| Working on the Internet provides Internet marketers | | | | Norton |
| with the opportunity to make a living in the comfort of | | | | Please note, the above programs (especially Norton) |
| their own home. However, as your business is | | | | have been known to cause problems with some |
| completely reliant upon your computer, you must take | | | | operating systems. Although there isn't any particular |
| the necessary steps to ensure your computer is safe. | | | | pattern, caution should be exercised. I use McAfee |
| Over the years, I have received many questions in | | | | online virus scan and haven't had any problems. |
| regard to computer security. Below, are some of the | | | | 2) If you're using Microsoft programs, make sure that |
| most frequently asked questions: | | | | the "Macro Virus Protection" is enabled. Never run a |
| Question: I'm new to the Internet and have been | | | | macro within a document unless you know exactly |
| hearing a lot about viruses. I'm not exactly sure what | | | | what it does. |
| they are. Can you help? | | | | 3) Never open an email attachment unless you're |
| Answer: A virus is a small piece of software that | | | | absolutely sure where it came from and what it is. |
| attaches itself to 'real' software programs (executable | | | | 4) Avoid downloading software programs from |
| code). Each time you launch the real program, the virus | | | | sources you're not familiar with. If you do download a |
| is also launched. The virus may then spread and | | | | program, make sure you scan the file with your |
| attach itself to other programs and wreak havoc on | | | | anti-virus software prior to installing. |
| your system. | | | | Question: I've been hearing a lot about firewalls, but I'm |
| The most widespread virus is an email virus. An email | | | | not sure what it is or if I need it. Can you help? |
| virus spreads through email attachments. It usually | | | | Answer: A firewall is basically a software program |
| spreads by mailing itself to everyone within the email | | | | that allows you full access to the Internet and/or your |
| program's address book. It tricks the email recipient into | | | | network, while restricting access to your computer |
| believing the message was sent from someone they | | | | system from outside intrusions. |
| know. | | | | Internet users are extremely vulnerable to hackers, |
| Although this type of virus rapidly spreads, you can't | | | | especially if you have cable or ADSL access to the |
| get it simply by reading a plain text email. However, | | | | Internet. You definitely need to protect your computer |
| you can execute the virus by clicking on an encoded | | | | system. I recommend using a great program called |
| message that contains embedded executable code | | | | Zone Alarm Pro |
| such as JavaScript within an HTML email message, or | | | | Once you install a firewall, you'll be amazed at how |
| an executable file attachment. | | | | many attempts to access your computer are blocked |
| Another type of program that is often thought of as a | | | | by your firewall. |
| virus is a 'Trojan horse' program. However, it is not a | | | | Hackers can directly access your computer system |
| virus. It is simply a computer program that acts like it's | | | | by installing programs such as a key logger that can |
| something it's not. For example, you may download a | | | | read every keystroke you make. This information is |
| program that you think is a computer game. However, | | | | recorded and sent back to the hacker. Private |
| when you run the program, it may delete files on your | | | | information such as passwords and credit card |
| hard drive. Trojan horses cannot automatically replicate | | | | numbers can easily be stolen. |
| themselves. | | | | A key logger is a small software program that quietly |
| Another widespread program is known as a worm. A | | | | runs in the background. As these programs quite often |
| worm is actually a small piece of software that travels | | | | run in DOS, you will most-likely never realize it's running. |
| through vulnerable computer networks with security | | | | However, you can see if a key logger is running by |
| holes. The worm scans the network in search of other | | | | pressing 'control' - 'alt' - 'delete' on your keyboard. This |
| computers with security holes. It copies itself to each | | | | will launch a window that contains a list of all the |
| system it finds. | | | | programs currently running on your system. Review |
| Although viruses can infect any type of executable | | | | the list and watch for programs you don't recognize. |
| code such as EXE files or DOC files, most media files | | | | As there are many small programs such as adware |
| such as GIF, JPG, BMP, MP3, WAV, AVI, MOV and | | | | (pop-windows) and spyware cookies that can bypass |
| TXT files are generally safe. | | | | your anti-virus and firewall software, I recommend |
| Although viruses can wreak havoc, computer virus | | | | using a program called Pest Patrol This program will |
| hoaxes can also be damaging. Virus hoaxes may | | | | detect and remove non-viral malicious software. |
| cause Internet users to begin to ignore all virus | | | | Although you can purchase Pest Patrol at the above |
| warnings. This can be harmful, as they are then left | | | | site, you can receive a discount if you purchase it with |
| vulnerable to 'real' virus warnings. | | | | Zone Alarm Pro . I can't guarantee how long this |
| In addition, many virus hoaxes also include a 'fix' that | | | | special offer will be available, so if you want it, now is a |
| instructs the user to delete a certain file from their | | | | good time to get it. |
| system. However, the file the hoax says is a virus is | | | | If you really want to keep your computer safe, I |
| actually an important file needed by your computer. | | | | recommend the following: |
| Never follow the advice within an email 'virus alert' | | | | 1) Purchase a good virus program and keep it updated |
| instructing you to remove a virus from your system | | | | 2) Purchase a good firewall program and keep it |
| without first verifying its validity. | | | | updated |
| Visit Symantec to search their virus encyclopedia: | | | | 3) Purchase a program like Pest Patrol and keep it |
| You can also search McAfee's virus database here: | | | | updated |
| You can protect your computer by taking a few | | | | Taking the time to protect your computer is one of the |
| precautionary steps: | | | | best business decisions you'll ever make. If you don't |
| 1) Purchase a quality virus protection software and | | | | protect it now, you'll definitely regret it later. It's just a |
| keep it updated. | | | | matter of time. |
| McAfee | | | | |