Friday, August 24, 2007

Spyware Remover Software – How To Choose The Right One

Nowadays, spyware remover software is a must-have software product that is designed to protect your PC from possible online attacks. If your PC is used for work or any other important activities, then you cannot afford not to have one. But how do you choose the right software product? There are many of them out there, and you need to make sure to have high quality application that will do the job.

First of all, spyware and adware are simple programs running on your PC that can send out data to a third party server about your online activities or personal information. As the internet grew for the past 7 years, more people started shopping online and exchange very important information. This has also attracted so called hackers that try to intercept the data being sent from your computer for their own material benefits.

There are a few software applications out there that allow you to scan your PC free of charge, but they don't always provide updated definitions of all the spyware and internet viruses out there.

Here are just a few tips you should consider before buying a spyware remover software:

- Does the merchant have a proven track record in the industry
- Do they offer a free trial
- The cost of the software compared with prices in the industry
- Features of the software
- Does it have user friendly interface
- Is their spyware and anti-virus definitions database being updated frequently
- Search online for customer's reviews of the particular product
- Does the merchant offer "Money-Back Guarantee"

Keep in mind that you want the best software on the market if you are using the internet on daily basis, and making lots of purchases online.

To check if the merchant you are buying from has a proven track record, you could perform a search using Google for their business name to verify they are a legit company.

Make sure the company offers a free trial so you can test the software on your computer before you make the purchase. This way you can estimate how effective and user friendly the software will be.

Always compare prices with other similar products. The most expensive one is not always the best choice.

Compare different features of 3 or more software products to pick up some of the most important ones that you need.

Any good spyware remover software has frequently updated database of spyware and adware definitions.

I hope the above tips will help you with your purchase of a good spyware remover or anti-virus software. In today's online world it's a must have product that can save you a lot of headaches and money.

Source by: Pawel Reszka

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Monday, August 20, 2007

Computer Buying Tips Explored

Computers are pretty much the same as they were years ago. Most computer buying tips apply as much to computers then as they do now. These tips remain true across the range of computers from the most expensive to the cheapest and the most portable to the least.

Being at the head of the pack is a costly place to be. So, if money and your budget are any concern to you, then don't chase the latest fads. The newest stuff carries a huge price premium when older products have not yet passed their prime. Wait a few months for excitement to die down and see what happens, you might have saved yourself from making a big mistake. Getting the biggest thing from a few months back will get you a lot more for your money.

Research before you buy. Don't get a computer or add extras to a computer without getting the facts first. Salespeople are there to help sell things, they will help you, but are often limited in their experience. The Internet has a whole wealth of info available, and you can research as much as makes you happy.

Computers are more about the internals than the externals.

As with the computer in general, the CPU is a costly component. The fastest processor will cost you more and value for money goes down as the speed goes up. Up to the middle of the range in speed you will get the most speed per dollar.

More RAM is a good thing. Having the latest super-duper CPU won't help if your computer runs out of memory. Memory is essential for Windows and all the programs that run on it. When Windows starts it puts lots of things it needs in memory, and they stay there. All things that are running on the computer need some memory, some use a lot and others use it more sparingly, but they do all use some, and the more programs running the more memory you'll need. The basic guide is 512MB for Windows XP or 1GB for Windows Vista, or more.

Great looking cases that are hidden under a desk or in a cabinet won't get noticed. Are the USB and sound ports at the front for easy access and are they placed in an easy to reach position?

Hard drives should have enough space. I find 120GB enough, but you might need more if you save videos on there. RAID 1 keeps a mirror image of your hard drive at all times, so if one drive fails, you still have one with your data.

The key to good graphics is the graphics card. The latest games require them cutting edge cards, so get one to suit what you want to play. Games constantly push the demands on the graphics card, and if you want to keep up, you will be upgrading often.

Finally, the monitor is what you will stare at while using the computer. Wider and larger screens allow more stuff to fit on the screen. LCD is the norm, 19 inch or bigger, wide screen if possible is what I recommend.

Source By: Peter Stewart

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Thursday, August 16, 2007

4 Basic Steps To Protect Your Computer Against Internet Intruders

It never ceases to amaze me how many people connect to the Internet with no protection on the PC at all! This is a very dangerous activity and has led to financial ruin for some people.

I have had family members and friends who ask me to check out their PC's because they are 'slow' or they can't stop these damn popup windows from coming up. These are the first signs of infection or security breaches on your PC.

It takes 4 simple steps and it costs you nothing at all except a bit of time and effort.

Step 1 - Get a firewall installed.

Firewalls help to protect you from Internet attacks and intrusion from hackers on the Internet who go 'sniffing' for unprotected computers.

What do they do when they hack your computer? Well they look for password files, security breaches that allow them to use YOUR computer for malicious attacks on other computers on the Internet.

There was a story not long ago about the Russian Mafia hacking into a household computer and using it to transfer funds from unsuspecting bank accounts for their own illegal purposes. When the Feds tracked down the responsible computer, it belonged to some unsuspecting person who had no idea of what was happening. So be warned!!

Microsoft Windows XP has a built in firewall so you could enable that and it gives you some basic protection.

If you don't want to use that firewall then try a free firewall called zone alarm from http://www.zonelabs.com

Zone alarm is a great firewall and even better for the price - they have a free version for home and non-commercial use.

Step 2 - Get an anti virus product installed

Anti virus software scans your computer for malicious code that can cause all sorts of problems on your computer and even delete files and make your computer inoperable.

You can get a very good free virus scanning software called AVG virus scanner from http://www.grisoft.com/

Step 3 - Get a reliable anti-spyware software

Spyware tends to sit on your computer and 'spy' on what you are doing. It can do things like look at web sites you have visited, record your key strokes (looking for account numbers and passwords) and it can then sends this information back to its originator.

A great and well know spyware scanner is called Spybot-S&D from http://www.safer-networking.org/
The other great spyware utilities are adaware from lavasoft, and Microsoft have one as well.

My advice would be to run two or three spyware utilities, particularly if you do a lot of online transactions with your computer.

Step 4 - Keep your Microsoft (MS) Windows Operating System (OS) updated

Microsoft come out with security patches on a regular bases to close up security 'holes' that have been identified. These patches can be applied manually by you or you can have MS Windows download and install them automatically.

To check out what updates you require -

1. Go to the Microsoft Windows Update page here - http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

2. Scan your computer to find out what critical updates and security patches are not installed.

3. Select the updates to install paying particular attention to CRITICAL Updates.

You may need to restart your computer after the patches have been applied

As a final word on the 4 steps, it is critical that you keep all of the programs up to date. So check back with the vendors on a regular basis (at least weekly) to see if updates are available. The better programs (like Spybot) will have options in them to check for updates.

The above list of programs is not the ultimate list. Like any programs there are dozens of choices. The ones above are those that I have had first hand experience of.

I personally use commercial programs because I spend so much time connected to the Internet, my family surfs quite regularly and I am a big fan of online transactions. Even the commercial programs only cost pennies compared to what can happen if you do get an infection.

Source by: Terry Jones

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Protecting Your PC From Internet Dangers

If you buy items online, surf the internet or use email then here are several tips to keeping your computer and your personal information secure.

Many people find it very easy to safeguard themselves by installing antivirus protection. Most antivirus protection software protects your computer from known viruses and Trojan horses. If a new virus is detected, your virus software will automatically download the new definition so that your computer will be safe.

Trojan horses are tiny programs that are downloaded inadvertently from the web. These small programs look for personal information and secretly upload it to a database. Many computer users have lost personal and financial information with the use of Trojan Horses.

One of the most damaging of all malicious software is the back door Trojan virus. Unlike many other types of malicious code, the back door Trojan virus is designed specifically to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the operating system such as Windows. The virus uses a back door into the computer too steal personal information, wipe files, or do other types of damage. To make matters worse, some of these back door Trojan horses disguise themselves and hide from anti virus software. Some are even intelligent enough to disable and render unusable your anti virus and firewall software.

You should also protect your computer from Spyware. Spyware is a tiny program that is downloaded usually when you download another program for free off the web. Spyware can be very irritating. Spyware keeps records of what your search for online and then sends you advertisements. Spyware can be difficult to erase.

It is also vital to protect yourself from Spoof emails. Spoof emails look like real emails from Ebay, Paypal, Banks and big credit card companies, but they are fake. Most spoof emails ask you to provide a website with financial information and then they steal this information. If you receive any emails that ask you for financial details, shut your browser, open up a new browser and contact your company's web site personally to see if there is a message for you.

Steps you can take to avoid problems with viruses and Trojans include being vigilant and paying attention to how your computer appears to be running. If you notice a decrease in performance that cannot be easily explained, or if you see an icon you do not recognize on the taskbar, it is a good idea to scan your computer and look for problems. Paying attention to your own computer, and using your own common sense, is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your computer.


Source by: Jeff Usher

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Make It Safe

New computers typically come with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, but they probably do not have the latest security updates. So when you first turn your machine on, leave it disconnected from your modem (cable or DSL) or your network router. Many systems come with a limited-time version of an antivirus program, usually McAfee Security Center or Symantec Internet Security. When you first run the system, the antivirus software will pop up a series of dialogs prompting you to activate the trial versions. Unless you have another security package ready to install, you should agree to switch on one of the trial versions, because you'll want to have security software running when you first connect to the Internet. (If you use one of the trial versions, you needn't feel obliged to buy an annual subscription when the trial runs out.) If you'd rather install other security software from a CD, do so now. When the software is fully installed (you'll probably need to reboot to complete the process), use the Start menu to open the Control Panel, then open the Security Center. Make sure that Firewall, Automatic Updates, and Virus Protection are all turned on. But don't connect to the Internet just yet.
Next insert a blank CD or DVD into the appropriate drive and then find and run the software on your system that lets you create a recovery disc, which will let you restore your system to its original state. Don't neglect this step: It's essential if rogue software or an overenthusiastic family member disrupts your system to the point where you need to return it to its out-of-the-box condition.

Now—and only now—plug in your network cable or connect to a wireless network. You don't need to turn off your machine before plugging in the cable. Windows should detect your network automatically. When you're connected, Windows' automatic updates service should start running automatically; notice the shield-like icon on the taskbar. If it doesn't start in a few minutes, run Windows Update from the Start menu. Also run any software-updating service that may be installed with your machine. On some systems, the updater will run automatically; others require you to launch a Software Installer or similarly named program. Either way, it's almost always wise to install any updates proposed by the updater.

Source by www.wugnet.com

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What to Do When Things Go Wrong

So many things can go wrong with your computer: bad drivers, malfunctioning components, hardware conflicts, spyware invasions—the list goes on and on. Or perhaps you just can't get your software to work the way you think it should. Diagnosing the problem can be tricky, let alone fixing it once you know exactly what is wrong. Some issues can be fixed with a few blanket procedures, such as updating your drivers and operating system. Others are more complicated and will leave you wishing for some expert advice. But where can you turn for help when something goes wrong with your computer?
You can't always depend on manufacturers for help. Maybe your warranty has lapsed and you can't get support. Or maybe your PC vendor says you voided the warranty when you had the audacity to upgrade your OS. Or perhaps companies are playing a blame game: The printer vendor says the problem is with Windows, while Microsoft says the problem lies with your PC hardware.

The best thing do to is to copy down error codes and messages and then hit Google with the information. You may find that the answer to your problem is just a couple of clicks away. WUGNET's Tips are also a great resource and may have an answer for you.

Source by www.wugnet.com

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Tools to Protect your Internet Privacy

Did you know that pictures, banners and images from websites you visit could be downloaded on your PC without your knowledge? If you want to use the internet for your business especially online business, it will be a good idea to get some sort of protection. You will be using your internet all the time for payments, transactions, and online banking and you will obviously have passwords for all of these. This is where internet eraser software is much needed. Basically, internet eraser software helps to delete all the information that is stored in hidden files on your computer which is very easy for hackers to get hold of.

Using internet eraser software will make sure that no one can get into your system to steal your passwords, user names, account details, and credit card numbers. Internet eraser software has advanced features that erase your internet browser history, your address bar history, your internet browser cache, your cookies and junk files and your internet search history. You can delete your cookies one by one, so that you can choose which ones are important and necessary to keep.

The internet eraser software ensures that every part of your computer is safe from unwanted visitors. It is possible for people to secretly place unwanted items like banners and pictures on to your computer when you have been downloading something like music or video or any other program from some websites. To delete such unwanted files from your computer, the internet eraser software also includes a Media Player history eraser, a real Player history eraser, and porn tracks eraser and it deletes the unwanted files permanently.

The internet eraser software also has Google search history, Yahoo search history, and MSN search history eraser, and supports almost all major web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Opera, Netscape, and Firefox. If you do most of your work and financial transactions online, it is a good idea to take all precautions and purchase internet eraser software. Your computer can also be safer from viruses that are frequently downloaded from unsafe sites you might have visited. Now you can delete all of this information permanently from your PC.

Internet eraser software is cost effective and will ensure that your office or home office is safe from hackers, viruses and other invasions. This is also great for offices, as you can not be sure what your employees get up to all the time. They could download something potentially dangerous and even though they have deleted the original files, the hidden files downloaded in the computer can infect your PC. We all need to face facts, that today’s world is not safe and there are vicious people out there just waiting to take advantage of someone else’s lifestyle, so get your internet eraser software now to protect your family and your future.

Source By: IC

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Computer Science Information

A computer from being a scientific tool to conduct research has taken many forms and have become as integral part of our lives. We see different forms of computers all around us laptops, palm pilots, tablet PC's and our own old faithful desktop PC's. We have to admit the fact that we can not live or resist life without a computer in our homes.

With the advent of computers to our homes the science behind it too changed. Computers were no longer huge cupboard sized gizmos which only engineers could operate they had to be pleasing and user friendly. They also had to be in shape which was more pleasing than our earlier friend the television. So there was a huge spurge of designs and methods of making a computer cute. We now have study of ergonomics which goes into creation of computer accessories like keyboards, mice etc.

This was the hardware part, the software also had to be user friendly, for you to read this article on internet there are at any given point of time four remote servers and millions of pixels on your monitor are working in harmony. This is the coordination and the high end software part. What about the display? Your browser? How should it take up all the complicated work and simplify the process to the end user. Well this is where the software came into picture, software which integrates, calculates and provides simple front end.

Computer science also gave in to related developments like internet, World Wide Web and extended networks. This made the entire world a tiny place. Now you have information at your fingertips and few clicks away. At the same time the cyber world has given rise to many cyber crimes too. Cyber crime is no longer a soft offence in many countries it's turned criminal and now a day's security has become big issue over the internet.

Security also has become big business, security not just to your hardware but also to your software. There are stray viruses over the internet waiting to get into your machine and disturb the way you work on your system. There are anti virus software's available to protect your computer from getting troubled.

Concluding this piece computer science is very similar to apples on a tree. As we all know when we discover the apple is a tasty fruit apples do appear to have discovered a way to lure us. So all Adams and Eves should watch out for the apples which they eat. Too much is definitely too bad in the cyber world.

Source By: Alexander Hjalmarsson

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