Protect Your PC with These Top Free Software Programs by Bill Adler
This is a dangerous world for a computer user- threats multiply by the hour designed to swipe your data, cripple your network, steal your identity and in general- wreck havoc. Fortunately you can arm yourself to battle these menaces with several top software programs. ... Now that we have anti-virus and firewall protection, let’s address a topic I hear more and more frequently: what to do with all of those pesky passwords? ... The first weapon in your arsenal should be anti-virus protection. ... Every bit as insidious as a computer virus, spyware seems to multiply exponentially with new...

Adware / Spyware by Peter O'Brien
Adware and Spyware have become familiar terms in the lexicon of Internet jargon. Their definitions range from helpful cookies that many people choose to have on their computer to programs that can actually steal your identity. That's a pretty big area. ... That information can be passed on to AVG Anti-virus Systems, our Anti-virus software provider, and within hours an update removing the offender is downloaded and implemented. ... Spyware and anti-virus programs work basically the same way. ... Some anti-virus programs include adware and spyware elements as part of the basic program.

Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack? by Jim Edwards
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software giant released a patch this past Friday to plug the possibly devastating "back door" which allows hackers to potentially seize control of any pc running Windows. ... Keep your anti-virus software current, your firewall up, and your Windows software updated with the latest security patches. ... (I won't even get into how many people don't operate up-to-date anti-virus protection.) Whenever Microsoft publishes a security update, especially for a highly publicized and obviously widespread...

Novice Security Guide For Windows Users by Mary Myron
Computer abuse occurs at least once in everyone's life. To some people it might be not of a great importance, but to others it could be fatal. Thus, there are a few basic things you should keep in mind if you leave your machine unprotected. First of all we are going to consider the most common... To prevent this, use a firewall and good anti-virus software. ... Malware is meant to infiltrate and damage a computer (regular viruses, worms etc). ... To protect your computer from spyware, use programs like SpybotS&D or Ad-Aware SE.

5 Tips to Avoid Needing Laptop Data Recovery by Jason Perry
With the costs of laptops coming down and performance going up, it has become more viable for companies to equip their employees with laptops--for those who travel, work from home, or for those who just prefer them to full size computers. Individual users, from college students to self employed... Use an anti-virus software package, and protect your system with spyware software. ... Virus and Spyware Protection. ... If you get rewritable CDs, then you can use the same one a few times, though it would be best to not reuse them too much.

Microsoft Blues by Tony Dean
With the advent of 'Service Pack 2' for Windows XP operating system, Microsoft have really made the forums hum. Every forum on computer problems is replete with complaints that since downloading and installing 'SP2', many 'third party' applications don't work. ... Virus scanning software by McAfee, Sourcenet, Sonic Wall, Command Anti-Virus, either give error messages, or crash the computer. ... Some of the applications that need ports to be opened for them include the following:- "Visual Studio.Net", "SQL", "Backup Exec 9", "Ghost Server Corporate Edition 7.5", "Symantec Anti-Virus...

Internet Connection Fails by Bob Rankin
"I am using XP home with a cable modem connection, and quite often using while online, I get the error of can't find the server. I just lose my internet connection, and it says my TCP/IP needs resetting. How do I do that and what causes the internet dropout?" There are several possible reasons... Note that your firewall may be bundled with an anti-virus of internet security package. ... If that's the case, click on that package (ex: eTrust EZ-Armor or Norton Internet Security), and make sure you select ONLY the firewall for removal, leaving the anti-virus protection in place.

Viruses and Malicious Software - How to Protect Your Computer by Eldon Martin
Malicious software, or malware, is likely the most widespread problem faced by computer users today. As a computer technician, I find that about three out of four jobs I do for home computer users are to remove malware in one form or another. Malware programs come in several forms: Spyware and... Many computers with up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software arrive at my door infested with malware to the extent that they are unusable. ... Many computer users try to protect their computers by installing anti-virus and firewall programs.

Adware and Spyware Blockers by Gary Gresham
The most important things you can do for your computer right now is to install adware and spyware blockers. Everyone is aware of computer viruses and run an anti-virus program to guard your computer against them. But only a fraction of computer users are running any kind of adware and spyware... "Spyware and adware are more than an annoyance," Spitzer said in the statement. ... Spyware and Adware has become such an epidemic that it is the latest target of NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. ... Because of this fighting spyware and adware and removing spyware from computers is becoming even...

Understanding Data Loss and Data Recovery by Bob Janeway
Losing data is the worst thing that can happen to someone who is too attached to computers. It is not a question on "how attached" a person is, it is a question on how much a person earns out of his data. In other words, for beginner computer users, losing files is like losing common documents,... By installing an effective anti-virus, this problem can be avoided or can be resolved easier than not having one. ... The more it is left functioning, the more the virus will spread and destroy the system.