Protection against Viruses and other Nasties
In God we trust, all others we virus scan.
Author Unknown
Viruses and Worms
The Internet is an invaluable resource. Unfortunately there are fools out there who use it to cause harm to your software and to your data. There are tens of thousands of viruses, trojans and worms: the pathetic output of often clever juveniles who don't have the courage to create something useful with their talent. You need protection.
If you haven't already, install antivirus software today!
I recommend:
- for non-commercial home use only;
- avast! Home Edition» for more information about avast! click here.
- AVG v7.0 Free Edition
- AntiVir
AVG is only for home use, although they will give a 50% discount to volunteer organizations. Avast! is free for for home use and can be obtained at special discount prices for non-profit, charity, educational and government institutions. AntiVir is free for home use.
- For commercial use or if you're a home user like myself who
wants better protection than the free programs provide:
- BitDefender which is currently at or near the top of the reviews and allows you to install on 3 PCs with one licence. Includes anti-spyware and parental control.
- KasperskKaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 butmore costly if you have more than one machine.
- Nod32 which is up there with BitDefender but it's also more costly if you have more than one machine.
- PC-Cillin.
- AVG Professional Single Edition.
- Norton Anti-Virus or
- avast! Professional Edition in that order.
- The AVG programs are available at www.grisoft.com or often on the free CDs which come with PC and Internet magazines.
- Commercial programs may easily be purchased via the Internet through the links I've given above or at your local computer software dealer.
Other Malware
Spyware and adware are general terms for small programs that hackers and commercial interests slip into your PC to keep an eye on what you're up to. They include:
- benign cookies which allow a website which you commonly visit to recognise who you are. They record your details in the cookie on your PC and thereby save you having to type in your username and password to log in at websites where this is a requirement. More about controlling your cookie security here, or follow the link at the bottom of this page
- not-so-benign cookies, whose aim is to track your habits and target you with unwanted advertising material like the dreaded spam.
- sinister creations like keyloggers which can record your keystrokes and send them to a crook whose intention is to do you (that is, your bank account) harm.
Install at least three programs to combat spyware and adware. None of these programs will catch 100% of the nasties, so you need belt and braces:
Ad-Aware SE and Spybotare commonly known and free for personal use. .
In the latest round of tests these didn't do spectacularly well, so in addition, you should use extra insurance:
- Microsoft's Windows Defender which comes with Internet Explorer 7. If you're
still using Internet Explorer 6, I recommend that you upgrade to
version 7.
You need to check Windows Defender's settings. It's set up by default to scan your PC at 2 a.m. when your machine is probably switched off. Open the program and select Tools » Options. The settings are easy to interpret.
- AVG AntiSpyware (formerly ewido and free for home use) but AVG tend to nag a little about upgrading to the paid version so I've shifted my allegiance to:
- SUPERAntispyware. It seems to be just as good as AVG's product and it doesn't nag.
Another excellent free program is SpywareGuard. This runs in your System Tray and monitors for spyware continuously. Get it here: Javacool Software
A lot of people expend a lot of time and energy creating and maintaining
these programs, so please consider buying the commercial
versions or at least make a donation. 
If
you're using the programs for business purposes you must buy the
commercial versions.
The major commercial vendors also supply Internet Security Suites which help protect against such problems as hackers, spyware, phishing and spam, as well as viruses and their close relations.
Updates - Don't Delay!
New pestilence is released continually. Each of the programs recommended regularly update their virus and spyware databases. Your job is to download these updated definition files regularly.
With some of the programs recommended this can be done automatically. With some that only works if you have your computer switched on at the preset time. In each of these programs there is a button or other type of link which allows you to update the definitions. I always do this before running the program.
Do it Now!
How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
Dr. Seuss
If all else fails read the instructions! All programs haveHelp fileswhich will tell you everything you need to know. Pressingthe F1key usually brings up the Help File.
This is very important
I come across a lot of people who have anti-malware programs installed but don't, through ignorance or absent mindedness, run them. You must run your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs at least twice a week if you've been connected to the internet (this includes downloading email), and update their definitions at least once a week. It takes time, but not to do so may cost you a lot more time eventually.
Microsoft's Security
Microsoft labours valiantly to plug software holes and stem the tide of malware.
Keep Windows Updates up to date. The default setting for this in Windows XP SP2 is automatic download, but some updates are very large so you may wish to change that to allow Microsoft to inform you when updates are available then download them at a convenient time. You do this through Start/Control Panel/Security Center (Windows XP with SP2 or Windows Vista).
Or with Vista you can just click on the Start orb and type: security center (note US spelling).
If you have a dial-up internet connection you definitely don't want downloads to occur automatically. Your phone could be tied up for days!
Go to Start/All Programs/Windows Updateto initiate a check.
If you're using Windows 98 or XP with the Classic Start Menu: go to Start/Windows Update.
Helping
to Avoid Infection
When surfing the internet, keep away from sites which specialise in giving away free stuff (particularly those which infringe copyright laws) or which publish stuff you wouldn't want your grandmother to see.
There are a lot of nasties waiting to pounce from these sites. If you visit pornography sites or indulge in the illicit file sharing of music and movies you're asking for trouble.
Financial Security
Internet Banking and Other Financial Transactions
Secure websites encrypt all their traffic. Unless users do something silly, internet banking is as safe as any other banking method. Provided you keep on top of your Spyware.
- Look for the secure padlock at the bottom of your screen before carrying out any transactions or giving any personal information. Don't pass any information to anyone you're not absolutely confident in.
- As well as the padlock, the address of a secure website will look like this: https://www.joes-bank.com, notice that there's an 's' for secure, after the http.
- Don't access your bank account from anyone else's computer.
- Emails purporting to be from your bank and asking for details such as passwords are bogus. Some felon wants your money. Delete them - the emails — not the crooks, sadly. Never, ever give your access details to any account unless you are logging on to that account.
- Emails purporting to be from Microsoft are bogus. Someone else wants your money. Delete these too.
- Some "phishing" emails are convincingly realistic. Remember, banks and major companies don't send unsolicited email. End of argument.
- You need a secure password. Check here on my blogfor tips on this.
Don't open email attachments if you're not sure about their source. Don't open unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from Microsoft or any legitimate enterprise. Delete them. Then empty your deleted items folder.
Repeat this mantra. Microsoft don't send unsolicited emails. Nor does your bank.
On-screen keyboard
I use the on-screen keyboard for additional security against keyloggers when internet banking. See my blog post here for information about using this easy built-in Windows tool.
Emails Soliciting Donations For Charity
Don't respond to these, they can have an apparently legitimate Internet address which is a front for someone who's robbing both you and the charity. Legitimate charities don't solicit by email.
