Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the US according to the FBI
 

Computer Security.Anti-virus/anti-spyware software

Written by OSAblog on Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Advances in computer technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it affords us quick and easy access to numerous conveniences such as bank statements, favorite shopping centers, school and health records, and more. On the other hand, it can also grant the same access to those who aren’t supposed to get it. Although it’s a rare occurrence, hacking has become the biggest criminal nuisance in computer history.

 

Make no bones about it. There’s nothing innocent or cute about the hacker. Today’s hackers aren’t the pimply-faced teen rebels that you might be thinking of. Instead, this generation of hackers are grown individuals who are more than likely earning a living by stealing the identities of innocent, law abiding individuals and then selling those identities to others who want to slip by the system. And the only protection against these seedy people is prevention.

 

Computer security couldn’t be more important than it is today and that’s why we’ve taken the time to introduce it to you.  You can reduce the probability of experiencing identity theft by making your computer as hacker-proof as possible. All that’s needed is a little software and a lot of common sense.

 

  1. Install an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. Anti-virus/anti-spyware software will stop malicious code from downloading and installing onto your computer while you peruse the Internet. Known as viruses, worms, or spyware, this malicious code can destroy important files and render your computer good for only one thing: sending sensitive data back to the server of an identity thief.
  2. Don’t store sensitive data on your computer in the first place. Should your computer get infected with a virus, worm, or piece of spyware, you can thwart the individuals responsible by not storing your personal information on your PC so that when and if your computer does send back data – it won’t be anything valuable. Hackers look for things like full names, social security numbers, phone numbers, home addresses, work-related information, and credit card numbers. If these things aren’t saved onto a computer, there’s nothing critical to worry about other than restoring your computer to a non-virus condition.
  3. Don’t open files without scanning them with an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. In the past, the warning was to avoid opening files from people that you don’t know. Today it’s really not safe to open files from anyone (without scanning the files) because that’s how viruses get spread – through files – even by mistake. So even though your co-worker may have emailed a funny video, it’s no more safe to open than a video downloaded from a complete stranger. Be safe and scan each and every file you download from the Internet or receive through email regardless of where it came from.
  4. Create a barrier between your computer and prying eyes. Anti-virus/anti-spyware programs are only effective after the effect. But you can prevent identity theft from occurring by installing a firewall. A firewall is software that checks all data entering and exiting a computer and it then blocks that which doesn’t meet specified security criteria (user-defined rules)
  5. Don’t click on website links in spam messages. In an effort to obtain personal information, some spammers will send email that asks you to click on a link. The email messages are often disguised as important messages from well-known online establishments, and they often try to scare their readers into clicking links with threats of closing an account of some sort. Sometimes the links are harmless and attempt to con the reader into volunteering personal information (credit card number), but other times the links attempt to download harmful software onto a computer.

 

Your best protection against computer crimes is your own knowledge. Hopefully the suggestions above will prompt you into taking appropriate action and into protecting your computer with the suggested tools. In doing so, you’ll not only protect yourself, you’ll prevent the spread of these malicious activities and protect others at the same time.

 

 

Amazon’s massive range of Software at the best price around.Feel free to browse my website.
http://www.vetosoftware4u.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/computer-securityantivirusantispyware-software-873930.html

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • RSS
  • Turn this article into a PDF!

Welcome back! You may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

  • Share/Bookmark

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • Best Security Solution for your Laptop Security Laptops, which now-a-days a have become the prime target of thefts and security breaches can be secured by using various laptop security measures. Now-a-days only software or only hardware laptop security is not enough for protecting the computer. A combination of both is considered to the best security solution that......
  • AVG Should You Pay For Anti-Virus Software? Is Anti-Virus Software Really Necessary? Now why do you need anti-virus software on your computer? If you surf the Internet, you need an anti-virus program. If you download movies or music on your computer you need anti-virus software. And if you have kids or even worse, teenagers, their browsing habits......
  • How Does Spyware and Adware Get on Your Computer? Spyware and adware use some very stealth tactics to get onto your computer. While most experienced internet users are quite diligent, the average users are completely oblivious to the impact and magnitude of adware and spyware. Most people seem to think that constant pop ups are just a part of......
  • Anti Virus Protection - Free Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus List Spyware and computer viruses are one of the online threats that can be harmful to your system. Protection against these threats is essential and every computer should have at least a basic protection. National Cyber Security Alliance in 2005 online safety study has reported that 81% of computer home users......
  • Is Malware Harming Your Windows XP Computer - Find Out How An Online Malware Removal Tool Can Help Malware are software applications programmed to harm or do unauthorized actions on a computer system. Common examples of malware are viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Viruses, for example, can cause havoc on a computer's hard drive by deleting files or directory. Spyware, on the other hand, can gather......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • Low Cost Computing for a Baby Boomer Lifestyle I rely heavily on personal computers for work and home activities. So do you. One of my objectives over the past couple of years has been to reduce the cost of computing in the one area where cost-control is easiest: software. I have found many free software applications that work......
  • 100 of the Best Privacy Tools and Online Resources100 of the Best Privacy Tools and Online Resources [/caption] The Internet still remains a largely unregulated domain with no enforcement agency with any teeth to protect the privacy of citizens using the World Wide Web. Recent outrages such as the “Google Chrome Crime”, the “Facebook Fiasco” and “Whitehouse.gov – gate” have encouraged Internet users to take it into......
  • botnet2Computer Malware and Preventive Recommendations: Botnets It’s often what we don’t know can hurt us the most… That is the case when it comes to the effects of malware such as computer viruses, worms and Trojans. Botnets are one of the fastest growing and the most dangerous threat on the Internet today. “Bot” stands for robot,......
  • bankruptcyWhat is Bankruptcy? Understand the process of bankruptcy before you file the forms by yourself or with an attorney. To start the process of bankruptcy, a person with an unwieldy amount of debt files for bankruptcy in the nearest court. This process is normally done with the help of attorney, a person is......
  • Spyware Adware Removal Has Become Very Easy Today Spyware adware removal is a common activity for most PC users across the world today. Thanks to the advanced technology we can have its benefits anywhere we go; we even have free spyware removal programs. These have to be downloaded only from the genuine website from the internet. These anti......
 

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv Enabled

« What Is Best Antivirus? | Home | First Hand Guide to Computer Users Running Windows »