Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.

Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.

Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.

Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.

Do not download any files from strangers.

Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.

Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.

Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.

When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system web browser, and email.

"Crimeware is malicious software used to initiate a crime that is typically Internet-based. During the past two years, crimeware attacks have increased at a far greater rate than the normal virus. International gangs of virus writers, hackers and spammers are joining forces to steal information and collect huge profits illegally. A classic example of crimeware is a backdoor keylogger trojan that collects keystroke information and transmits it back to an attacker.

For example, a bank login ID and password may be collected and sent back to an attacker. The attacker typically will use this information in order to collect illegal profits.

Ransomware is another form of crimeware. In this case, a malicious Trojan encrypts files on an unsuspecting user's hard drive. Once the files are encrypted the Trojan then displays a message, or leaves behind a ransom note demanding money from the user for the decryption key."

Think your computer system is "Clean"? Try an on ine scan using Kasperky's Anti Virus Detection program.

 

"Kaspersky Labs has been one of the best antivirus software developers in the world for over a decade and now Kaspersky 7 only strengthens that reputation. Founded by Natalia and Eugene Kaspersky in 1997, this Russian company is often the first to find and identify new viruses.

 

Our free online virus scanner is a great way to find out if you have any viruses or spyware on your machine without having to install new software. You can also see what viruses your current antivirus software let slip through! You just need to be online and using Internet Explorer. The Online Virus Scanner uses Java technologies to scan your computer for malware. The free virus scanner scans your machine while online, and uses the same technology as other Kaspersky Lab products. Our antivirus software protects against viruses and spyware."

 

 

 

 

 

PC Pitstop offers free computer help, and free PC Diagnostics to tuneup your computer.

 

 

 

 

Use ESSET's Online Antivirus Scan and Make Sure Your System Is Clean

 

"The ESET Online Scanner is the Web's best free virus scan. A user-friendly, powerful tool, our online antivirus utility can remove malware—viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, and more—from any PC utilizing only a web browser. No installation required. The scanner uses the same ThreatSense® technology and signatures as ESET NOD32 Antivirus, which means it is always up-to-date."

 

 

 

"The SG Security Audit is a remote port scanner that audits a number of commonly used ports on your system in order to detect potenital security vulnerabilities. Many of those ports are used by servers, sharing services, trojans/backdoors, worms, as well as crackers trying to break into your system, or obtain information about it. The SG Security Scanner also provides information about the ports it finds open (if any), in order to help you secure and better understand the potenital vulnerabilities of your system while online."

 

 

 

"The US Attorney General has revealed that 11 suspects have been charged in what he has labelled the biggest ID fraud in history. Details of an estimated 40 million credit cards were stolen through Wi-Fi networks at TJ Maxx (TK Maxx in the UK) and Barnes & Noble stores in the US."

 

"Hackers turned computer security specialists accuse Google of setting users up for online disasters by letting them personalize home pages with applications that could be tainted. Software that hackers can trick people into installing on "iGoogle" home pages can track users' activities and control their machines, SecTheory chief executive Robert Hansen showed AFP on Friday.

 

 

 

 

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a private computer network. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorised Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet (often described as intranets). All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

You need a firewall to protect your confidential information from those not authorised to access it and to protect against malicious users and accidents that originate outside your network. One of the most important elements of a firewall is its access control features, which distinguish between good and bad traffic..................."

Full Article here by ocmodshop.com

 

 

"RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory. Data that must be accessed quickly is kept in RAM. Your computer stores data in two places: long-term storage (including hard drives and CD-R/RWs) and short-term memory. Storage devices, such as hard drives, maintain data even when they're turned off; memory, on the other hand, holds onto its contents only when the the computer is on and functioning. Turn off your computer, and the data in memory vanishes. Temporary memory is referred to as RAM, or random-access memory.

 

Every time you start your operating system, launch a program, or open a file, the relevant program code and/or data is loaded into RAM. That's why you see RAM listed in the system requirements for the software you buy. If you have more RAM, you can open more files or programs at once and load bigger files or programs onto your system.

 

RAM capacity is rated in terms of megabytes (MB). When a computer does not have enough RAM, it is forced to allocate part of the hard disk in place of the missing RAM, which hurts performance.

 

Although there are several types of RAM on the market today, they are not interchangeable. That means that before purchasing new RAM, the user must check what type of RAM is currently in his system, and what types of RAM his motherboard will accept. Also, extreme care must be taken when handling RAM modules. Often, just touching them in the wrong place will partially damage them. This is a common cause of frustration, as damaged RAM will continue to function, but only part of the RAM will be available."

 

 

 

"The NVIDIA® GeForce 9800 GX2 is a dual GPU-based graphics card that powers extreme HD gaming and provides a complete, high def entertainment experience for the PC. With two on-board GPUs, a GeForce® 9800 GX2-based graphics solution is bar-none the fastest graphics card available, and when paired with a 7 Series NVIDIA nForce® motherboard, creates the latest in a line of powerful NVIDIA gaming platforms. Be blown away by scorching frame rates, true-to-life extreme HD gaming, and picture-perfect Blu-ray and HD DVD movies."