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Security - Windows operating systems
The chance of any of the
following undesirables finding their way onto your hard drive can be greatly
reduced by installing the FREE programs listed;
- Spam [unwanted commercial
emails often with false details]
- spammers send millions of
emails every day
- they get your email address
any way they can
- they usually falsify the
'from' and 'reply-to' email addresses
- they don't want a reply from
you, including complaints!
- they often forge the email
headers not to be traced
- they often use DSL/broadband
connections or relay via other servers
- their mission is the weblink
in the email you get
- click on that link and the
spammer gets paid
- don't click on the weblink,
deny them payment
- spammers are the agents for
the website owner
- they may get commission on
products + the click fee
- unsubscribing just confirms
your email address to them!
- Viruses [malicious programs
for causing data loss and worse]
- usually designed to cause
disruption to your computer
- often sent as an email with an
attachment
- don't open the
attachment
- Trojans [programs that try to
gain control of your computer]
- robot programs that install
themselves on your hard drive
- often sent as an attachment
with an email
- often use random file names to
avoid detection
- sometimes use Windows
filenames but in a different folder
- they sit and wait for
instructions from the owner
- they can be commanded to send
spam emails from your PC
- Worms [programs that scan
selected ports to gain access]
- most internet connections
use TCP and UDP protocols
- there are ~65,500 different
ports [channels] on each!
- viruses and trojans often work
on one particular port
- worms search computers with an
open port [door]
- hackers can then use it to
access your computer
- use a firewall to close
unnecessary ports [doors]
- Spyware [program transmitting
your internet browsing habits]
- reports back information
about your web habits
- used in gathering statistics
for targeting advertising
- Keyloggers [software for
recording & transmitting keystrokes]
- hacker's program that
tells them the password you type
- Pop-ups / Pop-unders
[advertising windows on your browser]
- adverts in a different
window to that which you are using
- annoying more than anything,
can be blocked
- Zombies [infected computers
controlled by spammers / hackers]
- infected PC for the use of
hackers or spammers
- especially useful when the PC
is on-line 24/7 with DSL
- used in co-ordinated attacks
against specific servers
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Visit the
following websites and download a copy of the FREE software. Install it and do
yourself, and the rest of the internet community, a favour.
For more
specialist use in investigating offenders, try;
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