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Computer Updates:
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*We offer the following updates and virus protection information in an effort to keep our lines of communication open by keeping all of our computers virus free. We make no guarantee as to the quality of products, services or information offered within them. Please use this as a reference only and do your own checking before downloading any programs.
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Further computer information and free newsletter check out The Kim Komando Website
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Basic Computer Protection:
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*Make sure that your computer is currently protected by an up-to-date anti-virus program.
Common options available online or in stores:
McAfee Virus Scan- see anti-virus softare, latest threats and fixes or to scan your computer for viruses for free click here (requires you to register with them)
Norton Anti-Virus- see anti-virus software, latest threats, a link to scan your computer for viruses and fixes.
Panda Software- more of the same including a free virus scan
AVG Antivirus- Haven't tried it but it's free!You can also use online scanning programs. These two are free:
House Call- another option for scanning your computer for viruses
*Spyware programs can also be the culprit if your computer is doing strange things. Spyware is sometimes included with downloads of free programs from the Internet to track your Web browsing habits. The information is then used to tailor ads for you, like those lovely popups that you so enjoy. You can find and delete the spyware on your computer with Ad-aware or Spybot Search and Destroy. Both programs are easy to use and free, but just like your virus protection programs, need to be updated regularly to keep up with the latest spyware.
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*Every computer needs a firewall, this one is free! "Make your computer invisible to hackers' probes" with ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs, Inc. You can find it here , while you are there take a look around the www.komando.com site for lots of helpful info. Norton and McAfee, etc. offer firewalls as well.
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*Keep your Windows up to date, it's not enough to just have an antivirus program anymore! Click on your Start Menu, then on Windows Update. It will scan your computer and offer you the option to download the latest Critical Updates and Service Packs, Windows Updates and Driver Updates. Keeping up with the critical updates can save you a lot of headaches.
*You can also set your computer up to automatically scan for updates:
>>Windows XP can be set up to receive updates automatically:
--Click Start>Control Panel
--Double-click System
--Select the Automatic Updates tab
--Select "Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify"
--Create the schedule using the two boxes
--Click Apply and OK.
>>In Windows Me:
--Click Start>Settings>Control Panel
--Double-click Automatic Updates
--Select "Automatically download updates and notify me when they are ready to be installed"
--Click OK.
>>Windows 98 requires manual downloads. Select the Windows Update icon off the Start button. Or open Internet Explorer and click Tools>Windows Update. In fact, all three Windows versions can be updated manually that way.
Microsoft's Office patches also require manual downloads. Get them at: http://office.microsoft.com/ProductUpdates/default.aspx
The most recent patches are available there. The site includes a scan engine. It will check your computer and tell you what you need.
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*Sunsetters will never send an email attachment without first notifying you, and your email addresses are stored on disk not on my computer.
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Do You Know...?
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What a "Ping Sweep" is?
Ping sweeps can be used by hackers to see if your computer is vulnerable. They have programs that send a signal out on the Internet, and listen for an answer. If you computer answers, it may have an open port and be vulnerable to attack. When the program finds a computer with open communication ports, it sends your computer's IP number back to the hacker. The hacker may then attempt to infiltrate your computer through the open port or attempt to trick the computer owner into opening an e-mail that includes a backdoor program. They call this social engineering and it is usually done by offering you a free program. Unfortunately, a backdoor program is also downloaded to your computer without your knowledge. This backdoor program then communicates through the open port.
The easiest way to protect against this is to use a firewall. Firewalls cover up ports, making computers invisible to ping sweeps. You will find a link to the free ZoneAlarm firewall here: http://www.komando.com/bestshareware.asp
Windows XP includes a built-in firewall but it doesn't block unauthorized outbound transmissions, such as those that would be sent by a backdoor program. But it will , however, hide the computer from ping sweeps. You'll find that firewall by clicking Start>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Then right-click on your Internet connection and click Properties. Select the Advanced tab. Check the box and click OK.
Anti-virus programs will find backdoor programs. Any major program will do. Three good ones are McAfee, Norton and Panda. You'll find themat, respectively:
http://us.mcafee.com/
http://www.symantec.com
http://www.pandasoftware.com
*This information came from www.komando.com
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