Basic Security Guide 2
Anti-Malware Software
Malware describes Trojans, Dialers, Worms (worm-viruses) and Spyware (adware). These few are the most common threats for users.
Trojans
Trojan Horses (Trojans) are programs that make you think they are something else than what they really are. In most cases they come via email or downloads to the computer. They mask themselves as programs, games or other media of interest. Trojans hold a wide choice of harmful features such as logging credit card numbers and passwords to destroying all data on your system. A special subgroup of Trojans are the backdoors, they open the computer from the inside and hold a port open for an outside attacker who can take over the PC.
Dialers
Dialers are little programs that reconfigure your dial-in default number to an extra cost number if you have a computer dialup modem. This can result in many hundred dollars costs for each dial-in procedure. When a site popup asks you if it may install some software, even if it seems necessary to obtain more information on certain topics, be alarmed and if you don't wish to install it, don't let them coax you into saying "accept".
Worms and viruses
Worm and viruses are currently the biggest dangers in the Internet. They spread via emails with harmful attachments, which send themselves to as many other computers as possible and damage your system if they are opened. If you don't open the attachments or, at best, delete them at once, you won't be in danger.
Spyware, Adware and Browser Hijackers
Your personal data and your habits are gold for some advertising companies. So they try to infiltrate your computer with their software that can collect your information about your surfing habits and invade your privacy. The information it collects is then sold for advertising purposes or for companies that gather marketing data. Browser Hijackers can change your Internet Options settings to get you to visit certain websites or use certain search engines. They usually affect your Internet Explorer search settings and homepage, but can also change context menu items or add entries to your Registry and Hosts file to redirect you to the site of their choice (not yours). Advertising modules and Adware can also change your default home page settings in your browser.
Antivirus Software
Although the classic 'virus' has been moved into the background lately, a good antivirus software is indispensable. When you chose the software, make sure that the program has a background guard that detects and blocks the spreading of viruses. Viruses affect programs or write into the boot sector of hard disks, some of them are not found in files on the disk but exist in the virtual memory space of the PC (the latter can be eliminated with a reboot). Good Antivirus Software can also find these viruses in the memory and remove them. Examples include Nod32 Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus.
Malware describes Trojans, Dialers, Worms (worm-viruses) and Spyware (adware). These few are the most common threats for users.
Trojans
Trojan Horses (Trojans) are programs that make you think they are something else than what they really are. In most cases they come via email or downloads to the computer. They mask themselves as programs, games or other media of interest. Trojans hold a wide choice of harmful features such as logging credit card numbers and passwords to destroying all data on your system. A special subgroup of Trojans are the backdoors, they open the computer from the inside and hold a port open for an outside attacker who can take over the PC.
Dialers
Dialers are little programs that reconfigure your dial-in default number to an extra cost number if you have a computer dialup modem. This can result in many hundred dollars costs for each dial-in procedure. When a site popup asks you if it may install some software, even if it seems necessary to obtain more information on certain topics, be alarmed and if you don't wish to install it, don't let them coax you into saying "accept".
Worms and viruses
Worm and viruses are currently the biggest dangers in the Internet. They spread via emails with harmful attachments, which send themselves to as many other computers as possible and damage your system if they are opened. If you don't open the attachments or, at best, delete them at once, you won't be in danger.
Spyware, Adware and Browser Hijackers
Your personal data and your habits are gold for some advertising companies. So they try to infiltrate your computer with their software that can collect your information about your surfing habits and invade your privacy. The information it collects is then sold for advertising purposes or for companies that gather marketing data. Browser Hijackers can change your Internet Options settings to get you to visit certain websites or use certain search engines. They usually affect your Internet Explorer search settings and homepage, but can also change context menu items or add entries to your Registry and Hosts file to redirect you to the site of their choice (not yours). Advertising modules and Adware can also change your default home page settings in your browser.
Antivirus Software
Although the classic 'virus' has been moved into the background lately, a good antivirus software is indispensable. When you chose the software, make sure that the program has a background guard that detects and blocks the spreading of viruses. Viruses affect programs or write into the boot sector of hard disks, some of them are not found in files on the disk but exist in the virtual memory space of the PC (the latter can be eliminated with a reboot). Good Antivirus Software can also find these viruses in the memory and remove them. Examples include Nod32 Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus.
posted by Ernest at
4:57 AM
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