Antispam and the Intricacies of Effectively Dealing With Spam

Spam has been a big issue for long. It has been difficult to deal with but ways are being developed day by day to deal with such issues. There has been a study that has been conducted over a period of time and it came to being that most spam for example emails come from the Eastern part of the world and to be specific from China. Spam is very hard to deal with and you will often find very many hurdles in dealing with spam.

There have been ways that have been brought about for fighting or simply avoiding spam. There are several ways of ducking spam emails that have been brought about and they include the use of antispam software that will act easily to detect any spam email that comes into your inbox and most importantly before you download anything including an email. This software is very effective for it will act by deleting or sending back the spam email to the sender. This will then appear to you as an invalid email or as an email from an invalid sender. You can either way have the option of creating a new email address if your old one is spammed too much. You will just have to inform the persons involved like your friends that you have changed your email address. You will have saved yourself from great agony of finding a lot of spam mails in your inbox.

The creation of a new email address would be probably the best way to deal with the spam email for you can do this for even a couple of times after a short period. The only thing that may seem difficult is issuing your new email address again but this would be worth regarding the number of spam mail that you receive on a single day. There is also another way of countering the spam emails but this one only works well if the person involved receives a limited number of spam emails in a day or in a specific amount of time. This will work by ignoring all the spam emails that you will receive and by this you can easily prevent more from coming since the sender may have the feeling that is a dormant email.

Spam emails have been referred to as a threat for they can cause a lot of damage to the person involved. This can be in for of a link that is sent to you as an email and once you click on it, you will enable the sender to get your account log ins and will then gain access to your email. There are also other links that will enable software get installed automatically in your computer and this can also help the sender gain access to your computer. It is for this reason that you should dedicate some time to read well your emails so that you can easily detect such a spam email that may have a suspicious link embedded onto it. This will enable you make informed decisions on the way to handle them or the way you can get yourself out of the problem.

There is also another way of dealing with these emails that you will find suspicious by reporting them as spam on your email account options. This will help you so much for all emails you will receive from the same sender will directly be posted in the spam mail box. You will then have to be extra careful for this will not mean that you cannot receive spam emails. There are new ones that will come and this means that you will have to be careful as you read your emails so that you can easily detect the spam emails and take action on them or decide what the wisest thing to do is.

You should however never reply to any spam email or a suspicious email that you are not very sure about its source. This should include even doing anything that you have been directed to do in the email this can include clicking on links embedded on the email. This is very dangerous for it will make the sender know that the email is an active one and they can work tirelessly towards getting more of your private information.

There are companies which are committed to preventing the spread of spam, like KaspAV, a division of Guardian Network Solutions and authorized Kaspersky reseller. KaspAV specializes in providing the ultimate anti-spam solutions in order to prevent harmful types of viruses from lodging into your system and facilitate safe web browsing. Find us on the link and we together can find a solution to this menace.

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The Importance of Firewall

All over the world, millions of people now own a personal computer or interact with other internet-capable devices, especially at work. Without question, the internet provides increased functionality for the people who are involved either in communication, work tasks, the search and collection of information, online shopping/financial transactions. People are able to make sure that the quality of life they lead has more value and life is much easier. With so many advantages, the internet is, to many, a necessity. However, there are some serious negative aspects which have to be considered when using the internet. Caution is especially advised to avoid falling prey to some of the snares set about by the criminals.

There are criminals as well as hackers who are lurking out there with ill intentions, often waiting upon unsuspecting internet users to make their moves. Some measures are vital before connecting to the internet and conducting any business. Once you're online the risk of falling into the hands of criminals is very high. This is where security software and applications come in and their purpose is to defend an internet user from the attacks and malicious actions of criminals. One very important security application is the firewall which acts as an intermediary between the internet and the personal computer or the network.

Many people will ask how the firewall is installed and especially how to go about getting the firewall and the options available. The answer to this and a welcome relief is that almost all operating systems come with a firewall which is already built in and all that is needed to make sure that the firewall is already on. The most common operating systems which have the firewall are those which operate with windows and primarily prevent attacks. Some minor configurations changes can be made as to which are the programs to restrict or to allow to run on the personal computer. In the scenario where an individual doest know exactly what to do, then help can be solicited from the internet to find help on how to configure the settings with your firewall. This is important since nobody would want to erroneously render the firewall useless.

The firewall is a prominent security software which should be installed in every computer to make each computer secure from attacks. It will not only protect the computer but it also protects your identity when online and from hackers who intend to steal your identity and use it to perpetrate all manner of actions and transactions. When the firewall is installed, it is made such that it will protect you from the hackers and other unauthorized users from gaining access or breaking through and using your network any moment you get online. The firewall is usually made to work in such a manner that it is always monitoring data which is leaving and entering the network and the personal computer when connected to the internet. The mode of operation is that the data packets are scanned against the set security criteria after which the data packet is allowed for transfer if it is considered safe. The best kind of firewall protection is that offered by the two way firewall protection which is able to filter outbound and the inward bound traffic hence preventing threats and providing total and complete protection. With the firewall in place, then the malware, viruses, the Trojans and any other malicious scripts will not be in a position to interfere and even get hold of your network or your computer. Firewall act as an intrusion detection system able to especially guard against incoming threats.

In conclusion, the firewall is usually available in two forms which are all important in protecting computers and the network as well. The major categories of the firewall are the firewall hardware especially for networked computers and the firewall software for the personal computers. Always ensure that the personal computer has the firewall as the first line of defense.

Go to AstaroWall for advanced firewall and unified threat management solutions. Astarowall specializes in providing the ultimate firewall hardware and software in order to prevent attacks and threats to your system and facilitate safe web browsing within your business or home network.

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Cybersecurity: Playing Defense and Offense in Cyberspace and the Economy

In the early years of cyberattacks, organizations would wait to be attacked before they developed a comprehensive plan and response to the attacker. The attack would render the organizations' network presence useless and down for days. Several reasons cyberattacks could severely cripple a network in the early days of this malicious behavior are not enough concentrated research on defending and preventing and the lack of a coordinated effort between private industry and the government.

Since the first well known and wide spread cyberattack in the mid-1990's, many professionals in public and private organizations have diligently been studying and working on the problem of cyberattacks. Initially security companies like Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, etc. approached the problem from a reactive posture. They knew hackers/malicious attackers were going to strike. The goal of what is now called Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) was to detect a malicious attacker before an anti-virus, Trojan horse, or worm was used to strike. If the attacker was able to strike the network, security professionals would dissect the code. Once the code was dissected, a response or "fix" was applied to the infected machine(s). The "fix" is now called a signature and they are consistently downloaded over the network as weekly updates to defend against known attacks. Although IDS is a wait and see posture, security professionals have gotten much more sophisticated in their approach and it continues to evolve as part of the arsenal.

Security professionals began looking at the problem from a preventive angle. This moved the cybersecurity industry from defensive to offensive mode. They were now troubleshooting how to prevent an attack on a system or network. Based on this line of thinking, an Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) called Snort (2010) was soon introduced. Snort is a combination IDS and IPS open source software available for FREE download. Using IDS/IPS software like Snort allows security professionals to be proactive in the cybersecurity arena. Though IPS allows security professionals to play offense as well as defense, they do not rest on their laurels nor do they stop monitoring the work of malicious attackers which fuels creativity, imagination, and innovation. It also allows security professionals that defend the cyberworld to stay equal or one step ahead of attackers.

Cybersecurity also plays an offensive and defensive role in the economy. In its cybersecurity commercial, The University of Maryland University College (2012) states there will be "fifty-thousand jobs available in cybersecurity over the next ten years." The school has been running this commercial for more than two years. When the commercial first began running they quoted thirty-thousand jobs. They have obviously adjusted the forecast higher based upon studies as well as the government and private industry identifying cybersecurity as a critical need to defend critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity can play economic defense by protecting these jobs which deal with national security concerns and must remain the in the United States. The cybersecurity industry is driven by national security in the government realm and intellectual property (IP) in the private industry space. Many U.S. companies complain to the government about foreign countries hi-jacking their software ideas and inventions through state sponsored and organized crime hackers. Given that foreign countries condone state sponsored national security and intellectual property attacks, it would be to the benefit of companies to find human capital within the shores of the United States to perform the duties and tasks needed.

On the offensive side, Cybersecurity can spur development and increase the skill sets of residents in counties like Prince George's County, Maryland which sits in the epicenter of Cybersecurity for the state of Maryland and the nation. Prince George's Community College is the home of Cyberwatch and the central hub for cybersecurity training and best practices that gets pushed out to other community colleges that are part of the consortium. The goal of these community colleges is to align the education offered to students with skills that companies say are needed to be "workforce ready." It is also a rich recruiting ground for tech companies across the country to identify and hire human capital to put on the front lines of the U.S. fight in cybersecurity. As Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski (2012) says, the students are trained to be "cyberwarriors" and in turn workforce ready.

In conclusion, cybersecurity has come a long way since the publicized hacking cases of the 1990's (Krebs, 2003). These cases brought awareness to the need for the best and brightest to enter the field of computer and network security with the purpose of devising strategies and techniques to defend against "bad actors" that would use technology to commit malicious acts. Because computer and network security require STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills, the pool of U.S. born applicants is presently small. This presents an economic development opportunity for locales that use their community colleges as technology training grounds that are closely aligned with technology companies who need the human capital. The overarching goal of the stakeholders is to produce "workforce ready" students.

Reference

"Cybersecurity Degree". University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD. WRC-TV, Washington, DC. 12 Oct. 2012

Krebs, B. (2003). A short history of computer viruses and attacks. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50636-2002Jun26.html

Mikulski, B. (2012, February 23). General format. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWNTOi3pEhg

Snort. (2010). About snort.

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Staying Clear of Threats and Attacks While Online

With the majority of the people in the world today having daily access to the internet, their lives are to a big extent dependent on the internet to facilitate and effectively go about their businesses. The IT world has had a very big impact on the way that people are able to lead their lives and even interact with each other all made easy by the internet. But many of these achievements are offset by some very unfortunate incidences which have been brought about by the very large numbers of attacks which happen day in and day out. Most disheartening is the fact that the attacks are in most cases perpetrated on the unsuspecting users of the internet bringing them losses in in terms of data, personal information, time, and financial resources. Some of the threats and the attacks have been in the form of malware, scams, identity theft and hackers and people have to really educate themselves about these threats and how to stay clear of them to avoid getting ensnared to the devious schemes of the lurking cyber criminals.

To ensure that people are in the position to avoid the threats and many attacks which are prevalent on the internet, a number of steps and measures have to be taken to remain on the safe side. The biggest threat to internet security is the element of human error and indifference. How is this possible? It is common that good judgement and some common sense will usually be thrown to the wind and the results are fatal counting into loads of cash and lost man hours as the damage is rectified. The infection of a PC or any device will happen out of curiosity as people are keen to click on a link even when they know only too well that it might be potentially dangerous. Hence internet security calls for a proactive nature where an individual is keen to follow rules and guidelines which will guarantee that they protect themselves from and their networks when online.

First and foremost, access to the internet should be done only after a quality antivirus has been installed to guarantee security. A good antivirus or internet security suite can be gotten through the finding and reading of reviews and finding the most effective security software at the available budget. Second to installing the antivirus software, it must remain updated and must be renewed once it has expired to guarantee that threats and attacks are prevented. It will be a disastrously mistake not to have an antivirus and not to have it updated.

Other measures will be to have spam filters to an email account in order that spam and suspicious emails are quickly identified and deleted. Some other rules are that you should never download attachments or files without conducting a virus scan. It is even recommended that sharing files from dubious sites is avoided. In fact the best piece of advice is that the file sharing should be avoided at all costs since they become a potentially big source of threats.

Social networks have become very popular with people now having multiple accounts on the different social networks. Social networks have become a playing ground for cyber criminals whose intentions are not right. Users of the social media need to be aware of the threats and adopt steps which will help avoid attacks and unfortunate incidences. Some will be on the social media itself and most dangerous will be getting malware and the viruses on your personal computer which can be devastating in the kind of damage they can cause and the difficulty in eradicating them.

The smartphones have been an area of big concern since people carrying these gadgets which are miniature computers are often a threat to networks. This is best explained that smartphones and other portable devices are open to attacks by malware, Trojans and viruses and worms. Secondly, through access to internet on the workplace network, the smartphones are an area of weakness which can be exploited by hackers and criminals.

Having looked at the threats and forms of cyber attacks, the best way to stay clear of them is by having antivirus software or an internet suite which is running and is promptly updated.

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Effective Ways to Defend Your System Against Hackers and Viruses

Viruses are the deadliest enemies of computer systems. One encounter with a virus, malware or Trojan, can immediately lead to devastating effects. It can lead to alterations of how your computer operates normally, it can hack your information and worse, it can delete your hard drive and totally crash your computer. Install the best antivirus protection to protect your computer system from harmful viruses.

If you notice that your system has been working differently and misses some data, you could look at a few tips listed below that you could install which would work effectively in protecting your computer from harmful, malicious data.

Antivirus Program: This is the most obvious and the most important software needed to be installed in your computer system. Having an antivirus system will help you determine which websites you should not enter and will guarantee you a trouble free internet experience. Although it is pricey at first, the benefits and features will definitely exceed its price especially if you are the one who connects to the internet frequently.

Updates for Windows: A lot of users of the most common and most coveted operating system have become victims of hackers and viruses. It is very important to always update Windows especially when given a notification. Do not pass on updating your operating system as this will allow your computer to keep track of the different worms, viruses and Trojans.

Updates for Software Applications: All software applications you install in your computer need to be updated. These updates fix bugs and equip the software with their new features. Moreover, they come with enhanced security applications, making your computer safe more resistant to viruses.

Anti-Spyware Program: Some antivirus software, especially, free downloadable versions do not come with spyware protection. If this is the case, you need to avail of the antivirus software or download a different anti-spyware program. Spyware is a big threat to your computer; it can ruin your computer system and hack your information.

Software That Determines Hacker Prone Websites: Porn, free download and online gaming sites have made hacking an easy task. Do not fall into these traps. Instead, some antivirus software offers a service that immediately informs you whether or not the websites you are trying to visit are safe or not.

Firewall Program: Firewall programs are really important for a computer system. If you don't have any third party firewall program, have it installed to ensure that your system can filter all your data. Activate your Windows firewall to the latest Windows operating system version which will help filter data traffic. These firewall programs can easily and effectively filter incoming and outgoing data streams.

Software That Controls Email Spam: Spam mails are bogus emails that lure people into opening them. Once opened, a malicious code can enter your computer and hack your information. Be wary of opening file attachments especially from unknown senders. Although, web based emails come with extra layers of protection against spam, if you do not recognize the email, it would be wiser to just delete the email.

Data Backup: If most of your important information and work related stuff are stored in your computer, make sure that you back-up all of those data and store them in an external hard drive or store it in a drop box. A simple virus has the capability to hack your information.

Download the best antivirus for windows 7 from Internet to protect your computer from viruses, malwares and other malicious programs. There are many websites available on the Internet that offers antivirus software download service absolutely free.

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Support Call Hoaxes

Cybercrime is a growing trend. Several scams are prevalent but one that is rising is supposed calls from Microsoft Tech Support. A computer owner receives a call and is notified that their Internet service provider has found serious virus activity on their computer - thus, Microsoft was contacted to reach out and tackle the issue. The Microsoft security professional will typically run a free scan to "detect" what viruses are on the machine. Low and behold, serious problems are on hand and for only $250 or more, they'll solve the issue while the computer owner sits comfortably at home.

These tactics aren't new, but growing because of the ability of cheap phone calls and cheap labor outside of the United States. Some consumers are fighting back to record information about the scammer's identity and modus operandi.

The tactics used are meant to fool the unsuspecting and prey on the uninformed. First of all, the scammer will speak with confidence and probably use technical words to play on the user's fear. They'll represent a department from Microsoft that is following up on an indication of a broken computer or a system that has been infected by viruses or malware.

While on the phone, the scammer will direct the user to various error messages which indicate virus issues on the machine. Typically, the errors are quite general - like log files - and have no relevance to infectious programs.

The scammer then asks the user to execute DOS command to confirm the system's unique ID. Although this might sound like excellent proof of a legitimate tech support person, when the scammer reads back the same number the user sees on the screen, all that is being confirmed is a generic ID for a file extension that ships with every Windows PC. This technique is nothing more than sleight of hand.

After a bit of drama, it is verified that the user's system has big problems. The scammer requests to remotely log on the system to perform tests. When access is granted, an old certificate is found by the remote access tool administrator to display to the user. The old dates of past certificates back up the scammers story, which usually states the system hasn't been updated in "this many months" or "over a year" and proceeds to run an application that will update security software to protect the system from viruses, malware, Trojans, hackers, among other things.

Once these actions are complete, the user is directed to a PayPal account where he or she should pay the bill. Typically $250, but as I mentioned earlier the costs can be more.

Take heed of these tactics. If someone calls from Microsoft speaking of problems on your computer, just hang up.

George is the online strategy manager for Comset Computers, providing Chicago-based malware removal.

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Keep Your Child Away From Web Monsters

Kids like using the computers in practically every task they want to undertake. From communication to reference and even to playing games you will most likely find every kid relying on the internet. In a research conducted around US alone, it was confirmed that 92% of daily internet users are kids. This shows the impact that the internet has had on kids. This makes Kids Internet Safety very important and exclusive activity that should be maintained at all times. Internet safety is not only important in that it shields harmful exposure of kids to specific websites but also it helps in restricting the kid's use of the internet. Thus cases of internet addiction are greatly reduced at all times. Internet addiction is very damaging in that it distracts kids from active participation in classrooms as their concentration is usually hindered.

Kids are also very vulnerable to cyber crimes and therefore it is greatly important that parents monitor their kid's internet use. Cyber Safety for Kids is one way that parents can ensure that their kids are protected from cyber crimes. Monitoring is done through software applications that are secretly installed in the computing systems. These applications are got as priced downloads or even a parent can acquire a router for internet protection. Routers are connected to the computers through the modem cables and the computer is configured correctly in order to host the routers. Kid's Internet Safety should be executed using highly efficient and reliable tools.

Cyber Safety for Kids also helps in eliminating instances of spam and other unwanted messages in the emails. Such email messages pose great threat to computers in that they can be avenues of spreading malwares to different users. Malicious software is mainly composed of viruses, Trojans and botnets.The entry of any of these malware to the computing system can easily result to a complete breakdown of the computing system. Kids also tend not to be cautious of the different sites that they access. This can expose the kid and the whole family to great risks especially in instances where they disclose personal information such as residence address. However with Kids Internet Safety, it becomes easy for parents to be able to monitor their kid's browsing activities. The parent can therefore be able to act swiftly before the kid exposes personal details. They can also deny access to such sites using the routers for internet safety.

Cyber Safety for Kids is a growing trend in the computing world. This trend has been necessitated by the growing need to protect kids from harmful contents in the internet. Kid's minds are generally unstable and can therefore be easily swayed away by any influence. This in turn results to corruption of morals and characters of the kids. Kids Internet Safety has greatly contributed towards upholding good moral behaviors among kids. This is due to the fact that kids are shielded from harmful content such as pornographic materials. Laws touching on Cyber Safety for Kids have in fact illegalized the display of pornographic materials in computer cyber. This move has played an important role towards the effectiveness of Kids Internet Safety procedures.

NetGenie was established to provide quality and affordable Wireless Routers for home and businesses of every kind. It also offers a wide range of products and services related to Wireless N Router, internet parental control, employee internet monitoring and many more.

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Worldwide Ukash Virus Attacks

It is impossible to write about computer security and dismiss the infamous Ukash Virus family, to which the cunning FBI Moneypak also belongs. I have written about the treacherous infection a couple of weeks ago; however, one personalized report cannot even begin to reveal the significance of the entire faction that keeps spreading into more and more countries all over the world. In this report, I will try to review how the malignant group of ransom-ware has emerged, what its strategies and objections are and what Windows users need to do in order to remove Ukash Virus and protect their operating systems against it.

It is extremely difficult to determine which malignant ransom-ware from the vast Ukash virus faction emerged first; however, one of the first sightings must be the widely researched and reported PRS for Music virus. The infection was first reported in March of 2012 and suggested a threat to Windows users living in the United Kingdom. Since then, the country faced attacks from the Metropolitan Police virus, the West Yorkshire Police virus, the Police Central e-Crime Unit virus and other infections with similar, misleading names.

Surely enough, after getting the first taste of success, cyber criminals behind the group of malignant infections have moved on to infecting even more computers located in the richest countries of the world. This includes the U.S., Canada, Australia, Egypt, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Spain and a few other European countries. In fact, the success of the initial Ukash viruses was so great that more and more forms of this cunning infection can now be indicated. This raises a question whether more groups of schemers have not applied the same techniques, as now tens of ransom-ware viruses are being categorized accordingly to the infections that initiate their existence.

When talking about Ukash viruses, the name of the Reveton Trojan must be mentioned, because this sinister application is responsible for the biggest part of Windows terrorizing viruses. Some of these infections are the GVU virus, the Federal Bureau of Investigation virus, the Luxembourg Police virus and the International Police Association virus. Regardless, all Ukash infections are represented in the same manner, and once malignant components lock down a computer and remove access to the desktop, Windows user is presented with a fictitious notification. Almost always this bogus alert is filled with accusations about cyber piracy, terrorism or pornography distribution.

Ukash virus removal is not an easy task and even experienced Windows users are likely to face serious issues generated by the rootkit Trojan functionality. Despite this, it is possible to unlock a paralyzed computer and remove Ukash virus, in whichever form it may come, without complying with the ridiculous ransom payment demands. To find more information on how to remove the infection manually and automatically, follow the resource link. All in all, Ukash viruses are meant to be destroyed, not trusted, which is why it is important to have this infection deleted in any possible way.

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Android Malware Is on The Increase - What Does This Mean To Users?

With the increasing number of people using smartphones powered by android operating system, there is a challenge, which the users are facing. The number of malware attacks on android smartphones is increasing day in day out. This is creating many problems to users and it is essential that people learn how to protect their phones from such invasions.

According to a report released by Kaspersky, the number of attacks perpetrated on android devices has tripled from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2012. Kaspersky has hinted that in the second quarter of 2012, attacks on android iOS reached close to 15,000 malware. This figure is up from about 5,500 malware, which were recorded in the first quarter of 2012.

This suggests that there is an increasing target of android iOS by malware attackers and this is something that should sound an alarm to the device users. Androids are used by business people who carry out transactions online. This means that if their banking information is compromised; they are likely to lose their money.

In addition, users also store personal and business data on these devices and if intruders have access to such information, they can use it to sabotage their businesses. What this means is that users of these devices should get information on the nature of malicious software they are likely to encounter when using their phones. The more information they get, the more they are likely to keep away from these attacks.

Some of the malicious software like Trojan may come in form of multiple bundled apps, which look attractive to unsuspecting users. As soon as the users click on those apps, their devices are infected. When the infected phones are rebooted, the software launches in the background and begins to broadcast the device's phone number, IDs and other confidential details.

The malicious software uploads that information on a command and control server. The most targeted android users are those with premium accounts. Moreover, those people using these devices for mobile SMS payments are also at risk from the attacks. Recently, a Trojan malware was encountered by mobile phone subscribers in China and this affects functionality of SMS operations.

This could be devastating considering that many people are turning to mobile payment because of its convenience. The Trojan takes control of the SMS functionality of the devices and can send, forward and drop SMS contents on the phones. Worst of it all, even when it is discovered, the malware is difficult to uninstall from the smartphones.

This means that a removal tool has to be released to the apps store so that users can download it and remove the malware. The Trojan is able to generate unauthorized payments and also steal credit or debit card numbers. It is also able to steal money transfer receipt information. This means that it could be difficult to detect payments that are initiated by the malicious software. In essence, there is a new wave of malicious codes, which are targeting iOS smartphone users, and people need to know how they can prevent such attacks.

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Viruses and Anti-Virus Programs

These days, telling the difference between viruses and anti-virus software is like trying to choose the right door on Let's Make A Deal; either you win that new security system or accidentally choose the virus hiding behind door number two.

The viruses often look identical to the real thing. Take, for example, the Security Shield Virus, the Windows Defender Virus, or any other malicious software removal tools.

Viruses like these, block real anti-virus software from working and infect the computer with threats of malware, prompting users to perform fake scans, where the virus mirrors a security scan tool. The scans don't actually work, but they will nonetheless list an absurd number of viruses and malware that aren't actually affecting the computer.

Then the pop-ups start, asking users to pay for an upgrade to remove the fake malware. These websites are scams asking for personal information to defraud unwary customers.

It's easy to download these types of viruses: stumble across the wrong site, accidentally click a link or download a file from that sketchy website and voila, you've picked up a virus like a kid with chicken pox.

So the computer's already infected

There are a few options: check out IT computer repair service, manually delete the virus or buy new anti-virus software.

With the right website, it's easy to find a good anti-virus program. However, don't trust online virus scans. These are generally phishing websites where viruses get downloaded so that hackers can steal credit card info to get paid for their viruses.

Here Microsoft has a helpful list of safe anti-virus for Windows programs.

A word of warning: If the computer already got a virus, then downloading new programs usually won't work. Previously or newly-installed software can be blocked by the viruses and can even block the task manager from opening.

An alternative is to channel that inner nerd and get rid of the virus manually. Start with a system restore. If you don't know how to do that, then this is probably not the way to handle the virus-move on to option 3. If the system restore doesn't work (because many viruses will continue to infect the PC after the restore), then it's time to take out the big guns.

Google how to delete the virus using a description of the anti-virus program it's pretending to be. There are many online guides, like this one for the Security Shield Virus, for removing viruses. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to know which virus is causing the problem and these manuals are often convoluted and filled with jargon that can leave the inexperienced with a headache and a million Wikipedia tabs open.

Remote Computer Repair Services

IT support services are a quick solution. They're reliable, efficient, and they don't come knocking on your door. Remote computer repair technicians will clean up the computer and prevent the same problems from happening in the future.

My Computer Works is a good example of an easy-to-use service with technicians that will remotely access your computer, get rid of threats, and install new anti-virus software.

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How Can You Protect Your Android From Malicious Software

As android devices continue being targeted by hackers and cybercriminals, it is clear that users need to understand the ways in which they can protect their devices from the intruders. Some of the most dangerous malware attacks on androids are fake banking apps, android Geinimi and DroidDream. The fake banking apps lure customers to enter their login information and this compromises their bank accounts.

Similarly, android Geinimi malware corrupts android games download sites and users downloading these games end up infecting their devices. Android fake player manifest as a media player and silently sends SMS to premium phone numbers. Bank accounts, confidential business information and personal details can be stolen by these malware thus causing financial loss and reputation damage.

Apparently, smartphone users are not very keen on malware vulnerabilities of their devices and this means that they are not taking strong measures to curb the problem. There are different ways in which android malware invasions can be prevented. One way in which the malicious software programs and codes are spread is through downloads. The most targeted are games download sites.

It is advisable that users not download apps from unauthorized or illegal apps stores. It is essential that you read and understand apps permissions before you download them. Users need to pay attention to apps they install in their devices. Hackers and phishers use popular apps to spread malware to your android devices. You may think that you are downloading the real legitimate apps but in the real sense, you are infecting your smartphone.

If you see free apps that are mainly found in paid versions, you need to watch out. These spammers will lure you because they know that you will not let go a free app that is initially in paid version. Another way in which you can protect your smartphone device is by using passwords. You also need to make sure that you change your passwords often and not use one password throughout.

Smartphones are mainly targeted because users do not update their operating systems when new versions are released. This is one challenge users have faced. In addition, some carriers and manufacturers of android devices are releasing older OS platforms in the market, giving hackers an opportunity to invade the devices. Users should make sure that they get the latest secure versions of operating systems immediately they are released in the market.

Moreover, users should refrain from sharing their confidential or personal information in public internet connections like Wi-Fi. Installing antivirus and anti-malware programs that are sourced from reputable companies is another way in which users can protect their devices from attackers. Such anti-malware apps help detect and remove malware from your smartphone.

The anti-malware programs should also be updated regularly to make sure that they are able to detect and remove newer versions of malicious codes. In a nutshell, android users should get more information about their device vulnerabilities and how they can keep off from the attackers. This will ensure that they do not infect their androids with malicious software that could steal their confidential information

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Invasion of the E-Mail Snatchers - A Halloween Story

October 31, near the witching hour. Darkness engulfed the land. A weak light from a lamppost uncovers a thin line of mist that runs across the street. Suddenly, leaves rustle, swept by a gust of wind.The night is moonless. A howl breaks the silence.

In a dark room, a blue light flickers.

A bodiless head makes its appearance.

It's Alice, Alice Blooper, screen saver/ cursor. "Hey, hey, what do you say!" Alice blurts out.

A hard guitar rift comes off the speakers, Alice segues into a song "What have I got?"

"Cut it off Alice and get me to my email" I curtly responded.

"Very good sir"

The app is from a tekkie master friend of mine, totally out of this world. He pasted voice recognition programs from telephones, slapdashed animations and a bit of that jeeves thingy to give responses.

Anyway, I have had problems with my e-mail for several months. It had suddenly been hard to access.

Well, you know the drill, the host asks for your address and password. In my case, after posting the password, the screen shows the dialogue box that requests for a phone number. Has that happened to you?

After posting the country origin and phone number, another dialogue box appears requesting for a code. A few minutes later, the phone alarms for a text message and gives out a code. Sometimes, the program denies the code it sent and takes a couple of tries before access.

In the last several months, this box requesting a phone number replaced the box that requested account holders to copy the figures inside the box. It had become difficult to read my mail.

Wrong Turn. Problems with my e-mail started several months earlier when I opened an e-mail of a female co-worker and got surprised. The e-mail came attached with family pictures and then some. There appeared bare back poses, breastfeeding ones, all probably taken by the husband and for private viewing. I immediately closed the page, well, after another viewing or two. She did have a nice back.

Seeing her at the office, I asked about it. Having not deleted the file, I showed her. Boy, was she surprised, red-faced and all. Needless to say, the files were immediately deleted.

In another instance, I again received an email from another co-worker, also female and upon opening, popped went an ad for a sex potency drug. The ad was almost R, nice actually. Of course, I asked my co-worker about it because we never communicated through the email, unlike the first one. She told me my email ad was in her address box for information.

A few months later, my e group started sending me messages about weird e-mails I've been supposedly sending. My account sent pictures, draft agreements, reports, all by itself.

Apparently, a virus infected my unit and opened my folders and started sending e-mails of my files to others. Why would someone want to do that?

Jigsaw. The solution had been there in front of me all along which I just deliberately ignored. The host warned, before opening the mails, that it thought the account was compromised, suggesting a change of password. So I changed my password and presto, access problem went away, temporarily, maybe.

Does the change in password neutralize a virus?

I continue to receive junk mail, now from my e-group. Those without subjects, I immediately delete, which I also do for mails from people in the office. There are mails about products that I also delete.

Shining. Donald opened his mouth wide and let out a high-pitched noise of an alien.

I caught the movie's last frame waking up from a light sleep at my desk top.

"Alice close the TV then log off"

"Very good sir"

As I walked to my bed Alice starts to sing 'sunrise'. It was my alarm for my morning run.

"Alice shut up!"

"Very Good sir."

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