As soon as your computer is connected to the internet, it becomes subject to a multitude of cyber threats. Here we take a look at some of the dangers you may encounter and what steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Anti-Virus

We prefer Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). It is free. We prefer this product because it doesn't use up a huge amount of system resources like most of the products bundled with systems and services. It updates automatically and runs without the need for user intervention. MSE is engineered for Windows and integrates well. Go to www.microsoft.com/security_essentials and download the installation program to your desktop. Then uninstall your current antivirus program(s), reboot, and install MSE. Note: Having more than one antivirus program installed at the same time will cause conflicts, slow-downs and lock-ups. Be sure you have only one antivirus program installed...Microsoft Security Essentials.

Spyware

What is Spyware?

Basically, spyware sits on your computer and watches what you do. It periodically reports to advertisers (or even criminals) on you online activities. The advertisers then target you with user-specific advertising.

How does Spyware get on my PC?

Spyware can be installed on your PC just by clicking on the "wrong" thing on the internet. Watch out for pop-up windows. Many of them have a "CLOSE" button, which really installs software on your machine. Sometimes you will see a banner or sidebar with something interesting to click on, like a target to hit with your mouse pointer, or some kind of challenge like a test of skill. Clicking on them often results in the installation of software that you do not want or need. A rule of thumb is "if you aren't looking for it, don't click on it".

How do I avoid getting Spyware on my PC?

Remember this adage: LESS IS BETTER.

Do not click on anything on the internet unless you were looking for it deliberately.
Close pop-up windows by right clicking on them in the taskbar (on the bottom of your screen), and selecting "Close". Alternatively, you can press the Alt-F4 key combination while the window is in focus. Do not click on any "Close" buttons. In fact, sometimes even the red 'X' in the top right corner of the window is fake, and can install spyware.
Download and install a Pop-up blocker. Most newer browsers come with pop-up blockers. We recommend Google's Chrome browser. It is safer because it doesn't let bad stuff come back up stream. It integrates with Google search, so the address bar doubles as a google search bar.

If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, your messenger service could be wide open the internet.

Start menu->settings->Control Panel

Administrative tools

Services

Double click on Messenger

Stop the service

Change it from Automatic to Manual.

To completely get rid of Advertising Spyware, perform the following steps.

We recommend two major spyware removal programs to use, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Malwarebytes. These programs each find spyware that the other does not, so they are complimentary and you should use them both.Between the two they do a very comprehensive job. Both programs have update capability, but you have to download the updates manually.

Where do I get Anti-Spyware?

We recommend www.download.com as a safe place to download the recommend protection programs.

Download Spybot Search and Destroy from www.download.com. Select the download link and choose one of the trusted locations listed to download from.

Download Malwarebytes from www.download.com. Follow the prompts to run the program.

Download HijackThis from www.download.com . HijackThis is a more advanced utility for getting rid of spyware. Look carefully at each entry to make sure it is not a file that you need for your system before you place a checkmark by it. The location of each entry will give you a clue. For example, your antivirus program will have an entry there. Do not place checkmarks by those. You can search for entries on Google to find out what they are. For more information, look for HijackThis forums on Google. Using HijackThis takes practice and experience. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Hints:

You may have to disable system restore to get rid of stubborn spyware.
Sometimes you can rename a file if you can't delete it.
You may have to run in safe mode to remove some spyware.

Pop-Up Windows

Pop-up windows can be good or bad. Used properly, they can display information in a convenient manner, and then go away completely upon your command. Unfortunately, they are used by unscrupulous advertisers to install spyware and other undesirable software (even viruses) on your PC. Unwanted pop-up windows take up a lot of your time and bandwidth.

Do not click anywhere in a pop-up window, even on the close 'X' button. Many pop-up windows are just pictures that have fake close buttons, and they can install software on your computer just by clicking on them. Use the Alt-F4 key combination to close the window.

Firewalls

Windows comes with its own firewall. Third party firewall packages work fine, but they often pop up informing you of information that you don't need to know, and asking you a lot of questions that you may not know how to answer. Firewall packages can prevent local area networks from functioning properly. There are several ways to enable your Windows firewall, depending on which version of Windows you have. Click here to see how.

For other versions of Windows, you may wish to install firewall software. Check to see if your modem has a built-in firewall. Many broadband modems and routers do. If not, you need a firewall if you are on a broadband or other always-on connection. If you are on a dial-up connection, your chances of getting infected are slim. If you do install a firewall, try to set it up to work as silently as possible.

Computer Hoaxes

If you receive e-mail that warns you of a virus, or any other e-mail that says "Send this to all your friends", please observe the following:

You are almost never one of the first to hear about it.
If it is of real concern, you will hear about it on the news long before e-mail.
Warnings meant to be sent to "all your friends" are nothing more than malicious attempts to clog the internet with e-mails, which ends up costing you more for internet service in the long run.

Here is what you need to do if you receive one of these e-mails:

Search one of the hoax sites below for information on the topic
Go to a search engine such as www.google.com and enter some keywords, prefixed with plus signs. For example, search for the following:
+cancer +hoax
You will find all sorts of links to sites containing the latest hoaxes about cancer.