| Most of us use a PC these days, but how many of us | | | | ago is not from the original site! To protect your PC |
| are really serious about securing it? Well, not most of | | | | against these nasty pests, you need an Anti-Spyware |
| us! They just need to get their job done sitting on the | | | | Adware package.Some of the free packages are:a. |
| PC and hence look no further. But they do find | | | | Spybot S&D: |
| themselves in great trouble when the PC crashes, files | | | | b. Adaware: |
| are corrupted, login information are stolen or attacked | | | | c. MS Antispyware: Backup OftenIt is really important |
| by viruses and malwares. Now, we know that | | | | to backup your valuable data often so that you can |
| "prevention is better than cure" and "self help is the | | | | get a copy at hand when there is a system crash, |
| best help". So according to the lines of these famous | | | | virus attack or hacking. Just keep only the important |
| proverbs, I will try to highlight some tips through which a | | | | files and folders as backup and not your whole disk! A |
| newbie user would be able to secure his PC. This | | | | habit of backing up never upsets you in the long run. It |
| article even applies to advanced and experienced | | | | is a good idea to backup your data on a different |
| users alike. So read on and help yourself to ward off | | | | hard-disk or removable, cheap media like CD, DVD, |
| your PC security woes.1. Use an AntivirusIn the era of | | | | and Pen-drives to name a few. There are many free |
| high-speed internet and portable media, you just cannot | | | | and paid softwares to choose from.5. Follow Some |
| afford to compromise your PC and valuable data. So, | | | | Good Habitsa. Do not ever give out your password |
| Antivirus software is a must for each and every PC | | | | login information to anyone.b. Don't give out your credit |
| user. The Antivirus stays active in the system memory | | | | card number or any online banking login to anyone.c. |
| and monitors your file transfers, network/internet | | | | Use a strong password which is difficult to guess; |
| connections, and programs for suspicious activities and | | | | containing alphabets, numbers and special characters.d. |
| keeps away harmful computer viruses, worms and | | | | Password protect or encrypt confidential, valuable |
| trojans from playing devil on your PC. It can even | | | | information to avoid being abused by someone.e. |
| clean, heal or quarantine affected files already on your | | | | Always set a password for your Operating System |
| PC and keeps your data safe. | | | | BIOS logon.f. Don't open suspicious email attachments |
| There are many AntiVirus Packages available, out of | | | | or knowingly send someone an infected file.g. Do not |
| which many are free to use.Some of the free | | | | mount a known virus affected media to a PC without |
| packages are:a. AVG Free Edition: | | | | Antivirus protection.h. Don't reply to emails asking for |
| b. Avast! Home Edition: | | | | confidential login information even if they seem to |
| c. Antivir Personal Edition: Use a FirewallTo protect | | | | come from the company or website. It might be a |
| your PC with network/internet connection from the | | | | phishing attempt.i. Do not reply to spam messages or |
| prying eyes of hackers and abusers, it's a necessity to | | | | scam emails like "You have won $10million lottery |
| install a Firewall software. A firewall is simply a piece | | | | sum!". If you reply to spam emails, the spammers |
| of software that sits between your PC and the | | | | become aware of your activity and spam you even |
| outside world (network/www) and allows certain | | | | more. Just ignore them and keep the spam filter on.j. |
| programs/data to pass through it, thus filtering the | | | | Don't post your email id all over the internet |
| traffic based on configured rules. | | | | (e.g.-forums)...spam bots might be harvesting them. Use |
| Like Antivirus softwares, the list of firewall softwares | | | | format.To conclude, I would like to say that the steps |
| is also long...and there are a number of free options | | | | that have been outlined above are not too difficult or |
| available.Some of the free packages are:a. ZoneAlarm | | | | time consuming to follow. You would certainly benefit |
| Free: | | | | by using those precautions and measures to secure |
| b. Kerio Personal: | | | | your computer. Remember, if you secure your own |
| c. Outpost Free: | | | | PC, you not only help yourself, but many other users |
| d. Sygate Personal: Use an AntiSpyware | | | | too. So spread the word and start acting now...Good |
| AdwareEvery passing day gives birth to a score of | | | | Luck!Agnivo Roy is a student from India, currently |
| new malware, which is any sort of program written | | | | pursuing BCA. He is the webmaster of The Helios IT |
| solely to get itself installed on the victim's PC without | | | | Forum [ ] & ArticleWiz - FREE Article Directory [ ]. He |
| his knowledge, monitor his activities/logins and send | | | | likes to spread knowledge and help users through his |
| them to a hacker for identity theft. Similarly there are | | | | forum, websites and offers free PC advice. He invites |
| adwares which deliver unwanted advertisements and | | | | you to visit his websites and awaits your feedback at |
| spoofs/redirects browser addresses. Thus, you never | | | | agnivo007[at]gmail. |
| know that the form which you have filled 10 minutes | | | | |