Win Spyware War
I always patch my antivirus software, scanners, windows system & regularly scan with updated antivirus & antispyware. But dose our antimalware tools able to win this spyware war? Every day crackers invent new ways to attack our pc. These threats can be too new for malware programs to detect.
To defend this spyware war & minimize our risk, be aware of o
Some spyware threats & tips to avoid these new dangers.
The great danger we face regarding to computer security is identity theft.
If someone steals our identity, the thief can sign up to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using our name & can get us into trouble.
Use latest version of your Operating system.
On
Windows XP.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) come with security center. In which Microsoft provide inbuilt firewall. You can see the security status of the system in this security center. It informs about the security status of system’s firewall, automatic update, & virus protection. Here you can turn on automatic updates, check new updates, can set internet options for more security purpose, can view firewall settings.
You can access security center by Start => programs => Accessories => System Tools =>
Updates
Your system must be up to date with the latest version of your operating system & application software you are running on your computer. If you do not update software & continue using it. Those gaping holes can easily discover & exploit by hackers.
Internet Explorer
To protect your computer from such security hazards, internet explorer must be up to date. ( latest version of internet explorer is Internet Explorer Beta 3. ……
You can increase your security by setting internet options.
To access internet options right click on internet explorer select properties. In security tab click on button custom level . here u can assign settings for active x control & other plug-ins. There are much more option & help for security concerns on Microsoft site.
For better security, Instead of internet explorer you can have an alternate browser such as firefox , opera, etc.
Firefox resist malware infection. It prompts user permission at every installation of malware software. You can deny permission to install such software or to run unwanted script. Always click no to such unwanted scripts.
Instead of outlook express you can use another e-mail program such as Thunderbird.
How often system scan be run?
If you are using free antivirus software, you have to run scan for at least twice a week, if u have run time virus & spyware protection running constantly like… Mcafee , then you can scan your computer once a week or two.
Password Protection.
For personal Pcs you can use remember my password option. You can create different users accounts for xp if more than one pals using your home pc.
Keylogger
Keloggers are different types. They not only can log your key stroke but can capture anything you do on your PC. They can take screen shots of your PC’s display. They can gain the saved passwords of Internet Explorer which store in Windows Protected Storage Area.
Use a firewall that can block all unknown programs from communicating with the net. So that kelogger can’t communicate to its home.
The ZoneAlarm firewall can do it. But don’t rely on Win XP’s inbuilt firewall.
Email Scams
Hackers sends many messages that seems to came from banks, paypal, ebay, etc. & ask you to login to page given in link. They provide fake page to get your password. I found gmail warns for such scam pages.
Always bookmark your bank paypal pages. Use it everytime you login. Set different password for each account.
Email malice
Hackers send new bot as email attachment send links to website where they fix botnet rakes which bind with spyware, & DoS (denial of service) attacks.
Avoid such unknown sites, some emails seems to come from somebody you know, but there are slightly difference in those ‘spoofed’ email addresses. If you find any suspicious attachment or site mention in email that seems to send by someone you know do not click on link or open attachment. You can simply ask to sender (your friend) mention in address regarding to that mail.Firewall
There are too many hardware & software firewall. Zone alarm is the best.
Antivirus tools
Must have install good antivirus scanner which updates automatically for latest virus definition. Some of the good scanner are
The Shield Pro see review here
McAfee see review here
AVG Scanner, Nod32
Spyware removal tools
Windows defender , spybot , ad-aware.
Invisible viruses
How to remove viruses which stay hidden from virus scanners?
To remove such software virus u need to get rid of them before they load itself during system start up. While booting (starting) computer press F8 before windows load. Windows will display boot menu. Choose the option safe mode with networking. This mode prevents most virus from running. & even u can scan your pc online.
