My Online Security

Some of the free spyware protection softwares available in the market are also known to be the same ones that initiate adware/malware infections. In order for them to make sales the creators of these softwares cunningly and stealthily download harmful files in unprotected systems. Once the system is infected the user will have no option but to purchase their purported remedy which will interestingly be able to detect and heal all the damages that may have resulted from spyware attacks.

Below are some reliable softwares that offer free spyware protection:

1. Windows Defender
Genuine owners of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista Operating Systems can
Download Windows Defender which is a free program protects your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
However Windows 2000 systems or lower versions of windows are no longer supported and users might need to seek alternative protection from other places.

2. Spyware Bot
Spyware Bot is one of the few Spyware & Adware protection softwars that averts complications brought about by spyware for example corruption of PC data, personal profiling, hacker infiltration, pop-up ads and identity theft. This software also scans your computer for hundreds of hidden AdWare and Spyware and removes them permanently. It is an Advanced program that can blocks adware and spyware from sneaking into your system. Immediate detection is also one of its important features and can thus notify you the moment a spyware application attempts to run on your system.

3. XoxftSpySE
XoxftSpy Second Edition is a new and very advance spyware removal application available. It claims that it can protect you from unwanted Spyware, Adware, Malware, Browser Hijacking, Ad Popups and Keyloggers. It also removes harmful registry entries and corrupt files. XoxftSpySE enhances the performance and speed of your PC that could have been brought about by adware and spyware infections.
Most importantly apart from all these spyware protection features it also comes with a 100% Guarantee that few other softwares offer.

Always insist on anti- spyware anti virus software downloads from respectable firms e.g. free yahoo anti spyware, MacAfee, Symantec Antivirus softwares and so on. Hundreds of options exist in the market and it is wise to shop around before settling down for one of the free spyware protection softwares.

Google is hoping users of its search engine will report “bad sites” to help the company fight criminals exploiting its infrastructure in order to distribute malicious software.

According to the Google security blog, the search giant already knows about hundreds of thousands of “bad” Web sites but is hoping that its users will add to the list by completing an online form to report malicious sites that are not already flagged.

Click here to file a report

* Become more computer literate and Internet savvy.

* Keep the computer in a “public” area in your house.

* Monitor your child’s computer use. Talk with your children about their online activities and their online friends.

* Check out parental controls available on your online service. Block adult chat rooms. Block Instant/Personal Messages from people you don’t know. Install filtering/blocking software, or use a “clean Internet provider” that filters at the server level.

* Do not let your children have online profiles, so they will not be listed in directories and are less likely to be approached in children’s chat rooms, where pedophiles often search for prey.

* Tell your children to never “go private” into a private chat room.

* Tell your children to never give out personal information, including name, address, school they attend or teachers’ names, parents’ names, etc.

* Tell your children to never, never, never tell anyone where they will be or what they will be doing, and they may never meet someone from online without you.

* Tell your children to never respond to rude or offensive e-mail, messages, or postings.

* Do not allow your children to post, send or receive pictures online. Picture files generally end with GIF, JPG, or JPEG.

* Monitor the amount of time your child spends on the Internet, and at what times of day. Excessive time online, especially at night, may indicate a problem. Time on the Internet is time taken from other healthy activities.

* Tell your children to let you know if anything seems strange to them, if they are asked personal (”what are you wearing” type) questions, or if their online friend invites them someplace.

* Changes in your child’s behavior (mention of adults you don’t know, secretiveness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, sleeping problems, etc.) may indicate a problem.

* Letting children use the Internet unattended, particularly talking in chat rooms, is the equivalent of dropping them off in Central Park and saying, “Go make some new friends.”

Here are some great sites for kids

Are you wondering where to start with your online security?  Well let’s start with the absolute basics, unplug from the internet.  Now we are safe.  Just kidding, I have actually been told by a family member she was going to do this.  Her PC was so messed up she was just going to buy a new one and not connect to the net.  I had to ask what the point of even having a computer was then.  Sure you could get by without internet access, by why would you?

The first thing you need to make sure to do is make sure you have an anti-virus program, a spyware program, and a firewall installed on your computer.  The next thing you need to is make sure all of these programs as well as your operating system is up to date.  I will go into specific later, but that is the rough outline.

BTW, I may touch on Apple and Mac security, but this sites focus will be on PCs and the Windows operating system.