The internet offers many threats to any operating system however new or old, including Windows XP. Spyware, viruses and other dangers offered by the web can cause problems from data loss to identity theft and as such it is important to defend against these problems. Virus [...]]]> Get Virus Protection For XP

get virus protection for xp

The internet offers many threats to any operating system however new or old, including Windows XP. Spyware, viruses and other dangers offered by the web can cause problems from data loss to identity theft and as such it is important to defend against these problems. Virus protection for XP comes built in to the operating system but is this enough? We will review the built in safe guards and also take a look at the extra products available to keep your computer safe.

XP comes with a number of anti-virus guards built in; these are intended to combat online dangers. The program is known as Windows defender and will perform much like an externally installed program. XPs antivirus program does not offer a secure enough level for most computer users making an additional program advisable.

Any program offering virus protection for XP has to achieve a careful balance. The first requirement is to offer greater safety while online than the Windows Defender can, so as to make it worth adding to your PC. Once it offers the user greater protection it must achieve the precarious balancing act between performance and processor usage. The antivirus will need to be active at all times and as such it cannot use too much of the operating systems speeds to the point where the user would see a slowing down of XP.

There are a number of products on the market to defend your PC. Kaspersky, Norton and McAfee are three of the bigger names but there is a multitude of products. In 2011 a number of newer products have impressed with their ability to balance their virus combative abilities to their use of the PCs processors and the level of protection; Vipre and BitDefender.

Each of the older and better known products offers slightly different advantages and disadvantages. McAfee is the only of the three with a built in firewall and offers a robust defence for emails, but has a high processor use and may make the system run slower than expected.

On the other hand Kaspersky does not offer a firewall, a problem which is covered by XPs own inbuilt protection. This program runs a real time and hourly system which allows it offer ongoing detection of and defence against viruses from a number of sources. Norton also offers a real time defence against viruses; however this does not help its ability to defend against viruses from email sources.

Vipre and BitDefender find a balance between the two and are excellent up and coming products offering virus protection for XP and other products. They combine low processor use with the safe guards that can let you sleep well at night knowing your safe online.

Whatever you use the internet for, antivirus products are essential to your peace of mind. XP offers some defences but an external program dedicated to protecting your data is highly advisable. There is a choice of products from the trusted elder statesmen of the antivirus world or the impressive newer products you can really stay safe while online.

Related Posts:

• Top Ten Antivirus 2011 Review

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As usually is done lately, these kind of phishing use extensive psychological pressure on its readers (read: preys) to take immediate actions without further considerations. This is where the success of these kinds of email phishing stems.

Now let’s [...]]]> In only three days, I’ve received three similarly subjected emails namely from HSBC. It goes something like this:

As usually is done lately, these kind of phishing use extensive psychological pressure on its readers (read: preys) to take immediate actions without further considerations. This is where the success of these kinds of email phishing stems.

Now let’s take a look at the HTML file attachment:

Take notice at how relieving it is for someone who has been led to believe that his card has really been stolen and blocked. Amazing how this psychological trap works, right?

Now let’s see what it looks like when it’s run:

Don't fill any fields, it's a phishing page

Notice the underlined fields. Those fields alone can lead to disaster for an HSBC card holder, if he decides to fill in and click continue. What’s more is that the phishing goes as far as stealing your Internet Banking Identification!

So, how come it looks so real, as if it really is an legitimate HSBC website? Simple. It gets all of its HSBC attributes such as favicon and all FROM www.hsbc.co.uk:

Where is the intercepting address, if you’re wondering. Watch this part of the html file:

Beware!

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nigerian scam warning

If you have ever heard of Nigeria Scam or romantic scam before, you know what I mean. Online (and online only) friends, acquaintances, or even lovers should be treated with prudence. Unless you have proven them to be offline-trustworthy, always put precaution, [...]]]> Beware of Online Friends and Mates, Nigeria Scam

By Robert Moekoe

nigerian scam warning

If you have ever heard of Nigeria Scam or romantic scam before, you know what I mean. Online (and online only) friends, acquaintances, or even lovers should be treated with prudence. Unless you have proven them to be offline-trustworthy, always put precaution, make sure you have a good spyware privacy, and never let go off sensitive information to them. Among them could just be a Nigeria Scam or romantic scam.

So, what harm could romantic or Nigeria scam do to us? Some of the modus operandi online scams (Nigeria scam) are pulling nowadays are listed here:

1. An heir of a very wealthy but overthrown leader of a distant country, needing help to get the family’s money in a bank account out of the country. The help the Nigeria scam says it needs is an amount of money to make the bank account transfer possible. A victim who buys the story usually transfers the money and lost it to the Nigeria scam.
2. Someone who you’ve known of for only a short period of time via an online social networking or an online matchmaker devours special attention to you, usually in the name of love and all about love. In the mean time he / she might or might not offer you something such as money, present, or anything that might be of bonding value to you. In the end, the scenario is that you have to pay for a gift sent via mail as a customs official somewhere tells you that some money is needed to let the cargo in to your country.

There might be more scenarios played by con artists in  an online or Nigeria scam waiting for us to be their preys. So just beware and keep our judgment straight.

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3. Type in your username or screen name, password, and click Sign In button.

* If [...]]]> How to Download and Install AOL McAfee Internet Security Suite Special Edition

To install AOL McAfee Internet Security Suite – Special edition:
1. Browse to http://daol.aol.com/security, AOL McAfee Online Security page. Choose which AOL McAfee Internet Security you want.
2. Click DOWNLOAD NOW button.

3. Type in your username or screen name, password, and click Sign In button.

* If any security window prompts, just click Yes or OK.

4. Click Download button.

5. Click I Agree button.

* If prompted click OK or Yes.

6. Jot down the Serial Number as you it will be asked during installation process. Proceed by clicking Download button.

* If you are using Firefox, follow the instructions on the McAfee Product Download page and download the DMSetup.exe file, then skip to Step 9.

7. Click Run button.

8. When the download is complete, click the Run button.

* If you are using Windows Vista®, click Continue button on the User Account Control window.

9. Select Typical, then click Next button.

10. When the installation is complete, click Next button.

11. Now McAfee will scan the computer, then continue with the installation

12. After it is done, just click Restart button to restart the computer.

Done! That’s how to download and install AOL McAfee Internet Security Special Edition.

Also read related posts:

• Computer Security Software
• Antivirus Protection
• Antivirus Download
• Download Antivirus
• Free Antivirus Software
• Free Virus Scan
• Zone Alarm Free
• Antivirus Firewall Software
• Top Ten Antivirus 2011 Review

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Accidentally Download Virus

what makes us download virus: antivirus xp 2008

When we download files from the internet, the possibility is that we could just also download virus along with them. The fact that we’re always at risk of doing that – download virus – unknowingly, is regrettably unacceptable. [...]]]> How Not To Accidentally Download Virus

By Robert Moekoe

Accidentally Download Virus

what makes us download virus: antivirus xp 2008

When we download files from the internet, the possibility is that we could just also download virus along with them. The fact that we’re always at risk of doing that – download virus – unknowingly, is regrettably unacceptable. But, as a human nature, we tend to believe only what we want to believe, and see only what we want to see.

Probably this fact is the most avoided by our subconscious mind of all. (In this case, we won’t believe that we actually download virus). Nevertheless we do. When there is no obvious line separating what could be done and what not, the subconscious mind takes greater part in our judgment. That’s why we never fail in achieving things we want the most (including what the subconscious desires or fears the most).

what makes us download virus: total defender

When we lack information to make the right decision, the subconscious takes greater portion in the decision making process. That’s exactly what happens when we got to a rogue antivirus site. Imagine a site with all the convincing attributes and graphics, and it just makes us believe that it’s the authority site that’s completely safe to visit.

The truth is, we want to believe that this is the right internet security site, because of how it makes us feel with all those glorious visuals, right when we have an urge to get a quick fix on our computer as it’s getting kinkier over time lately.

But we don’t know if the warning on the screen is really there or just a bluff, how do we know?

what makes us download virus: antivirus xp 2008

This is where the basic knowledge comes in handy. I always encourage everyone to gain at least a basic knowledge about computer and network security, such as what I’ve outlined in my post about Antivirus Software Download. Here are the most basic facts that we should understand to help us distinguish between a bluff virus warning trying to convince us to download virus and a real virus warning coming from a page we visit:

1. A warning coming from a web based service stating that our system is infected at the time being could only be from an online virus scan. Just memorize these Free Virus Scan services that I’ve reviewed. Any service other than those, I’d suggest that you skip it.
2. Pay close attention to the brand AND the URL (it’s the address field on the navigation bar). If it’s a familiar one, wait a minute! Is it definitely THE computer security solution BRAND? Don’t let popular brand misuse mislead you. If you’re sure it is not a Computer Security solution brand although it’s a popular one, don’t buy it. Literally. Definitely it is trying to hoard visitors to download virus instead of antivirus protection as it claims.
3. Did the site ask for your permission to do a scan first on your system, preceded by program download before it declared that your computer is compromised? If it didn’t and warn you anyway, don’t buy it. A typical rogue antivirus would go straight to a panicking conclusion in order to psychologically corner the victim into “doing the action” – download virus – as quickly as possible.

With these basic facts in mind, making sure we never break the safety measures, we’ll be safe surfing the internet.

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computer internet security software

Trusted Links and The Categories

I just want to give some links here that I personally have researched and tried, to prove that they are trusted and legitimate Free Computer Security Software.

But first, we have to categorize computer [...]]]> Looking For Computer Security Software?

By Robert Moekoe

computer internet security software

Trusted Links and The Categories

I just want to give some links here that I personally have researched and tried, to prove that they are trusted and legitimate Free Computer Security Software.

But first, we have to categorize computer security software into these categories:

1. Anti Virus Software: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. This is a trialware. Publisher’s feature comment: Version 8.5 now includes LinkScanner’s Active Surf-Shield to check every Web page for threats at the only time that matters–when you’re about to click on the link.
2. Anti Spyware Software: Spyware Doctor 6.0.0.386. This is a freeware. PCTools review: Spyware Doctor is an advanced ad ware and spy ware removal utility that detects and cleans thousands of potential spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, spyware cookies, trackware, spybots and other malware from your PC. Protect your privacy and computing habits from prying eyes. This Internet Security Software covers the latter two, anti phishing and anti adware.
3. 

   phishing software in action

   Anti Phishing Software: Phishing Sweeper 2.1.1.0. This is a freeware. Publisher’s feature comment: Phishing Sweeper–Anti-phishing protection against forged or “spoofed” spam e-mail. Phishing scams are online crimes that use unsolicited commercial, or “spam,” e-mail to direct Internet users to Web sites controlled by thieves, designed to look like legitimate e-commerce sites. Users are asked to provide sensitive information such as a password, bank account, credit card number, often under the disguise of updating account information. Use this solution if you only want to install an anti phishing software without the other functions such as anti spyware or anti adware.

4. Anti Adware Software: Anti Adware Pro 2.1. This is a trialware. Publisher’s feature comment: Increase security and surfing speeds and computer efficiency with Anti Adware Pro . Find, Remove & Prevent malicious Adware & Spyware from infecting your computer and accessing confidential and sensitive information. Use this solution if you only want to install an anti adware software without the other functions such as anti spyware or anti phishing.

The first two, are freeware. I have covered the AVG anti virus software in my Free Antivirus Software post. Please check it out.

I hope you have also read my post about Antivirus Download, where I posted about important things I have researched on downloading antivirus software.

If you happen to have any questions about these softwares or anything else regarding Computer Security Software that is bugging in your mind, just post a comment asking for it, (in detail please), then I’ll try my best to provide the solution. A video guide is also ok, if you ask for it.

Checkout my post on Zone Alarm Free Firewall, and Antivirus Firewall Software.

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internet security software as a key

When it comes to security, we tend to become over concerned yet remain under informed.

We ended up trying hard to find reliable Internet security software to install in our Internet system.

Here are [...]]]> At Least, an Internet Security Software is Installed

By Robert Moekoe

internet security software as a key

When it comes to security, we tend to become over concerned yet remain under informed.

We ended up trying hard to find reliable Internet security software to install in our Internet system.

Here are some facts that we should consider, before we make any decision in installing any Internet security software.

What are the kinds of Internet Security Software?

• Firewall
• Remote Access Protection
• Security Appliance Solutions
• Email Security (Spam Guard, Virus Scan)
• Web Filtering
• Web Monitoring
• Bandwidth Protection
• All other elements of Computer Internet Security / Computer Security System
• Local System Virtualization

When do we need Internet security software?

• The network we are in has open access to the internet.
• The computer we are using has direct internet access.

The first condition is not too prone to attacks although there is still the possibility. This is where a network firewall can give a good protection to our computers.

The second is not only at the most vulnerable point, but also is the most common practice since we want to get connected to the internet in the first place.

Why do we need Internet security software?

with internet security software, just relax

The internet world is no difference from the real life. It contains of parties with good intents as well as malicious ones. The targets might be each of these, but there also might be more:

• Only to drop a message to the world.
• Passwords files that internet browsers keep.
• Passwords that we might put in files only because we can’t remember them.
• Credit cards numbers (yes they only need the numbers).
• Our keyboard taps (to get what exactly we type on it).

Therefore it’s only a matter of time before the system become target to attacks, and without any preventive system installed, it will finally be compromised. With internet security software installed we can relax just a bit, while at least put up some fight.

I hope you have also read my post about network security software before.

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