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FREE RESOURCES
If you have
antivirus as your only form of protection, you are
at serious risk!
Today, security must be holistic.
If you don't have any security measures, you time on the
internet is numbered. In fact the survival time is estimated
to be just 16 minutes.
Go
here to have a
look.
There are three
essential elements in any security
package.
- Antivirus
- Anti-spyware
- A Quality
Firewall
If you don't have
anything, you can get a free antivirus package
here.
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.clamwin.com/
Next you can download
the latest versions of spyware scanners
here.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
And of course, you need
a quality firewall to replace the basic Windows XP
offering.
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/
znalm/freeDownload.jsp
All these have been kindly provided
at no cost, so there's no excuse to be unprotected!
Please consider donating to support these vendor's
services.
THE ESSENTIAL
ANTI-SPYWARE BUYER"S CHECK LIST!
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy
LIST OF INFECTED
FILE SHARING APPLICATIONS
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/p2p/
THE SAFE DOWNLOAD LIST
I frequently say, "don't download
anything!". Generally speaking, this is great advice for a
newbie because it is not until you become a more
experienced user and learn how to pick the
suspicious downloads, that you can more easily detect the bad
guys. Occasionally, even I still get caught out by something
new!
To be able to utilize and enjoy the
internet you will need certain software, these days. It is
possible to lock down your PC like Fort Knox, but then you
might as well put your computer in a box! You can't be a
hermit, and security is relative and a compromise. Nothing is
a 100%!
Certain software is almost
mandatory these days and chances are it may already be
installed on your computer. If not, you'll get prompted to
download it. If it's from...
- Microsoft
- Adobe
- Macromedia
- Apple
Then they are all safe. Simply
follow the instructions and away you go.
Some examples
include...
- Flash Player
- Shockwave
- Adobe Reader
- Windows Mediaplayer
- Quicktime
- Itunes
- and even Real Player (Real
Player is an absolute pain but it is safe. You have to
customise the installation, otherwise it tries to take over
all of your media needs. Personally, I wouldn't have it
unless it's absolutely necessary. Some video or audio
streaming services only use Real Player but most give you
options.)
- Speedbit Download
Accelerator (An excellent tool which does as the name
implies. Used to contain adware but is now safe.)
- and of course, the resources
listed above.
THE BAD
GUYS!
Spyware, adware and worse still
scumware lurks in the domain of free downloads. I guarantee,
you will be tempted! Take extreme care and if you're a newbie,
"don't download anything!". Sorry to spoil your fun, but
here's the list...
- smilies
- icons
- screensavers
- freeware and
shareware
- spyware scanners
- pc check, time check, tune
ups, spyware check, anything check!
- free and trial
software containing any of the above
- anything flashy, pretty,
pop up, or anything that grabs your attention!
- and obviously, adult
sites!
Yes folks,
these are ALL potential sources of DANGER!
Remember,
download at your
risk!
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