| E-mail users will have noticed a
massive increases in the number of 'negative vibes' arriving
in their inbox over recent weeks. The majority of Viruses and
Worms spread as e-mail messages and/or attachments now that
so few people use floppy disks, their previous preferred method
of transport. Another major source is file-sharing web sites,
where people illegally download copyright music and videos tracks
for free. |
| Anti Virus
Software aims to prevent Viruses, Worms and
Trojan Horses attacking your computer. They will also remove
any such programs that have already infected your machine. |
Firewalls
can be hardware or software devices. For home
use a software firewall is the usual choice. They aim to prevent
Hackers accessing your computer and, hence, your personal details. |
| VIRUS programs
spread themselves from computer to computer, usually with the
aim of damaging files on your computer. Some virus programs are
written by very clever programmers simply for the fun of it. Definitely
time to 'get a life' me thinks. |
WORMS
are a type of virus that leaves a route for a hacker to directly
access your personal computer. Most hackers simply hack 'because
they can'. Others are looking for personal information, such as
account PIN numbers. |
Limited Email Protection
is built in to MS Outlook®™
and Outlook Express™, under the Tools menu in both cases.
In Express, you can create Message Rules or
Block Senders of unwanted messages. In Outlook, there
is a wizard to take you through the steps. The Novark worm uses
your own e-mail address as the sender's address so, stop it by
blocking any e-mails sent from to you from yourself.
E.g. If your e-mail address is alan@odds.com,
set Outlook/Express to block all mail from odds.com
|
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|
The following are a few 'freebie' programs to
help with your computer security.
I have not personally tried them all, but the are well thought
of on the Internet. |
 |
| Zone
Alarm free firewall |
Sygate
free firewall |
| AVG
Anti Virus Free Edition |
Avast
free Virus scanner |
| Spam
Bully for Outlook Express. |
In
box spam filter for Outlook. |
| MOST IMPORTANT
- make sure that you update your virus protection regularly. I
would recommend at least once a week at this time of year - April
Fools Day being just around the corner and a favourite time of
year for Internet pranksters! |
