Old Weird Ward
Unless otherwise noted, that which is posted here is opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. If you don't like my opinions, go somewhere else. Nobody is forcing you to actually read this drivel.
The presumption exists that you can read at all.
That may be a large assumption.
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Sunday, November 07, 2004
- - - - - Internet Security For Your Computer - - - - -
Columnist Phillip Robinson has some good things to say about the security of your computer, most especially that it needn't cost too durned much. See his column HERE.
OWW's takes on some of Mr. Robinson's recommendations are below. All of my comments are slanted towards Windows machines. And all of them are free - ain't it cool?
ANTI-VIRUS: - Anti-Virus protection is the critical part of protection for your PC. Until recently, I believed that Norton Anti-Virus was the best that you could get for virus protection, and it's still very, very good. However, Robinson's pick of AVG Anti-Virus is a good one, and since it is currently a freebie, that makes it even better. Find AVG Anti-virus HERE.
"Phishing": - "Phishing" is just what it sounds like - some crook gets your email address, and tries to persuade you to give out your critical financial info, like account numbers, passwords, credit card numbers and the like. The crook is "fishing" for a response. As Robinson says, ignore and delete 'em.
Spam: - Robinson recommends that you not use Outlook or Outlook Express, but instead use Thunderbird. While that's certainly a solution, it may be too much of a pain-in-the-neck. Most ISPs these days offer spam filtering to eliminate the most odious of these things, and that seems to be quite effective. If you like futzing with new/different software, Thunderbird is certainly OK. If you want to stick with Outlook Express or Outlook, have your ISP turn on spam filtering.
Pop-up Ads: - Once again, Robinson recommends going away from Microsoft's offering, and going to a browser called Firefox, which has a built-in popup blocker. Certainly a viable solution. If you have to stick with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, OWW recommends you get a pop-up blocker, such as the Google IE Toolbar, available HERE.
Hackers: - This is actually a 2 part set of solutions, depending on your method of getting to the Internet.
1. If you're using a dial-up connection through a modem - by all means, use ZoneAlarm, available HERE, and choose the "ZoneAlarm Free Download" button.
2. If you're using a cable connection/dsl connection that doesn't have a router/switch for multiple users, you should also be using ZoneAlarm.
EXCEPTION - If you are using Windows XP. WinXP has a built-in firewall that's more than good enough. If it isn't active, activate it.
Another solution for a cable connection/dsl connection that doesn't have a router/switch for multiple users is to acquire a router/switch with a built-in firewall, such as a LinkSys router with built-in 4-port switch - see it HERE. The hardware solution is NOT a freebie, but it is a hardware solution that doesn't take up any of your computer's resources, and will not conflict with your computer's installed software.
FOR EVERYBODY - A good way to check your setup for vulnerability to hackers is to go to Gibson Research (HERE), and scroll down until you see ShieldsUP, then click on it. A good first pass at checking your security, and....it's FREE!
SpyWare - This one is my personal teeth-grinder. I see so many customers come in and say "My computer is running slow, and my browser keeps changing it's homepage!"
Spyware is software that is downloaded onto your system automatically, when you visit a hostile website, or is included when you deliberately download some sorts of web-based software, such as Kazaa or other file-sharing software.
To check for, and get rid of this nasty stuff, OWW recommends AdAware, available for free HERE. Select "AdAware Personal", then follow the links to download and install. I run AdAware at least once a week.
Another good spy-ware removal tool is SpyBot Search and Destroy, available HERE.
Old Wierd Ward hopes that the above information and tools prove to be useful - give me some feedback!
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