Tier 3: Anti-Spyware

Tier 3: Anti-Spyware

Spyware is basically software downloaded onto your computer either by entering a website or downloading a program that monitors your internet use and sends it to companies who then sell that information to advertisers.

Spyware can be stopped by: Running an anti-spyware program regularly.

Spyware can: change the startup page for your web browser to any website (many cases a pornography website), pop up advertisements (I have seen as many as 50 popup advertisements appear at once as a result of spyware infection), slow down and eventually stop your computer from being able to run or even boot up, monitor your web surfing such as the type of sites you visit or keywords you put into search engines, install software such as casino games or pornography memberships (in some cases I have seen a pornography program install itself and steal the users credit card information in order to subscribe to the service costing up to $400 a month), install annoying search bars onto your web browser, and generally make your computer experience much more frusterating.

There are many steps you can take to prevent this problem known as spyware. I recommend downloading Firefox, a fairly new web browser. 90% of spyware utilizes Internet Explorer to download onto a computer, simply eliminating the use of Internet Explorer will prevent more spyware than any anti-spyware software. Generally an increase in spyware can be a result of pornographic sites, which are saturated with spyware. So if you suddenly see a surge in spyware know that this could possibly be from yourself or a family member going to pornographic websites. Also, be wary of the “additional” software certain programs offer. Generally they are spyware.

The world of anti-spyware software is endless. In many cases one program will find something that none of the others find, and vice versa. Ad Aware is the best free program on the market, Microsoft Anti-Spyware (now called defender) comes in a very distant second, but could be promising in the future (it is currently in Beta). Many people end up using Ad Aware combined with a pay program such as Webroot Anti-Spyware, another good program and worth the money. I have worked with pay and free programs…none of them get everything, but combined usually get most everything. I personally use Ad Aware, nothing else. I simply stay away from pornography and Warez type sites and use only my firefox browser (this isn’t to say that everyone with spyware watches pornography, that is only one of the places where spyware is the worst). I have helped many friends remove their spyware problem, scanning up to 2000 individual pieces of spyware in one case. An average individual will get by with Ad Aware, but if problems persist then it may be necessary to buy or at least download the free trial of a pay program.

Good luck to everyone with their spyware problems. Links to pay and free programs are now in my additional info site.

Next I will be talking about identity theft and easy ways for my 3 tiered system to fail. Oh NO!!! Stay Tuned.

Tier 2: Firewall

Welcome to my second tier of security.

A firewall basically stops other computer users from gaining access to your computer. You don’t even need to download information to be at risk, hackers of this type scan for unprotected computers using automated programs.

These hackers can be stopped by: A firewall.

Hackers of this type can: Take control of your entire computer and do what they wish to it, use your internet connection and i.p. address to attack other users (further spreading the attacks), hack into personal information on your computer such as pictures, passwords, credit cards, email, and banking information.

I recommend Zone Alarm because it is free and by far the best firewall I have ever had. Besides that program, a hardware firewall is installed in routers (wireless or wired) and can ASSIST software, but I don’t recommend relying on just a router and many people don’t have one to begin with. Zone Alarm is a hefty program and most users will need to read the users manual to understand the functionality of some things. Basically after install whenever you use a program dealing with the internet Zone Alarm will pop up asking if you want the program to connect. If you trust the program you can check the “remember this action” button and never deal with that popup for that program. Looking at my own install of Zone Alarm the program tells me I have had 32660 intrusions blocked, 7585 of them have been high rated. 97841 access attempts have been made. These numbers may be slightly higher because I am working from a school network and hackers like to target schools because the students are often without firewalls.

More information is now on my website including recommendations of pay software.

Security Alert: How to stay safe with my 3 tiered system

PC security is one of the most important things that few people know how to do right, especially new computer users. Mind boggling terminology such as Phishing, worms, trojans, viruses, spyware, spam, and back doors can be enough to ward away many computer illiterate individuals.

Following my outline below will allow the best security possible. All of the programs I mention are FREE and just as powerful as programs that cost money in most cases. Each tier will be a separate post throughout the week, just so nobody gets too bored.

Tier 1: Anti-Virus Protection.

Viruses are everywhere on the internet. Viruses can be found by: clicking on a link, going to a website, downloading any type of file, accepting a download from an instant message, and opening an email.

Viruses can be stopped by: Having an anti-virus program and DOWNLOADING UPDATES REGULARLY.

Viruses can: Download your confidential information such as credit cards, remove convenience features like the start menu or desktop icons, keep track of passwords you use, disrupt one or many parts of your computer resulting in crashes and inoperability, use your computer to attack other computers and infect them with viruses, and finally even corrupt all of your data on your computer forcing you to start from scratch.

I recommend AVG antivirus because it works amazingly well and it's free. This is the program that I use on my own computer and have stopped many viruses from damaging my computer. You can set it to auto update and schedule scans when you’re not using the computer. AVG also has a built in email scanner that can be configured with most email clients and a real time protection monitor to delete viruses immediately after they are downloaded. The program is very simple to understand and does all the work for you. You must also remember to download updates at least once a week, not doing so could set your computer up for new attacks not protected by outdated programs.

My website contains more information about paid programs. As always, don't be afraid to ask questions about your problems.