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WARNING!

Liars, Cheats and Thieves,  want access to your Computer!

 Together We CAN stop them!

A virus is a program, script or macro that is designed to destroy, modify or damage computer hardware and or software. Viruses are self replicating and commonly spread by e-mail messages, shareware sites, Instant messengers (chat room software) and pirated software. To reproduce a virus will copy itself on disks put into an infected computer (hard drives, zip drives and floppies). They also go into your e-mail and address book and send themselves to the names listed. Like the influenza some viruses are so complex they morph themselves as needed to continue their spreading.

Worm’s, like viruses are malicious programs that gain access to a computer or network through a variety of methods and cause intentional harm to them. Usually a worm will spread through know holes in software programs.

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In addition to Viruses and Worms, there are some other annoying files and programs on the internet and in your e-mail. You need to protect your computer and network from these nasty creatures.

SPAM

This is the common name for unsolicited commercial e-mail, a rampant problem on the internet today. Due to the ease of sending bulk junk mail, a entire new industry of SPAM blockers has emerged. Choosing the right one for your computers is not a complex task but as with all forms of internet security, should not be taken lightly.  The type of filter you use to stop this annoyance depends upon the e-mail client you are using.

Phishing

Pronounced fishing, these are e-mails claiming to be from your bank, e-bay or some other entity that needs you to “update” your personal information. The sole purpose of these scams are to steal your identity and empty your bank account.

Cookies

Even though chocolate chip cookies are my favorite, computer cookies rarely have such a good taste. A cookie is a small file that is placed on your computer by a web site, or more recently by e-mails, that identifies the computer and user information in a way that can be used to track or identify you. In most cases cookies are put to good use, however, some sites, advertisers and hackers use them to study a person and their habits or to retrieve personal information off of a computer system. Filtering “good” and “bad” cookies is not an easy task, and blocking all cookies is detrimental to internet surfing, careful consideration should be given to which program(s) and how cookies are filtered from your computers and network.

Pop-Up /Pop-Under Ads

These are ads or worse, hack attempts that jump to the front of your screen while you are surfing the internet or while you are writing the “Great American Novel”. From solicitations to refinance your mortgage to false warnings, they all spell trouble. Hackers have Pop-Up ads literally floating around the internet that jump in front of you security warnings, the problem is one click and you just invited the thief in, unwittingly. Browsers (such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla) have included decent Pop-Up protection however, additional security is needed.

Spyware

Software that watches your every move and reports back to a central system is known as spyware, to understand the seriousness of this remember that these people are watching everything your 14 year old daughter is doing. I consider these programs no less than stalking and so should you.

Malware

Similar to a virus, malware is simply malicious software that was designed to delete, remove, alter or otherwise damage programs, files or your hard drive. Permanent destruction of data is common.