New Technology Reviews!.: Securing

Tips For Securing Your PC Properly

Viruses are easy to detect and remove, but the case is not the same with Spywares and Adwares. These malwares keep on running in background and most probably you won't see anything strange going in your computer besides a decrease in you computer's performance when lots of malwares infect your PC and keep on running in background or a single spyware/adware using up large amounts of your system resources. Installing security packages like Norton Internet Security are not enough to protect you against these threats, thou they are effective against computer viruses and hacking attacks, but not provide enough resistance for other kinds of malwares and besides that use up most of your system resources. So just installing a single security package is not enough, you need to properly setup security softwares on your PC.1)Antivirus:Unlike spywares or adwares, viruses can't access our PC directly through a website. Instead they need to be kept in a file and executed through there. So handling viruseses is the easiest of all the other types of malwares. First thing you need to do is to select an antivirus below:(i) NOD32 ( trial )(ii) AVG Free Edition ( free )NOD32 is better of the two, but AVG is very close to it. If you think you want to spend some money on your antivirus then go for NOD32 because it has the higher detection rate than any other antivirus for viruses which are not discovered yet or not added to their virus definitions, otherwise AVG Free Edition is highly recommended. Both are great antiviruses and selecting any one of them will provide enough protection from any kind of viruses.NOTE: Whatever is your choice, make sure you keep your antivirus definitions updated, turn on auto updates in the antivirus's control panel.2)Firewalls:Computer hackers may try to gain access to your computer, this can be prevented by installing a firewall in your system. Users may need to setup their firewalls if their firewall is inteferring with their connection or any other program, so if you think you can't go through all that then simply use Windows Firewall which is at the moment only available for Windows XP, service pack 2. If you don't have that operating system then you need to install a third party firewall. Pick a firewall below:(i)ZoneAlarm Pro ( trial download )(ii)ZoneAlarm FREE ( free )You can try any of the two firewalls above, or if you have Windows Firewall available and don't think you need any high level security then simply enable windows firewall from your windows's control panel and avoid installing any other firewall.3)Anti Ad/Spywares:With all the increasing amounts of adwares & spywares in web sites, a simple detect and remove anti-spyware/adware system is not enough. Adwares and Spywares can easily bypass search security systems and keep running in background. To be secured from them, you need to use programs which will continuously track any background activities in your system and alert you whenever a suspicious activity is taking place. You can use any one of the following programs for that:(i)Spyware Terminator ( free )(ii)Winpatrol ( free )From the two softwares above, Spyware Terminator is highly recommended. After you've installed any one of the two softwares above, it will alert you as soon as a suspicious background activity takes place, never choose an option without properly reading the popup alert and hit decline if you see an unexpected action. These prompts may appear especially when you are installing a new softwares, declining those action will result in an aborted setup so be careful while making your selection. If you get a prompt about which you are not sure whether its a malware or a program supposed to run, simply choose Decline as that won't affect anything but allowing a malware to run will. You can periodically scan your PC with softwares such as Adware SE to check for any additional adwares or spywares.NOTE: Spyware Terminator besides monitoring your PC's background activities also acts as a detect and remove system so make sure you keep its definitions up to date. Theres an auto-update system available, make sure its always enabled. Also keep your Adware SE definitions up to date, you can either update it from the build-in feature or simply download the definitions file from here and place it in your Adware SE root ( main ) directory, the same where its executable is placed.- Article Ends Here - - Site: [http://www.secure100.info]	 	 		 			 				 					 						I am Ryan, after researching on the internet for some time i found out that most PCs always lacked one of more security softwares. General users normally feel comfortable after installing a security package like Norton Internet Security or similar packages and skip installing any spyware remover and others install a basic antivirus and then nothing else, even that with pre-historic virus definitions. I felt the need to design a site which would provide basic information on how to secure a computer properly, which are easily to follow and besides that also wanted to submit a supporting article for that so here it is.

Tips For Securing Your PC Properly

Viruses are easy to detect and remove, but the case is not the same with Spywares and Adwares. These malwares keep on running in backgrou...

Securing Your Computer From Viruses

Fixing a bug or virus on your computer can be easy, if you have the right software, and if you don't you may end up working the day just to keep your computer from blowing up. I have a couple recommendations for you that will keep your home computer safe and free from virus programs, malware and security hacks.The first thing you should do when you get a brand-new computer is to get a program called Ghost. What Ghost will do is take an exact copy of your hard drive and store it somewhere that you identify. So if my hard drive crashes, all I have to do is get my ghost image put it on my computer and my computer will once again look and act just like it did before my computer crashed. Norton ghost is a great program, is very easy to use and I highly recommend it.So now you've taken an image of your computer, if you have purchased ghost. What you need to do is install an antivirus program. There are a number of free antivirus programs online or you can purchase one. I am a computer technician, and I prefer to use the free antivirus programs, and specifically the Avasti program. So do a search on Google for free antivirus software and you will find a number of different antivirus programs to download. I would also look at the reviews and recommendations from others who've installed these programs.So once you've installed your antivirus software you'll need to run it to check your hard drive and make sure it is not corrupted with any worms or viruses, if you have the software. Clean your computer system first before you take an image of it. If your hard drive is clean and clear of viruses than use Norton ghost to take advantage of your hard drive and store it on a separate hard drive.Finally, one of the other items I do to secure my computers iced install a firewall software. As with the antivirus software there are many different firewall software is available for free online. Do your research and find the firewall software that will work best for you and your computer. The firewall software will help keep intruders away from hacking into your system. Nothing is 100% preventable, but the firewall software will help you secure your computer.So if you've done all of the steps above your computer should be fairly secure. Download and install an antivirus software program to make sure your computer is clear. Take a ghost image of your hard drive and store it somewhere. And finally install the firewall software and configure. At least once a week make sure you run your antivirus software to scan your hard drive for new and additional virus programs that may have been installed on your system.	 	 		 			 				 					 						For information on <a href="http://rollupelectricpiano.info/electronic-piano-keyboard/" target="_new">Electronic Piano Keyboard</a> try visiting our blog about <a href="http://rollupelectricpiano.info/?p=17" target="_new">Roll UP Piano Keyboard</a> and more music news and reviews.

Securing Your Computer From Viruses

Fixing a bug or virus on your computer can be easy, if you have the right software, and if you don't you may end up working the day j...

8 Tips For Securing Your Home Computer

Security is something that everyone has to stay up with nowadays with all the credit card fraud and identity fraud in the news. There are many things that you can do to help keep your computer and your self safe. Follow these 8 steps and you will be better protected against security threats.Turn off unnecessary processes There are alot of programs that run in the background of your computer and some of those programs open up ports that can allow a hacker into your computer. By shutting down these programs that are most of the time unnecessary we can eliminate the amount of ports we have open on a computer. Install Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware This one is an absolute necessity for anyone who has a computer that is connected to the internet. An up to date anti-virus anti-malware program can be bought just about anywhere including online. One popular option is Symantec which has a full featured program to cover everything. Some other third party software also works well. Adware Bot and Spy No More - Anti Spyware Turn on Windows Firewall or install a personal firewall As was mentioned in tip number 1 we have ports open on our computer that can possibly allow a hacker in. Windows firewall (which comes free with windows) can block these types of ports. You can also purchase a third party firewall program that will help block these ports. There are many third party companies that provide excellent firewall programs. Firewall Gold Have a router between you and the internet Some ISP (internet service providers) such as cable allow you to plug into their modem and it gives your computer a public IP address. By installing a router between your ISP modem and your computer you can not only share your internet connection but you are also protecting yourself by not publishing your IP address to the internet. A simple router is pretty inexpensive depending on the features that you get with it like wireless. Places like Best Buy and Global Computers have these routers. Disable the computer guest account The guest account for windows XP Professional is disabled by default but it is always a good idea to check and make sure. Keep computer up to date with the latest Windows updates and anti-virus definition updates. Windows workstations need to be constantly update in order to keep them secure. You can go to Windows Updates and get free Microsoft Windows updates. Virus definition updates need to be purchased from the company Backup important data Backuping up data is not really a security item to keep your computer secure but more to keep you secure. Should your computer happen to be hacked or just crash if your data is backed up you will not lose your data. Only download and install trusted software One of the most common ways computers get viruses and malware is from software downloaded off of the internet. Certain programs downloaded from unknown sources contain viruses embedded within the program. The best way to protect yourself against this is to not download software unless it is from a site that is totally trusted. By following these eight steps you can significantly decrease your risk at being hacked or infected by a virus. The most important thing is to use common sense and you will stay protected.	 	 		 			 				 					 						Mike Walton has been in the technology field for over 8 years and has 6+ years in hospitality technolgy. Mike has experience with Microsoft Windows Server 2000, 2003, Windows 98, XP, and Vista, Networking, Cisco Equipment, PCI DSS, and many more. Mike Walton is also the founder of MikeNet PC Free Articles and Videos. <a href="http://www.mikenetpc.com" target="_new">http://www.mikenetpc.com</a>

8 Tips For Securing Your Home Computer

Security is something that everyone has to stay up with nowadays with all the credit card fraud and identity fraud in the news. There are...

Securing Your Computer

The moment your computer connects to the Internet, you're leaving your computer to be exploited by viruses, hackers, and all sorts of malware, even if the computer is unattended! For any computer connected to the Internet, security is a must to defend against online threats.A good first step is protecting your surfing experience by upgrading or switching your web browser. Always check to see if your web browser has a new version available. A newer version of a browser usually protects fixes the security flaws of a previous version and can add new functionality to increase your web experience. Sometimes, switching to another web browser can offer a better return in security than upgrading it. Switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox is an example. Internet explorer is an extremely popular web browser: over 80% of computer users run this software to browse the Internet. Internet Explorer's popularity is what makes the browser an also popular target for malicious websites and programs to exploit. What makes Internet Explorer and Firefox so different if both just browse the net? Their differences lie all "under the hood" of how the software runs and how tight the code is from flaws and bugs. This is why a security hole can apply in one browser but not in another. Download Firefox free at firefox.com and secure you web surfing. Firefox will take minute or two to download depending on your connection and setting it up is a breeze!A web browser is a makes up the first level of defense when you're online browsing but what about when you're not browsing? Windows has hundreds of communication ports that deal with internet traffic. You're web browser only deals with a few when its in use. Whats watching over the other ports? Hopefully, you have a firewall because an unprotected port is vulnerable to outside attacks. The reality of this happening to you is very high: a person, without much hacking know-how, can easily sweep a small country for unprotected computers in a few days using special programs and steal and corrupt you data. A firewall closes communication ports not in use; and, for all other open ports, the firewall uses logic to reject traffic from a questionable source. Windows XP comes with its own built-in firewall to protect you from inbound attacks but not from outbound from inside your computer if its already compromised by malware. Luckily you can prevent the latter by simply avoiding websites and downloads known for packing malware. You can complement or even replace your Windows firewall with another dedicated commercial firewall that can protect you from both inbound and outbound attacks.You can research a bit on what each firewall provides and their licenses they give to the end-user to see what appeals to you. With a computer protected by a secure web browser, a powerful firewall, and a careful user, the need for an anti-virus is optional. Just remember a firewall can prevent online attacks, but can't stop infections.After a web browser and a firewall, an anti-virus program can make up your third layer of defense in fighting an online threat before it can infect your computer. Modern anti-virus programs come with real-time scanning engines to delete a virus once it enters your computer's memory. If you've been using a computer for a while and never ran an anti-virus scan, you may be infected and don't even know it. Some commercial anti-virus companies offer a free diagnoses of your computer through their website and remedies. Its important to know if you're computer is "clean" before trying any computer-safety practices mentioned in this article, or what ever you do won't go as planned. If your computer comes out clean, just have a firewall on and be careful on how you surf the web; you don't have to have a anti-virus and save on computer resources unless you want to! If you're computer is always exposed to questionable files or used by people who aren't as security-savvy as you, then an anti-virus is another must. Take for example if a person is ferrying their work with a flash drive from your computer to a computer at school and back again. School computers are notorious for being virus-ridden because of the many students that recklessly use the computer. If you have people sharing the computer, you should put up an anti-virus to protect the computer from the possibly unsafe surfing habits.Remember though that no anti-virus software can possible catch every virus created. Hundreds are made every month and anti-virus programs can only catch the most common ones. In last ditch efforts in dealing with a virus not detected by an anti-virus, you'll need to back up and scan your important files, reformat your hard drive, and reinstall your operating system. This fact about viruses doesn't put you in immediate danger yet; your computer's chances of catching a rare or a brand-new virus is proportionally small. Follow safe computer practices!Finally, your last defense is your operating system. Generally, it is the weakest and pretty much the target of hackers and malware but it does give some protection that is well complemented with firewall and anti-virus protection. For example, Windows XP prevents important system files from being changed or deleted to an extent and can disable permissions of regular accounts to edit system settings. Such features can only be found in new versions of Windows. Older versions such as Windows 98 and Windows ME don't benefit from the same security features as Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Upgrading to a new stable version of Windows is a good thing.All of the recommendations mentioned lead to a protected and productive computer.	 	 		 			 				 					 						You can email me at <a href="mailto:sl.penguin@yahoo.com">sl.penguin@yahoo.com</a> to give your comments.David is a young computer technician that loves to learn. Original Source: <a href="http://computerstuff.ath.cx/" target="_new">computerstuff.ath.cx</a>

Securing Your Computer

The moment your computer connects to the Internet, you're leaving your computer to be exploited by viruses, hackers, and all sorts of...

Securing Wireless Fidelities Against Infidels

Wireless internet has become the hippest form of going online. It is very convenient and it affords its users extreme mobility as it is also compatible with mobile gears and gadgets. However, wireless networks are very vulnerable to intruder attacks especially if you don't have it secured. With most American homes subscribing to wireless internet, the more important is it to secure these networks and the computers connected to it, using different levels of security.Level 1: EncryptionEncryption technologies scramble data and communications over the network which makes your information unreadable to people who might try to hack into the system. These encryption technologies come in the form of passwords or passphrases that you have to key in before you will be allowed to connect to a certain network. WEP/WPA security ensures that only persons who know the passphrase will be able to connect to the network and take advantage of its internet connectivity.When creating passwords for your network, avoid using your phone number, birth date or anything that might contain easily guessed information about yourself. Creating strong passwords is the key to protecting your network from potential threats.Level 2: SSID BroadcastingBy default, the default name of your network is your router's brand. This network name is also known as the SSID. Having them disabled will protect you from hackers, identity theft criminals and other people with malicious motives who might hack into your network.Disabling your SSID will make your network "invisible." No one will detect that your network is open so if there are any hackers around scanning for networks that they want to victimize next, they will not scan yours.Level 3: Pre-set password and username on router's configuration pageEach router page has its own username and password. By default, the username is "admin" and the password is either "admin" or "password." This is one pass code that is universal to all router brands. Of course, any hacker or criminal will definitely know these pass codes so if they are able to connect to your network, they can tweak the configuration page of your router and this can render your network or router, unusable.Level 4: Firewall settingsYour router has its own firewall that is built in within the system. This firewall prevents other people from accessing your network and the computers connected to it. You can adjust your firewall settings to allow all applications in your network to get online, or adjust it specifically for your settings to allow only specific applications to connect. Your operating system, depending on its version and brand, may also have its own firewall settings which can also help secure your network.Level 5: Anti-virus and anti-spyware softwareIt cannot be emphasized enough how important it actually is to protect your computer from viruses, spywares and malwares. Thousands of these malicious programs are created everyday and if you don't update your security software, chances are, you will still be prone to being infected because virus definitions are not updated in your computer.	 	 		 			 				 					 						Tina L. Douglas is a well established author on the topic of identity theft.For more advice and information on <a href="http://5identitytheftprotection.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">identity theft protection</a>, just click on the link.

Securing Wireless Fidelities Against Infidels

Wireless internet has become the hippest form of going online. It is very convenient and it affords its users extreme mobility as it is a...