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Computer Help for Seniors (and Other Newbies)
COMPUTER SECURITY
Some of the many signs that your computer is infected with a virus, worm, or spyware (all together known as malware):
- Internet browsing may be slow
- Your computer may be slower and take more time to start
- Your computer crashes and freezes more often
- The home page for your browser has changed and you can't change it back
- New favorites that you didn't create may appear
- A new toolbar may appear
- You can't always get to the page you want - often being directed to an unknown page
- If you can't get to antivirus or security web sites
- Pop-ups appear, even when you are not on the web
- A barrage of pornographic web sites
- New icons appear on the desktop, taskbar, or system tray
- Your computer dials the phone on its own
- Unexpected messages or images appear
- unusual sounds or music played at random
- Programs suddenly start on your computer
- The light on your computer's main unit flashes and you are not doing anything
- Internet Explorer freezes
StopBadware
StopBadware's mission is to help educate consumers and average internet users about badware, and to help the community fight back. We hope that "Trends in Badware 2007" can help clear the fog around online dangers and empower ordinary internet users to take charge of their computers' security.
This FREE online virus scanner is a great way to find out if you have any viruses or spyware on your machine without having to uninstall your current antivirus software or install a new one. Most importantly, you can see what viruses your current antivirus software let slip through! You just need to be online and using Internet Explorer.
The Top 10 Most Annoying, Frustrating, Irritating, and Sinister Online Ads
They're well beyond bells and whistles: Advertisers are flashing, honking, slithering, and sometimes delivering malware to get your attention.
Ten Rules of Common Sense Computing and virus defense
Links to FREE security software programs
phishing - The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into giving up private information that will be used for identity theft. The email directs the user to visit a web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user's information. Click on logo below and go to the bottom of the page
Watch Out for "Phishing" Emails
Attempting to Capture Your Personal Information
What you should do to secure your computer
- Install and use antivirus programs
- Keep your system patched
- Use care when reading email with attachments
- Install and use a firewall . A firewall acts as a gatekeeper between your computer and all the other machines that make up the Internet. Why do we need such a gatekeeper? It's because the nature of communication across computer networks allows for a loophole that can be exploited by malicious hackers.
- Make backups of important files and folders
- Use strong passwords
- Use care when downloading and installing programs
- Install and use a hardware firewall
- Install and use a file encryption program and access controls
Home Computer Security
Use and Maintain a Firewall
Spyware Stoppers: PC World's Review of the Best
Renegade programs can slip into your system in an instant -- and they can be maddeningly difficult to banish. Our tests reveal the most powerful tools for fighting back
For those of you who like the convenience of an all-in-one security package (typically anti-virus, anti-spyware, spam filtering and a firewall),
PC World’s rating of the top packages (NOT FREE)
McAfee Internet Security 2008 trounces Norton Internet Security 2008, offering a better designed product with more security tools.
A Word to the Wise
Don't download any attachments from senders you don't know or files you have not requested. Email is the primary way people get viruses. A friend can unknowingly send you an infected message. Unless you are 100 % sure of what the attachment is, don't open it. Get an antivirus program.
You can download a FREE version of AVG Antivirus by Grisoft. This program will scan email attachments and will stop them before they infect your system.
Is the free version of AVG going away? No, it's not. You may download the FREE Version 8 here: 
avast! 4 Home Edition is a full-featured antivirus package designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. Our company offers the Home Edition FREE of charge, since, in our opinion, it is possible to avoid global virus spreading by efficient prevention; however, many users are not able to or do not want to pay for antivirus software.
Virustotal is a service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines.
Tools to Prevent Identity Theft
The FTC received over 255,000 identity theft complaints in 2005. The true number of victims is likely much greater, and growing. many people are not sure how to report signs of fraud. Worse, many victims may be unaware that anything is wrong.
It's a cruel world. Protect yourself
Dangers continue to grow on the Internet. It is a rare day that does not bring a new virus, worm or some other type of threat.
Stop Thieves From Stealing From You
Bid in Online Auctions and Avoid ID Theft
If your holiday shopping includes bidding on online auction sites, use these 10 tips to help protect yourself and avoid possible auction fraud.
Safe Web Surfing Utilities
Avoid picking up viruses and other malware--and protect your privacy--with these downloads..
Your Identity Has Been Stolen: A 24-Point Recovery Checklist
The most commonly reported form of identity theft filed with the FTC was credit card fraud, followed by phone or utilities fraud, and bank (electronic funds transfer) and employment fraud. The following list will walk you through the steps that will help you recover your identity and restore your credit rating
Trend Micro Hijack This
This FREE utility generates an in depth report of registry and file settings from your computer. It does not separate between safe and unsafe settings in its scan.The results give you the ability to selectively remove items from the scan results identified as malicious or unwanted. Although a valuable too, care should be used when deleting anything. Get help from a knowledgeable friend. click on the link below.
How to Recognize "Spoofed" Web Sites
A spoofed web site looks like a legitimate site but is designed to steal your personal information. Protect yourself by verifying that the site you are visiting is secure and authentic using these techniques.
Minimize Online Risks - 9 Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself
The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
This tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific,prevalent malicious software. Click on the logo below.
Spyware, Viruses, & Security: Don't Update With That Update.exe
Some malware authors send nasty email messages with "Security Updates", released by a well known software vendor.
How to Choose Good Passwords
You may not be able to prevent someone from cracking your password, but you can seriously slow them down with a really strong password.
A good password should be long and should consist of letters, number, and symbols.
KeePass is a free password manager which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole database. (Use the KeePass 1.09 (Windows Installer EXE to download)
Top 4 Free Windows Password Recovery Tools
Designed to protect children from inappropriate content
This free tool works as advertised. Naomi monitors all content coming in via the Internet, from Web browsers, RSS feeds, chat programs, and so on. It shuts down the browser or other program when it encounters objectionable content.
Developed by a nonprofit organization, ParentalControl Bar is designed to keep children away from inappropriate Web content. . The program automatically blocks nudity and explicit sexual material. Parents can choose whether to block violence, strong language, chat rooms and message boards, and "potentially harmful activities". ParentalControl Bar also tracks user activity while in Child Mode, allowing parents to keep tabs on their children's online activities.
If you receive an e-mail message that claims to be distributing a Microsoft security update, it is a hoax that may contain malware or pointers to malicious Web sites. Microsoft does not distribute security updates via e-mail.
To receive automatic notifications whenever Microsoft Security Bulletins and Microsoft Security Advisories are issued or revised, subscribe to Microsoft Technical Security Notifications .
How to Generate a New Identity
Sick of those nosy websites that require all your personal details just to register? Generate a new identity that you can use to complete registration.
Test Suspicious Files for Malware
Any file you download (or borrow) should be sent through a free web based file testing service that will check it for malware using multiple anti-virus and spyware engines.
Jotti currently uses 20 different anti-virus scanners
Virus Total uses 32
Using one of these services can't guarantee that a file is 100% free of malware, but it's a lot safer than installing an unknown program.
Beware of So-called Social Networks.
Most social networks these days let you to import your email address book in some way (Twitter is the latest), but most make it clear if they’re about to mail your contacts.
One site that’s catching people off guard is Quechup: there have been a lot of complaints about them lately.
The issue lies with their “check for friends” form: during signup you’re asked to enter your email address and password to see whether any of your friends are already on the service. Enter the password, however, and it will proceed to mail all your contacts without asking permission. This has led to many users issuing apologies to their friends for “spamming” them inadvertently.
Use LinkScanner Lite - Free
Automatically inspect search results for exploits, hacked sites, fraud/crimeware, and other online threats.
BHODemon
Disable harmful Internet Explorer plug-ins with a single click.
Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone.
It has been defined as the use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet, by an individual or group of individuals, to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization. The behavior includes false accusations, monitoring, the transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and gathering information for harassment purposes.
Click here for more information: Cyberstalking
Maintain Shared Computers In A Safe State
Secunia: Online Software Inspector
Secunia is a Web application. It runs right from your browser. After it finishes running, you'll get a report of your programs. It will tell you what updates are needed.
Please click on the above letter. Click the To.. on the email and add your friends.