VIRUSES AND SPYWARE
Spyware and Spam mail now accounts for more than 40% of the worlds internet traffic. Because of this, it is essential that you are properly protected. Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 is one of the best security applications available and is highly recommended by Norman Computer Services Ltd. If you are unsure whether you are properly protected, give us a call and we can get it organised.
1: SPYWARE
Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to collect information about a user, their computer or browsing habits without the user's informed consent.
While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity. Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet or functionality of other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software.
2: VIRUS
Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.
A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.
Viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open e-mail attachments unless you know who it's from and you are expecting it.
Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.
Viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.
3: SPAM
E-mail spam, also known as junk e-mail, is a subset of spam that involves nearly identical messages sent to numerous recipients by e-mail. A common synonym for spam is unsolicited bulk e-mail (UBE). Definitions of spam usually include the aspects that email is unsolicited and sent in bulk.
4: PROGRAMS
There are many free downloadable programs designed to remove spyware from your computer, but finding the right one can be a little daunting. To make your lives easier, NSCL have put together a selection of well known and highly effective programs that you can download and install on your PC to help protect you from spyware infections in the future. From the list below select a program to begin the download. Once downloaded, install the software by double clicking the icon.
Using this software will clean up your machine but may remove some damaged programs which will then cease to function. On a badly infected machine, Windows may need serious repair work carrying out so, if you are unsure about any of this, bring your computer to us and we will sort it out properly.
SPYBOT 1.62 - Spybot is fastly becoming one of the most popular spyware removal tools on the internet. Easy to use and easy to install, there is no reason why it should not be on your PC!
AD-AwareAE 2008 - Ad-Aware is one of the longest running spyware removal tools available. A sleek and easy to understand interface makes it a top choice for home users.
Malware Bytes - Problematic spyware is often difficult to find let alone remove. Use this program when all else fails.
Norman Computer Services Ltd April 28, 2009