Computer Interest Group

The information at the following web site appears to offer sound advice and
recommend some of the best products for online protection. Take a look at:
http://surfthenetsafely.com/

Other web sites offering advice about Internet Security are at:
http://staysafeonline.info/
http://komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=8854
http://members2.1stnetusa.com/~a/comintsec/
http://www.celticsurf.net/webscape/abuse.html

Online Threats

1. Viruses
2. Worms
3. Trojan Horses
4. Crackers
5. Malware
6. Spyware
7. Adware
8. Malicious HTML code in email
9. Phishing email
10. Spam email
11. Cookies

Discussion Items:
Active “X” and infected web sites.

Windows XP so called Firewall.

Don’t let your computer become a Zombie.

No matter what your browsing habits, you will get spyware or, at the very least,
tracking cookies.

Keyloggers – becoming more of a threat.

Spy software disguised as a greeting card – see: http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=6375

Some online movies infected with Trojan Horses and more.
For more about this see: http://www.benedelman.org/news/010205-1.html
A quote from this web site: "All told, the infection added 58 folders, 786 files,
and an incredible 11,915 registry entries to my test computer."
- Would you like to try to clean the infections from this computer?

Is it a Virus or a Hoax. Many emails are sent that warn about this virus or that
virus. Most of these emails spread warnings that are a hoax. Get the straight
scoop and don't spread a hoax, go to:
http://snopes.com/computer/virus/virus.asp or visit one of the websites of the
Anti-Virus software companies to find if the warning is real or a hoax.



First steps to being secure.
1. Keep Windows Updated with the latest patches.
2. Install an Antivirus program and keep it updated.
3. Install a Firewall program. For broadband connections, you will also need a
      hardware firewall as well as a software firewall.
4. Install and run regularly at least 2 anti-spyware programs and keep them
updated.

Other suggestions:
Outlook Express email program – Do Not Use Preview pane.
DO NOT Open ANY ATTACHMENTS unless you are expecting them..
Use the MailWasher program or some other Spam control program. See http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,20000,00.asp
or http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2054.html for FREE version 2.0.40
or http://www.mailwasher.net/ for MailWasher Pro version 4.1.9.

Control what starts up when Windows loads (I know that WinPatrol and
Spy Sweeper do this.)

Make your new computer safe before connecting to the internet.
Tests show that an unprotected computer will be attacked in less
than a minute after connecting to the internet.
6 steps to help secure your brand-new PC

See also: 5 Essential Steps To PC Security

To stay on top of the ever changing world of computers, you may wish to
check out these Computer Tips web sites.
Kim Komando at: http://www.komando.com/
Fred Langa at: http://www.langa.com/
Technology Corner (local radio show) at: http://www.610tech.net/
Terry Stockdale at: http://www.terryscomputertips.com/

Computer Genealogy Newsletter covering genealogy and computer information
see: Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter at: http://www.eogn.com/



Free Online Virus Scan Web Sites:
TrendMicro Housecall at: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda Software at:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
McAfee at: http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?cid=9435



Free Online Anti-Spyware Scan Web Sites:
Pest Patrol at: http://www.my-etrust.com/products/pestscan/index.cfm
SpySweeper at: http://www.webroot.com/services/spyaudit_03.htm
Zone Labs at: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/promotions/spywarescanner/index.jsp?lid=home_scanner

Free Online Virus and Security Scan Web Site:
Symantec (Norton) at:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym

Free Anti-Virus Software:
AVG at: http://free.grisoft.com
Avast at: http://www.asw.cz/index.html

Other Anti-Virus Programs:
McAfee Anti-Virus at: http://us.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=av
Norton Anti-Virus at: http://www.symantec.com/homecomputing/
Panda Anti-Virus at: http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/default.asp
TrendMicro Anti-Virus at: http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm
several others.

Free Firewall Software:
ZoneAlarm at:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

The importance of using a Firewall is explained at:
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=8163

Several other Firewall programs are available, some Free and others fee based.
Test your Firewall at any of these web sites:
http://www.dslreports.com/scan
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2

See Firewall Leak Test Scoreboard at: http://grc.com/lt/scoreboard.htm

FREE Anti-Spyware Software:
Lavasoft's Adaware at: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

FREE Spybot Search & Destroy at:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

FREE aboutBuster at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html

Windows Defender at: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Other Anti-Spyware programs:
SpyCatcher at: http://www.tenebril.com/
Spy Sweeper at: http://www.webroot.com/
SpywareBlaster at: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

For more on good anti-spyware programs see:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy

NOTE: Not all anti-spyware programs are what they seem. Some actually plant
spyware and other bad programs on your computer, and others do little or
nothing at all in finding and removing spyware.

Anti-Spyware Programs to avoid:

1. My NetProtector

2. Virtual Bouncer
What is Virtual Bouncer and what exactly does it do?

Virtual Bouncer stays resident in background. It hides itself from the computer
user. It drive-by installs, phones home after install, gives itself the right (in the
EULA) to download and install software from its servers, and you have to pay
them for a subscription with a credit card to have it removed, then opt out of
having the subscription automatically renewed. Would you want to give these
folks your Credit Card number?

3. NoAware

4. PAL Spyware Remover

5. SpyAssault

6. SpyBlocs 2

7. Spyware Stormer

8. XoftSpy

For more of these suspect, rogue anti-spyware programs see:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products

FREE Startup Menu Monitor, Anti-Spyware, and More:
WinPatrol at: http://www.winpatrol.com/



FREE Google Toolbar with Popup Blocker:
http://toolbar.google.com/?promo=gdl-tb-en



Alternative Internet browser:
Firefox (FREE) http://www.mozilla.org

Mozilla (FREE) http://www.mozilla.org/products/mozilla1.x/

Netscape (FREE) http://www.netscape.com

Opera (FREE) http://www.opera.com

NOTE:
If you change from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to another browser, DO NOT
remove or delete Internet Explorer from your computer. It is needed to use the
update the Windows Update feature or download anything from the Microsoft
Windows operating system web site at: http://www.windowsupdate.com/



Check your computer’s security using “Shield’s Up” at:
http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2
How well is your Firewall protecting you? See also: http://www.auditmypc.com/

Are you wide open to hackers? http://psi.hackerwhacker.com/freetools.php

Other useful web sites:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
http://www.iamnotageek.com/

Disclaimer

The computer related information presented on this web site is provided as a courtesy to others. Products mentioned are within the scope of a hobbyist's need and may not be appropriate for you, for your home or commercial use. While I expect that the information presented here is accurate and should be helpful, I make no guarantees as to its accuracy, applicability, or adequacy to protect your system or that the information is up to date. I do not have experience with all the products mentioned on these pages. Products and techniques mentioned here may not be appropriate or adequate for your needs. If you choose to rely on information presented on this website, you do so at your own risk.