Remove Spyware Free | Spyware | Remove Spyware For Free

Title:
E-Privacy ? Fact or Fiction?

Word Count:
384

Summary:
An article about e-privacy, the laws governing “spyware” or “malware”

Keywords:
spyware, malware, laws about spyware, e-privacy, eprivacy, EU E-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC)

Article Body:
The Law Governing “Spyware” or “Malware”

The EU E-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC) is aimed at modernising existing law in the area of e-privacy. Its focus is on the dangers of so-called ?spyware? which, in extreme cases, can allow third parties access to your machine, storing knowledge of all kinds of information from the software on the system to user names and passwords. In essence, it allows someone you do not know to gain access to your confidential information, store their own information and also trace your activities.

Facilitate Disabling of “Spyware”

Whilst it seems that prior consent is not required from you in order to this, under the Directive a business must allow people to notify them that they do not want it. In simple terms, they must make it clear how to disable it. Furthermore, companies can only use such software for legitimate purposes and with the knowledge of the user.

Effectiveness of the Law

The problem with this is that the main offenders are people who will have little respect for the law and therefore policing it as a problem in the same way that the legislation allowing people to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls (the telephone preference service) has not been very effective due to the large use of such sales approaches by companies that are less than legitimate.

Best Practice

Our view, as solicitors representing the interests of businesses rather than individuals whose rights need protecting, is that even without the Directive the best practice is not to use spyware unless there are very compelling reasons to do so which add value to the end user in some form or other. It is not rocket science: the company wishing to acquire a good brand reputation will want to adopt a higher standard even than required by law if it is serious about building its brand.

Alternative Remedies

As an aside, for the more extreme cases of the use of spyware or ?malware?, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 covers unauthorised access to computer material amongst other things and already makes this a criminal offence.

Core obligation

Under the Directive, service providers (ie. businesses) must inform individuals of the risk involved if they allow the spyware into their system. In essence, the bottom line message is: be transparent.

http://www.kaltons.co.uk

Title:
How To Protect Yourself From Computer Viruses

Word Count:
376

Summary:
It?s a dangerous internet out their kids. There are many unscrupulous individuals who work hard every second of their waking lives to destroy your computer, erase your hard drive and steal your bank details (you better lock up your daughters too).

What can you do to combat these nefarious evildoers? If you have a computer, and I presume you do, there are two things you must have in your armory. They are: a virus scanner and a firewall. These two items are you sword and shi…

Keywords:
virus, computer, spyware, malware, badware, internet, firewall

Article Body:
It?s a dangerous internet out their kids. There are many unscrupulous individuals who work hard every second of their waking lives to destroy your computer, erase your hard drive and steal your bank details (you better lock up your daughters too).

What can you do to combat these nefarious evildoers? If you have a computer, and I presume you do, there are two things you must have in your armory. They are: a virus scanner and a firewall. These two items are you sword and shield in the ongoing battle of good against evil. But, how do you use them to protect yourself?

First things first, if you don?t have a firewall, go get one. There are many free ones out there that will do the job. Make sure the one you get can block both incoming and outgoing connections from your computer. If you are unfortunate enough to receive a piece of software which is up to no good on your system, the firewall will alert you when it tries to use the internet to contact it?s mother ship. If you are ever in doubt about the aims of software when they?re trying to access the internet, just block them, you can always unblock later when your web browser stops working.

The sword will be our trusty virus scanner. Once again, there are many free ones around that will do quite nicely. They will sit there on your machine, tirelessly scanning your storage areas for nasty bits of code you may not know about, but are there to cause mayhem and untold damage. When found, the scanner will work magic to delete the infected items and remove the source before the damage becomes too great.

Another tool that virus-free knight shouldn?t be without is the spyware scanner. This handy utility can be fired up once a week to perform a scan to check whether any devious miscreants have slipped through and are ruining our web viewing experience with annoying pop-ups.

So, you see, it?s quite easy to protect yourself. There are decent programs out there, produced by people in shiny castles, which will help you sleep at night. And, best of all, they?re so cheap they?re free!

Title:
A Guide To Free Screensavers

Word Count:
410

Summary:
There are millions of Screensavers available on the Internet. Almost all of these can be downloaded and installed easily. These are usually categorized according to themes. Nature lovers can choose picturesque locations. Fish lovers can choose from different kinds of aquariums with multi-colored fish that are swishing through colored water. Those who really like adventure sports or aircraft can choose from a wide array of moving images and clips of death-defying stunts. Screensavers can also be slide shows that have various pictures of movie celebrities, sportspersons and politicians.

Keywords:
screensavers, free screensavers, nature screensavers, animated screensavers

Article Body:
There are millions of Screensavers available on the Internet. Almost all of these can be downloaded and installed easily. These are usually categorized according to themes. Nature lovers can choose picturesque locations. Fish lovers can choose from different kinds of aquariums with multi-colored fish that are swishing through colored water. Those who really like adventure sports or aircraft can choose from a wide array of moving images and clips of death-defying stunts. Screensavers can also be slide shows that have various pictures of movie celebrities, sportspersons and politicians.

However, some precautions need to be taken before downloading Screensavers. The most important one is that Screensavers must be downloaded from trusted sites. It?s also always a good idea to scan Screensavers for viruses and other potentially dangerous elements, such as spyware and adware. If an anti-virus is already installed on the system, a right click enables a menu which provides for a ?scan with?? option. This option can be selected and left-clicked to check the selected download before double-clicking it and installing it.

Sometimes Screensavers are extremely graphic-intensive. This means that they contain so many graphics that they are huge files. Huge files take a lot of space on the computer when they run, and make the computer work so much harder and so much faster than normal that the computer freezes. Then the computer needs to be restarted and all the unsaved information on the computer — such as open files that were being worked on before the Screensaver was activated ? is lost.

Some Screensavers also make the hard drive of the computer crash, causing irretrievable data loss. Therefore, it is important for users to download Screensavers that are compatible with the configuration of their computers. This means that the speed of the processor in the computer, and the free space on it, should be sufficient for the Screensaver to be downloaded, installed and run.

Many users like to create their own Screensavers, often with the visuals and audio of their choice. Some software applications facilitate this. Out of these, some can be freely downloaded from the Internet. However, these should be downloaded only from trusted sites, and should be supported by the configuration of the user?s computer. Once downloaded, these should also be scanned for viruses and other common infections. When installed, these programs enable the user to combine images, video clips and audio clips to create a personalized Screensaver, sometimes even for circulation amongst friends and family.

Title:
The Challange ? Security Vs. Mobility

Word Count:
652

Summary:
The overwhelming increase in the mobility of the corporate workforce and the availability of wireless internet connections in airports, hotels, and coffee houses, creates an unbearable challenge to IT managers.

Keywords:
mobile security, wireless, Security, Hardware, firewall

Article Body:
The overwhelming increase in the mobility of the corporate workforce and the availability of wireless internet connections in airports, hotels, and coffee houses, creates an unbearable challenge to IT managers. Whenever employees, travelling with their laptops, connect to a hotel hotspot, they are in fact connecting their corporate computers to an unsecured network, shared by hundreds of guests. This innocent connection jeopardizes sensitive data and can bring back security threats into the corporate network when returned to the office. For this reason, IT managers have adopted rigid security policies, creating a conflict between the need for security and the productivity of the mobile workforce. For example, some organizations consider the returning laptops as ?infected?. The infected laptops are completely formatted and cleaned. Some allow dial-up connections-only (no Wi-Fi), while others go further to completely prohibit the connection of laptops to the Internet outside the corporate network.
This unbearable conflict between security and mobility can only be solved if the mobile force is equipped with the same level of security as they have inside the corporate network. To understand what this means, we should examine the level of security that is maintained inside the corporate networks.

Corporate Network – Two Lines of Defense

Corporate users enjoy higher security levels inside the corporate network because they operate behind two lines of defense. The first line of defense, is a set of robust security appliances, installed at the IT center and exclusively controlled by the IT department. It is largely based on a comprehensive set of IT security appliances running secured and hardened OS, with Firewall, IDS, IPS, Anti Virus, Anti Spyware,
Anti Spam and Content filtering. The second line is based on the Personal FW and Anti Virus software installed on end-user?s computers.
The first line of defense completely isolates the user at the physical and logical layers.
Unlike PCs, these appliances are equipped with a Hardened operating systems that do not have security holes, ?back-doors?, or unsecured layers. They are designed for a single purpose, to provide security.
The first line of defense provides the following advantages:
- Mobile code is not run – content arriving from the internet is not executed on these appliances it just goes or does not go through into the network. It makes it more difficult to attack as the mobile code delivered by the hackers does not run on the appliances.
Cannot be uninstalled ? Security attacks often start by targeting the security software, while trying to uninstall it or stop its activity.
Software-based security solutions, as any software program includes an uninstall option that can be targeted. In contrast, the hardware-based security appliances cannot be uninstalled as they are hard coded into the hardware.
- Non-writable Memory – Hardware-based solutions manage the memory in a restricted and controlled manner. The security appliances can prohibit access to its memory, providing greater protection against attacks on the security mechanism.
- Controlled by IT personnel ? The security appliances are controlled by IT, who constantly maintains the highest security policies and updates.
- Performance – The security appliances are optimized for maximum security and operate independently from computers in the network, not degrading the performance of the desktops or consuming their resources.
Consequently, the corporate PCs reside in a secured environment. If the security is breached, at least the damage stops at the gateway. The first line of defense prevents threats from entering the corporate network. While the second line serves as a precaution and help defend against threats that may have already entered the network (e.g. emails). But the real problem starts when the corporate PCs go in and out of this secured environment. Outside the corporate network they are at the frontline with no first line of defense. The problem intensifies as they return, bypassing the first line of defense as they enter the network. These laptops can be considered as the greatest threat because they unknowingly infiltrate security threats
into the supposedly safe network.

Title:
Why Do I Feel Like Somebody?s Watching Me?

Word Count:
1041

Summary:
Spyware is one of the fastest-growing internet threats. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and anti-virus software without the user?s knowledge. Once embedded in a computer, it can wreak havoc on the system?s performance while gathering your personal information. Fortunately, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually s…

Keywords:

Article Body:
Spyware is one of the fastest-growing internet threats. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and anti-virus software without the user?s knowledge. Once embedded in a computer, it can wreak havoc on the system?s performance while gathering your personal information. Fortunately, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate.

Where does it come from?

Typically, spyware originates in three ways. The first and most common way is when the user installs it. In this scenario, spyware is embedded, attached, or bundled with a freeware or shareware program without the user?s knowledge. The user downloads the program to their computer. Once downloaded, the spyware program goes to work collecting data for the spyware author?s personal use or to sell to a third-party. Beware of many P2P file-sharing programs. They are notorious for downloads that posses spyware programs.

The user of a downloadable program should pay extra attention to the accompanying licensing agreement. Often the software publisher will warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested program. Unfortunately, we do not always take the time to read the fine print. Some agreements may provide special ?opt-out? boxes that the user can click to stop the spyware from being included in the download. Be sure to review the document before signing off on the download.

Another way that spyware can access your computer is by tricking you into manipulating the security features designed to prevent any unwanted installations. The Internet Explorer Web browser was designed not to allow websites to start any unwanted downloads. That is why the user has to initiate a download by clicking on a link. These links can prove deceptive. For example, a pop-up modeled after a standard Windows dialog box, may appear on your screen. The message may ask you if you would like to optimize your internet access. It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no matter which button you push, a download containing the spyware program will commence. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now making this spyware pathway a little more difficult.

Finally, some spyware applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the Web browser or other software. When the user navigates a webpage controlled by a spyware author, the page contains code designed to attack the browser, and force the installation of the spyware program.

What can spyware programs do?

Spyware programs can accomplish a multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are simply annoying for the user; others can become downright aggressive in nature.

Spyware can:

Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.

Scan files located on your hard drive.

Snoop through applications on our desktop.

Install other spyware programs into your computer.

Read your cookies.

Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.

Change the default settings on your home page web browser.

Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to eradicate.

Cause your computer to run slower.

Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.

Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate?s settings.

Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.

Spyware Examples

Here are a few examples of commonly seen spyware programs. Please note that while researchers will often give names to spyware programs, they may not match the names the spyware-writers use.

CoolWebSearch, a group of programs, that install through ?holes? found in Internet Explorer. These programs direct traffic to advertisements on Web sites including http://coolwebsearch.com. This spyware nuisance displays pop-up ads, rewrites search engine results, and alters the computer host file to direct the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup preselected sites.

Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to redirect Internet Explorer error pages to advertisements. When the user follows the broken link or enters an erroneous URL, a page of advertisements pop up.

180 Solutions reports extensive information to advertisers about the Web sites which you visit. It also alters HTTP requests for affiliate advertisements linked from a Web site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company makes an unearned profit off of the click through advertisements they?ve altered.

HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, is distributed by Traffic Syndicate and is installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at affiliate websites or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. It?s a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware. These programs will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track Web browsing behavior, and display advertisements.

How can I prevent spyware?

There are a couple things you can do to prevent spyware from infecting your computer system. First, invest in a reliable commercial anti-spyware program. There are several currently on the market including stand alone software packages such as Lavasoft?s Ad-Aware or Windows Antispyware. Other options provide the anti-spyware software as part of an anti-virus package. This type of option is offered by companies such as Sophos, Symantec, and McAfee. Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by providing real-time protection, scanning, and removal of any found spyware software. As with most programs, update your anti virus software frequently.

As discussed, the Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality. Spyware enjoys penetrating the IE?s weaknesses. Because of this, many users have switched to non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to stick with Internet Explorer, be sure to update the security patches regularly, and only download programs from reputable sources. This will help reduce your chances of a spyware infiltration.
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And, when all else fails?

Finally, if your computer has been infected with a large number of spyware programs, the only solution you may have is backing up your data, and performing a complete reinstall of the operating system.

NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this article within your website or newsletter as long as you leave the article fully intact and include the “About The Author” resource box. Thanks! :-

Title:
Learn About Windows Vista Registry Cleaner

Word Count:
556

Summary:
Just keep in mind, you can keep your vista system is perfect operating state by regularly cleaning it up and Registry Cleaner is one of the tools that will help you do so. Application error messages are reduced hence increasing the speed of the Vista operating system as well as its performance. Adware and Spyware leave behind a whole plethora of errors that the Registry Cleaner removes. Therefore, for a complete and secure Vista experience, get a Windows Vista Registry Cleane…

Keywords:
Windows Vista Registry Cleaner

Article Body:
Just keep in mind, you can keep your vista system is perfect operating state by regularly cleaning it up and Registry Cleaner is one of the tools that will help you do so. Application error messages are reduced hence increasing the speed of the Vista operating system as well as its performance. Adware and Spyware leave behind a whole plethora of errors that the Registry Cleaner removes. Therefore, for a complete and secure Vista experience, get a Windows Vista Registry Cleaner.

Microsoft Windows Vista is the most sought after operating system now-a-days. What is most fascinating about Windows Vista is its interface. The interface is comprised of an animated see-through window that has a touch of graceful and subtle color along with a brand new Start menu. While this many be the case, keeping the system efficient and effective is still the key interest of users and computer professionals. Windows Vista Registry Cleaner is one such utility that is needed to maintain the operating system in good shape.

The registry is catalog of all information about the software, hardware and preferences of the user along with all the settings details. A registry key in Vista operating system is created or modified or deleted every time new software program has been installed or uninstalled. This is the case even when software programs are used.

Any error that occurs during installing or uninstalling of software in Windows Vista is also stored along with the error application in the registry. This causes the registry to be crammed with orphaned or corrupted entries. The registry also gets stuffed with invalid programs that you may have removed from your system long ago. This causes the resources of the system to choke and this considerably slows down the Windows Vista computer.

Registry Cleaner is, often, used to counter software problems in Windows Vista based computers as well as to optimize the system performance. It basically removes the invalid entries from the computer. But the problem that goes with badly developed Registry Cleaner is that it may remove useful programs keys, which may be useful for running your favorite software. Hence a good Registry Cleaner would scan the system for any dubious entry that may harm your system. It would also make sure that the suspicious entry does not affect any software that has already been installed and ones that are in use.

If any problems are detected by the Windows Vista Registry Cleaner after it analyzes the vista system, you can view each of these issues and ask for a detailed explanation of that particular problem. On the other hand, you can choose for an automatic correction of the errors. But you must remember to take a back up of all registry keys that you require to delete before you run the Registry Cleaner to make sure you are always safe.

Just keep in mind, you can keep your vista system is perfect operating state by regularly cleaning it up and Registry Cleaner is one of the tools that will help you do so. Application error messages are reduced hence increasing the speed of the Vista operating system as well as its performance. Adware and Spyware leave behind a whole plethora of errors that the Registry Cleaner removes. Therefore, for a complete and secure Vista experience, get a Windows Vista Registry Cleaner.

Title:
What’s The Snag Behind The Spyware

Word Count:
553

Summary:
The concept behind the technology of spyware is that, a number of advertising companies take interest to install tracking software into the computer system, that illusions to call it host with aims to use all internet connections, get statistical or other information data to what they will claim “home” attesting assurance of company’s security policies not to collect sensitive data for confidentiality, and with full promise to establish continuity of anonymity.

However, …

Keywords:
What\’s the Snag Behind the Spyware

Article Body:
The concept behind the technology of spyware is that, a number of advertising companies take interest to install tracking software into the computer system, that illusions to call it host with aims to use all internet connections, get statistical or other information data to what they will claim “home” attesting assurance of company’s security policies not to collect sensitive data for confidentiality, and with full promise to establish continuity of anonymity.

However, it is an establish fact that the PC functions as a “live” server that is open for any kind of information disseminations with or without the consent of the server; bottom lining the fact, there is always a risk for any transfer of any information even those covered by protection policies between the advertiser and the so called “mothership.” In the end just as nobody would wish, it will be sending assimilated data that might escape the benefit of payment from the PC database.

Although spyware and adware could be two in one to front probable interference to the server’s privacy, spyware could stage sole manipulation to indulge deeper in affecting the users privacy, prompting slow-down computer’s effectiveness, windows’ pop-ups of undesirable ads, and spam e-mails http://www.articles7.com

Several media companies are perennially seeking ways to eliminate large expense for web development and internet costs; but instead, tend to pay part of their revenue solicitations from reputable brands’ banner sales to host servers by installing reputable piece software by way of so called “piggybacking,” or tricking methods as the Trojan horse technique, installing some “rogue” anti-spyware program, eluding detection of its being a disguised security software.

A spyware no adware technology is an advertising copyright itself, can stand without having to do with any adware’s vulnerability threats. The so-called “Web accelerator” or helpful software agents: Example, the Bonzi Buddy (quoted from: Wikipidea), targeted to children: “He will explore the internet with you as your own friend and sidekick. He can talk, walk, joke, browse, search, e-mail and download like no other friend you’ve ever had! . . Best of all, it is FREE.”

This piece of copyright text is so deceptive for unknowingly, motives behind depict to pursue some ends in order to evade something that will disrupt the mobility of cash flow of the mother host.

Why is Spy ware Deceptive?

1. It does not self-replicate; instead, it invades infected computers for commercial gains purposes.
2. It monitors Web browsing activity (sales strategy) and routes of all HTTP to advertising agencies.
3. Delivery of pop-up advertisements
4. Theft of Credit and Identification card numbers in relation to the notorious identity theft around.
5. Spyware gets into the system by exploitations of other software vulnerability.

The Effects of the Spyware upon the Use of the Computer

There are so many complicated effects that are induced by spyware. It may not even be detected as an obvious virus infection, but comes in, a core factor of ineffective results of computers’ performance; like network traffic, disk usage, CPU malfunction which may be mislead to be a PC crash, and finally resolving to replace the whole system with a new one.

The demand for technical support and assistance is another recourse for badly spyware-infected computers. Another option is to have a thorough “cleanup” of the whole system. It needs massive reinstalling on software in order to revitalize as new.

Title:
Top Ten Facts About Spyware

Word Count:
740

Summary:
Unless you’ve been on another planet for the last five or six years you have surely heard of Spyware and I would hope you are taking precautions against your PC being infected. But do you know that the precautions you take may be ineffective in protecting your PC? Here are my Top Ten Facts about Spyware – some of them may shock you!

1. The average home PC contains 30 pieces of spyware according to an audit carried out in 2006 by security company Webroot Software. The type …

Keywords:
anti-spyware, spyware, pc security, adware, spyware removal, spam, trojan horse

Article Body:
Unless you’ve been on another planet for the last five or six years you have surely heard of Spyware and I would hope you are taking precautions against your PC being infected. But do you know that the precautions you take may be ineffective in protecting your PC? Here are my Top Ten Facts about Spyware – some of them may shock you!

1. The average home PC contains 30 pieces of spyware according to an audit carried out in 2006 by security company Webroot Software. The type of infections range from the relatively harmless adware programs to malicious system monitors and trojan horses. Adware programs are software installations that display advertisements. System monitors are much more malicious and track a computer user’s Internet activity and capture personal information. Trojan Horse is the name given to malicious software which, although harmless itself, opens the way for more malicious software to be installed. Webroot Software found that, on average, the 30 pieces of spyware would contain at least 1 system monitor and 1 trojan horse.

2. Your identity can be a few mouse clicks away for criminals. Spyware can gather and report all the personal information about you including credit card numbers, bank account details, user names and passwords. According to The Identity Theft Resource Center, 13.3 people in the U.S. become victims of identity theft every minute. Although not all of these are due to spyware, it’s still a chilling thought that it can happen so easily if your PC is infected with this kind of malicious software.

3. Spyware can slow down you computer. Any computer has a limited amount of system resources. Every time another piece of software is run the computer must share out its resources ever more thinly. Malicious software infections result in longer boot times and an overall slowing down of the PCs performance.

4. Spyware can dramatically slow down your Internet connection. Every Internet connection has a limited amount of data it can transfer at any one time. All spyware communicates with the Internet thereby using up some of your available Internet communication. The more spyware, the more Internet communication will take place and the less space on your Internet connection for your own use.

5. Spyware can turn you into a ’spammer’. Some spyware can download other software on to your PC that can relay Spam. In some cases this may lead to your Internet connection being blocked altogether if your ISP (Internet provider) traces instances of Spam to you.

6. Spyware can easily be installed on your computer without your knowledge. In some cases just one piece of Spyware can lead to many, many more as the initial infection downloads and installs other malicious software stealthily in the background.

7. Spyware can allow hackers to control your PC. Some versions install ‘backdoors’ to your PC that can allow someone from the outside to connect to your PC over the Internet and take full control of its use. Your PC can then be turned in to a ‘zombie’ that sends out spam, Trojan horses and computer viruses in their millions.

8. Some Spyware removal programs install Spyware. Why would they do that? In order to hide their own spying software. Think about it. You install an Anti-Spyware program to protect yourself against Spyware. The bogus Anti-Spyware program sweeps your PC for all Spyware except it’s own secret list of allowed spy software. You think it’s doing a great job and feel secure in using your PC when all the while secret spy software is sending out spam or monitoring your use looking for personal details. See spywarewarrior.com for a list of bogus Spyware removal software.

9. The best Anti-Spyware program only finds 90% of Spyware. Check out the review of Anti-Spyware software in any PC Magazine and you’ll find that none of them detect any more than 90% and most cannot remove more than 80%. Don’t be fooled in to thinking it’s not worth using any Anti-Spyware programs, after-all 90% is a whole lot better than 0% which would be the detection rate without the Anti-Spyware software.

10. Many computer users resort to wiping their PC and re-installing everything again in order to rid their system of Spyware. While this will do the trick, there is no guard against re-infection and can be a waste of time or lead to a loss of important data. After the system is back in use it may only be a matter of minutes before it’s infected again (see the BBC ‘Honeypot’ report mentioned on my website).

Title:
Is Pc Satellite TV Legit or Just Another Scam? – Review of Satellite TV for Pc 2007 Elite Edition

Word Count:
485

Summary:
Looking to watch tv shows and sports on your computer. It is possible.

Keywords:
pc, satellite, tv, computer, sports

Article Body:
After years of paying my cable company crazy rates for service and with them steadily increasing year after year, I decided that it was time for a change. I started looking into different services that were available. I spent a lot of money checking into different services but along the way I stumbled upon Satellite TV for PC. All I have to say it WOW! They offer one of the best packages that I have seen with a great price. You get over 3000 channels for the one time charge of $49.95. I was paying close to double that MONTHLY with my cable company.

The PC Satellite TV software is very easy to install and use. With my DSL connection, I downloaded, installed, and was watching TV in about 15 minutes. It requires no additional equipment or tv cards. All you have to have is a PC and an internet connection and you will have access to all of the channels PC Satellite TV offers. I am using Windows Vista and it works perfectly on my computer. The software includes no ads or spyware. Click Here

I have been using PC Satellite TV for several months now and I cannot say enough about the picture quality. I have to be honest, I wasn?t expecting much but I was blown away when I watched my first movie on my computer with this service.

You will have access to all of your current favorite channels like CNN, ESPN, QVC, Fox, NBC, HSN plus much more. You have access to programming from around the world and you can get sports from many different countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, England, and India. There are also a lot of different categories that you have access to including news, movies, music, weather, children?s programming, and educational. Click Here

There is no waiting for the cable guy to come, no waiting for the mail, no shipping and handling charges. There are no recurring fees at all. Personally for me, that was the best thing about PC Satellite TV. I was tired of falling behind with my cable bill and dealing with their rate increases.

This is the perfect software for people who travel a lot. With one purchase you can install it on multiple computers, including your laptop and as long as you have in internet connection you will still have access to all of your channels no matter where in the world you are.

If I could rate this service I would definitely give it a 10 out of 10. Don?t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Why keep paying your cable or satellite company?

Title:
Phishing with a Net

Word Count:
1258

Summary:
Being hacked or being cracked makes little difference to those on the receiving end. Understandably, their first impulses are to get mad and want to vent. The Cyberiter’s contention is that, most of the time, they’re lashing out in the wrong direction. After all, crooks are crooks; that’s their job. Prevention is your job, so know the fundamentals of diligence.

Keywords:
phishing, hacking, cracking, internet scams, internet fraud, spyware, computer security, Cyberiter

Article Body:
When geeks gave us the Internet and the means to use it, they also gave us a new segment of vocabulary …

I’ve often thought it a shame that a few of them didn’t make their way to a campus literature or marketing department and see if a student of poetry or sizzle could assist them in assigning names to their innovations. For example, did the manual cursor operator have to be called a ‘mouse?’

Geeks have overtaken sports-speakers when it comes to coining bad phrases. I’ve never understood why basketball types say a player ‘kicks out’ a ball to a teammate on the perimeter when his feet never touch it. Worse yet, I’ve always wondered if a gridiron football player would really want to dive on the ball if the carrier truly ‘coughed it up!’ That bit of literal imagery is more revulsive than handling a mouse. Do these guys really think about what they’re saying?

There is one instance, though, where the geeks thought it through and got it right. ‘Phishing’ is a perfect connotation for cyber-cons who troll for prey.

The word’s spelling distinguishes this nefarious activity from a sporting endeavor, but it’s still a game. The definition that’s been developed for it is “a technique used to gain personal information for purposes of identity theft, using fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from legitimate businesses. These authentic-looking messages are designed to fool recipients into divulging personal data such as account numbers and passwords, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.”

Another term that alludes to the emotive consequences of cyberobbery is the perjorative sense of ‘hacker.’ That bit of etymology seems to be a work in progress. The accepted definition refers to “individuals who gain unauthorized access to computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting data.” However, the added qualifier is, “Hackers, themselves, maintain that the proper term for such individuals is cracker.”

Being hacked or being cracked makes little difference to those on the receiving end. They just know they’ve been had. Understandably, their first impulses are to get mad and want to vent. My contention is that, most of the time, they’re lashing out in the wrong direction. After all, crooks are crooks; that’s their job and they’re out there in numbers. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

These victims need to take a hard look at themselves.

The economics of law enforcement — in cyberspace or elsewhere — limits what can be investigated and prosecuted. Thus, smart spoofers often keep their ‘take’ per scam campaign at levels sufficiently low that the cost of prosecuting them is not viable. Then, they change their coordinates, plus their identities, and do it again.

So, obviously, the most important factor in cyber-diligence is self-precaution. Most steps are basic, as evidenced by the checklist on the USA government’s Federal Trade Commission website:

“If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don?t click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don?t ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company?s correct Web address yourself. In any case, don?t cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser ? phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but that actually send you to a different site.

“Use anti-virus software and a firewall, and keep them up to date. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.

“Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically.

“A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It?s especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Operating systems (like Windows or Linux) or browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) also may offer free software ‘patches’ to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.

“Don?t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization?s website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser?s status bar or a URL for a website that begins ‘https:’ (the ’s’ stands for ’secure’). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.

“Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.

“Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer?s security.

“Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems.

“If you believe you?ve been scammed, file your complaint at ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC?s Identity Theft website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically from any of the three major credit bureaus.”

If you use e-currency or e-payment services, be aware that they are usually not liable for any of your losses if you’ve been hacked or cracked due to identity-theft issues. All reputable services have support divisions that investigate any complaints of spoofing — for example, Paypal asks you to mail them at spoof@paypal.com if you receive a suspicious message using their name — and if anyone is going to pursue, or at least keep on file, complaints of any amount, it will be them.

Virtually all e-currency services offer options of ‘virtual’ keyboards for logging in to accounts. They may be a bother, but they are very effective at adding a formidable obstacle for cyber-invasion. Then, whether or not you took this step to access your account, make sure you take the time to actually log out of your account, as opposed to merely clicking away to your next site.

I note that the Longer Life site has two very good preventive products as sponsors, Kaspersky Labs and Identity Guard. They are first-class products and well worth your while to consider.

This stuff doesn’t take long to research or to implement and you don’t have to be a geek to do it. You don’t even have to know their their terminology. Instead, when you’re done, you can confidently refer to a familiar term in both sports and banking:

Safe.