How To Protect Against Spam, Spyware and Viruses
2008-04-16
You have probably heard the word "Spam" atleast a thousand times before. Maybe you know what it means. Maybe you don't. For those who don't I will try to describe it the best way I can.
I will also give you a good hint of what you can do to fully protect yourself and your computer against SPAM, Viruses, Spyware and other threats on the internet.
The technical definition of SPAM is : If a message is sent to a receiver which identity is irrelevant because the message is applicable to many other potential recipients, and the recipient has not verifiably granted permission for it to be sent.
( You have probably received those "Personal" emails saying "RE:Important", Urgent, RE: Reply, or those including your name.) These emails aren't personal at all. They SPAMMERS are using these tricks to fool you into thinking that they are to you only and that you have to read them.
You have most likely been infected by a computer virus once or more times. Well, then you might know that some computer viruses are highly destructive and some are in fact totally harmless. If you have been lucky you have been offer for something innocent as a joke or a popup with a scary picture and loud sound just to make your heart stop for a moment.
But, there are those viruses that could destroy your computer's operating system, and even destroy your computer's hardware components such as Hard drive, Processor, RAM, or BIOS etc. These are software with CRUEL intentions, and created ONLY to harm and destroy.
To bring in the term SPYWARE too, I will give you a brief indication on what these software programs can do. SPYWARE is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. These could be Trojans, Web Bugs, and Advertiser software.
Trojans are named after the Trojan Horse. It is programs which are placed on your system by tricking you to think it is something else. A popular method of delivering viruses.
Web Bugs or Cookies are ActiveX controls that monitors what your actions are on the net, and then sends targeted Ads(Popups and Banners.)
Advertiser software is software that comes with many Free ad-supported programs. Most file sharing software such as Bearshare and Kazaa comes with advertiser software. This will also annoy you with banners, popups and ads.
Down to the bottom line.
With all these threats floating around on the net it seems like a good idea to protect yourself against it, or what?
I will narrow it down to three things that is necessary to protect yourself from threats on the internet.
* A firewall protection. ( Protects you from hackers and software that tries to breach into your system without your knowledge)
* Antivirus Software ( Protects you against Computer viruses)
* Anti SPYWARE software ( Protects you against Spyware,Adware, and Web Bugs)
There are hundreds of brands to choose from, and many of the most trusted ones comes all-in-one. Which means that you are fully protected with only one application. Some brands are more expensive than others. But you could actually protect yourself and your system with Free software too.
Many of these free applications are great and works just fine, and you won't pay a cent. Paid software is usually better than the Free, but it is a start. Because without any protection your are totally naked to this kind of threats.
(A tip for everyone: If you don't have a Firewall but runs on Windows XP there is implemented a firewall in the operating system. This is a great firewall that lays there, and all you have to do is to make sure it is turned on.)
source:article hut
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