What are Viruses and Spyware and how can I Protect Myself?

A: Spyware is 3rd party software designed by some dishonest advertising companies to track information about you and your computer while you are using your computer. Often times spyware programs will collect personal information such as your e-mail address, name, and report the collected information to the responsible advertising company.

Ad-ware is a similar type of software created by advertising companies and will often work in conjunction with spyware. However rather than collecting information about your computer, ad-ware programs will display pop-up advertisements or replace paid ads on web pages with those of the ad-ware maker. Both spyware and ad-ware will seriously compromise your privacy, and your computer’s security and performance.

Q: How Does Spyware Get on My Computer?

A: Under most circumstances, Spyware will hide itself with other software it will misrepresent it self as a helpful program or utility. For example, the commonly used music sharing programs “Kazaa” will not only install itself, it also installs a few other programs that you don’t even know about. The hidden program will run without your knowledge in the background (stealth operation) and slowly degrade without your system’s performance and compromise your privacy.

Q: What are the consequences of having spyware on My Computer?

A: There are too many spyware programs installed on your computer are slow performance (speed), pop-ups, Internet connectivity issues and general corruption in windows.

Q: What Are Some of the Most Common Spyware Programs?

A: There are so many spyware programs to list, however there are some programs common than others. Here are some of the names of the common programs: Kazaa, SaveNow, Bonzi Buddy, Percision Time, Data Manager, Gator, New.net, Messenger (MSN) plus! (Not affiliated by Microsoft), Hotbar, SlideSearch, Cool Web Search, My Search Now, Weatherbug, Webtools, WhenUSafe, BaragainBuddy, 180 Search, IST bar, Money Tree Dialer, TopRebates, NaviSearch, Brilliant Digital, WebHancer, SearchAlot, NCase, My-Way Speedbar, Cydoor, Comet Cursor, ClickTillUwin, Common Name and Alexa.

Q: How can I Protect Myself from Being Infected Again?

A: it is generally quit difficult to remain spyware-free if you used the internet on a regular basis. However it is entirely possible to keep the spyware to a very controllable level by simply keeping track of what you download, and making sure that if you don’t need it you download it. A lot of utilities that appear to be helpful or cool usually turn out to be on your desktop, have your computer returned to you, two new icons will be on your desktop, “spybot: S&D” and “Ad-Ware.” Run both of these programs at least once every two weeks and make sure they are kept op-to-date. You may download updated copies of these programs from www.download.com .

With the popularity of Internet Explorer, many malicious programs are designed to specifically to compromise Internet Explorer. For this reason, other internet browsers such as firefox not only have the advantage of being different from internet explorer, ut if also has specific built in protection to resist spyware and other harmful software. However programs such as firefox are not as broadly used and as a result have limited support. It is therefore strongly recommended that consider the support aspect of switching internet browsers (i.e. being able to backup e-mail and address books).

Q: What is virus?

A: A virus is any program or file that replicates itself. Many of today’s viruses are designed to carry out malicious operations

Q: How are the Consequences of having a virus?

A: Viruses perform malicious operations including but not limited to; deleting files, damaging hardware (rare), disabling anti-virus software and back-door administration that allows a malicious user to take over your system remotely and damage or steal information from your computer.

Q: How Viruses Transmitted?

A: Viruses are transmitted in a variety of methods including but not limited to; vesting a website, opening or receiving e-mail or attachments, downloading files from dishonest websites or you can become infected merely by being connected to the internet.

Q: What is the Best Method of Protecting My Computer?

A: The safest solution is to use quality virus detection software such as Norton Antivirus or MacAfee VirusSacan. If you own this software it is critical that you purchase a new copy every 12 months. In addition to your annual purchase, it is extremely important to maintain regular updates to your virus detection software and your Windows Security Updates.

Q: Should I check and install any Windows Updates from the internet?

A: Yes. You should check periodically for necessary Critical Windows Updates. Download and install these Updates to protect your computer from viruses and hackers that exploit know software bugs within windows itself.

Q: If the windows is re-installed, what is it to be expected when I begin to use My Computer?

A: If the windows O.S on your PC is badly damaged or corrupted, then the only recourse is to reload windows fresh. Any previously installed programs, e-mail, and resetup. We cannot re-install programs if you either provide us with the original installation disks with valid serial or key numbers, or you are purchasing the software from The Tech Zone. If the applications software was ‘per-loaded’ when you purchased your pc, then you will require the “Restore CD(s)” provided from the manufacture. If you do not have or did not receive setup or restore disks with the PC, then you may need to contact the PC manufacturer for replacement.