Antivirus Blog

A firewall is essentially a security application that regulates information and access between the internet and a computer. Firewalls are also used to regulate traffic between computer networks, but for the average home computer user, a firewall is a tool specifically to protect them from the dangers of the internet. Windows operating systems come with a built-in firewall, so, why would you need to enlist the aid of a 3rd party firewall?

Not to take anything away from Windows Firewall, which is an effective basic product, but it does not offer anything close to the protection of the firewalls provided by leading antivirus and internet security companies. With the sophistication of hackers increasing all the time, youíll want a firewall that is also constantly evolving and being updated with the latest security information.

One common misconception is that only computers connected to the internet via broadband or some other type of high speed connection need a firewall. While it is true that these types of computers are more frequently targeted by thieves, that does not mean that computers on a dial-up connection are necessarily safe. Any computer connected to the internet needs to have an effective firewall running.

Without a firewall, your computer would be completely vulnerable to attack from the internet. Hackers could easily connect to your computer, transmit harmful information, and even steal your personal information and data.

One big difference between the basic Windows Firewall and more advanced firewall programs is that Windows Firewall only regulates incoming requests. The reason this still leaves you so vulnerable is because if you happen to contract a virus or some other type of malware, that malicious program may take your information and attempt to relay it to the criminal that distributed the harmful code in the first place. For instance, if you contract spyware that steals the online usernames and passwords you have saved in your browser, the virus will then attempt to send that information back to the source of that malware. If you have an effective firewall application running, however, such a transmission may not be allowed to occur.

Similarly, having a router that controls access to your home computer network is similar to the above scenario. You computer router will not allow non-trusted incoming requests, but it has no way to regulate outgoing requests. A powerful firewall is still needed to totally protect all of the computers on your network.

Another reason that the basic firewall as well as the firewall protection provided by routers is inadequate is simply because the technology is somewhat outdated. Hackers, for the most part, have already developed ways to get around these basic types of firewalls, and routinely do so in efforts to steal information or harm computers.

Upgrading to a full service firewall will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are being protected by the latest technology that is constantly being improved upon by antivirus experts. Many internet security suite software packages include powerful firewalls that are regularly updated along with the rest of the software to keep it up to date and keep you safe from the latest threats.

If youíre unsure of which firewall program is best for you, take a look at some of the reviews online to get a better understanding of which products offer the best service and value. You might start by researching the security products of the top companies such as Norton and McAfee, both trusted names in PC security.

Properly securing your email client to protect it against harmful infections, such as worms and Trojans, starts with you. Every single computer connected to the internet is at some risk of contracting an infection. The level of risk is determined by a number of factors, but one huge one is user activity. If you use great caution and know what to avoid online, your chances ok keeping your computer virus free are exponentially increased.
Another important step is making sure you have quality and up to date antivirus software running on your system. Even the most experience computer users are still at risk of accidentally receiving some sort of malware online.

So, why is additional security for Outlook and Outlook Express even necessary? Well, email is still by far the most common way that malware is distributed. Computer worms in particular take advantage of Microsoft Outlook by resending itself to everyone in the address book of the infected computer. This triggers a chain reaction that spreads the infection incredibly rapidly. Lack of email security is among one of the biggest problems in the battle against computer viruses and other types of malware. Lets take a look at what you can do to enhance the security of MS Outlook and Outlook Express.

Disable HTML
Although it can make emails look more attractive, it definitely has its drawbacks. For instance, many spammers include tracking codes within the HTML of their emails to get information about you. If there records indicate that you opened a piece of spam mail, it will likely result in you receiving even more spam in the future. HTML may also be used to manipulate links within the email so the spammer may direct you somewhere different then where the link suggests. Worst of all, active content can be used within HTML-rendered email that can cause attachments to download automatically, posing a significant risk if the attachment happens to contain a virus or some other type of malware.

Disabling HTML in Microsoft Outlook Express:

1. In Outlook Express, select Tools > Options
2. Select the Read tab and select ‘Read all messages in plain text’
3. Click the Send tab. Under ‘Mail Sending Format’, select “Plain text”
4. Click “Apply”, then “OK”.

To change email ‘read’ settings to plain text in Microsoft Outlook 2003:

1. Click  Tools > Options
2. Select Preferences > Email Options
3. Select “Read all standard mail in plain text”
4. Click OK

In Microsoft Outlook 2007:

1. Click Tools > Trust Center
2. Choose E-mail Security
3. Select “Read all standard mail in plain text”
4. Click OK.

MS Outlook 2002 can also be changed to only read emails in plain text, but it will require a registry edit to do so. It is highly recommended that you upgrade to either Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007.
To further secure Outlook and Outlook Express, you should disable all ActiveX and Java in the Restricted Sites zone. This can be done in Internet Explorer using the following menu items:
Tools > Internet Options > Security > Restricted Sites > Custom Level
Set the restrictions to ‘Custom Level’ and go through all of the options for scripting of Java or ActiveX.
After making these adjustments, youíll need to add Outlook or Outlook Express (whichever you’re currently using) to this zone. From within Outlook/Outlook Express, choose Tools > Options > Security, and then select the Restricted Zone.
As a final step in securing your mail client, make sure your operating system is up to date. Receiving regular updates from Windows will ensure that you have the best possible protection.

Spyware is annoying. There are no two ways about it. On the most severe end of the spectrum, some spyware may be used to steal your personal information and rob you blind or even destroy your credit. In milder cases, spyware is just a nuisance that can prove very difficult to completely remove.

No one in their right mind likes spyware. To remove it, there is no shortage of antispyware software that you can use to locate spyware hiding on your system and effectively remove it. However, this process can also get rather exhausting. It can be pretty frustrating to run your antispyware scanner every couple of months only to find a whole new slew of entries. So, how exactly do people end up with spyware on their system to begin with?

File Sharing
File sharing is one of the worst culprits. Attaching spyware to popular files and then distributing them is one of the most effective ways for the engineers of spyware to get their annoying software out there. Programs like Limewire, Kazaa, and several torrent clients are all notorious for aiding in the delivery of spyware. If you choose to use any of these types of services, make sure you know what you’re downloading beforehand. Torrent sites usually have user comments that will help you determine whether or not what you’re downloading is legitimate, but they can’t always be counted on 100%.

Software
Certain types of software, especially freeware, may come bundled with a variety of spyware. In most cases this type of spyware is just the annoying kind that collects data about your usage and relays it to the company that created it, usually for research. But this type of spyware can still hog system resources and you’re definitely better off without it. However, removing this type of spyware may cause the software it came with to stop functioning. Be sure to read the details in the terms of use of any new software that you install. If there is spyware bundled with it that is required in order for the application to run, it will say so somewhere in the terms.

Web Browsing
Sometimes spyware can be loaded onto your computer simply by visiting a website. This is very common among unscrupulous warez sites as well as some pornography sites. Upon visiting such a site, a malicious code will be loaded by your browser and then saved to your computer, which will then cause you to be infected with their spyware. For this reason, you should always use caution when visiting unfamiliar sites. Google recently implemented a feature that warns its visitors before visiting such a site with the message ‘Warning - this website may harm your computer’.

On top of using your best common sense, another great way to protect yourself from these types of threats is by implementing quality internet security software. Many of the leading antivirus software companies offer total security suites that will offer you a great deal of protection, with regard to spyware as well as just about every other type of malicious threat online. Take a look at the reviews online to help you best determine which security software is right for you.