20 minutes.
That’s how long it takes for harmful programs to start finding your unprotected Windows computer on the internet. And install themselves.
It seems that many people still believe that they are safe from harmful programs if they don’t open any email attachments.
Not True.
If you connect an unprotected Windows based computer to the internet, it’s highly likely that a harmful program will be installed on it within minutes.
Your computer could be sending out thousands of email messages, taking part in electronic attacks on other computers, or sending your personal information to criminals somewhere on the internet.
Without you knowing a thing about it.
Some Common Dangers
The past year has seen a rapid increase in the amount of criminal activity that targets unsuspecting internet users. Here’s just a few of the common nasties.
- * PHISHING – where people are tricked into providing their bank account details to criminals.
- * SPAMMING – where people don’t know that their computer is being used to send out thousands of email messages.
- * BOTNETS – where your computer is under external control, and is used to send spam, launch attacks on other computers, etc.
- * Viruses, Worms, and Trojans – which can do a variety of things like damage your files, send them to others, distribute SPAM, or send your bank login details to criminals.
- * DIALERS – which cut your dialup internet connection, and quickly establish another one which adds many dollars a minute to your phone bill
- * POP-UPS – which "pop up" lots of windows and advertisements, making it difficult to even use your computer.
And lots more.
How Did these Things Get On My Computer?
Easy. They got onto your computer because you did the normal things that everyone does. Things like:
* Visiting websites.
* Clicking on a popup advertisement
* Opening an email attachment
* Clicking a link in an email message
* Or just by connecting your computer to the internet without an effective firewall.
How Do I Protect Myself?
The first thing is to realise that just having an anti virus program is not sufficient to stop all the harmful stuff that is trying to install itself on your computer. You also need the following items in operation.
Firewalls.
This is like an electronic guard that controls what comes in and out of your PC.
Firewalls can be either a software program that you run, or contained in the hardware that is used for internet connections. They can protect you against MANY types of internet attacks, and we consider them to be compulsory on every computer that is connected to the internet.
Service Pack 2 for Microsoft XP contains a firewall, but we recommend ZoneAlarm instead, as it provides better protection against programs trying to send data out of your computer.
Spyware Protection
Spyware sits on your computer, monitors what you are doing, and sends information back to someone. It is generally installed on your computer along with freeware or shareware programs, You give these companies approval to install it by agreeing to their terms and conditions before the program is installed.
If you feel uncomfortable about this, you can identify and optionally remove it. We recommend 2 programs, SpyBot and Lavasoft’s Adaware. Like virus checkers, these programs need to be regularly updated for maximum protection.
Spybot and Adaware will allow you to identify hidden programs – and remove them if you don’t want them to be there. (But be careful – some programs will stop working if you remove the programs that are linked to them. For example, if you are using the free version of Eudora don’t delete the program that it uses to deliver the advertising that you agreed to receive.)
Viruses.
Most people know about anti-virus programs. However, many are not aware of the need to update them regularly. Preferably daily, or at least weekly.
If you have an antivirus program that was installed a couple of years ago and never updated, it’s useless. Get a new one.
Microsoft Updates.
Microsoft are continually releasing security updates for their programs to authenticated owners of their software..
Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to get them. You should install the critical ones as soon as possible.
The Solution:
A computer tech named Kris Manieri has put together a comprehensive instruction package that teaches you how to clean out all the junk from your computer, and protect it. This will also make it run a lot faster.
I’ve tried it, with great success. Check it out here.
