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To begin the process of making your computer more secure, let us begin with cleaning and protecting your computer from possible threats that are already inside your machine.
The first step is deciding what type of anti-virus program you wish to use. You have the choices of online scanners that will install temporary programs to check for viruses and store-bought scanners that will remain resident on your computer.
The advantage to online scanners is that the program used to search for viruses is constantly updated (i.e., any new potential virus threat will likely be picked up by the program). Keep in mind that no antivirus program is perfect, and you should run a virus scan of this type often. With purchased anti-virus programs that remain resident on your computer, the advantage is that your computer is constantly being monitored during the down-time that you spend not using your computer.
Many people find that they prefer the comfort of knowing that the program they are using to detect viruses on their computer is constantly updated. Here is a listing of some popular sites that feature an online scan for viruses on your computer.
If you find that you do not prefer this type of program, you may wish to install an anti-virus program. One that will remain on the computer and check for infections as you use the computer as well as scanning incoming files (including e-mail and downloads). Here are a few popular programs available for purchase either in stores or online.
Phishing Email Message Information
Spam
According to the definition of
spam on Dictionary.com, spam is unsolicited email,
often of a commercial nature, sent indiscriminately to
multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups; junk
email.
Spyware
According to Wikipedia, spyware is a type
of program that watches after what users do with their computer and then
send this information to a hacker over the internet. Spyware can collect
many different types of information about a user.
Read more...
Clues that spyware is on a computer
include:
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a barrage of pop-up ads
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a sudden or repeated change in your
computer’s Internet home page
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new and unexpected toolbars
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new and unexpected icons on the system
tray at the bottom of your computer screen
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a hijacked browser — that is, a browser
that takes you to sites other than those you type into the address
box
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keys that don’t work (for example, the
“Tab” key that might not work when you try to move to the next field
in a Web form)
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random error messages
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sluggish or downright slow performance
when opening programs or saving files
Virus Information - Is it real or a hoax?
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