Viruses, worms and trojans are the biggest threat to your computer and your privacy. One of the best resources on the Internet to help you deal with virus, worms, and other threats to your computers is Sophos. Check out the full list of known threats to your computer now at the Sophos Virus Analysis Page.
Exactly what is the threat?
A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program, similar to a computer virus. A virus attaches itself to, and becomes part of, another executable program; a worm is self-contained and does not need to be part of another program to propagate itself.
A virus is parasitic program written intentionally to enter a computer without the users permission or knowledge. The word parasite is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, thus continuing to spread. Though some virus's do little but replicate others can cause serious damage or effect program and system performance. A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system.
Trojan Horses are impostors--files that claim to be something desirable but, in fact, are malicious. A very important distinction between Trojan horse programs and true viruses is that they do not replicate themselves. Trojans contain malicious code that when triggered cause loss, or even theft, of data. For a Trojan horse to spread, you must, invite these programs onto your computers--for example, by opening an email attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet.
All three categories are threats to your system ranging from a minor annoyance to complete system malfunction. There are software available to help manage these problems, some are free and others you must pay a fee. One of the best free virus/trojan/worm protections I have found is AVG software.
Another annoyance is in the form of adware or spyware. Both have major issues with privacy invasion. Adware and spyware keep track of your activities online. Spyware usually reports back to someone else to tailor ads to send to you in the form of pop ups, pop unders, and email. Adware sends you the annoying pop ups that cannot be stopped even if you have pop up blockers installed on your computer and are based on your surfing habits. What's worse is some of these programs are "drive by". By merely visiting a web site where these traps are waiting, it will install itself to your computer without your consent or knowledge.
One program I like to use [which costs $29.95] is called Spy Sweeper
The other serious threat is that of a "hacker". Don't get confused here, but I am about to tell you something that you probably never heard. The threat comes from "crackers" and not true hackers. A hacker is basically a person who has the knowledge of computer systems in general and can access any computer by remote. A true hacker does this for the purpose of fixing problems on a computer and to try to find improvements. A cracker, which IS the danger to you, is a person who does this maliciously with the intent to cause harm, destruction and chaos. These are the bad guys who have nothing better to do with their time and want to flaunt how they are smarter than you because they could find a leak in your system you were unable to protect. They get nothing else out of it except a good laugh. A few of these crackers are dangerous if they are looking for personal information in order to steal from you, defraud you, or do damage to your reputation.
Firewall software is a good idea, but it cannot stop all crackers from accessing your system if they are really determined. Keep in mind no firewall is 100% perfect, but some are better than others.
I like using Zone Alarm which is free to use.
There are things you can do to minimize your risks of outside attack, but sometimes it might not be enough. Being alert to your own actions is sometimes the best thing to protect your computer and yourself.
Install a virus protection system, a firewall system, a pop up blocker, and a spyware program on your computer. Be sure to run regular sweeps of your computer. If you cannot do it after each time you shut down your system, at least do it each week. Keep updating your protection as often as possible.
Be careful about using your email address online. Have a free email account [I prefer hotmail because it has an awesome spam filter.] just for those forms you fill out for more information when you are curious about what they are offering, but don't want to tie up your regular email account with spam that originates from filing out that form.
Be careful about sites you visit. Especially in the case of adult web sites where you are more than likely to have spyware installed without your consent or an endless array of pop up hell.
Do not open email attachments, even from people you know, unless you have specifically requested it. Even those email bounce notices with attachments should never be opened because chances are you did not send them, but is proof that your email is attached to some virus program out there.
Be careful about free offers, especially in the form of free downloads. Some free sites are notorious for drive-by installations. Others offer free games or software with the condition [often in the fine print most people don't bother reading] that will install a trojan or adware with the software. If you do download a free software item, run a check with your spyware program and see if it is tainted. If so, uninstall it because even if you defuse the spyware, the software will most likely not work without it. Gator is one of the most notorious spyware programs out there in free software. [Please note, I do offer free ebooks on my site and none of them have spyware.]
By doing these simple things, you can protect your system as much as possible.
