Computer Program Security

Not everyone wants or needs to run a full blown internet security suite. As a bare minimum, however, you should be running an antivirus software
Every computer with access to the internet is vulnerable to attack by cyber-criminals. These intruders are interested in what you have stored on your computer like credit card numbers, bank account details, passwords and so on. By stealing this information they can either use this information themselves or sell it to other criminals.
This is only one part of the picture. The other being that some of these attackers are just interested in using your PC as a means to attack other computers. This way if an attack gets traced, your computer will be the culprit. A lot of spammers work this way.
With the majority of home users using always on, fast cable or DSL connections attacks have been on the increase. It is much easier for a cyber-criminal to target a home user than a corporate network. Corporate networks are usually highly secured while the average home user is not.
Computer program security should be a priority to all of us surfing the internet. A lot of people neglect to pay attention to their computer's security while online. This not only puts themselves but also other people in danger. And the results may come to haunt you.
Maybe you clicked on an email attachment or a link in a webpage containing malicious code. Once you are infected, the spyware program might start to download extra malware to take over your computer. If you are lucky you will see the signs of an infection. The malware will often advertise itself by incessant pop-ups, changing your desktop wallpaper or urging you to download an antivirus program to disinfect your PC.
These are the most common type of infections which are easily detected. You could try to cleanup your PC by scanning it with the appropriate antivirus or antispyware software. If you want to be a 100% sure you got rid of these malicious programs you better format your harddisk and reinstall the operating system.
The most dangerous spyware however is the kind that doesn't announce its presence and quietly sits in the background preying on any information it can capture. It is therefore advisable to scan your PC regularly, but this is a routine most home users do not apply.
You would ideally have a program in place that protects your data, even when you are infected.

Fortunately, these kind of programs do exist. Have a look at http://pcuserinfo.com/reviews/sentrybay-personal-data-protection/ to take your computer program security into you own hands.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_D.

Guide to Internet Security

Image by Channy Yun via Flickr

In the earlier days of the internet, user security wasn't as tight. There were fewer threats to users and those that existed tended to target businesses instead of individuals. Now, however, threats seem to be looming around each and every corner. As computer and internet use has proliferated in the past decade, so has the variety of viruses, malware, spyware, and other security threats. Understanding your computer's security risk, and actively working to protect it, has become a key element in responsible computing.
The Threats
Malware typically presents itself in several forms.
- Viruses - These are small programs that attach to other code and infect it. Viruses can change certain computer settings, corrupt files, or even crash your computer entirely.
- Spyware - This type of software is typically installed on your computer without your knowledge. Its intent is to gather personal information about you. Sometimes spyware may include a key-logger, which transcribes every key you type and compromises passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and anything else you might type out on your computer.
- Phishing scams - Scams are typically e-mails or websites, made to look legit, that ask you for your personal information or credit card information. The goal of these scams is obvious--to gain access to your personal information.
- Spam - Another threat that comes via e-mail, spam can contain spyware hidden in messages that will install itself on your computer.
How to Protect Yourself
Your first line of defense against malware is a firewall. Firewalls monitor all in and out computer traffic and prevent unauthorized communications. While computers typically come with firewalls installed, they are sometimes not as effective as commercial firewalls.
Another crucial defense is to install anti-virus software on your computer. While some anti-virus software is free, this is one area that you don't want to skimp on. If you install a free anti-virus program and your computer is attacked by something that slipped through the cracks, you will end up paying to fix or replace your computer anyway. It is always better to avoid the headache and ensure that your computer is receiving the best security from the get-go. Anti-key-logging and anti-spyware software are also excellent tools to use in conjunction with an anti-virus.
Spam blockers are useful for preventing spam, malicious or not, from entering your inbox. The only down side to spam blockers is that they can sometimes mistake normal e-mails for spam and filter them accordingly. If you are using a spam blocker, it is helpful to check in the box on occasion to be sure that everything is sorted correctly.
Also, on shared computers, always make sure your data is password protected. People often underestimate the security threat posed by others that have direct access to your computer. If you have information that you would not want to make readily available to other users, be sure to password-protect it with a strong password.
Useful Tips

• Ensure that every computer you own that accesses the internet has a virus protection program installed and running.
• Don't open attachments from unknown sources.
• Make your passwords complicated and difficult for others to figure out. Strong passwords make use of numbers, letters, and symbols.
• Avoid sending too much personal information, particularly credit card numbers and bank account numbers, over the internet. If you use a credit card to pay for something online, be sure that the payment system is trustworthy and secure.

Imaging Network Technology is a computer support service that specializes in computer security, 24/7 tech support, and network infrastructure. Visit Imaging Network Technology. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Crystal_Schubert

Computer Security Systems

Image by formalfallacy @ Dublin (Victor) via Flickr

In the present technology-oriented era, most important information is stored on computers. In order to locate and use this critical information, intruders come up with innovative and destructive ways to steal this data. People will endlessly try to break into your computer to find information like your credit card numbers and use it for their benefit.
Computer security is that important and helpful field which designs and implements protection for your computer. A relatively new yet complex field, it doesn’t have much publicized literature, due to the nature of its content. Every year companies invest millions on research and development in this area, making it a lucrative and challenging career.
In the US, users are listening to their software experts and taking their advice to select and use difficult passwords which are not easily deciphered by intruders. People are wary of opening unsolicited emails, and readily upload anti-virus programs to guard their machines.
The firewall program by Microsoft protects your PC from intruders who try to make your machine crash, or steal the required information. Antispyware software from the same company helps protect your computer from known programs which can easily track your browsing patterns.
The hackers may change the settings of your computer without your knowledge. By installing antispyware protection you can have a central location for viewing your computer’s security status and changing the security settings. The program also protects you from harmful viruses. It is important for users to avail the available security systems to protect their computer systems from hackers. A careful approach in using the systems will go a long way in saving your precious data from hackers, and will improve the quality of your PC.

Computer Security provides detailed information on Computer Security, Computer Security Systems, Computer Network Securities, Computer Security Software and more. Computer Security is affiliated with Information Security Systems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton

6 Aspects of a Secure Computer - Keeping Your Computer Safe

A computer is only as good as it's user, and unfortunately there are many, many, many less savvy computer users out there. For you to keep your computer secure, and therefore fast, there are some basic security practices that you must employ.
Protection from Spyware/Adware
Spyware and Adware are programs that are installed without knowledge on your PC. These programs track your internet activity, for the purpose of targeting you with ads, popups, or obtaining private information from you. They slow down your computer, and can be a security risk. To prevent them, you use a free antispyware program.
Recommended: MalwareBytes AntiMalware or Lavasoft's AdAware
Protection from Viruses
Viruses are more dire than spyware, because they intend direct damage to your system, and may have the intent of stealing identity information. Viruses replicate and spread themselves unlike Spyware. To combat viruses you need a well trusted antivirus.
Recommended: Avira AntiVir and Avast! Home Edition are excellent free solutions
Protection from hackers
Hackers attempt direct access to your computer through security gaps. Antispyware and antivirus programs do not protect from this sort of threat, which is the most dangerous of all. If your internet modem or wireless router does not have a built in firewall, you should get a free firewall of your own.
Recommended: PCTools Firewall Plus or Comodo Internet Security Firewall
Wireless Security
If you use a wireless router in your home, chances are it is very easy for anyone within 200 feet of your home to access your signal. This can be dangerous if someone has bad intentions. Set up a wireless password to access your wireless network. If you don't know how to do this, ask any manual you have for your router, or ask the company.
Good Passwords
Passwords do nothing if they are not chosen well. A secure password should be longer than 7 characters, and contain at least one number/symbol and a mixture of upper and lower case letters. In addition, you should not use the same password everywhere you have an account.
Safe Email
Be weary of what you open. If you do not recognize the sender or subject, do not open it, especially if the email contains an attachment. Common sense is the best medicine here.
If you follow these security practices, you should remain a safe computer user. Rest easy knowing that you won't be one of the many victims of online crime, or have to use your hard-earned money on replacing your computer every few years due to infections.

Nick Dimon writes about computer security and maintenance on his site http://www.crappycomputer.com/ with the purpose of informing and teaching users how to get what they deserve from their machines.

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Remove Viruses From Your Computer - Tips and Tricks

Removing a computer virus in your computer can be a scary task.
Even the most experience computer tech might have a difficult challenges without the right software.
Technology has revolutionized the way we see the world. We are now able to have a conversation virtually face-to-face with someone in the other side of the world via messenger absolutely free.
Personal computers (PCs) since its introduction to the public in the mid 80s have changed our lives. Allowing the public to automate daily task, personal computers (PCs) have become critical tools to our everyday life.
However, since the birth of the internet for public usage back in the mid-late 90s, hackers have found a breeding ground.
Hackers are software developers that create programs to attack computer systems. One the most sophisticated software ever developed focuses on disabling antivirus programs by attacking PC's registry (PC database). Once antivirus software is disabled in a persona computer, it becomes an easy target for any attack. Hijack programs are responsible for scanning your computer for any credit card information stored in your computer or internet browser (including credit card transactions, online banking password and ID, etc).  But, what is spyware and how dangerous is it?  Spyware (hijack programs) are automatically installed in your computer without the users' consent and many times users are deceived to allow the programs to automatically install while surfing the internet.
The source of spyware can be an email, an infected internet page, or even an infected CD that installs information into your computer.
Spyware attacks in your computer can ruin your computer, your financial status, steal your identity, and use your computer as a hijack system to attack other computers.  It's recommended to keep your antivirus up date and never open emails that you might not recognize, since emails with attachments are the easier way for spyware to access your computer.   What are the symptoms?
While accessing the internet do you experience?
- Slow page download - Pop-ups
- Sudden freeze (Computer won't respond)
- Blue Screen with white letters (known as the blue screen of death)
- Computer won't respond after you turn it on.
Any of these symptoms might indicate that your system might be hijacked and it's recommend that you take to any computer repair place (which can be very pricey). Also, not following the correct steps can endanger your personal information such as or credit cards, or online banking login information.   Also, it's recommended that you find a good program that can cure your registry. THE REGISTRY IS THE MOST HEART AND MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR COMPUTER!! Good software will remove the spyware from the registry and remove any threats.
Hope my article provided you with helpful information
Good luck and stay safe.

For free antivirus help visit Help my computer. I'm a computer system analyst always looking out for new technology to be studied and discovered. Pride on providing the community up to date information on the newest gadgets, or internet driving news... Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raul_Guerridos