Posts filed under 'Uncategorized'
Antivirus Software is one of those crucial programs that you always need in your computer, especially if your computer is connected over a external network. They are in great demand today as the threats keep increasing with each passing second. It has become an essential part of all Computers.
Viruses: What are the dangers?
Viruses are one of those malicious programs written by specific people called hackers who have the intention of destroying personal data and destroy the computer working peace and then goes on to irritate the users. Each day at least a million users complain that their PC has got affected with viruses. Also these viruses are so malicious that they can sometime destroy the operating system as well. So care has now been taken and steps to reduce the viruses and increasing the security of the computers worldwide has started already in the form of Antivirus Programs which are provided by many reputed companies like McAfee, Symantec and a lot more corporate companies.
Why we need them?
Antivirus Programs have become a must for all those computers connected to the internet as there is an increased threat of computers losing to the strength of viruses. The companies offering these services know fully well the importance of protecting the computer user’s personal data. Also they are used to remove other types of malicious programs like Spy ware, Mal ware as well.
Which is the best one in the Market?
If we look at the best of Antivirus programs, then many will say it is Norton from Symantec which has earned a name for itself as being the number one. However there are many other reputed ones in the market as well in the brand name McAfee, Kaspersky, Bit defender and so on. It is up to the buyer to make a wise decision of buying the correct Antivirus software for his home or his office computer.
July 10th, 2008
Most savvy computer users are extremely aware of both spyware and viruses. Both weave their way along the internet and into your computer without your knowledge. You may have heard spyware referred to as snoop ware, adware or crime ware. Spyware is notorious at entering your computer through sites that you visit with the assumption that the only thing that you are downloading is needed or requested information, and viruses can do the same. Spyware, once in your system can monitor your activities, collect data and return this information to its creators. At best your activities are reported, at worst your personal information is compromised and may be hijacked. Viruses are simply waiting to destroy your system; they can do this slowly in an inch by inch dance or explosively, as in the case of some of the more lethal computer viruses that have been seen. Both of these types of programs are very insidious and spyware itself is becoming more and more difficult to detect. Because of the damage that these programs can inflict upon your computer system, you need to have protection against both of these malevolent enemies.
You are familiar with the drill by now, your computer is functioning slower time to check things out. Chances are good that you are going to find your computer an unwilling host to spyware, and most likely not just one, but multiple cases of this unwanted pests. Nine out of 10 of every PC today that is connected to the internet is infected with one or more forms of spyware. Spyware will often have to be manually uninstalled and this is one of the more time-consuming jobs you will ever be faced with. The best way to prevent this from happening to you is to protect yourself with protective programs that are specifically designed to be anti-spyware and anti-virus. There are dozens of this type of program on the market and you can choose to buy them and install them yourself or they can be downloaded from a reputable and trusted site.
When you are looking for a spyware/anti-virus program for your computer you need to be sure that it is user friendly and interfaces easily. It should have regular automated modes of updates that allow it to keep abreast of the newest forms of threats. It should be able to stop the threat in its tracks and not allow it in to your computer at all. In other words, you should be able to browse safely without worrying about any sort of infection. You will have to carefully read the descriptions of all anti-virus software which you are considering in order making the choice best for you. The highest priced anti-viral package may not be any better in performance than a more modestly priced one. Remember, the free ones that are often advertised do not generally have a great deal of the qualities that you need for the best protection.
July 9th, 2008
Hewlett-Packard has circulated a bunch of USB keys for various Proliant server models which have malware that could let an invader to control an infected computer.
The malware enclosed on the 1GB and 256KB USB external memory have been recognized as W32.SillyFDC and W32.Fakerecy. The virus multiplies by replicating themselves to mapped or detachable drives and infect systems running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT, as stated by AusCERT.
HP’s Software Security Response Team sent a word of warning to AusCERT this week subsequent to finding out the virus on the USB external drives and has also presented a list of infected servers to the security response organization.
To detect whether a USB drive is infected, HP suggests placing in a computer with the latest antivirus software. Systems with updated antivirus should be secure from the worm, according to HP and since the infected USB drives only concerns Proliant servers, a targeted attack can’t be discarded.
Though, the threat risk from the virus is measured to be low, it is most likely that it is not directed to soar into an extensive scourge. But HP mostly recommends users to execute a virus scan of every media which includes new blank drives you obtain from sellers prior to using/installing them as errors like this have been well-known to occur before.
He alleges that the malware-infected USBs will have only distressed a slight number of customers.
HP copes with each and every quality problem very seriously. As the keys concerned are used to install non-compulsory floppy-disk drives that only influence the USB Floppy Drive Key stuff which is a very small volume alternative and bangs a very small fraction of ProLiant customer base. They have uncovered root cause and are totally positive that they have resolved this incident. So far, no users have reported this issue.
HP has offered an advisory page for users with infected USB keys.
July 9th, 2008
This world is amazing indeed!! The world of Spy Ware and Viruses has taken control and it is the millions of users who are facing the heat at this point of time. Is there no way of escaping from this world? Let us take look.
Their Threats:
They pose a great threat indeed. They have penetrated many computers already and have done their best in destroying the data. Sometimes, people wonder whether there is any way of escaping from these threats. If we look closely, they both look like the same enemy, but the fact is that they are different and they differ in the way they do malicious and dangerous things. If we look at viruses we can say that they enter a PC and does nothing other than simply destroying it. Sometimes these viruses may even threaten the Operating System by simply formatting the disks and the user will be left with no other option other than reinstalling the Operating system. Besides the viruses can also cause loss of data and carry out other suspicious activities like change in wallpaper and other personal settings too. Also if your PC is slower than normal, then you have every reason to suspect that your PC has viruses. So it is better to go for a good Antivirus Software which can safeguard your PC against these threats.
The Spy wares are different in the sense that they steal personal information of the user and give it to a third party so that he can access your computer. Normally an Anti-spy ware program can detect all these malicious ones and destroy them instantly.
Updating the software:
Do update the software of your Antivirus and Anti spy ware to stay protected throughout. Also check for new versions of the software that you use.
July 9th, 2008
What does encryption do for me?
Encryption and cryptographic software has been used in many different ways to make systems more secure. This article discusses only a few ways that such software can make your system more secure, including:
1) Encrypting your email
2) Encrypting your files
To programs are mentioned that will help encrypt information. There are many more programs out there that will help, but these programs are good and a good place to start as any. They have the added benefit of both being free with source code available.
Will encryption stop people from accessing my information?
Encryption simply makes it harder for people to gain access to important information, like passwords or sensitive information in a file. The first thing you should know about encryption is that the algorithm that is used to encrypt can be simple or more complex and that affects how securely what you have encrypted is protected. Encryption systems have been broken when the method of encryption is understood by hackers and is easy to break.
Why bother to encrypt my email?
It should be noted that email is far less secure than paper mail for two very good reasons: first, electronic data can be accessed easily over an Internet and secondly, electronic data is really simple to copy. There is a very good chance that someone has snooped around in your email despite your best intentions to stop it.
How do I go about encrypting my email?
There are many programs out there that can help you encrypt your email. A very popular one is PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) or its Gnu offshoot GPG.
PGP (http://www.pgpi.org/) self-describes itself this way: This “is a program that gives your electronic mail something that it otherwise doesn’t have: Privacy. It does this by encrypting your mail so that nobody but the intended person can read it. When encrypted, the message looks like a meaningless jumble of random characters. PGP has proven itself quite capable of resisting even the most sophisticated forms of analysis aimed at reading the encrypted text.”
Why bother to encrypt my files?
The answer to this boils down to what you store on your computer. If you have financial data with important information like social security numbers, email addresses, account numbers and passwords, then you open yourself up to losing very valuable information. Most corporate Internet security employees will attest to the widespread theft of very valuable information. As long as you are connected to the Internet you are vulnerable.
How do I go about encrypting my files?
AxCrypt File Encryption Software (http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/) Self-described as “Free Personal Privacy and Security for Windows 98/ME/NT/2K/XP with AES-128 File Encryption, Compression and transparent Decrypt and Open in the original application.”
July 8th, 2008