Friday 10 December 2010
What's On Advert in the Robin Park area
Monday 22 November 2010
Security Threats To Your PC - Part 1
This is NOT a 'self-help' guide, nor is it intended to be - it is intended to make users aware of the risks they face while using the internet - and it provides suggestions and advice on how to best mitigate those risks. If you are infected, or think you may be infected, then contact HC Computers by visiting their website at http://www.hcrepairs.com.
Malware
The idea is to make money from other people’s misery. Identity theft is common, scams trying to sell you worthless applications abound and spam networks and botnets are all the rage – all in an attempt to make money. This is not just a few pounds or dollars we are talking about – one group of bad guys known as the Russian Business Network is estimated to turn over somewhere around £100m pounds a year – yes £100 million!
Pop ups and Rogue Applications
One of the most obvious things to avoid on the internet is clicking ‘OK’ to a pop up. Many inexperienced users still click ‘OK’ without a moments thought. Unless you can be 1000% sure that you know the source of the pop up and that the originator is someone to be trusted, do not click ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ to a pop up. Many pop ups will try and convince you that you need a specific codec to watch a video. Usually such a codec is not needed and instead you will receive a package of malware.
Pop ups that tell you that your system is already infected are another speciality – nowadays they look almost identical to genuine scanner/AVs – and many users are tricked into buying a worthless programme. If you receive such an offer, do not buy anything. Your system was probably not infected in the first place but as soon as you click on the ‘OK’ button you could well find that you really are infected. The main aim of these types of scams is to extract payment for a worthless programme. Such applications are known as ‘rogues’ or ‘rogue software’.
Downloads
Many users still click ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ when asked if they want to download a file. You need to stop and ask yourself some questions. Were you trying to download a file? Do you know the source of the file? Is the file name recognisable? If you answered ‘No’ to any of these questions, then why are you still willing to download the file? Unless you know the source of the file, perhaps a file you specifically requested from a reputable site, then neverdownload an unknown file. The chances are it will include an infection and could allow an attacker to take over your system.
This also applies to files included as e-mail attachments. If you don’t know the sender, delete the e-mail and ask questions later. If necessary make a note of the sender’s e-mail address.
Regards
Harry
Malware
The idea is to make money from other people’s misery. Identity theft is common, scams trying to sell you worthless applications abound and spam networks and botnets are all the rage – all in an attempt to make money. This is not just a few pounds or dollars we are talking about – one group of bad guys known as the Russian Business Network is estimated to turn over somewhere around £100m pounds a year – yes £100 million!
Pop ups and Rogue Applications
One of the most obvious things to avoid on the internet is clicking ‘OK’ to a pop up. Many inexperienced users still click ‘OK’ without a moments thought. Unless you can be 1000% sure that you know the source of the pop up and that the originator is someone to be trusted, do not click ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ to a pop up. Many pop ups will try and convince you that you need a specific codec to watch a video. Usually such a codec is not needed and instead you will receive a package of malware.
Pop ups that tell you that your system is already infected are another speciality – nowadays they look almost identical to genuine scanner/AVs – and many users are tricked into buying a worthless programme. If you receive such an offer, do not buy anything. Your system was probably not infected in the first place but as soon as you click on the ‘OK’ button you could well find that you really are infected. The main aim of these types of scams is to extract payment for a worthless programme. Such applications are known as ‘rogues’ or ‘rogue software’.
Downloads
Many users still click ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ when asked if they want to download a file. You need to stop and ask yourself some questions. Were you trying to download a file? Do you know the source of the file? Is the file name recognisable? If you answered ‘No’ to any of these questions, then why are you still willing to download the file? Unless you know the source of the file, perhaps a file you specifically requested from a reputable site, then neverdownload an unknown file. The chances are it will include an infection and could allow an attacker to take over your system.
This also applies to files included as e-mail attachments. If you don’t know the sender, delete the e-mail and ask questions later. If necessary make a note of the sender’s e-mail address.
Regards
Harry
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Free Anti Virus Software
Most people when they but their computer for the first time just set-up the trial versions of Norton or McAfee which normally have a 90 day account.
When the trial runs out the software informs them that they have to renew their anti-virus software, which they do without any thought.
There are alternatives to retail versions of anti-virus software and is completely free. I am going to let you know what they are:
At HC Computers I advise people of such software as I personally use them myself. There are versions for businesses that require a fee but I will concentrate on home users first of all.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus software created by Microsoft that provides protection against different types of malware, such as computer virus, spyware, rootkits and trojan horses.
Click to go to Microsoft Security Essentials website
PC Tools Antivirus provides basic antivirus and antispyware protection, with Smart Updates to keep your PC safe, File Guard to provide real-time protection and Email Guard to protect your computer from viruses and spyware being sent over email.
Click to go to PC Tools AntiVirus website
Threatfire Antivirus acts differently from other antivirus software. Instead of requiring a database to find a virus Threatfire looks at the files that have changed.
Click to go to Threatfire website
This is just a small example of antivirus software. Have a try of them and see if they perform well for you. These programs show you that you do not have to buy software to do a good job.
Harry
HC Computers
When the trial runs out the software informs them that they have to renew their anti-virus software, which they do without any thought.
There are alternatives to retail versions of anti-virus software and is completely free. I am going to let you know what they are:
At HC Computers I advise people of such software as I personally use them myself. There are versions for businesses that require a fee but I will concentrate on home users first of all.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus software created by Microsoft that provides protection against different types of malware, such as computer virus, spyware, rootkits and trojan horses.
PC Tools Antivirus provides basic antivirus and antispyware protection, with Smart Updates to keep your PC safe, File Guard to provide real-time protection and Email Guard to protect your computer from viruses and spyware being sent over email.
Click to go to PC Tools AntiVirus website
Threatfire Antivirus acts differently from other antivirus software. Instead of requiring a database to find a virus Threatfire looks at the files that have changed.
Click to go to Threatfire website
This is just a small example of antivirus software. Have a try of them and see if they perform well for you. These programs show you that you do not have to buy software to do a good job.
Harry
HC Computers
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