam from your inbox without eliminating the emails you are expecting to get

Postini Perimeter Manager - $15.00 to $20.00 – another sophisticated spam buster

Zone Alarm Pro 5.5 – $49.95 – nearly perfect firewall that wards off hacker attacks and suspicious software

$50 to $100

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 - $65.00 – all-in-one PC security package, includes spyware, firewall, and antivirus.

Norton Antivirus 2005 - $60.00 – one of the top choices for virus protection, now equipped to fight internet worms

Above $100

eEye Retina Network Security Scanner - $995.00 – excellent protection for PC networks whether running Linux, Unix or Windows

BrightMail Anti-Spam 5.1 - $1,499 – corporate anti-spam software, one of the smartest spam filters that makes sure important
messages are not seen as rubbish.

The above are just some of the many PC security software available out there. Price ranges depend so much on features and reliability. However, you do not really need to spend life and limb to get your PC protected.

The important thing is to get the security software that is right for your purpose and right for your budget.

15

Nov

How to Keep Your Computer Protected with a Regular PC Security Check

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The cyberspace has opened doors of great opportunities to people all over the world. Unfortunately, the opening of a powerful channel has also led to the increased vulnerability of people and their computers to risks that have greatly affected the millions who are dependent on it. It is thus important to make sure that one’s computer is effectively protected and this could be done by a regular PC security check.

Millions of spyware, viruses, Trojans and worms are developed each year, each of them looking for unsuspecting Internet users to prey on. At least $55 Billion was lost because of security damages just in the year 2003, more than double the amount just a few years back, and now the extent could have already tripled.

To increase your computer’s defenses against these risks, it is important to perform a regular PC security check. Here are some ways of doing it:

1. Make sure that your Windows security is always updated. If you are not sure about this, visit Microsoft’s Windows update website www.windowsupdate.com, where you could check if your operating system is up-to-date. You could also download the latest updates in this website to be sure that you have the newest forms of defenses against computer security threats.

2. Be sure that your Anti-virus software definitions are updated as well. Always use the update feature of your anti-virus programs so that they have all the things needed to ward of the latest detected viruses. Your subscriptions for updates might have expired so be ready to renew them.

3. Always run the email attachments you receive through an antivirus scanner before opening them. Even if the email came from a trusted source, you cannot really be sure it is safe to open without scanning and cleaning the file. If you detect something threatening, inform the sender so that they may also do some security actions on their part.

4. Check the filename extensions of the things you get online. Some risky software might mask itself to be an innocent sound or picture file but in reality it is a program that could manipulate your computer. Be wary of opening files that have extensions .exe, .cmd, and .com for they could be executable files that have viruses in them.

5. Always be on the look out for the latest news and updates about viruses that may be lurking all over the net. These may be useful to help you stand guard against dangerous items.

Performing regular PC checks are very important. In a world that is dependent on computers, being secure is a great priority.

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