The Internet is a place with loads of information. In just one click, we can find what we need in one place.
As of right now, there are 6,574,666,417 Internet users worldwide (stats by Internet World Stats) and this number is increasing everyday. Because of the number of users, security become an issue for Internet users.
Internet users are faced with many online threats everyday. In the nineties,the Michaelangelo virus storm through the Internet and in the year 2000, the ILOVEYOU worm appeared.
Let me tell you five reasons why you should protect your PC and why I should do the same.
1) Adware
Have you ever wondered why you're getting the same popup everytime you open your web browser? This software is called adware and it displays advertisement in your PC. The software
will installs itself in your PC and it's difficult to uninstall it and it also can slow down your PC.
2) Browser Hijackers
When you open your web browser, your home page has changed. In this case, it is the browser hijackers that changed your home page. Other than changing your home page, it can disable your Internet Options so you cannot change the current home page.
3) Phishing
The hackers can steal your confidential information or personal information using phishing techniques. Phishers will duplicate trusted websites and ask you to enter your information. Many people are fooled using this technique and many has suffered. Therefore, if you don't learn how to protect your PC, you're risking your confidential information to other people.
4) Spam
Spam is junk emails or bulk emails aimed to send advertisement to your inbox. Sometimes, the emails will send virus in its attachment or a link that will point you to download a virus or Trojan Horse.
5) Spyware
Spyware is software used by the advertisers to gain information from you such as your browsing habit, which websites that you visited, and it will send that information to certain people without you knowing. It also can change your home page.
These are the 5 reasons why you should protect your PC. Leaving your PC unprotected while using the Internet will make you vulnerable to these threats. Learn how to protect your PC by
reading articles, ebooks, participate in tech forums and reading books. It can help you to avoid these threats.
About the author:
Azwan Asmat is the author of Chuang Computer Tips http://chuangcomputer.blogspot.com. Want to know the secret of securing your PC from dangerous spyware, adware, and malware
programs that can ruin your PC, your finances, and your sanity?!! Visit http://www.chuangcomputer.com/pcsafety for more info.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Removing spyware from your computer
Spyware is hard to detect on the system but there are signs that suggest you are having spyware infections.
These signs are:
*various pop-up windows that disturb your surfing,
*your system is becoming slow to respond or freezes or your web browser's home
page changes from time to time.
If you suspect the existence of spyware on your computer than you should run spyware remover software to clean up your PC.
What is spyware?
According to Wikipedia spyware is a malicious software that is installed on your PC - in order to perform various tasks or take partial control over it without your consent. Spyware can get
installed while you are browsing the web or installing software such as file sharing or video downloading software.
What you can do about spyware on your computer?
Removing spyware can not be done once and for all. Using spyware removers must be a weekly habit to delete these infections from your personal computer. In much the same way you clean your home once in a week you will also need good tools to clean spyware out of your PC.
All spyware removal tools do a scan and then remove the found infections. Some spyware killers offer a permanent real-time protection shield to prevent spyware entering your computer.
Usually, detection and removal of a spyware is much simpler compared to prevention, so keep your good habit and do a spyware scan at least one a week.
There are more than 270,000 known infections today and the number is constantly growing. It is a must to have a frequently updated database. Fortunately almost all spyware removers
feature automatic updaters so you do not have to worry about having the current version.
There are several good anti-spyware programs which help removing spyware from an infected system. These spyware removal programs scan all your files including Windows registry, operating system files, running processes, essential system components and cookies. If they find an infected file, they delete it. It is a good idea to have 2 or even 3 spyware removers to maximize protection against spyware and adware.
About the author:
Frank Stefano has witnessed far too many system crashes and lost files due to spyware and adware, so he decided to make a website and write articles about the issue. Visit http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=">http://www.detectingspyware.info/
to access free spyware scans and read more tips and tricks about spyware and adware protections.
These signs are:
*various pop-up windows that disturb your surfing,
*your system is becoming slow to respond or freezes or your web browser's home
page changes from time to time.
If you suspect the existence of spyware on your computer than you should run spyware remover software to clean up your PC.
What is spyware?
According to Wikipedia spyware is a malicious software that is installed on your PC - in order to perform various tasks or take partial control over it without your consent. Spyware can get
installed while you are browsing the web or installing software such as file sharing or video downloading software.
What you can do about spyware on your computer?
Removing spyware can not be done once and for all. Using spyware removers must be a weekly habit to delete these infections from your personal computer. In much the same way you clean your home once in a week you will also need good tools to clean spyware out of your PC.
All spyware removal tools do a scan and then remove the found infections. Some spyware killers offer a permanent real-time protection shield to prevent spyware entering your computer.
Usually, detection and removal of a spyware is much simpler compared to prevention, so keep your good habit and do a spyware scan at least one a week.
There are more than 270,000 known infections today and the number is constantly growing. It is a must to have a frequently updated database. Fortunately almost all spyware removers
feature automatic updaters so you do not have to worry about having the current version.
There are several good anti-spyware programs which help removing spyware from an infected system. These spyware removal programs scan all your files including Windows registry, operating system files, running processes, essential system components and cookies. If they find an infected file, they delete it. It is a good idea to have 2 or even 3 spyware removers to maximize protection against spyware and adware.
About the author:
Frank Stefano has witnessed far too many system crashes and lost files due to spyware and adware, so he decided to make a website and write articles about the issue. Visit http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=">http://www.detectingspyware.info/
to access free spyware scans and read more tips and tricks about spyware and adware protections.
How Spyware Spies
More and more PC owners are realizing the impact of spyware in their operating systems and are taking the necessary actions in undoing the damage by installing spyware removal software. But what is the real reason we need such software and how does spyware actually trace our cyber behavior? There are plenty of fundamentals to know before choosing anti-spyware software.
For starters, spyware records your every activity, from keystrokes and file sharing activity, to what you say in your emails and IM's. Most of the time, these aren't for malicious purposes and are tagged 'adware.' In many cases, your web browsing activity is useful to advertisers in their marketing campaigns, as they can track your purchase decisions and scope out their competitors.
However, spyware can be malicious and can be transmitted through 'bundling' or Internet browser deficiencies. In other words, a security flaw can open doors for spyware programs to
attach themselves to your PC or your information is given to software publishers by spyware companies themselves for payment.
6StarReviews.com reports that popular anti-spyware software STOPzilla targets spyware from all directions. This program not only scans for commonly known and discreet adware and spyware, it prevents browser hijacks and phishing attempts, which are typical when spyware is prevalent in your operating system. In order to protect your important files and confidential
information, it's vital to implement http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href%20%22spyware
removal software.
About the author:
Kelly Liyakasa is staff writer for 6StarReviews.com. Kelly Staller is site manager at 6StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=">Visit our site at 6StarReviews.com. Also, if you have the time, check out the 6StarReviews Blog for prod
For starters, spyware records your every activity, from keystrokes and file sharing activity, to what you say in your emails and IM's. Most of the time, these aren't for malicious purposes and are tagged 'adware.' In many cases, your web browsing activity is useful to advertisers in their marketing campaigns, as they can track your purchase decisions and scope out their competitors.
However, spyware can be malicious and can be transmitted through 'bundling' or Internet browser deficiencies. In other words, a security flaw can open doors for spyware programs to
attach themselves to your PC or your information is given to software publishers by spyware companies themselves for payment.
6StarReviews.com reports that popular anti-spyware software STOPzilla targets spyware from all directions. This program not only scans for commonly known and discreet adware and spyware, it prevents browser hijacks and phishing attempts, which are typical when spyware is prevalent in your operating system. In order to protect your important files and confidential
information, it's vital to implement http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href%20%22spyware
removal software.
About the author:
Kelly Liyakasa is staff writer for 6StarReviews.com. Kelly Staller is site manager at 6StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=">Visit our site at 6StarReviews.com. Also, if you have the time, check out the 6StarReviews Blog for prod
Registry Mechanic? 6.0 For Windows
Registry Mechanic is not only the most popular registry cleaner on the market (with 100000+ downloads per week) but also one of the easiest to use! With Registry Mechanic you can safely clean and repair Windows registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks! Problems with the Windows registry are a common cause of Windows crashes and error messages. Registry Cleaners Are a Must Have Many registry cleaner software such as windows XP registry cleaner, windows free registry cleaner, PC registry cleaner and the like Scan the system registry and locate the obsolete information that is clogging and slowing down the system. This information can include broken links and redundant programs that serve no purpose to the system at all.
The registry cleaners try to fix these broken links by locating the programs that can be associated with them or if the programs are already associated then the registry cleaner will delete the broken link altogether. This frees up space in the registry and leaves spaces that need to be filled by bringing the registry entries closer together. This is called compressing the registry. The purpose of a registry cleaner is to make the system run faster and error free. Most of the registry cleaners achieve this with ease.
Scan at windows xp registry import not all keys. Downloading one of these registry cleaners takes no longer than a couple of minutes depending on your internet connection and then it takes just a few seconds to install
Your PC might be inflicted by Adwares, Spywares and Spambots. In addition, your registry might be littered with logs that commands your PC to execute these files. A registry cleaner is
needed to clean some of these programs. Registry cleaners detect errors in your PC. Registry cleaners help your PC function properly and registry cleaners detect errors, and deletes and/or
fixes them. For your PC to function in its optimum performance, you must have a registry cleaner.
The basic programs that your PC should have in order to function properly should be:
anti-virus software, firewall, anti-spam, and a good registry cleaner. Registry Cleaners Are a Must Have Many registry cleaner software such as windows XP registry cleaner windows free
registry cleaner PC registry cleaner and the like Scan the system registry and locate the obsolete information that is clogging and slowing down the system. Free scan at cannot find
server or dns error internet explorer secure.
Many registry cleaners and registry repair software have a startup management tool built in.
This information is constantly referenced during the operation of the computer. Backup Copies With Backup The steps to fix registry on computer is not as easy as 1-2-3. But it is not as
complicated as fixing cars either. To fix registry on computer is to simply change the registry information back to its default setting or to repair any errors incurred therein. Whether it is
complicated or relatively easy to fix registry on computer, the fact remains the same: you have to do backups. Backups are extremely important so that you can still retrieve your date in
case you have failed to fix registry on computer. Also, it enables you to always restore the default settings of the registry of your computer in case you were not able to fix it.
See http://www.registrycleanertools.info/registry-clean-expert/registry-cleaner-free-removal.php ry-cleaner-free-removal.php. Spyware installs itself on the system and makes its entries in the registry as well
About the author:
Eugene is an expert in window 2000 registry cleaner for over 10 years. Free Registry Scan at
http://www.registryrepairtool.info/top-rated-registry-fix-performers/free-fixes-for-windows-error-messages.php ers/free-fixes-for-windows-error-messages.php
The registry cleaners try to fix these broken links by locating the programs that can be associated with them or if the programs are already associated then the registry cleaner will delete the broken link altogether. This frees up space in the registry and leaves spaces that need to be filled by bringing the registry entries closer together. This is called compressing the registry. The purpose of a registry cleaner is to make the system run faster and error free. Most of the registry cleaners achieve this with ease.
Scan at windows xp registry import not all keys. Downloading one of these registry cleaners takes no longer than a couple of minutes depending on your internet connection and then it takes just a few seconds to install
Your PC might be inflicted by Adwares, Spywares and Spambots. In addition, your registry might be littered with logs that commands your PC to execute these files. A registry cleaner is
needed to clean some of these programs. Registry cleaners detect errors in your PC. Registry cleaners help your PC function properly and registry cleaners detect errors, and deletes and/or
fixes them. For your PC to function in its optimum performance, you must have a registry cleaner.
The basic programs that your PC should have in order to function properly should be:
anti-virus software, firewall, anti-spam, and a good registry cleaner. Registry Cleaners Are a Must Have Many registry cleaner software such as windows XP registry cleaner windows free
registry cleaner PC registry cleaner and the like Scan the system registry and locate the obsolete information that is clogging and slowing down the system. Free scan at cannot find
server or dns error internet explorer secure.
Many registry cleaners and registry repair software have a startup management tool built in.
This information is constantly referenced during the operation of the computer. Backup Copies With Backup The steps to fix registry on computer is not as easy as 1-2-3. But it is not as
complicated as fixing cars either. To fix registry on computer is to simply change the registry information back to its default setting or to repair any errors incurred therein. Whether it is
complicated or relatively easy to fix registry on computer, the fact remains the same: you have to do backups. Backups are extremely important so that you can still retrieve your date in
case you have failed to fix registry on computer. Also, it enables you to always restore the default settings of the registry of your computer in case you were not able to fix it.
See http://www.registrycleanertools.info/registry-clean-expert/registry-cleaner-free-removal.php ry-cleaner-free-removal.php. Spyware installs itself on the system and makes its entries in the registry as well
About the author:
Eugene is an expert in window 2000 registry cleaner for over 10 years. Free Registry Scan at
http://www.registryrepairtool.info/top-rated-registry-fix-performers/free-fixes-for-windows-error-messages.php ers/free-fixes-for-windows-error-messages.php
Crouching Trojan, Hidden Malware
Trojans are not just more dangerous than computer viruses, they're stealthier, too. Find out where they hide.
Minions of an evil master lurk in your hard drive, crouching in your system registry, ready to pounce.
What Is a Trojan?
The word "Trojan" is a mystery to most people, even many who think they know its true meaning. If more people really understood what Trojans are and the risk they pose, there would be fewer Trojans, since fewer people would ever leave their machines vulnerable to them.
A Trojan is malware. Malware is a special kind of software, like spyware, adware, and viruses that no one wants. Yet a Trojan is more dangerous than any other kind of malware. Unlike those other types of malware, Trojans are not mindless flunkies hurled at your computer by their masters. A Trojan is a master that first craftily infiltrates your PC, then unleashes its malware henchman.
What Trojans Do
• Some Trojans may install worms, which are programs that use your computer and internet connection to send out armies of server requests in the hope of shutting a particular website down, or to spread viruses or worms to other computers.
• Other Trojans are thieves, out to steal your computer's processing power and turn it over to their hacker masters, often by setting up a backdoor, a hidden internet connection that allows for outside manipulation of your machine.
• Some thieving Trojans are fraudsters that may go after your financial information by installing keyloggers that record what you type--especially passwords and important banking numbers.
How Do Trojans Hide?
No one thinks they have a Trojan on their computer until it is too late. That's because they do such a good job of blending in.
• Trojans come disguised in innocuous file names, often pretending to be a helper application to software or an essential operating system component.
• Trojans try to avoid calling attention to themselves, and so will often only interfere a little, if at all, with your computer's performance, choosing instead to do their dirty work while your machine is idle. Computers left on and connected to the internet while their owners are asleep or at work or school are favorite targets.
How Do You Remove Trojans?
Removing Trojans can be a can of worms. Here's why you need to proceed with caution:
• Since Trojans can disguise themselves as software your computer actually needs, you could accidentally delete a vital program or system registry entry. In the worst case scenario, you won't be able to restart your computer.
• Many Trojans are trained for survival. When you try to removal them manually, they may simply copy themselves to another directory.
Intimidated? You don't have to be. Rather than trying to defuse a Trojan yourself, why not call in the bomb squad? Good anti-spyware and antivirus software will fight Trojans, too. Just make sure to look for a program that specifically says it fights Trojans. After all, this is no job for amateurs.
About the author:
Joel Walsh writes for http://www.spyware-refuge.com about spyware removal: http://www.spyware-refuge.com/spyware-removal.html?spyware removal [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: "spyware removal" OR leave this bracketed message intact.]
Minions of an evil master lurk in your hard drive, crouching in your system registry, ready to pounce.
What Is a Trojan?
The word "Trojan" is a mystery to most people, even many who think they know its true meaning. If more people really understood what Trojans are and the risk they pose, there would be fewer Trojans, since fewer people would ever leave their machines vulnerable to them.
A Trojan is malware. Malware is a special kind of software, like spyware, adware, and viruses that no one wants. Yet a Trojan is more dangerous than any other kind of malware. Unlike those other types of malware, Trojans are not mindless flunkies hurled at your computer by their masters. A Trojan is a master that first craftily infiltrates your PC, then unleashes its malware henchman.
What Trojans Do
• Some Trojans may install worms, which are programs that use your computer and internet connection to send out armies of server requests in the hope of shutting a particular website down, or to spread viruses or worms to other computers.
• Other Trojans are thieves, out to steal your computer's processing power and turn it over to their hacker masters, often by setting up a backdoor, a hidden internet connection that allows for outside manipulation of your machine.
• Some thieving Trojans are fraudsters that may go after your financial information by installing keyloggers that record what you type--especially passwords and important banking numbers.
How Do Trojans Hide?
No one thinks they have a Trojan on their computer until it is too late. That's because they do such a good job of blending in.
• Trojans come disguised in innocuous file names, often pretending to be a helper application to software or an essential operating system component.
• Trojans try to avoid calling attention to themselves, and so will often only interfere a little, if at all, with your computer's performance, choosing instead to do their dirty work while your machine is idle. Computers left on and connected to the internet while their owners are asleep or at work or school are favorite targets.
How Do You Remove Trojans?
Removing Trojans can be a can of worms. Here's why you need to proceed with caution:
• Since Trojans can disguise themselves as software your computer actually needs, you could accidentally delete a vital program or system registry entry. In the worst case scenario, you won't be able to restart your computer.
• Many Trojans are trained for survival. When you try to removal them manually, they may simply copy themselves to another directory.
Intimidated? You don't have to be. Rather than trying to defuse a Trojan yourself, why not call in the bomb squad? Good anti-spyware and antivirus software will fight Trojans, too. Just make sure to look for a program that specifically says it fights Trojans. After all, this is no job for amateurs.
About the author:
Joel Walsh writes for http://www.spyware-refuge.com about spyware removal: http://www.spyware-refuge.com/spyware-removal.html?spyware removal [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: "spyware removal" OR leave this bracketed message intact.]
5 Steps to Remove Spyware for Free
Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC only to find out it never left or it came back? Tired of all those annoying Popups, Viruses, and Ads on your system day in and day out? Well, listen closely because the day has come to remove Spyware programs and Viruses - forever!
I will give you some very useful tricks and tips to remove Spyware and Viruses for good! Follow closely:
Steps to Remove Spyware, Viruses, and Adware
1. There are many types of software available today that claim to remove spyware off our system, but which one REALLY does the job? What you need is software that not only will remove spyware, but TOTALLY removes it for good and keeps it off. After searching for the best of the best, here is THE BEST: Panda Online Scan. Why? It does not constantly run on your system, slowing it down and using bunches of memory! In other words, it runs from Panda on the web, then searches your whole system, will remove spyware and other bugs, then gives detailed info on the bug and tells you how to keep it off your system! Here is the address to get started:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/scan.html
It only installs a few plug-ins to run on your system, and no full installation!
2. Check your system services and systray items! The biggest mistake people make is never checking what programs are running in the background or memory of the system. A key step to remove spyware from your system is knowing this. Without knowing these things, you probably have bugs running on your system, and never know it! Why? They like to hide! Download and install a program called HIJACK THIS. It tells you exactly what is running and what is not running so you know exactly what might be hiding behind closed doors! Here is the address for this:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/hijackthis.html
3. Shutdown the SYSTEM RESTORE! (Windows XP)
Spyware and Viruses attach themselves to your system's restore files. This is an easy way for them to hide, even after you reinstall Windows! Right click on 'MY COMPUTER', then click on 'Properties'. Look for a tab on top called 'System Restore', and click there. Check the box that says 'Turn off system restore on all drives'. Click 'APPLY', then 'OK'. That's it!
4. Use an Anonymous IP address when surfing the web!
This is a huge step in keeping bugs off your system forever! Bugs get onto your system and retrieve info about you by capturing your IP address. Your IP address tells everyone who you are, where you're located, your system info, what kind of Windows you use, your browser, etc. An anonymous IP hides your IP by using an Anonymous address and makes you invisible to everyone, including Spyware and Ads! Here is an address to a good proxy list:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html
Please follow these instructions carefully for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
a) Scroll down on the page from the above link. On the list, look at the numbers listed under IP:Port Host name. Make sure the uptime on the right is at least 97 to 99 %.
b) Go to the Control Panel in Windows.
c) Open up ' Internet Options'.
d) Click on the 'Connections' tab on top.
e) Click on 'LAN Settings'.
f) Put a check-mark where it says PROXY SERVER.
g) In the Address box, copy and paste the IP address listed on the proxy list (for example: 148.244.150.58 - These are the numbers shown BEFORE the ':' (semi-colon).
h) Copy and paste the port number into the PORT box (for example: '80' - the number immediately after the semi-colon).
i) Click OK, and OK again to close, and close everything.
j) Go ahead and open up your browser and try surfing the internet to test.
Thats it! You are now surfing invisibly!
For the Firefox browser:
a) Open up the browser and go to 'TOOLS' then 'OPTIONS'.
b) Go to 'GENERAL' on the left, then click the 'Connection Settings' button below.
c) Choose 'Manual' proxy config from the choices.
d) Check the 'use the same proxy' checkbox.
e) In the 'HTTP Proxy' box, copy and paste the anonymous IP, and the PORT number in the PORT box (remove the zero first).
f) Click OK, then OK again to close.
g) Now test your browser by surfing the web.
You are now invisible.
**note - if your browsing gets super slow or has a problem, look for another IP and Port number on the list and try again. Most of the time the proxies from Mexico work best. Happy surfing! The free proxy list can be found here:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html
5. Download and install the new FIREFOX browser!
Please get rid of Microsoft Internet Explorer on your system! It is like a pipe that feeds Spyware, Ads and Viruses onto your system. There are just too many holes there letting everything in. Mozilla is a fairly new company that introduced a new breed of browser that blocks popups, and tries hard to keep these bugs off your system. It has very few or even NO holes or pipes to let the bugs in! Many people use it for this very reason, and it has a great look, better speed, and lets you change the theme of it! Awesome!
Well that about sums up how to remove spyware in 5 steps. Follow them CLOSELY and you will see how great it is to surf virus free Forever! Guaranteed!
About the author:
For more tips, tricks, and secrets on protecting your PC and making it run faster and without problems, sign up on our mailing list at: http://www.stopspywareforfree.com
I will give you some very useful tricks and tips to remove Spyware and Viruses for good! Follow closely:
Steps to Remove Spyware, Viruses, and Adware
1. There are many types of software available today that claim to remove spyware off our system, but which one REALLY does the job? What you need is software that not only will remove spyware, but TOTALLY removes it for good and keeps it off. After searching for the best of the best, here is THE BEST: Panda Online Scan. Why? It does not constantly run on your system, slowing it down and using bunches of memory! In other words, it runs from Panda on the web, then searches your whole system, will remove spyware and other bugs, then gives detailed info on the bug and tells you how to keep it off your system! Here is the address to get started:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/scan.html
It only installs a few plug-ins to run on your system, and no full installation!
2. Check your system services and systray items! The biggest mistake people make is never checking what programs are running in the background or memory of the system. A key step to remove spyware from your system is knowing this. Without knowing these things, you probably have bugs running on your system, and never know it! Why? They like to hide! Download and install a program called HIJACK THIS. It tells you exactly what is running and what is not running so you know exactly what might be hiding behind closed doors! Here is the address for this:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/hijackthis.html
3. Shutdown the SYSTEM RESTORE! (Windows XP)
Spyware and Viruses attach themselves to your system's restore files. This is an easy way for them to hide, even after you reinstall Windows! Right click on 'MY COMPUTER', then click on 'Properties'. Look for a tab on top called 'System Restore', and click there. Check the box that says 'Turn off system restore on all drives'. Click 'APPLY', then 'OK'. That's it!
4. Use an Anonymous IP address when surfing the web!
This is a huge step in keeping bugs off your system forever! Bugs get onto your system and retrieve info about you by capturing your IP address. Your IP address tells everyone who you are, where you're located, your system info, what kind of Windows you use, your browser, etc. An anonymous IP hides your IP by using an Anonymous address and makes you invisible to everyone, including Spyware and Ads! Here is an address to a good proxy list:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html
Please follow these instructions carefully for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
a) Scroll down on the page from the above link. On the list, look at the numbers listed under IP:Port Host name. Make sure the uptime on the right is at least 97 to 99 %.
b) Go to the Control Panel in Windows.
c) Open up ' Internet Options'.
d) Click on the 'Connections' tab on top.
e) Click on 'LAN Settings'.
f) Put a check-mark where it says PROXY SERVER.
g) In the Address box, copy and paste the IP address listed on the proxy list (for example: 148.244.150.58 - These are the numbers shown BEFORE the ':' (semi-colon).
h) Copy and paste the port number into the PORT box (for example: '80' - the number immediately after the semi-colon).
i) Click OK, and OK again to close, and close everything.
j) Go ahead and open up your browser and try surfing the internet to test.
Thats it! You are now surfing invisibly!
For the Firefox browser:
a) Open up the browser and go to 'TOOLS' then 'OPTIONS'.
b) Go to 'GENERAL' on the left, then click the 'Connection Settings' button below.
c) Choose 'Manual' proxy config from the choices.
d) Check the 'use the same proxy' checkbox.
e) In the 'HTTP Proxy' box, copy and paste the anonymous IP, and the PORT number in the PORT box (remove the zero first).
f) Click OK, then OK again to close.
g) Now test your browser by surfing the web.
You are now invisible.
**note - if your browsing gets super slow or has a problem, look for another IP and Port number on the list and try again. Most of the time the proxies from Mexico work best. Happy surfing! The free proxy list can be found here:
http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html
5. Download and install the new FIREFOX browser!
Please get rid of Microsoft Internet Explorer on your system! It is like a pipe that feeds Spyware, Ads and Viruses onto your system. There are just too many holes there letting everything in. Mozilla is a fairly new company that introduced a new breed of browser that blocks popups, and tries hard to keep these bugs off your system. It has very few or even NO holes or pipes to let the bugs in! Many people use it for this very reason, and it has a great look, better speed, and lets you change the theme of it! Awesome!
Well that about sums up how to remove spyware in 5 steps. Follow them CLOSELY and you will see how great it is to surf virus free Forever! Guaranteed!
About the author:
For more tips, tricks, and secrets on protecting your PC and making it run faster and without problems, sign up on our mailing list at: http://www.stopspywareforfree.com
5 Critical Steps to Protecting Your Computer on the Internet
Spyware, viruses and worms... oh my!
If you are connected to the internet, you need to make sure you get your computer set up properly if you want to avoid problems down the road.
With all the viruses, spyware and other threats on the internet today, no computer should be set up without the proper protection.
And that protection needs to be in place as soon after you hook up your new machine as possible.
The following five steps will make your computer a much harder target for threats. You still won't be completely immune to problems, but 99% of the time the threat will pass you by, looking for the easy mark.
1. Running a Personal Firewall
A personal firewall is software that basically makes your computer invisible to hackers, worms and other threats that can infect your computer over the internet.
Setting up a firewall is the absolute first thing you should do if you're going to connect to the internet. Without a firewall, your computer could get infected in as little as one minute after connecting.
If you have a brand new computer running Windows XP Service Pack 2, there is a firewall built into Windows. It will already have been turned on when you first set up your computer.
If you're running an older version of Windows, even an earlier version of Windows XP, there is no firewall automatically set up for you. In this case there are two possibilities:
- Your computer came pre-loaded with a firewall such as Norton Internet Security or McAfee Internet Security
- You have no firewall installed and should download one ASAP.
If you don't have any personal firewall software installed, you should do so right away. Zone Alarm is a very good firewall program that has a version that you can download and install for free.
You can download the free version of Zone Alarm from http://www.computer-help-squad.com/zonealarm
2. Turn on Windows Updates
Again, if you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 this is already set up, but otherwise you should turn on Windows Updates. Microsoft releases updates for security problems and other bugs in Windows on a regular basis.
These updates will keep your computer running better, and they often fix security issues that could compromise your information or privacy.
If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2, you can double-check that automatic updates are turned on by clicking Start, then click Control Panel, then double-click Security Center. The window that opens will tell you if automatic updates are turned on, and lets you turn them on if they're not.
To turn on automatic updates in earlier versions of Windows XP, click on the Start menu, click Control Panel and then double-click on System. On the "Automatic Updates" tab, click the option to "Automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule I specify."
To turn them on in Windows 2000, click on Start, click Control Panel and then double-click on Automatic Updates. Again, click the option to "automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule I specify."
Now when Microsoft releases updates, they will be downloaded for you automatically and Windows will tell you when they are ready to be installed.
3. Install & Update Antivirus Software
Most new computers come with antivirus software these days. You might have Norton, McAfee, PC-Cillin or another brand. No matter what program you have, you will need to update it when you get connected to the internet.
It doesn't matter how new your computer is - there will be new viruses, and new updates for the antivirus software, since it was loaded.
The exact process is different for each brand of antivirus program, but most of them will have an icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop, beside the time. The icon might be a picture of a shield (McAfee), a stethoscope (Norton) or something else.
In most cases, if you point to the icon for your antivirus and click the right mouse button, a menu will pop up with an update option. It could be simply called update or could be something like Live Update or Download Latest Updates. If you click on the update option (with the left button this time) it will install the newest updates for you.
If you're not sure which icon is for your antivirus software, just point to each one for a few seconds and a little title should pop up telling you what it is.
4. Install Anti-Spyware Software
Spyware - and other things known as adware and malware - is becoming as big a problem as viruses. Spyware programs can cause a lot of problems with your computer, not to mention they can track your personal information and you never know where it's being sent.
Some new computers might includes antispyware software, but most of them don't yet. There are quite a few anti-spyware programs available, some free and some not. The one I recommend is from Microsoft and is one of the free ones.
One of the reasons I like it is because it always runs in the background and will automatically catch a lot of spyware before it gets on your computer.
Many of the other programs don't catch it until you run a scan. Not only does this allow things to get on your computer, it also means you have to actually remember to run a scan.
You can download the free Microsoft Antispyware from http://www.computer-help-squad.com/antispyware
5. Set up a Free Email Account
This last item is not as critical as the first four, but I would highly recommend you set up an email account with one of the free services like Hotmail or Gmail.
Once you're on the internet, you'll find a lot of useful information that you want that requires you to provide an email address. In some cases, these people will end up sending you a bunch of spam.
If you use a free email account to sign up for anything that you don't know for sure you can trust, it's not going to fill your main email with a bunch of junk.
This goes for anything really, not just online information. If you're entering a contest or signing up for anything offline and you don't know where your information could end up being used, I would suggest using your free email address.
If worse comes to worse, and your free email address gets inundated with spam, you can always just set up a new one and let the old one expire.
Some of the better free email services are www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com and www.yahoomail.com.
If you've had your computer for a while and never done any of these things, you should still take these steps to get it set up properly. It will definitely save you a lot of time - and possibly money - as you use your system.
About the author:
John Lenaghan offers easy-to-understand advice at the Computer Help Squad website. Find out more about these 5 steps - sign up for our newsletter and receive your free 5-part guide at http://www.computer-help-squad.com/5steps
If you are connected to the internet, you need to make sure you get your computer set up properly if you want to avoid problems down the road.
With all the viruses, spyware and other threats on the internet today, no computer should be set up without the proper protection.
And that protection needs to be in place as soon after you hook up your new machine as possible.
The following five steps will make your computer a much harder target for threats. You still won't be completely immune to problems, but 99% of the time the threat will pass you by, looking for the easy mark.
1. Running a Personal Firewall
A personal firewall is software that basically makes your computer invisible to hackers, worms and other threats that can infect your computer over the internet.
Setting up a firewall is the absolute first thing you should do if you're going to connect to the internet. Without a firewall, your computer could get infected in as little as one minute after connecting.
If you have a brand new computer running Windows XP Service Pack 2, there is a firewall built into Windows. It will already have been turned on when you first set up your computer.
If you're running an older version of Windows, even an earlier version of Windows XP, there is no firewall automatically set up for you. In this case there are two possibilities:
- Your computer came pre-loaded with a firewall such as Norton Internet Security or McAfee Internet Security
- You have no firewall installed and should download one ASAP.
If you don't have any personal firewall software installed, you should do so right away. Zone Alarm is a very good firewall program that has a version that you can download and install for free.
You can download the free version of Zone Alarm from http://www.computer-help-squad.com/zonealarm
2. Turn on Windows Updates
Again, if you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 this is already set up, but otherwise you should turn on Windows Updates. Microsoft releases updates for security problems and other bugs in Windows on a regular basis.
These updates will keep your computer running better, and they often fix security issues that could compromise your information or privacy.
If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2, you can double-check that automatic updates are turned on by clicking Start, then click Control Panel, then double-click Security Center. The window that opens will tell you if automatic updates are turned on, and lets you turn them on if they're not.
To turn on automatic updates in earlier versions of Windows XP, click on the Start menu, click Control Panel and then double-click on System. On the "Automatic Updates" tab, click the option to "Automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule I specify."
To turn them on in Windows 2000, click on Start, click Control Panel and then double-click on Automatic Updates. Again, click the option to "automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule I specify."
Now when Microsoft releases updates, they will be downloaded for you automatically and Windows will tell you when they are ready to be installed.
3. Install & Update Antivirus Software
Most new computers come with antivirus software these days. You might have Norton, McAfee, PC-Cillin or another brand. No matter what program you have, you will need to update it when you get connected to the internet.
It doesn't matter how new your computer is - there will be new viruses, and new updates for the antivirus software, since it was loaded.
The exact process is different for each brand of antivirus program, but most of them will have an icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop, beside the time. The icon might be a picture of a shield (McAfee), a stethoscope (Norton) or something else.
In most cases, if you point to the icon for your antivirus and click the right mouse button, a menu will pop up with an update option. It could be simply called update or could be something like Live Update or Download Latest Updates. If you click on the update option (with the left button this time) it will install the newest updates for you.
If you're not sure which icon is for your antivirus software, just point to each one for a few seconds and a little title should pop up telling you what it is.
4. Install Anti-Spyware Software
Spyware - and other things known as adware and malware - is becoming as big a problem as viruses. Spyware programs can cause a lot of problems with your computer, not to mention they can track your personal information and you never know where it's being sent.
Some new computers might includes antispyware software, but most of them don't yet. There are quite a few anti-spyware programs available, some free and some not. The one I recommend is from Microsoft and is one of the free ones.
One of the reasons I like it is because it always runs in the background and will automatically catch a lot of spyware before it gets on your computer.
Many of the other programs don't catch it until you run a scan. Not only does this allow things to get on your computer, it also means you have to actually remember to run a scan.
You can download the free Microsoft Antispyware from http://www.computer-help-squad.com/antispyware
5. Set up a Free Email Account
This last item is not as critical as the first four, but I would highly recommend you set up an email account with one of the free services like Hotmail or Gmail.
Once you're on the internet, you'll find a lot of useful information that you want that requires you to provide an email address. In some cases, these people will end up sending you a bunch of spam.
If you use a free email account to sign up for anything that you don't know for sure you can trust, it's not going to fill your main email with a bunch of junk.
This goes for anything really, not just online information. If you're entering a contest or signing up for anything offline and you don't know where your information could end up being used, I would suggest using your free email address.
If worse comes to worse, and your free email address gets inundated with spam, you can always just set up a new one and let the old one expire.
Some of the better free email services are www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com and www.yahoomail.com.
If you've had your computer for a while and never done any of these things, you should still take these steps to get it set up properly. It will definitely save you a lot of time - and possibly money - as you use your system.
About the author:
John Lenaghan offers easy-to-understand advice at the Computer Help Squad website. Find out more about these 5 steps - sign up for our newsletter and receive your free 5-part guide at http://www.computer-help-squad.com/5steps
Data Recovery - What Not to Do!
Data recovery is a tricky thing, and if you've somehow deleted or had your important files corrupted or lost due to human error, business espionage, faulty hardware or software or any other reason; the good news is that your lost data is probably recoverable. This article will show you a few things NOT to do when an event such as this occurs.
Don't run the drive anymore, or use the device. (MP3, portable storage, camera card, whatever) If you think it won't hurt to even just poke around the internet for a solution to this mess you've made/found, you're wrong! Don't install or run anything on the drive you hope to recover data from. Only access this drive again from a healthy PC with the software solution you're going to use. Since files are overwritten in the order they've been deleted, the last files that have been excised from your drive will be the first to be lost permanently. Even just surfing, with all the cookies and temporary internet files that are always being generated will often doom the process without you even knowing about it.
Don't use tools that may reside on your computer, such as Scandisk, or a boot record utility, as these will probably overwrite exactly the files you're seeking to get back.
In short, be careful! Your data may very well be recoverable, as long as you don't do something to erase it forever! Find a good data recovery software solution, and then follow the instructions to the letter, and you'll more than likely live to see your lost data return!
Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Data Recovery Service a site cenetered around helping you get back your lost data!
Don't run the drive anymore, or use the device. (MP3, portable storage, camera card, whatever) If you think it won't hurt to even just poke around the internet for a solution to this mess you've made/found, you're wrong! Don't install or run anything on the drive you hope to recover data from. Only access this drive again from a healthy PC with the software solution you're going to use. Since files are overwritten in the order they've been deleted, the last files that have been excised from your drive will be the first to be lost permanently. Even just surfing, with all the cookies and temporary internet files that are always being generated will often doom the process without you even knowing about it.
Don't use tools that may reside on your computer, such as Scandisk, or a boot record utility, as these will probably overwrite exactly the files you're seeking to get back.
In short, be careful! Your data may very well be recoverable, as long as you don't do something to erase it forever! Find a good data recovery software solution, and then follow the instructions to the letter, and you'll more than likely live to see your lost data return!
Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Data Recovery Service a site cenetered around helping you get back your lost data!
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