me_ntal
2007-04-28 00:35:22
So you want to protect your computer?
Your computer is a beautiful machine, but unfourtantly their a certian applications that intentionally ruin your computer, We will examine all of these and inform you on how to protect your computer.
The different risks:
Trojans
Trojans are programs that install themselves or run surreptitiously on a victim's machine. They do not install or run automatically, but may entice users into installing or executing by masquerading as another program altogether.
Worms
A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program, similar to a computer virus. A virus attaches itself to, and becomes part of, another executable program; however, a worm is self-contained and does not need to be part of another program to propagate itself. They are often designed to exploit the file transmission capabilities found on many computers.
Viruses
A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user.
Spyware
Spyware is computer software that collects personal information about users without their informed consent. Personal information is secretly recorded with a variety of techniques, including logging keystrokes, recording Internet web browsing history, and scanning documents on the computer's hard disk.
Keyloggers
Keystroke logging (often called keylogging) is a diagnostic tool used in software development that captures the user's keystrokes. keyloggers are widely available on the Internet and can be used by private parties to spy on the computer usage of others.
The main idea is first to prevent obtaining any of these files:
1. When using emails, Dont open any unneccessary attachments, a avoid reading picture rich junk emails. Dont follow any links to websites that you dont know.
2.Avoid downloading wares or using crack softwear these are often full of trojans and spyware.
3. Always read file extensions, a simple text file might turn out to be a alwful trojan. .txt, .csv, .gif, .jpg, .mp3 files are safe but .doc, .xls, .exe, and even .htm can all have exectuable code. Follow this guide to know how
4.Keep your system softwear always up too date this includes windows, they often patch security flaws and holes on a regular basis.
5. Dont accept files threw msn, espically zipped or rar files these can carry viruses.
6.Always keep a backup of all important data, if you dont have a spare hard drive i advise using mediamax you can store 25gb's of data there for free.
7.Remember viruses can spread through networks so keep your COMPLETE network clean.
8.Dont ever skip a virus scan their scheduled for a reason.
The First way of protecting your self is through the use of a firewall, They are a security device which is configured to permit, deny or proxy data connections set and configured by the organization's security policy. They disable the transmission of data without the users permission as well as stop an unauthorized user gaining acess to your computer.
Windows has a built in firewall but unfourtantly the success of this firewall is limited. So lets provide you with a first defence:
Free Firewalls:
JpFirewall
Comodo
Zone Alarm
Agnitum
SunBelt
As per usual the best firewalls you have to pay for:
Black Ice
LavaSoft
Mcafee
Zone Alarm
Just because you have a firewall dont assume your safe, computers still become infected with a range of malicous files, the best way to combat these are with antivirus softwear and spyware hunting softwear.
Spyware are obtained from a range of sources including emails, and websites espically those adult ones. Below is a list of spyware to destroy these pesky files.
AVG
Spybot
Arovax
AdAware
The next in the stage of protecting your computer is anti-viruses. I will demonstrate the use of avast due to my faith in this softwear
As the same their is a range of free anti-virus's but the best cost money and i do advise spending money to get atleast one of them.
Notorn
Avast
Avast
Avast is a powerful piece of softwear with it having
* Standard Shield — Real-time protection
* IM shield — Instant Messenger protection
* P2P shield — P2P protection
* Internet Mail — E-mail protection
* Outlook/Exchange — Microsoft Outlook/Exchange protection
* Web Shield — HTTP protection (localtransparent proxy)
* Script blocker — script checker
* Network Shield — basic protection against well-known network worms.
* Audible alarms — Vocal warnings such as "Caution, a virus has been detected!"
* Boot-time scan — To remove the hard viruses
You'll notice a little a in a blue circle that spins from time to time, this is avast its constantly running different protecton measures that your able to stop and start as you wish.
To run a virus scan right click the icon and click "start avast!" This screen will pop up give it a minute or two and than wait for the second screen
These are instructions, if you ever need help
Now to run a general virus scan
1. Click the square with the harddrive
2. Click the Play button
To schedule a bootscan
click the arrow than schedule a bootscan.
Than change the options to delete infected file and click ok.
Boot scans take a fair while but are advised to do atleast once or twice a month.