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	<title>The Article Library &#187; Spyware and Viruses</title>
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		<title>Digging Deeper Into Anti-Virus Software</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/digging-deeper-into-antivirus-software.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/digging-deeper-into-antivirus-software.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>js999</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Anti-Virus software consists of programs on your computer that make an attempt to identify and keep computer viruses off your computer.The anti-virus software will most likely use a couple of different techniques to make sure the viruses stay off your computer. The software will start to scan all your files you have saved so that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Anti-Virus software consists of programs on your computer that make an attempt to identify and keep computer viruses off your computer.The anti-virus software will most likely use a couple of different techniques to make sure the viruses stay off your computer. The software will start to scan all your files you have saved so that it can search for known viruses that will match definitions in a dictionary made only to detect a virus.Having anti-virus software will protect your computer from any virus an unknown person could give you. </p>
<p>The software will identify suspicious behavior from any computer program that might show signs of infection.These analysis may also include data captures,port monitoring and other methods that you may or may not be familiar with.Almost all commercial anti-virus software use both of the following approaches,with an emphasis on the virus dictionary approach.</p>
<p>The approaches are first the dictionary approach second suspicious behavior third other approaches.In case your wondering if we are talking about your computer or your children,we are definitely describing your computer although you may get a little laugh while reading this and thinking this computer is as bad as my children can be sometimes. At least for our computer we can get an anti-virus which will help solve a lot of the problems that can occur when you have a computer. </p>
<p>We have talked about the dictionary approach,now let me explain what this is.If there is a piece of code in your file matches any virus identified in the dictionary,then the anti-virus software can take one of the following options.It will first attempt to repair the file by removing the virus itself from the file.Next it can quarantine the file,such that the file remains inaccessible to other programs so that it&#8217;s virus can no longer spread.</p>
<p>Third it will delete the file that is infected.So you can achieve the success consistently for the medium to long term,the virus dictionary approach does require periodic generally online downloads of updated virus dictionary entries.You should also know that a system administrator can typically schedule the anti-virus software to examine or scan all the files on your computers hard disk drive,and it can do this all on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Although the dictionary approach can effectively contain virus outbreaks in the circumstances,virus authors have always tried to stay a step ahead of such software by writing oligomorphic,polymorphic and most recently the metamorphic.Use your anti-virus at least two or 3 times a week so your computer can be protected now and future use.</p>
<p>With there being so many anti virus programs available for us all now days, it can be confusing choosing the best one for your purposes. It is important to ask around about this, as well as researching some of those different types when you get the chance to.  Good Luck!</p>
<p>If you would like to learn more about some of the latest viruses and spyware such as the <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/ms-removal-tool-virus/" target="_self" title="ms removal tool virus">ms removal tool virus</a> and <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/" target="_self" title="spyware protection removal">spyware protection removal</a>, then visit our site at http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com</p>
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		<title>Concerns And Issues With Anti-virus Software</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/concerns-and-issues-with-antivirus-software.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/concerns-and-issues-with-antivirus-software.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>js999</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The ongoing writing and spreading of viruses (and panic about them) gives the vendors of commercial anti virus software a financial interest in the ongoing existence of viruses. Some theorize that antivirus companies have financial ties to virus writers to generate their own market, though there is no concrete evidence to support that. Users may [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The ongoing writing and spreading of viruses (and panic about them) gives the vendors of commercial anti virus software a financial interest in the ongoing existence of viruses. Some theorize that antivirus companies have financial ties to virus writers to generate their own market, though there is no concrete evidence to support that.</p>
<p>Users may disable the antivirus protection to overcome the performance loss,thus increasing the risk of infection. For maximum protection the antivirus software needs to be enabled at all times-often at the cost of slower performance.It is also important to know that a person should not have more than one antivirus software installed on a single computer at any given time.This can seriously cripple your computer and cause further damage. </p>
<p>It is also sometimes necessary to temporarily disable virus protection when you install major updates such as Windows Service Packs or updating graphics card drivers. Having antivirus protection running at the same time as installing a major update may prevent the update installing properly or even installing it at all. When you do decide to purchase antivirus software, the agreement may include a clause that your subscription will be automatically renewed and your credit card automatically billed at the time of you are suppose to renew without you authorizing it.</p>
<p>For example, Mcafee requires you to subscribe at least 60 days before before the expiration of your present subscription. If that is the case, then the subscriber may contest the charges with the credit card issuer, but this course of action is likely to be at no avail if in fact the subscriber had authorized such a &#8220;continuous payment authority&#8221;.</p>
<p>Some antivirus programs are actually spyware masquerading as antivirus software. It would be wise to double check that the antivirus software which you are downloading is actually a real antivirus program.Some commercial antivirus software programs can contain adware. </p>
<p>For example, the home/small business version of a CA Anti-Virus 2008 displays an advert for CA products whenever the desktop is unlocked after a period of when the computer is not active. Expanding on this, it would be no surprise if viruses that plague the desktop and the laptop world quickly migrate to mobile devices. More and more vendors in this space are now offering solutions to combat secure mobile handsets with antivirus solutions.</p>
<p>Anti virus programs come in many different varieties and can range from cheap to really expensive but trust us on this, without an anti virus program you are going to end up being out much more money in the end because of the expenses of repairing or replacing your computer. You can find many of these types of programs for your home computer or office computer right here on the internet or in any computer store in your area. </p>
<p>Good luck with keeping your computer up and running properly and if you do not already have an anti-virus program for your computer system, please consider investigating in one and choosing one that fits your budget.</p>
<p>For more information on Spyware and removing viruses such as <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/system-tool-virus-removal-xp/" title="system tool virus removal xp">system tool virus removal XP</a> and <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/security-protection-virus-removal/" title="security protection virus removal">security protection virus removal</a>, then please visit us at http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com</p>
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		<title>What Is Spyware And How To Protect Your PC</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/what-is-spyware-and-how-to-protect-your-pc.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/what-is-spyware-and-how-to-protect-your-pc.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>js999</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Spyware is computer software that is installed stealthily on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user&#8217;s interaction with the computer, without the user&#8217;s knowledge or consent. Unlike a computer virus, spyware does not directly spread in the manner of a worm. Generally, an infected system does not attempt to transmit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Spyware is computer software that is installed stealthily on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user&#8217;s interaction with the computer, without the user&#8217;s knowledge or consent. Unlike a computer virus, spyware does not directly spread in the manner of a worm. Generally, an infected system does not attempt to transmit the infection to other computers; the issue is contained to your local system. </p>
<p>Spyware normally interferes with networking software, which commonly causes difficulty connecting to the Internet. Spyware, along with other threats, has led some Windows users to move to other platforms such as Linux or Apple Macintosh, which are less attractive targets for malware. However these platforms are not full-proof so don&#8217;t fall into an out of sight trap. They will reach your system by exploiting security holes or are packaged with user-installed software, such as Limewire. Spyware is often hidden alongside other programs, and you may unknowingly install spyware when you download a program from the Internet or install software from disks.The scariest part of being attacked is the privacy implications, as spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.</p>
<p>Not only can spyware programs collect various types of personal information, but they can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Microsoft has an entire Windows Update site devoted to automatically updating users&#8217; systems with all the latest fixes and patches for a wide range of Microsoft software, including Windows, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Internet Explorer. </p>
<p>Anti-spyware software programs can be used solely for detection and removal of spyware software that has already been installed onto your computer. Anti-virus software can detect many but not all forms of malicious software before they have a chance to affect your computer. Anti-spyware applications must also be able to remove programs on reboot for spyware/adware that refuses to be removed through normal processes. Of course, anti-spyware applications alone can&#8217;t protect you entirely from unwanted spyware and adware. </p>
<p>For example, recent test results show that bundled software (WhenUSave) is ignored by popular anti spyware program AdAware, (but removed as spyware by most scanners) because it is part of the popular (but recently decommissioned) Edonkey client. To address this dilemma, the Anti-Spyware Coalition has been working on building consensus within the anti-spyware industry as to what is and isn&#8217;t acceptable software behavior.Another form of spyware is Adware, it&#8217;s similar to viruses in that they can be malicious in nature, however the focus now is money as people are now profiting from these threats making them more and more popular. </p>
<p>Anti virus programs are so very important so all of you using the internet daily should most definitely check it out more thoroughly very soon.</p>
<p>If you would like to learn more about the <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/best-malware-protection-removal/">best malware protection removal</a> and current viruses such as the <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/privacy-protection-virus/">privacy protection virus</a>, then please visit us at http://www.spywareprotectionvirus.com</p>
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		<title>Why Anti Virus Is So Important</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/why-anti-virus-is-so-important.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/why-anti-virus-is-so-important.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>js999</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever have an email that comes in offering you ways to get rich? These emails are part of what is called phishing schemes. Phishing generally means that someone sends you fake or bogus emails with bad links in them. These links invite you to click on their bogus sites (i.e. not government sites at all) [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever have an email that comes in offering you ways to get rich?<br />
These emails are part of what is called phishing schemes. Phishing generally means that someone sends you fake or bogus emails with bad links in them. These links invite you to click on their bogus sites (i.e. not government sites at all) and submit some of your personal (confidential) information: maybe your complete name, social security number, etc. Some emails even have spyware attachments on them.</p>
<p>Identity thieves, or thieves who focus on identity theft issues, send out thousands of fake emails almost on a regular basis any more, saying they&#8217;re representing government entities. So heads up if you receive emails saying they&#8217;re from the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, Internal Revenue Service or other government agency or department. Spyware is computer software that is installed stealthily on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user&#8217;s interaction with the computer, without the user&#8217;s knowledge or consent.</p>
<p>These emails may be trying to trick you. One government department alone, the Treasury Department, reported* receiving over 23,000 complaints about IRS-related phishing schemes since November 2005. Most involve hoax emails telling recipients that they have a pending tax refund and are under investigation.  Do not click on links inside emails from government agencies. </p>
<p>Government agencies rarely communicate via email, and if they do, it&#8217;s in response to something you initiated most often. They communicate via postal mail. windows posts updates regularly, especially security patches. Make sure you download these or at least check monthly for updates. Mark your Outlook or other calendar and check regularly. So arm yourself: your computer and email for identity theft protection. Better safe than sorry!</p>
<p>Most agencies are list on the web nowadays with contact information readily available.  If you receive communications that you are unsure of, call the agency first to see if the emails are legitimate.  Do not click on or save attachments that come with government emails. Delete these files. Unfortunately, sometimes even the best security isn&#8217;t good enough. Computers are expensive, and it makes sense to protect your investment from anything that could harm it. </p>
<p>Or maybe your computer just decided to crash one day. Back on Track was created with situations like these in mind, to help repair the damage that has been done to your PC. I really can&#8217;t rave enough about Back on Track. You don&#8217;t even need a Boot Disk for it to work, so there&#8217;s nothing to forget to make or to lose. If you have a computer that has information on it you&#8217;d rather not lose, I highly recommend Back on Track. From doctoral dissertations to Snood high scores, Back on Track has you covered.</p>
<p>They will reach your system by exploiting security holes or are packaged with user-installed software, such as Limewire. Spyware is often hidden alongside other programs, and you may unknowingly install spyware when you download a program from the Internet or install software from disks.</p>
<p>The scariest part of being attacked is the privacy impliciatoi virus spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.</p>
<p>If you would more information on some of the various viruses and spyware out there like the <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/">spyware protection virus</a> and <a href="http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com/w32-blaster-worm-removal/">w32-blaster-worm-removal</a>, then visit us at http://www.spywareprotectionvirushq.com</p>
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		<title>Internet Security &#8211; What Does it Mean to You?</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/internet-security-what-does-it-mean-to-you.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/internet-security-what-does-it-mean-to-you.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>shane.thomaz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of us use the internet in one way or another nowadays. For some it is a convenient means to get in touch with other people, or perhaps to go on a virtual shopping trip. For others it is their very way of life, as they use it for working and earning money. But whatever [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most of us use the internet in one way or another nowadays. For some it is a convenient means to get in touch with other people, or perhaps to go on a virtual shopping trip. For others it is their very way of life, as they use it for working and earning money.</p>
<p>But whatever the internet means to you, internet security is one of the most important aspects of it. There are plenty of potential dangers when you go online, not least of which is adware, spyware and viruses. In order to combat these and ensure you are not troubled by any of them, you need to ensure you invest in a good internet security package.</p>
<p>Luckily it is quite easy to do this because there are countless different internet security options available for you to choose from. A typical example would be<br />
AVG Internet Security 2011, which is the latest product from AVG. This company has both free and paid for security options to choose from, but you should always be sure that any free version you use is good enough. Sometimes it will have limited functions and you may find you need more protection if you use the internet a lot, and for lots of different reasons.</p>
<p>For instance if you do a lot of online shopping you would be using some sort of payment system to complete your orders. This could be anything from a credit card to a debit card, or perhaps one of the online payment systems that are in use, such as PayPal.</p>
<p>In any case you will want to keep all your details perfectly secure. If you don&#8217;t you could end up with all kinds of problems. A good internet security package such as AVG Internet Security 2011 will prevent such an occurrence from happening, so you can look forward to shopping without any worries.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a suitable product to keep your information and your computer secure, make sure you compare as many different brands and kinds of internet security products as you can. There are many well known names of software that have excellent reviews, and any one of them could be just what you need to stay safe online. Remember to research and buy your ideal product on a secure computer that is already protected, should you choose to buy it online. The worst thing would be for your computer to get infected by a virus when you are online buying the security software!</p>
<p>Once you have the software you need, follow the instructions for installation and then run a scan. This will find and remove anything that may already be on your computer. You can then start using it regularly to make sure everything is as secure as possible.</p>
<p>Internet security gives you the protection from all kinds of worms, viruses and other problems. Visit http://www.antivirusnow.com/ to get detailed information about different internet security providers such as <a href="http://www.antivirusnow.com/avg/avg-internet-security-2011" title="AVG Internet Security 2011">AVG Internet Security 2011</a>, Panda, Norton and many more top security providers.</p>
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		<title>Why is it Smart to Invest in Anti Virus Software?</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/why-is-it-smart-to-invest-in-anti-virus-software.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>digitaltvtrends</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How dangerous are computer viruses? If you speak to a handful of people who have been affected by one or more of these programs, you will get the same answer from all of them. Put simply, computer viruses can be troublesome, frustrating, time wasting, information sucking and computer crashing nightmares. They have cost businesses billions [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How dangerous are computer viruses? If you speak to a handful of people who have been affected by one or more of these programs, you will get the same answer from all of them. Put simply, computer viruses can be troublesome, frustrating, time wasting, information sucking and computer crashing nightmares.</p>
<p>They have cost businesses billions in damage and lost productivity; the actual figure is probably impossible to calculate. They can also wreck computers and force you to go out and buy a new one. This is why it is absolutely vital to buy good anti virus software, so you can protect your computer from harm.</p>
<p>If you are currently in the position of doing just that, you should think about doing an antivirus comparison before you make your purchase. Obviously you should make sure you do this from a computer that is already secure and has appropriate anti virus software installed, so you do not get any problems. One good idea is to install a free software program first, such as the AVG Antivirus software program. Once you have this in place you can decide whether you want to get another one instead.</p>
<p>When you opt for an antivirus comparison you will see that many of the programs are very similar in nature. However they do all have their own unique features, so you should consider which one you like the most. This may depend on how you use the internet and what you do when you are online. For example if you do a lot of home shopping online it could be very important to you to ensure you have extra security when making payments. Look for this feature with your anti virus software.</p>
<p>You can also read anti virus software reviews. These are from existing customers who have already bought and downloaded various different programs. Their opinions of each one will help you to figure out which one will be the best choice for you. </p>
<p>Another point to consider is whether you have just the one computer to protect, or whether you have more than one. Some people have both a desktop and a laptop, and in this case you may wish to double check that your purchase is good for more than one computer. Most anti virus software will have options for more computers, so bear this in mind when you are comparing different ones to each other.</p>
<p>The most important thing to realise is that opting out of anti virus software is not really an option. Just one instance of surfing online with no protection could be all it takes to inadvertently let unscrupulous people and software gain access to your system. If you do not want to pay for it get free software instead of paying for it. But just be sure you do a proper antivirus comparison so you get the best possible one you can.</p>
<p>Anitivirus software is an essential for computers. Online <a href="http://www.antivirusnow.com/" title="Antivirus Comparison">Antivirus Comparison</a> websites such as http://www.antivirusnow.com/ helps you to get perfect antivirus software solution at best possible price.</p>
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		<title>Why Email Security Is Critical For Every Business &#8211; And How To Improve It</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/why-email-security-is-critical-for-every-business-and-how-to-improve-it.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>microsofttraining</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Every few months, you&#8217;ll read or hear in the news, wherever you are in the world, a faintly apocalyptic warning about a new virus that&#8217;s on the verge of wiping out millions of computers, or a new trojan that&#8217;s set to bankrupt hard-working people everywhere by automatically stealing their credit card details. If you read [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Every few months, you&#8217;ll read or hear in the news, wherever you are in the world, a faintly apocalyptic warning about a new virus that&#8217;s on the verge of wiping out millions of computers, or a new trojan that&#8217;s set to bankrupt hard-working people everywhere by automatically stealing their credit card details.  If you read a little further, you&#8217;ll inevitably come across warnings about your email, about not opening attachments that you aren&#8217;t one hundred percent certain come from someone you trust, and someone you were expecting an attachment from.</p>
<p>If we&#8217;re honest, it&#8217;s easy to ignore these warnings, easy to feel that they warn of impending catastrophe without any noticeable consequences to ourselves, and perhaps easy to feel that they might be a little too technical for us to concern ourselves with.</p>
<p>But a substantial majority of these warnings are genuine, and although they might not herald disaster across the world (and there are many in the media who have a tendency to sensationalise and exaggerate) the infection they warn of can still be a very real disaster for your business; after all, they might pass most of us by, but if you&#8217;re the unlucky one who gets hit, knowing that others haven&#8217;t is no consolation.  All of us can help protect the organisations we work for or manage with just a little awareness of what to look out for, what to do about it, and how we can guard ourselves against these attacks in future.</p>
<p>First, we need an explanation of terminology.  When you hear about an infection or attack that&#8217;s being transmitted through email, what&#8217;s actually happening is that a small program (called malware) is secretly attached to a message.  It&#8217;ll be hidden within an attachment that looks innocent &#8211; perhaps a picture or a video file &#8211; and when you download the innocent attachment onto your computer to look at it, the program automatically installs itself to your computer and sets to work. </p>
<p>It&#8217;s common to use the word &#8216;virus&#8217; to cover all malicious infections, but there are three types of programs that work this way: the term virus is correctly limited to programs that automatically change files on your computer to prevent it working as it should (or at all); worms have a similar result, but damage your computer by replicating themselves until a drive is full up and stops operating; and trojans (named after the Trojan horse) are programs that allow a computer to be used for malicious purposes.  The last are perhaps the most insidious, for whereas viruses and worms can destroy a computer, trojans allow information to be stolen, some by logging keystrokes to obtain your passwords, others by allowing an individual to control your computer remotely and gain access to all your sensitive files.  The impact of this for individuals and organisations is clear and potentially catastrophic.</p>
<p>It can&#8217;t be stressed enough that viruses and worms are capable of automatically reproducing themselves (and viruses, having self-replicated, are able to carry trojans with them onto the next host machine) &#8211; so once a computer is infected, any attachment sent from that computer can have malware hiding within it, and neither sender nor recipient would know that it&#8217;s there.  Because of this, keeping the whole of a company&#8217;s network secure is absolutely critical &#8211; as easily and widely as infections can covertly reproduce themselves and transmit themselves from one computer to another, they can&#8217;t do anything if they&#8217;ve no way in to begin with.</p>
<p>One of the most effective means of defence is a digital signature.  In principle, this is much the same as providing a signature on a paper document:  adding a distinctive and individual mark to prove that the author is who they say they are.  But rather than a physical image, a digital signature is a code that&#8217;s automatically stamped onto a message by email software (such as Microsoft Outlook), and should also be registered with a Certification Authority.  When you receive a message with a digital signature, your computer will automatically compare it to that stored by the Certification Authority, and let you know whether it&#8217;s valid or not.</p>
<p>This might seem unnecessary if your inbox is mostly full of messages from friends and family, but any business email might have regular communication from individuals and organisations you don&#8217;t personally know.  Whether it appears to be from another company who you work with, or from a colleague you&#8217;re not familiar with, it&#8217;s important to be sure that the source is trustworthy and who they claim to be &#8211; unfortunately, it&#8217;s entirely possible for an individual with malign intent to pose as someone you&#8217;d expect to trust and to use that position to infect your organisation&#8217;s network.  If you insist on digitally signed emails at work, that possibility is cut out entirely.</p>
<p>Of course, there may still be occasions when you receive email without a valid digital signature &#8211; if you&#8217;re using Outlook, the software will alert you automatically.  What you do then is up to you (although you should never simply disregard the warning:  it&#8217;s there for a good reason), but there are still other precautions you ought to consider taking.  The message may purport to be from someone you know to be trustworthy, but we should never assume the email is from who it claims to be from; in this case, there&#8217;s no harm in simply getting in touch with the supposed sender and checking that it is for them.  Also, if your organisation has an IT department or support contract, contact them, they will likely be able to give you advice specific to your business situation and needs.  </p>
<p>Being vigilant where potentially harmful email is concerned doesn&#8217;t mean panicking and assuming that everything is destructive, but rather being aware of danger and applying common sense.  Think of it this way:  if a friend comes to your house, you&#8217;d let them in; if someone comes to check the electricity meter, you&#8217;d expect verifiable ID to prove they&#8217;re who they are, and if they have it you&#8217;d let them in; but if someone turns up claiming to have a right to enter, but with no ID or evidence to support that claim, you&#8217;d turn them away.  It&#8217;s the same with email, trusting where it&#8217;s clear you can do so, but being cautious when it isn&#8217;t.</p>
<p>As we&#8217;ve said, Microsoft Outlook can help protect the security of your computer and network automatically, without you having to worry.  It&#8217;s certainly worth considering a short training course for you or your staff to ensure the most effective and secure use of the software &#8211; after all, being able to communicate with confidence is vital for every business.  The integrity of your business information and continued operation of the organisation&#8217;s network are both essential at all times; with Outlook, you know they&#8217;ll always be protected.</p>
<p>Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on <a href="http://www.microsofttraining.net/info-229-2003-outlook-training.html">ms outlook training</a>, please visit <a href="http://www.microsofttraining.net/">http://www.microsofttraining.net</a></p>
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		<title>Figuring Out Free Antivirus Software</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/figuring-out-free-antivirus-software.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/figuring-out-free-antivirus-software.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Teeja</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Home computer users have, for quite some time, been warned about harmful programs such as viruses, malware, spyware, adware etc. These applications or files can cause you so many headaches should your system become infected &#8212; from making your system run slower, stopping some programs from running, deleting files and forcing you to pay a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Home computer users have, for quite some time, been warned about harmful programs such as viruses, malware, spyware, adware etc. These applications or files can cause you so many headaches should your system become infected &#8212; from making your system run slower, stopping some programs from running, deleting files and forcing you to pay a high price for a computer technician to fix your computer. As some people have found out, even after their computer has been fixed, there can still be faults and your system may never work well again.</p>
<p>Prevention is always better than a cure, and anti-virus software has been designed to prevent these harmful infections to be installed and run on your computer. Many of these will run in the background without you even knowing they are they. Your system can be infected in many different ways, from installing dodgy programs (Such as pirated software, downloaded software, or torrents.), opening suspicious emails or files sent from others (Sometimes friends or family member who have had their computers infected.) or visiting certain websites.</p>
<p>With this in mind, many experts recommend an anti-virus application to help prevent this from occurring to you. There are software options that will cost you a yearly subscription fee, as well as a variety of free versions available. The free versions available are found readily online, and can do what is required of them in protecting your system and information. Visiting forums, ezines or specialist websites you can find expert reviews, user reviews, and a whole range of information on the different companies and products.</p>
<p>Free anti-virus software does what it is required to do, but not much more. The functions and customizability will not be as great as the paid for versions, however many of us don&#8217;t use their extra functions and just want to hit run on the scan button and have the software do it all itself. The database used to recognize viruses isn&#8217;t updated as much as paid for versions, which is a slight lack of security. This isn&#8217;t too bad if you are careful with the websites you visit, the programs you install and think before you open any suspicious emails or download the attachments.</p>
<p>In terms of user support, freeware programs are lacking. Often, there is no one to ring or email should anything go haywire on your system, nor do the companies offer much help online. There are many forums online that can be used, and often experts will be willing to answer any questions you have. Often you will find that a question will already have been asked and the problem solved before you even need to sign up to make a post.</p>
<p>The free anti-virus software choices are great if you don&#8217;t want to spend extra money on software, or have a tight budget. They do what they require, and will update themselves to remain up to date and in working order. If you do not like the software, simply uninstalling it and finding a replacement application will keep your system protected.</p>
<p>Computer security cannot be taken lightly. Find out more about how to <a href="http://www.avg.com.au/products/avg-anti-virus-free/">download free antivirus software</a>. If you want to learn more about <a href="http://www.avg.com.au/">antivirus</a> software, we can help you with that too.</p>
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		<title>Online Virus Scanners Are Nifty Little Tools</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/online-virus-scanners-are-nifty-little-tools.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/online-virus-scanners-are-nifty-little-tools.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Teeja</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By now, most of us have a computer, and we also have access to the internet. The internet is a marvelous place, filled with information that can help you to live, work and study, and can also be a cause of procrastination from life, working or studying. It&#8217;s a part of our everyday lives, whether [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By now, most of us have a computer, and we also have access to the internet. The internet is a marvelous place, filled with information that can help you to live, work and study, and can also be a cause of procrastination from life, working or studying. It&#8217;s a part of our everyday lives, whether or not we use the World Wide Web ourselves. There are downsides to the internet though, such as the arrival of viruses, malware, spyware, trojans and other such nasty programs and applications. A big problem with these things is that you may not even realize you have one of these on your system, except that you&#8217;re noticing your system slow down dramatically.</p>
<p>It is recommended that you regularly run a virus checker on your computer, usually about once a week. This can save your system from needing a format and losing all your documents, files and settings. When looking for a virus scan, you may come across online virus scanners that claim to find problems on your system that are either harmful or potentially harmful. Working in much the same way as regular virus security software, your system will be scanned by a database online and the results will pop up on your screen, alerting you to any dangerous programs, applications or files on your system.</p>
<p>This, however, is where the online scanners differentiate themselves from those installed on your system. Many scanners aren&#8217;t able to delete or quarantine the infected files, and will ask you to buy an expensive program to do so, often anti-virus software that is their own brand. While some companies are trust worthy, others are scams and will alert you to &#8216;problems&#8217; that don&#8217;t actually exist on your system.</p>
<p>It is easy to find out what companies are on the level and those which are dodgy. Often, you will either have heard of the software company, or will be able to search for information on their products with ease. This information can be found using a search engine, looking on forums or ezines. The dodgy companies will be harder to find, and will often look less professional.</p>
<p>If you have been on the internet for a few years, you would have noticed pop-ups and advertisements telling you that your system is at risk, is currently infected, anything really that puts fear into you that your system is about to crash. These can sometimes be virus programs themselves, and you need to be careful on what online scanner you use. Keep in mind that if a pop-up, advertisement or website looks untrustworthy, don&#8217;t trust it. There are more than enough free or paid for software available from many established and respected brands for you to choose from without making a rash decision.</p>
<p>Viruses are to be feared, but by taking the right precautions, scanning your system weekly or fortnightly, and not installing software that seems a little off (Including torrents, pirated software etc.) you can avoid any damage to your system.</p>
<p>Computer security cannot be taken lightly. Here is an <a href="http://www.avg.com.au/resources/web-page-scanner/">online virus scanner</a>. Learn more about <a href="http://www.avg.com.au/">free antivirus</a> software.</p>
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		<title>How Double Layered Protection Against Spyware Prevents Attacks</title>
		<link>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/how-double-layered-protection-against-spyware-prevents-attacks.html</link>
		<comments>http://articlelib.com/computers/computers-software/computers-software-spyware-and-viruses/how-double-layered-protection-against-spyware-prevents-attacks.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisharmen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spyware and Viruses]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the internet grows in capability and size, an increasing number of people are utilizing it to make their lives easier. Paying bills, online shopping, and digital media have become great conveniences now that they can be done from the comfort of our homes. As the amount of sensitive data on the internet as grown, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As the internet grows in capability and size, an increasing number of people are utilizing it to make their lives easier. Paying bills, online shopping, and digital media have become great conveniences now that they can be done from the comfort of our homes. As the amount of sensitive data on the internet as grown, so have unscrupulous people flocked to online attempts at identity theft. Where one day, someone would try to go through a mailbox or garbage bin, now the threat is to the email inbox and computer hard drive.</p>
<p>In order to get this information, spyware programs have been created and are transmitted online. These programs are designed to track information that is sent online in order to obtain passwords and personal information. These spyware programs monitor information sent online and stored on a computer and reports it back to the thief. This data is then used in identity theft, fraudulent credit card charges, or even straightforward vandalism.</p>
<p>The main tool in fighting this illegal activity is anti spyware software. These protective programs will monitor a computer and inspect files to find and eliminate any malicious spyware. Having an up to date anti spyware program can prevent and eliminate these threats.</p>
<p>However, no single anti spyware software package is 100% foolproof. Let&#8217;s look at how that problem can be solved.</p>
<p>Two Layers Of Protection</p>
<p>Comprehensive testing of common anti spyware software against known threats has revealed startling information. A single program suite is only 75% effective at removing spyware. This means that a quarter of potential threats have the ability to bypass or circumvent a fully functional protective program. How can we close that gap?</p>
<p>Using two programs simultaneously has proven effective at stopping nearly every possible spyware attack. Both programs combined can handle the entire range of spyware applications. The best implementation of this scheme is to purchase a bundled system with two safeguards that are known to work together to cover each other&#8217;s gaps in coverage. In this way, the double layer of protection becomes comprehensive against identity theft.</p>
<p>Staying One Step Ahead</p>
<p>The criminals who employ these dirty tactics do not sit idle. New attacks are created every day and new loopholes are exploited. That is why effective safeguards need to be updated continuously in order to retain maximum effectiveness; every anti spyware software will connect to its manufacturer&#8217;s website in order to automatically update itself.</p>
<p>However, this fact is known by the bad guys too. Some harmful bugs are designed to bypass popular protection software suites. Some programs are even designed to actually disable the anti spyware protection, and then implement the spyware program after the barrier is taken down.</p>
<p>Utilizing a double layered protection scheme will also defeat this type of attack. Each of the protection programs will be made differently so that one single attack could not disable both layers. Even if one wall is breached, the second will hold firm. Once the threat is neutralized, the bypassed security layer will be updated by the manufacturer to be resistant to that type of attack in the future.</p>
<p>In order to properly safeguard our information and identify, a double layered anti spyware program is absolutely essential.</p>
<p>Chris Harmen is an author for <a href="http://www.doubleantispy.com/home.aspx">Double Anti-Spy</a>, the technology expert in anti spyware solutions. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N5LGIK">Double Anti-Spy</a> offers an industry-leading double scan system to remove spyware threats. </p>
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