Keep your Computer Free from Viruses

If you anticipate your computer may be infected, yield all all-important accomplish to bright your system and abstain infecting added computers.

· Be alert about what disks and files you acquire from added people.

· Don't reclaim disks that accept been in added computers, don't download files from afraid sites, and don't accessible e-mail accessories unless you are assured them. Be alert of letters and attachments, even from humans you know, with ambiguous accountable curve and contents, such as 'Check this' or 'See these pics!!!'

· Install antivirus programs to added cautiously allotment disks, download files from the Internet and accessible e-mail attachments.

· If your system gets a virus, appointment your virus-scan software manufacturer's Web website and install any virus updates that are available. Then run the software. The software may not be able to annul the virus, but it may be able to analyze it.

· Search the Web for advice apropos your specific virus by accounting the name of the virus or its associated book into a seek engine, followed by the chat 'virus.' For example, 'Melissa virus,' 'BubbleBoy virus,' and so on.

· Download and install software patches or added programs that will advice you annihilate the virus. Or chase any instructions you acquisition on deleting the virus manually.

· Run addition virus scan to accomplish abiding the virus removal was dealt with properly.

· Employ added attention if you accept accessories that end in the frequently acclimated extensions .doc, .exe, .com, .xls or .ppt. Never accessible accessories that end in .vbs or .js, back a archetypal user would never accept a acumen to accessible these files.

Read More

Free Computer Security Software

According to Consumer Reports National research center says, in the last two years Consumer Reports National Research Center says one in five people had their identity stolen, got caught by phishing scams, or ended up with computers infected with spyware or viruses.

Consumer Reports tested security suites costing $50 to $90. But Consumer Reports found security software that's free of charge that is on par with the best.

To fight viruses: AntiVir from free-av.com/

To prevent spyware: Windows Defender from www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

To stop spam: Spamfighter Standard from www.spamfighter.com/

There are some e-mails which look like that they are being sent from a bank and branded companies, but they are not. There objective is to gain access to your accounts. Consumer Reports says never click on links in e-mail messages that go to banks or other sites that have your personal information. Instead, type the company's Web address into your browser.

And for more protection, Consumer Reports recommends downloading antiphishing software that's free of charge, such as the McAfee Site Advisor, which warns when you go to a dangerous site.

Computers without security are much less likely to be attacked by viruses and spyware. But because Macs can transmit infected files to Windows PCs even within a home network, Consumer Reports recommends that Mac users install an antivirus program, such as Norton Antivirus Eleven for Mac. It costs $50.

You can get more of Consumer Reports' important tips for protecting your computer free of charge at: www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/resource-center/cyber-insecurity/cyber-insecurity-hub.htm.

Read More