Archive for the ‘Security’ Category

The Guide to Adware and Spyware Uninstallation

Posted on June 25th, 2008 in Security, spyware | No Comments »

Click here to read our review of the best anti spyware programs!

Unlike other software, spyware isn’t designed to be easily removed. And even when it seems to be possible to uninstall this kind of software it will uninstall the software it came bundled with and leaves the spyware on the computer. Or you find out that the program magically reappears as soon as you have restarted your computer.

There are two methods of cleaning your computer of spyware: you can get rid of spyware manually by hunting for all of the spyware’s files, or you can get rid of spyware automatically with anti-spyware software. If you have problems or not the time to remove it manually, you may need to download a tool to do the job for you. Several companies offer free and low-cost software that will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted software and help you remove it.

To rid your computer of spyware manually, you’ll need to find each file of the spyware – locate all the spyware’s processes, DLL files, registry keys, and more. After locating these files you will need to manually delete them all from your machine. Unless you’re an computer expert, even though manually removing is very time consuming, you’ll probably be fine. If you are not an expert, it is not recommended that you manually get rid of spyware. Because if you accidentally  delete registry keys or other vital system files you could irreversibly damage your computer.

It is recommended to avoid these risks, you can automatically detect and remove spyware with anti-spyware software. With anti-spyware software, getting rid of spyware is as easy as a few clicks of your mouse. Plus, most anti-spyware software will alert you to any spyware it finds and tell you what the spyware is and does, and offer you a choice to delete the spyware from your computer with a click of your mouse.

Click here to read our review of the best anti spyware programs!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Ma.gnolia
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • Slashdot
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

Windows Security Tips

Posted on June 18th, 2008 in Security, Windows tips | No Comments »

Besides scanning your PC afterwards with anti-spyware and anti-virus software to fix infections, you can do a lot to prevent being infected by spyware and or virusses. Click here to read our review of anti-spyware software.

  1. Do not visit high risk websites – these websites include crack and serial websites. Adult related websites. Websites that offer “free” games/software/music etc. Usually the “not well known” branded websites are riskier than well known names.
  2. Install special plugins to protect your system from spyware. For FireFox install the plugin no-script. You can download the plugin here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox
    You can download Firefox here: http://www.getfirefox.com.
    After you restarted Firefox it will block all Javascript. You can enable javascript for a certain website by clicking on the “S” image in the lower right corner. So if there are certain parts that do not load its because of this – just enable javascript for the sites you trust (youtube, google etc…).
  3. Enable extra security features in browser. Check the security settings tab in Firefox and enable “Tell me if the site I’m visiting is a suspected attack site and forgery”. Now you will get a warning if its a phishingsite (site to get to your information like bank details) or a known website for distributing spyware.
  4. Update your software and anti-spyware/virus programs. Regularly update your system software or enable automatic updates for Windows. Download the latest security fixes for your browser.
  5. Never download software from websites or peer to peer networks unless you really trust the website or the source.
  6. Audit the installed software – regularly check the programs installed on your PC. If you suddenly have a program installed on your PC you are sure you didn’t install than this could be spyware.
  7. Use firewall software – make sure that you can go on the internet but nothing can go from the internet to your PC unless you initiated it. There are several firewall solutions that even block installed programs from “calling home”. Calling home means that programs send information from your PC to a server on the internet. This can be for updates but also for more malicious reasons like sending personal information like banking details.

By using all these tips you can protect yourself better agains spyware infections.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Ma.gnolia
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • Slashdot
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

Malware removers

Posted on August 10th, 2007 in Security | No Comments »

To read our review of the best spyware cleaners click  here!

One of the current biggest threats for computer users is called malware. It can hijack your computer, redirect you to other webpages, serve you pop up ads, collect and send information stored on your pc like online banking passwords. Besides doing it’s malicious purpose it also uses your pc’s resources making it slow and unstable. These programs are also hard to remove from your pc because they hide them self within Windows.

There are several ways to get infected with malware. There are programs you can download which are bundled with malware (like file sharing programs). Another way is software which gets installed while visiting certain websites asking permission to be installed to view the website or they take advantage of security holes in your browser allowing to be installed without permission or you seeing the process.

Malware can be divided up in the following categories:

Adware

Programs that displays pop-up ads when you are surfing the internet. It can also redirect you to other websites. Usually it shows you adverting related to the websites you are viewing but can also serve you advertising when you aren’t using the browser.

Spyware

This is basically software that is spying on you. It could be collecting information about your hardware and software. But it could also download information from your pc like email addresses to be sold to spammers. But also information like your name, login names and passwords, credit card numbers and phone numbers.

Dialers

Dialers are programs that connect to expensive phone numbers. The owner gets revenue just like when you would normally call such a number and you are left with a large phone bill. Most of these programs connect with these numbers without you knowing.

Toolbars

Toolbars can be installed as an extension to Internet Explorer and provide added functionality. For example it could add a search box or pop up blocker to Internet Explorer. Unfortunatly malware toolbars can also be downloaded which look a lot like the other “legitimate” toolbars. Examples of legitimate Toolbars are Google and Yahoo! toolbars.

Hijackers

Hijackers take control of your web browser. When you try to visit a website the software will redirect you to another website. Or when you mistype an address you wil lbe redirected to another website.

Use the following malware removers to rid your pc of Malware:

SpywareBot

XoftSpySE

NoAdware

AdAlert

Click on the link to download a free trial version and to find out if your pc is infected with spyware or malware!

To read our review of the best spyware cleaners click here!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Ma.gnolia
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • Slashdot
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati