| There are a lot of ways to get into a computer | | | | web browser. Third parties will not be able to see |
| system : adware, malware, viruses, trojans, worms, | | | | what you are doing on the internet. However, malware |
| rootkits, backdoors, open ports, and backdoors are just | | | | can still get downloaded on your computer and |
| some of the ways people get into your data. Ever | | | | compromise security. |
| wondered why your computer is so slow? I | | | | To stop malware, there is a program called Sandboxie. |
| downloaded Netdetector only to find 20,000 viruses on | | | | You can run your browser in the sandbox and any |
| my computer. There were several backdoors, trojans, | | | | downloaded files can't be written to the operating |
| and even a keylogger. I called around to find out how | | | | system without your permission. This will keep rootkits |
| people keep their data secure only to find out that real | | | | at bay. Rootkits essentially hide other trojans and |
| security experts are only for large companies with 100 | | | | viruses from operating system detection. The |
| or more computers. So, what can the average user | | | | combination of Iron Key and Sandboxie are a good |
| do? | | | | combination. You should still use firewalls and spyware |
| Reformat Hard Drive | | | | detectors to double check your system. |
| I could not get many of the items off the computer. I | | | | Another option is to use bitlocker. It encrypts the entire |
| decided to reformat. So, I backed up my data and | | | | hard drive. It is available from Microsoft, but you have |
| reformatted the entire hard drive with a new version | | | | to be running Windows Vista Enterprise or Ultimate |
| of windows completely updated. I have Mcafee on the | | | | edition (black boxed one) to use it. |
| front door and Netdetector for spyware. Within | | | | Additional Tools |
| minutes of browsing with Internet Explorer, Netdetector | | | | To see how much junk is on your computer you can |
| found a rootkit and and a hard to remove trojans. Still, I | | | | use two programs from Microsoft: Autoruns and |
| lost so much valuable data from the malware, I was | | | | System Explorer. They are available at System |
| looking for something better. Keylogger companies | | | | Internals This web page from Microsoft has a lot of |
| actually guarantee that nobody can detect their | | | | good little programs to help you see what your |
| software so I knew I must do better than a couple | | | | computer is doing. Autoruns is awesome because it |
| software packages. | | | | shows what programs are loading on startup (the |
| IP Address: How Hackers Use It | | | | hidden stuff). |
| Once the hackers get your ip address they send | | | | Settings |
| scripts to virus databases that constantly look for | | | | When browsing turn off active x and turn on all the |
| additional viruses to download. Some viruses are non | | | | additional security setting under tools, internet options, |
| detectable because they operate below the operating | | | | advanced, security. Make sure you disable any type of |
| system. Almost every home user has some sort of | | | | scripting behavior. Browse you computer as a limited |
| malware on their computer. Once you are in the | | | | user (not Admin) to help prevent unauthorized |
| hacker loop, you can't stop them with McAfee, Norton | | | | downloads. |
| or Symantec. Their whole profession is to get around | | | | You will be surprised how much faster your computer |
| these programs. | | | | will be after a clean install. Keeping out hackers is |
| What Can You Do To Keep Out Hackers | | | | extremely hard. If I were buying a new computer, I |
| There are solutions, but none of them are guaranteed. | | | | would definitely get Iron Key to keep hackers from |
| A combination of things will work the best. | | | | ever discovering me. |
| Iron key is a USB device that encrypts your data and | | | | |