by: ©By: Mz. Mugzzi
COMPUTER SELF HELP
Use anti-virus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware software to help keep your computer safe and secure.
Dealing with anti-virus and firewall protection may sound about as exciting as flossing your teeth, but it's just as important as a preventive measure. Having intense dental treatment is never fun; neither is dealing with the effects of a preventable computer virus.
ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Anti-virus software protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer's performance, cause a crash, or even allow spammers to send email through your account. It works by scanning your computer and your incoming email for viruses, and then deleting them. To be effective, your anti-virus software should update routinely with antidotes to the latest "bugs" circulating through the Internet. Most commercial anti-virus software includes a feature to download updates automatically when you are on the Internet.
FIREWALLS
Don't be put off by the word "firewall." It's not necessary to fully understand how it works; it's enough to know what it does and why you need it. Firewalls help keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. While anti-virus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications from and to sources you don't permit.
ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE
Anti-spyware software helps protect your computer from malicious spyware that monitors your online activities and collects personal information while you surf the web. It works by periodically scanning your computer for spyware programs, and then giving you the opportunity to remove any harmful surveillance software found on your computer. Some anti-virus software contains anti-spyware capability. Given the increasing sophistication of spyware programs, consider using two different anti-spyware program search one looks for slightly different sets of threats, and together they may offer increased protection.
SPAMMERS/HACKERS
Some spammers/hackers search the Internet for unprotected computers they can control and use anonymously to send unwanted spam emails. If you don't have up-to-date anti-virus protection and a firewall, spammers may try to install software that lets them route email through your computer, often to thousands of recipients, so that it appears to have come from your account. If this happens, you may receive an overwhelming number of complaints from recipients, and your email account could be shut down by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
LEARN WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
Unfortunately, there is no particular way to identify that your computer has been infected with malicious code. Some infections may completely destroy files and shut down your computer, while others may only subtly affect your computer's normal operations. Be aware of any unusual or unexpected behaviors.
HACKING OR COMPUTER VIRUS
If your computer gets hacked or infected by a virus:
- Immediately unplug the phone or cable line from your machine
- Scan your entire computer with fully updated anti-virus software, and update your firewall.
- Take steps to minimize the chances of another incident
- Alert the appropriate authorities by contacting:
Your ISP and the hacker's ISP (if you can tell what it is). Often the ISP's email address is abuse@yourispname.com or postmaster@yourispname.com. You can probably confirm it by looking at the ISP's website. Include information on the incident from your firewall's log file. By alerting the ISP to the problem on its system, you can help it prevent similar problems in the future. The FBI , to fight computer criminals, they need to hear from you.
Internet Fraud
If a scammer takes advantage of you through an Internet auction, when you're shopping online, or in any other way, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC enters Internet, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
DECEPTIVE SPAM
If you get deceptive spam, including email phishing for your information, forward it to spam@uce.gov . Be sure to include the full Internet header of the email. In many email programs, the full "Internet header" is not automatically included in forwarded email messages, so you may need to take additional measures to include the full information needed to detect deceptive spam. For further information, go to Get Net Wise Orginazation.
DIVULGED PERSONAL INFORMATION
If you believe you have mistakenly given your information to a fraudster, file a complaint at ftc.gov, and then visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website at to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from a potential theft of your identity.
OTHER SITES THAT WILL EDUCATE YOU ON YOUR COMPUTER
ZONEALARM.COM ~ they also have a basic free firewall
