Bill | Firewalls And Spyware

About Bill

Bill has been a member since July 13th 2010, and has created 8 posts from scratch.

Bill's Bio

Bill's Websites

This Author's Website is

Bill's Recent Articles

Spyware Threats – Detection, Blocking and Removal.

published Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 7:16 pm by Bill

There are three important elements to dealing with spyware threats. Detection, blocking and removal.

Spyware detection is a reactive process. It tells you when you’ve been infected, so you’re wise after the event and hopefully before any damage is done. Most free software is purely reactive. You’ll usually need to activate the software manually and log on for updates manually.

Spyware blocking is an active, real-time process. Your software needs to be on and running in the background whenever you’re connected to the Internet. To be effective spyware blockers need to be automatically updated on a regular basis. You may have to pay for an effective blocker.
Of course, if spyware threats are discovered on your system you will need to remove them.

Spyware Removal tools are often included in both free and commercial software.

Apart from the limited functionality free versions are intended for personal use only. Also, scans in free and trial products tend to be slower than in the fully paid up versions.

Free Scans

Be wary of offers for a free spyware scan, especially if it arrives as a link in an unsolicited email. There are several considerations here.

Firstly, you don’t know who is looking around inside your computer.

Secondly, you could actually be downloading a trojan or other malware.

Thirdly, even if the offer is legitimate you may well have to pay a fee for the ‘upgrade’ in order to remove the threats – so, don’t expect a completely free lunch. Unfortunately there are a number of bogus anti-spyware products out there, which are really just conduits for adware and other malware. So, stick to the publishers you’ve heard of.

Always think before you link.

Cookies

A word about cookies. Your anti-spyware software will often identify cookies as spyware. So don’t be too alarmed if the first scan you do reveals several hundred ‘threats‘.

More than likely they will be cookies and your software will identify most of them as low risk. Most cookies are useful as they save you having to constantly log in to your favourite sites.

So, think twice before you delete them all.

Anti-Spyware Software

Download prices are generally for 12 months, and may vary due to time sensitive offers and your location.

We recommend GhostSurf or Spyware Doctor

GhostSurf Platinum 5.5 Normally $39.95 Now $29.95

Run a free Spyware & Trojan scan with Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus – 5 Star Rated.

Tags: Anti spyware
Posted in Anti Spyware, Internet Security | No Comments »

Personal Firewalls

published Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 7:50 pm by Bill

The purpose of a personal firewall is to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. This can be done in several ways.

All firewalls refer to a pre-configured security policy to decide which communications to permit or deny in order to provide a defensive ring. Any large organisation or network, such as a bank or a transit control system will have a Firewall, which will most likely be a combination of a physical appliance or appliances and interrogation gateways, proxy servers and packet filtering. So, whereas a firewall is designed to protect a network or system a personal firewall is only designed to protect the computer or PDA on which it is installed.

Your personal firewall is usually the last line of defense between your PC and the outside world so it’s important to make sure it’s operational. Your PC will already have a basic firewall installed as soon as it comes out of the box. But you might be surprised at how many people have their firewalls deactivated without even realising, whether through oversight, neglect or in some cases hacking!

Assuming your firewall is functioning correctly it will attempt to control information flowing into and out of your computer. It may do this quietly in the background according to predesignated parameters, or it may flag up unusual activity to you so you can establish a rule. With newly installed firewall software this can be a little irritating at first but it’s essential if it is going to ‘learn’ about your preferences. The most important thing about your personal firewall is that it prevents hackers from gaining access to or control of your computer.

So, what kind of personal firewall do you need? Well, one you can trust and rely on. But it’s important to stress that a personal firewall on it’s own is a weak defense – the thin red line. It needs the support and backup of anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware software to detect and prevent intruders.

But you don’t need to spend a fortune on a separate personal firewall. There are some very good free personal firewalls available, and most commercial anti-virus and internet security suites will include a beefed up firewall.

As you might expect the free personal firewalls available are usually cut down versions of the commercial product, but may well be enough for home users. However, if you rely on your computer for your work or business then you really should consider upgrading. The free versions, though, may be a great way of sampling the goods before you buy.

Free personal firewalls

PC Tools

ZoneAlarm
Download ZoneAlarm Free Firewall Now!

Not-so-free dedicated firewalls

ZoneAlarm

ZoneAlarm Pro Firewall 2010 – Save up to 50%

Small and Medium Businesses

CA Business Intrusion Prevention Systems and Gateway Security Products
Available from the Business Shop at the Computer Associates Store!

Posted in Firewalls, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Eliminating Malware

published Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm by Bill

The CCSS Forum is a voluntary organization of security software vendors, operating system providers, and Internet browser software creators.

Some software promoting itself as security software intentionally hurts end-users rather than helping them. CCSS (Common Computing Security Standards) has created a list of known legitimate software vendors. The listed companies all create and distribute security software legitimately designed to protect consumers. Of course, with the vast amount of software available and the dynamic nature of the market, this list is not a complete representation of all security software, but serves as a starting point to differentiate between legitimate protection and viruses or ransomware in disguise. If you have any doubts about a ‘security software’ provider you could do worse than visit the CCSS Forum.

The site also provides some helpful compatibility information reported by both vendors and software users. This could be really helpful if your system is acting strangely and you suspect that it might be due to some recently installed security software.

…For more information visit http://www.ccssforum.org/index.php

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Xtremkey – LaCie Launches ‘Indestructible’ Flash Drive!

published Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 8:23 pm by Bill

From the LaCie Newsroom – July 13, 2010

This seems to be a product made firmly with Jack Bauer in mind. He’s always screaming for ‘backup’. Forget CTU. Maybe this is just what he needs.

If, like our Jack, you’re prone to getting run over by a truck, locked in an industrial freezer, barbecued like a corn dog or perhaps just dropping your flash drive down the pan, then this could be just for you (you clunk!). IMHO the guy in this vid needs to take better care of his stuff!

From the LaCie Newsroom…

LaCie has launched the Lacie XtremKey – offering industrial-strength protection for your data. With capacities up to 64GB and an impenetrable shell, the XtremKey is a truly rugged USB key that stands up to the elements.

LaCie, originator of the flat, award-winning key-shaped USB flash drives, shields the XtremKey’s premium flash memory modules inside a 2mm metal pipe casing. Sealed with wear-resistant screw threads and a rubber O-ring, it is watertight up to 100 meters. The LaCie XtremKey is also resistant to 5-meter drops, fierce heat and bitter cold – it holds up in any environment, no matter where you take it (+200°C / -50°).

XtremKey is constructed with zamac, a metal alloy composed of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper that’s so strong, it can withstand the pressure of a 10-ton truck. Less than three inches tall, this flash memory drive puts strength, security and storage right on your keyring.

“The XtremKey offers extreme durability and capacity in a convenient, well-protected and fun form factor,” said Alexis Kobassian, Product Manager, LaCie. “Despite the robust, industrial-strength protection we’ve added, it’s still a LaCie key that brings ease-of-use and reliability to customers looking to keep their data secure while on the go.”

Equipped with the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, XtremKey offers instant compatibility, outstanding transfer speeds and cross-platform convenience to all PC and Mac® users. With writing speeds up to 30 MB/s and reading up to 40 MB/s, you don’t have to sacrifice performance for protection.

Designed by Constance Guisset exclusively for LaCie, XtremKey works relentlessly to keep your data protected, all while being portable, powerful and perfectly suited for your life’s adventures. The key, when placed on a desktop, even shows some playful personality with a perfectly balanced wobble effect.

Availability
The LaCie XtremKey comes in capacities from 8GB to 64GB and will be available in August through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at $49.99. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.

… Clearly if you are as clumsy as me this could be the answer to your prayers. I have to go – I only have 24 minutes to stop the spread of a deadly virus……

P. S. I tried all this stuff with my wife’s iPhone – I can tell you it’s not nearly so durable!

Posted in Storage | No Comments »

About Page

published Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 12:37 pm by Bill

I’ve updated the About Page today to give a little more information about hosting.