Guidelines on how to prevent online identity theft

How To Prevent Identity Theft
By George Dodge

What was once considered no more than a minor inconvenience, identity theft is now a prominent issue for individuals and law enforcement agencies alike.  Practicing pro-active and commonsense routines when conducting financial transactions by any means other than cash can go along way in preventing identity theft.

Identity theft is an insidious crime that has expanded exponentially throughout the globe.  Far from being a victimless crime, identity theft can have a serious, detrimental impact on your life and can lead to months, and even years of frustration and humiliation. 

 Read and Share Guide On Private/Individual Cybersecurity and Cybersaftey Online Here.
When someone uses your personal identification documentation in order impersonate you for any reason, this is known as identity theft.  Professional identity thieves are proficient at assuming any given identity and the rapidity with which they can destroy another life is mind boggling, to say the least. Should you fall victim to this criminal element, your life can become a living nightmare. By being vigilant in all your financial dealings, you can protect yourself from these identity kidnappers; however, the onus is on you to make sure you are taking all the steps necessary to protect yourself from identity theft.

Identity thieves are constantly on the lookout for the seemingly innocent transaction that, in reality, offers a goldmine of personal information that can be used to assume another's identity.  Protecting yourself from identity theft should be uppermost in your mind at all times and you should always be vigilant in protecting your identity.  The following is a list of things you should consider in order to prevent identity theft:

o    Always make sure you retain all copies of your credit card receipts when presenting your card for payment.  Avoid handing your card over to a server in a restaurant.  Ask that the transaction be completed in plain sight so you can keep a careful eye on your credit card information.  Adept identity thieves can procure all kinds of personal information about you with little more than one credit card number.

o    Don't let mail accumulate in your mailbox.  Identity thieves are constantly on the lookout for mailboxes that may contain pre-approved credit card offerings; these offer easy pickings to a skilled thief as the application can be completed (with a change of address), mailed in to the credit card company, and voila, instant access to your credit. You will be oblivious until the bills for purchases you never made start to roll in.

o    Always cross-shred any documentation showing your personal information before throwing it in the garbage.  Dumpster diving has become an easy and lucrative method of obtaining personal information and, again, you will not even be aware that you have been victimized until the bills catch up with you. 

o    Never leave documents containing sensitive, personal information (like payroll receipts) lying around in plain sight. Although credit card fraud is the most common method of identity theft, skilled scam artists can capture your identity in a variety of seemingly mundane ways.  Once these unscrupulous characters get access to your social security number, look out - the identity thief now has all the information he needs to merrily rack up thousands of dollars of debt in your name.

o    Use caution when releasing personal information to third parties.  Never give out your banking information or social security number over the phone or on the Internet.

o    Never reply to any email, no matter how official looking, that requests banking or financial information. There are teams of criminals in cyberspace who make their living from unsuspecting users who reveal sensitive information obtained through fraudulent emails.  This is called pshishing and can sometimes be so elaborately constructed that most people think it's the real McCoy.  Reputable, legitimate business will never ask you to disclose sensitive information either over the phone or in an email.  

o    Never reveal the password of your banking cards to anyone.

o    Change the password for your banking information regularly. This includes your Internet banking, as hackers have been known to access this information by "mirroring" keystrokes and reproducing them for their own gain.

o    Keep personal information to a minimum when signing up for any online offers.  

Protecting yourself from identity theft is one of these things that will probably never cross your mind unless and until it happens to you or someone you know.  Don't wait to become a victim.  By practicing some commonsense safeguards and remaining vigilant at all times, you will be able to protect yourself from the ever-growing contingent of identity thieves who thrive on taking advantage of others.

 Read and Share Guide On Private/Individual Cybersecurity and Cybersaftey Online Here.
George Dodge is author and webmaster of   Identity Theft Defense at http://www.Identity-Theft-Defense.com where you can discover more about the various forms and methods of Identity Theft and how to protect yourself from becoming an [http://www.identity-theft-defense.com/How-You-Can-Avoid-Becoming-A-Victim-Of-Identity-Theft.html]Identity Theft Victim.

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With the many types of anti-virus software, it is helpful to read a brief description of what the different types do and how they can be beneficial to you and your computer.

Norton Anti-virus
Symantec's Norton AntiVirus software is perhaps the world's most trusted antivirus solution. It is available for both Windows PC's, and Macintosh (Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh - S.A.M). Norton AntiVirus is a very reliable and easy-to-use anti-virus product. It's the best anti-virus product for catching viruses in downloaded files and E-mail. Norton AntiVirus is also more expensive than McAfee VirusScan although not by much, and the added abilities of Norton can easily make up the difference.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Norton AntiVirus includes many tools that can be run in the background, including watching for suspicious PC activity and automatically checking downloaded files for viruses. Norton AntiVirus is also automatically configured to handle E-mail virus scanning for email messages coming into your computer, as well as those you send. This process automatically scans and cleans both incoming and outgoing email, stopping viruses from infecting your computer or spreading to others. It removes viruses automatically, without interrupting your work and prevents infections during real-time online chats, and also detects viruses in instant-message attachments. Because so many viruses and internet worms are now spread using email and Instant Message Systems, this is extremely valuable and necessary protection.

Norton Installation
Installation is simple. Simply install the CD in your CD drive, and the installer will launch automatically. The installer should ask you if you want to do a pre-install scan of your system for viruses. This is a very good thing to do. Once this is finished, the installation will proceed, and you can accept all the defaults without worry. Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to go online and get up-to-date virus definitions. DO NOT skip this step. Having up-to-date virus definitions is essential to the performance of any antivirus software.

Normal Use
Norton is a very hands-off program. Pretty much it is an install and forget program that looks after itself. It will automatically notify you if there is anything that you need to do. If a virus is found, the software will try to automatically repair the file, if it can't, it will place the file in a safe 'quarantine' zone, and let you know. In addition to looking for known viruses, the Norton Antivirus Bloodhound feature tries to spot new viruses and worms by their behaviour that is common to such nasty programs.

Checking your system and downloading updates are two things you need to do regularly. Norton Antivirus makes them painless by setting up a full system scan once a week and checking for new updates (both to the software, and virus definitions) whenever you're online. These simple update scans hardly slow down your PC down at all.

Overall, Norton Antivirus is an excellent way to guard against viruses. It is the system that I recommend to my clients most often, and that I use personally.

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internet user guide towards preventing identity theft online

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
By Max Fischer

In today's high-tech world, where everything from banking to communications to shopping happens electronically, identity theft has become a growing concern. Although everyone is at some degree of risk, there are some simple but important steps you can take to protect yourself and avoid problems in the future.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here.

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a general term that comprises any unauthorized use of your personal information. This can mean theft and use of a credit card, or the unlawful use of your name, address, birth date, social security number, and personal passwords to access your bank account, rent or purchase an apartment or vehicle, or even to get a job.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 161,819 identity theft complaints in 2002 - five times the number reported in 2000. And this number continues to grow. The FTC believes there were roughly 10 million identity theft victims in 2004, with total losses of $54 billion.

Some forms of identity theft directly involve money - namely, a thief who accesses your credit card or bank account - but others affect victims in more subtle ways that are more difficult to detect. For example, an offender might use your name and credit score (or other aspects of your personal history) to obtain a job, rent an apartment, or even secure a mortgage. This kind of identity theft can often go unnoticed for years, and is sometimes only detected after extensive damage has been done to the victim's name or credit rating.

Take Steps to Prevent Identity Theft
Even if you're careful about disclosing credit card numbers and other personal information, your identity can be perpetrated by low-tech tactics, such as:

An employee in a store or restaurant watching over a customer's shoulder as they enter the access code for a debit or credit card
A thief slipping into a neighborhood and stealing a credit card bill, phone bill, bank statement, or other financial documents from mailboxes or garbage cans
A telephone caller posing as a representative from your bank or phone service provider, requesting personal information "to confirm your identity"

Be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect your personal information - especially when it's on paper! Below are some recommended safety measures:

Keep sensitive personal documents, like your birth certificate, passport, Social Security cards, and credit cards, in a home safe or safety deposit box when you aren't using them.

Avoid sharing personal information online. Even innocuous details, like posting your full name and birth date on social networking sites such as Facebook or giving out your home or business telephone number, can be dangerous in the hands of an identity thief.

Avoid giving personal information to anyone who claims to be calling from your phone provider or banking institution - instead, ask if you can take down their number and call them back, after verifying that the call is valid.
Shred or tear up credit card bills and other receipts before putting them in the garbage or recycling bin.
Do not respond directly to emails that ask for personal information. If the sender claims to be your bank or another institution, contact the company directly to ask them about the email first.
Check your credit card and debit card accounts regularly for unusual charges, especially small ones (like a dollar or less) that may be thieves testing the waters.

When traveling, cut up hotel key cards when you check out - these cards may contain financial and personal information that can be accessed after you leave.
Check your credit report on an annual basis. You can obtain a credit report for free once a year from annualcreditreport.com

Consider using an identity theft service to help monitor the use of your information, especially if you have lost your wallet or have been the victim of home theft. The long-term effectiveness of these fee-based programs is yet to be determined, but may give you added- if not bullet-proof- protection.

If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft
Even the most careful consumers can find themselves targeted by cunning perpetrators. If you discover that you have been the victim of identity theft, there are three steps you should take right away:

Immediately inform your bank or credit card company if you have had checks stolen or if you see charges that you didn't make.

Report any theft of money or use of your identity to the police. Even if your local police will not be the ones to investigate the theft, documenting the crime right away will create a "data trail" that can protect you in the long run.

Report the problem to the government agencies responsible for helping victims of identity theft. These agencies can assist you in tracking down the perpetrator and reclaiming your stolen identity. In the U.S., begin by submitting a claim to the Federal Trade using the form on the FTC identity theft website.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here.

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how to download norton antivirus software program

Norton Antivirus software is a product developed by Symantec Corporation. It can detect and eliminate almost all types of computer viruses. It comes in different packages according to needs of the users. You can get it installed on your computer for different subscription periods. You have to renew its subscription every time when it expires so that your computer will remain safe.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Antivirus program works on the Signature-based detection which involves searching for known patterns of data within executable code. If you don't update antivirus software timely, your computer might get infected with new malware for which no signature is yet known. This Antivirus software runs on Microsoft Windows operating system and Mac OS X. You can take Norton Antivirus support to troubleshoot problems with its functioning.

This software can give many advantages if used in proper manner otherwise it can impair a computer's performance. Some users feel trouble in understanding the prompts and decisions that it presents them with. If this is the case with you, an incorrect decision may lead to a security breach and ultimately give fatal results. Norton Antivirus will work well if you use it in the right way. You should take technical support from an expert to make sure that your computer will remain secured from viruses through this software. Norton Antivirus support is available on the Internet as there are many vendors who provide technical support to troubleshoot problems related with its functioning.

A technical expert can provide support for:
• Proper configuration settings of your computer
• Achieving the right balance between false positives and false negatives
• Audit security settings for your computer
• E-mail filtering and message filtering
• Scheduling of regular scan and other safety features
• Increased level of security from hijackers and safeguard of sensitive and personal information
• Full use of all the features of software

Norton Antivirus software can be downloaded from the Internet or you can subscribe its box copy from the market and get it installed on your computer. You can get it as OEM software with your PC. Norton Antivirus support can also be taken for making a choice of security pack according to the requirements of the user. Norton 360 is an 'all in one' security pack with solutions for all types of viruses. This security pack is included with a personal firewall, phishing protection. The Gaming edition can provide finer control over when Norton downloads updates and allows components of the suite to be disabled either manually or automatically when the computer enters full-screen mode.

Herry Willson is a content writer working with SupportMart to scatter his purpose and valuable thoughts for computer users across the country. SupportMart ensures availability of online technical support 24/7, which is just at a click of a mouse and provides all sort of supports for your PC. To know more about anti virus installation or anti virus software call SupportMart at 1 800 793 7521 Or log on to http://www.supportmart.net

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Antivirus software is an absolute must if you plan to use your computer on the internet. Online viruses, malware, worms, spyware and other emerging threats are on the rise.; do not risk exposing your computer to their damaging effects. Antivirus protection for the life of your computer. Why pay every year? AntiVirusKit (AVK) provides a double layer of protection, bundling two of the best antivirus engines - Kaspersky and BitDefender - under a single, easy-to-use console.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Norton antivirus and McAfee VirusScan are most probably two of the best known antivirus vendors around with some fairly good products but there are others out there that do the job just as well if not better. Purchasers of these products tend to look for different things in antivirus software so it usually boils down to taste at the end of the day. Norton Antivirus software is one of the best antivirus software companies out there. The Norton Antivirus 2006 software automatically detects viruses, trojan horses and worms. Norton uses more memory and slows down the system. Nod32 detects trojan which are not detected by norton also.

Norton AntiVirusT provides fast, responsive defense against all types of malicious software including viruses, spyware, worms, and other malicious threats. It protects your system without slowing it down. Norton AntiVirus provides fast, responsive defense against all types of malicious software including viruses, spyware, worms, and other software threats. It protects your system without slowing it down. Norton Antivirus 2009 has a tool called Live Update which will make sure that it is constantly protecting against all known infections.

Norton AntiVirus automatically detects and removes viruses, spyware and other security risks. It delivers extensive security features to protect your PC from viruses and trojan horses. Norton Antivirus stays out of your way while you work or play. It automatically suspends all non critical tasks and alerts when you're enjoying games and movies. Norton Anti-Virus protects your computer thoroughly and is able to detect the viruses before they can affect your computer . This is done by providing you with: 1 ) Email protection 2) Web Protection 3) Live Updates Email Protection. This is the easiest way for a virus to penetrate your computer and usually it is only after the virus has .

Antivirus 2009 has the ability to recreate itself after reboot and its "System scan" messages may continue to pop up on your task manager. It is advised to run a scan with a reliable anti-spyware program to check for the presence of Antivirus 2009 on your computer. Antivirus 2009 may use its system scanner to display false positives which work as an incentive to make unsuspecting users purchase Antivirus 2009's commercial version. Antivirus 2009 is a new rogue anti-spyware program. It is also a clone of Antivirus 2008 - also a rogue, and one that's produced more clones than any other recently.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Faster and more efficient than other solutions on the market, Panda Antivirus Platinum 7.0 monitors CPU load, preventing overloads that could interfere with other system operations. The new Panda Antivirus Platinum 7.0 engine includes an innovative script blocking system for preventing potentially dangerous e-mail attachments from running and an anti-dialer. Fast scanning the 2009 version is even better, fastest in the industry after the first scan. One the best Antivirus suites on the market closest competitor?

AVG software is among the best antivirus on the market as far as the Dungeon Keeper is concerned. AVG prob comes in around second. AVG7 can also be set to retrieve free updates via the Grisoft website. AVG7 constantly comes at or near the top of many polls and reviews.

Best Antivirus Software 2009

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online practice to prevent identity theft

Identity theft is becoming an increasingly frequent problem among people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and nationalities, who are living in locations spread across the world. The theft of one's identity is non-discriminating, as clever criminals find new and improved ways of profiting off of another's loss and misfortune.

In the end, a complete invasion of privacy often takes place, where identity thieves are able to drain entire bank accounts, steal credit card numbers, use driver's licenses to commit crimes; and steal important information from computers. To prevent identity theft, it is highly recommended to follow a few simple procedures to boost your protection level against such a widespread crime.

Identity theft criminals use a wide-range of techniques to steal private information for their own personal use and gain. One of the most talked about forms of identity theft is executed across the Internet, as individuals trick others into downloading a wide range of spyware, which is then used to transmit information stored on a computer. This may include the usernames and passwords associated with online banking accounts. With this information, a thief is then able to intercept bank transactions and steal money from unsuspecting victims.

In order to efficiently prevent identity theft, it is important for people to recognize all of the techniques a criminal may use. Some individuals steal postal correspondences and fill out credit cards under another's name. A stolen wallet also serves as the perfect gateway for thieves, as driver's licenses, credit cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, job identification, and other photo ID are common tools of identity theft. There are even criminals who dig in dumpsters and garbage cans for discarded bank statements, credit card bills, and other identifying pieces of information.
To prevent identity theft, it is highly recommended to follow some of the suggestions listed below:

1. Prevent identity theft by installing an effective anti-spyware program that creates barriers between your personal information kept on your computer and third party intrusions.
2. Changing your passwords is often a good way to prevent identity theft because it is less easy for thieves to lock onto or guess frequent changes. It is also suggested not to use the same passwords. Also, it is not advised to select passwords that can be directly connected to you, such as your last name. Use passwords that contain both upper and lower case letters, as well as 1 or 2 numbers.
3. It is important to quickly remove mail from the mailbox, as criminals are known to forge signatures on credit applications. If you find you have stopped receiving mail, call the post office because someone may have signed a release for the forwarding of your mail to another location.
4. Over the telephone, you never know who is calling you; therefore never give your credit card number, Social Security number, or other personal information to an unsolicited caller.
5. Once you are done with credit card receipts, unused loan applications, and other paperwork containing personal information, tear them up or use a shredder so thieves rummaging through the garbage are unable to retrieve personal details.
6. Make it a habit to review your credit report and check for false accounts and other information. When you spot an error, you should immediately report it to the credit bureau.
7. Do not delay in reporting stolen credit cards.
8. You may prevent identity theft by carefully analyzing your credit card and bank statements to make sure there are no mistakes on your bills.
9. When a relative passes away, it is important to properly shred unused checks and other personal documents because identity thieves also take advantage of the misfortune of the deceased. Entire accounts have been wiped out, loans taken out in their names, and new credit cards issued. 
10. It is important to exercise extreme caution when dealing with PIN numbers, especially those attached to ATM machines. When these numbers fall into the wrong hands, individuals are able to withdraw money without being detected. It is suggested to memorize your PIN number and when you must write it down - never choose your card or leave the reminder in your wallet or purse. And never use your birthdate as your PIN, as that will be the first one that the thief will try.

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Computer bug malware, Viruses, Spyware, Worms,affecting Apple Mac operating system OS

Do Mac users need to start running extra security software to protect themselves from malicious software, aka malware?

The good news is that Macs will be unaffected by the Conficker worm you may have read about, which may be infecting Windows computers as you read this. However, Mac users can hardly afford to be complacent.

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What Is Malware?
"Malware" is the general term for viruses, spyware, worms, and other digital nasties which Windows users are perpetually defending themselves against. It is, broadly speaking, software you didn't intend to be placed on your computer. As with human diseases, symptoms may or may not be visible. But malware can steal your personal information, provide a conduit for spam distribution, attack websites in concert with other hijacked computers, or just simply wreak havoc on your computer while distributing itself to others. Do not want.

How does malware get on to your computer? It can arrive transparently, via specially constructed web sites designed to exploit security flaws -- aka bugs -- in browsers. It can be inadvertently agreed to by you when you don't read the fine print before clicking "Agree" when you install software. Most often, it is the result of a rogue email attachment, or a deceptive link to a web site that you click.
This is why it is absolutely necessary for Windows users to run security software products intended to protect their computer from these intruders. These require yearly subscriptions to stay up to date with the latest threats. The problem is that the medicine is sometimes as worse than the disease; most security packages make themselves all too visible, flashing incomprehensible warnings on a regular basis, slowing down your computer while they scan everything in sight, and generally keeping you in a constant state of alarm, which, of course, is intended to get you to resubscribe and upgrade. (And don't even get me started on the fraudulent "security" packages which are themseves malicious software.)

Malware and the Mac
But what does this have to do with the Mac? Well, once upon a time, before Mac OS X, when dogcows roamed the earth, there was in fact malware which targeted Macs, and many users did indeed use anti-virus software (which, it's worth noting, was annoying and intrusive even then). But for most of this decade, Mac users have had the luxury of living in a state of blissful obliviousness to the unpleasantries of malicious software and the crud needed to avoid it. The fact is that in the nine years of Mac OS X's existence there has simply not been any kind of major outbreak which has hurt Mac users. This was one of the #1 reasons to buy a Mac, even if you consider all other things being equal.

Lately, however, there's been a lot of reporting that Macs are vulnerable and will be targeted by rogue software, if they haven't been already. This year, pirated copies of Apple's iWork '09 infected a number of Macs, permitting them to be secretly controlled, under the hood, by unseen others across the internet. (This is an extreme example of getting what you pay for.) It's not a real virus, in that it doesn't spread or exploit a flaw in the system; it would never happen to you if you didn't, ahem, install software you didn't pay for. All the same, it means there are compromised Macs out there. Is it the tip of the iceberg?

Yes, it is, except that the iceberg will be more of a large popsicle. In other words, we really don't see the Mac universe teeming anytime soon with the level of byte disease that the Windowsphere unfortunately does. But that doesn't mean that Mac users can afford to be sanguine about their seemingly secure computers. Maybe Macs will never have the same quantity of evil software, but all it takes is one well-crafted piece of nasty code to cause a lot of users a lot of pain.

We've Changed Our Tune
Why have we changed our tune about this? Well, we believe Macs have remained off the bad guys' radar screen all this time for two reasons. The first is the comparatively tiny market share. If the point of your software is to spread itself, why target 5% when you can target 90%?
But the second reason is that in order to write any kind of software for a Mac, good or bad, you needed to, well, buy a Mac. That's means dropping real money just to be able to write some nasty software for it. You couldn't just download a free copy of the operating system on the internet and install it on your PC...except that that's no longer true. You can, in fact, find modified copies of Mac OS X which will install on ordinary PC's. This means that as Apple's brand visibility and market share grows, it is now much easier for malware creators in corners near and far to target their products.
Quite honestly, we still have a hard time telling Mac users that they absolutely have to have anti-malware software installed. The truth is that right now there is no genuine malware threat to mainstream Mac users. We're still in Eden. You can still open your email without fear. But in our gut, we feel the coming of age of Mac OS X, into the mature operating system that it now is, comes with a loss of innocence. Yes, a Mac user can do without extra security software. But I can't say with confidence that will be true in a year.

We hope we haven't alarmed you -- that isn't our intent (to the contrary, we hate the way the manufacturers of security products stoke the coals of users' technological fears). But we feel we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't let you know what was out there. We feel sure Mac users will never have anything approaching the depth and variety of malware problems that Windows users have had. But at the same time, it's unlikely that Mac users will be able to live without anti-malware software indefinitely.

Software Solutions
If you have a Mac, and you are thinking that you want to start running security software, there are a few titles to choose from, and we don't endorse any one of them (at least not yet). With that said, Intego VirusBarrier is the leader in the space; it's been around for quite a while, is reasonably well received, and the company is exclusively focused on Macs. Some of the big guns from the PC world -- Norton, McAfee, and Sophos -- have also re-entered the Mac fray after dropping out for a bit. Finally, ClamXav is free, and performs basic scanning with quarantining of apparently infected files, though no actual file repair or virus removal.

A final word of warning to users who run Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion to run PC software on their Macs: you're just as vulnerable as you would be on a real PC, and even your Mac files are vulnerable if you make use of shared folders to access the "Mac side" from within the PC. You should run anti-virus software in your virtual machine. A decent free one is at http://free.avg.com.

Copyright 2009 Ivan Drucker.

Ivan Drucker
Mac Expert
IvanExpert Consulting http://www.ivanexpert.com

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Ways You Didn't Know You Could Get a Virus, Malware, or Your Social Account Hacked

Most tech-savvy folks are familiar with the standard forms of malware: phishing scams, adware, spyware, viruses, worms and the like. However, as technology advances, so do cybercriminals, and they are attempting to fly lower under the radar to get your information. As a result there are newly emerging forms of malware that you may not be aware of.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Social Media Scams and Malware

Grayware is a form of malware that doesn’t really do any physical damage to your data as other malware can, and it presents itself in a more annoying matter, such as adware and spyware. It has a high prevalence in social media, usually in the form of “click bait”, where an enticing article will lead you to a website that asks that you fill out a quick survey before accessing the media. That information is then collected and sold to other cybercriminals and can be used in attempts to hack into your personal accounts. If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself against these kinds of scams, you can check out an article I previously wrote about Social Scams, when the fake Robin Williams “Goodbye” Video SCAM went viral.

In addition to grayware running rampant on these platforms, there are also high risks of encountering dangerous malware across social networks. When the television show, “Breaking Bad”, was in its heyday, there was a popular Twitter scam making the rounds. Links were posted luring users to download a leaked copy of the next unaired episode. Following the link led the user to a page where a file is downloaded. The page directed users to another link to install a program that would allow them to play the video. The link sent users to an affiliate program, which was how the spammers made money. Granted, this scam seemed fairly harmless to the user’s computer, however, there are other instances where what is downloaded can be a dangerous malware program. Always use caution when clicking on unknown links and attempting to download unknown files.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies  

 
Exploit Kits

Exploit kits are generally what they sound like - a malicious toolkit that searches your computer for software that has not been updated. These kits look for security holes in software with the goal of implanting malware on the user’s machines. This can happen by visiting websites that have malvertising on them. Malvertising can be found on any website, trusted or unknown, and it uses online advertising by embedding malicious code in legitimate advertisements. Recently, Yahoo was a target (link is external) of this by hosting malicious ads that redirected users to websites hosting these kits.  Exploit kits are not always found in malvertising, however. The popular men’s website Askmen.com was recently compromised to redirect users to a site hosting an exploit kit. This is why it is very important to make sure all of your software is up to date.

Mobile Ransomware
Ransomware on computers isn’t a new threat, but recently it has started to migrate to popular mobile platforms. Ransomware is a program that will target important files such as photos and documents and encrypts them, blocking the user from accessing them. The user is then sent a message demanding payment to unlock the files. Earlier this year, the first versions of mobile ransomware were spotted in the wild. The ransomware is contracted by visiting an infected site and then is automatically downloaded to the phone, or by downloading a malicious app. If your device becomes infected, do not pay the fee! Instead, make sure you get in the habit of regular backups and restore your phone from the most recent backup. You can learn how to spot fake mobile apps by checking out “How to Spot a Fake Android App.”

Online Gaming Malware Attacks
There have been a few instances of gaming malware in the media lately. One that may not cost you money, but it can cost you the many hours you’ve spent building up your characters. Twitch.tv, a website used to stream live gameplay was recently infiltrated by a bot in their chat rooms that lured users using raffles. Upon clicking the link to enter the raffle, a Java form displays a phony raffle form. After filling out the form, the malware installs itself on the user’s computer, targets the user’s Steam account and then wipes out the entire Steam wallet and inventory. In turn, the cybercriminals will sell the user’s items on the Steam community for money. Similarly, there was an issue with a malicious trojan (link is external) in the popular World of Warcraft game, masquerading as a legitimate game add-on. Once installed, the trojan completely takes over the user’s account. It is highly recommended that users not disable their antivirus programs when playing online games.

Browser Extension Adware and Malware
Browser extensions are a very popular add-on used for a multitude of tasks while surfing the Internet. But I bet you’re not aware that some of them can be stealing your information! Some malicious extensions will either track every site you visit or inject adware into those sites. While this is not a huge concern as far as what this will do to the data on your computer, it is a pretty large privacy concern. Attackers can use these extensions to perform click fraud by adding rogue ads to websites and redirecting you to those sites. Although this is lower on the threat level, this newer form of malware is evolving into something much more invasive.  As a matter of fact, the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) has warned (link is external)that there has been an increase in malicious browser extensions that are aimed at taking over social network accounts. So while at the moment, they’re not at the top of the threat list, they’re definitely something to keep an eye on.

Internet threats can appear in all shapes and sizes, many of which you may not be aware of. Luckily, the new Norton is. We have your back so you don’t have to worry about every little thing you may come across, and you can go about your business and leave the complicated stuff to us.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

best mac small business antivirus software

Best Anti-virus for Mac and Small Business Antivirus Software

Mac generally doesn't have as many risks as PC, mainly because there are more people using Ms windows than Mac pc techniques, making it more profitable for viruses creators to focus on Ms windows operating-system. Mac gadgets also come standard with their own protection measure that has proven to be pretty effective against many online risks. However, it is still a wise idea to invest in third-party antivirus application to close any holes in the Mac program.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Test Results
The best antiviruses for Mac gadgets don't restrict the efficiency of your pc while they check out for and protect against online risks. As aspect of our assessment of Mac antivirus application, we seemed at the latest outcomes of the AV-Test assessments of protection packages for Mac operating-system. These tests included looking at how much efficiency is missing while the antivirus program runs, such as lag time while you access popular sites, open and use applications such as e-mail and word document applications, and transfer details.

The other big analyze AV-Test performs is one to see how well each antivirus defends against both known and unidentified risks. Over the course of four weeks, AV-Test presents hundreds of known viruses risks and allows the introduction of countless numbers more newly appeared risks to determine how each antivirus protection performs on a Mac os.

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Features
As with PC protection applications, it is essential to make sure the Mac antivirus recognition program you select tests your e-mail and external drives for any risks that may effort to go through your program in ways not necessarily typical of viruses. Additionally, with more and more PC risks changing to add Mac gadgets, it is essential to know the remedy you select can identify Ms windows risks and stop them before they contaminate your Mac.

We used the AV-Test outcomes and the rich selection of functions available to evaluate the best antivirus application for Mac. Overall, we found that Bitdefender, Intego and ESET Cyber Security are perfect alternatives to protect your Mac from viruses attacks.
 

Small Organization Antivirus

Most companies know that keeping work stations safe is essential to the daily functions of the organization, and often vital to the success of the organization. It is a way to make sure online hackers don't get through to affect production or effort to run private zazzle corporation. While the antivirus you use at house may offer some protection, it is better to use a remedy specially tailored to business pcs. Little enterprise antiviruses can consist of added rights for risks that are more typical in workplace settings, while still providing the best malware-blocking abilities of house antivirus alternatives.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Test Results
AV-Test, an independent lab that analyse the most typical antivirus alternatives, reviews antiviruses designed for business Ms windows clients. It looks at how well business antivirus applications identify and block both known and unidentified viruses by presenting a large number of different risks and tracking each program's effectiveness against them.

AV-Test also analyse how running an antivirus program affects the efficiency of your business pc techniques. It looks at how much more slowly your program will run while obtaining sites, shifting details and performing tasks within needed business applications.

Features
After efficiency, we seemed at the plethora of functions available as aspect of economic antivirus alternatives, such as strong fire walls, remote system recognition and e-mail protection. A couple of essential functions to have that not all business alternatives consist of are anti-theft protection, which allows you to slightly lock and remove essential details and knowledge in case your system is missing or thieved, and a file shredders that ensures any risk is completely wiped from your pc rather than separated and saved in a inactive state after being recognized.

Taking into consideration the AV-Test outcomes and the many functions available with these applications, we determined that Kaspersky, Panda and Sophos are the best antivirus alternatives for small business pc techniques.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

computer virus and how to remove and prevent virus on your pc

What is a computer virus:

A computer virus is a software program which is able to replicate itself and spread from one infected computer to another. The infected objects can be system, program or document files. After infecting your computer, it might slow it down, damage the contents of the infected files, mislay the data or defect your computer systems normal operation.

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The virus can also use your computer to propagate illegal adverts and send spam emails that exploit security (adWare), steal your personal information such as bank account number, credit card number etc. (SpyWare). Some types of viruses might use your computer to create a bot net (virtual computer network) to attack other server systems and websites etc.

Type of viruses on Windows based computers:
There are a number of computer viruses that can impede the functioning of your computer. Here are some of the different types of viruses:

Trojan Horse: It is an email virus that is created by a file attached to the email. If opened, it may scour your hard drive for any personal and financial information such as your social security, account and PIN numbers. Once it has collected your info, it is sent via the internet to a hacker or thief.
Macro Virus: It is a computer virus that infects the Visual Basic language documents for applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc. This type of virus can cause damage (such as removing data on the hard disk for example).

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Worms: It is a program that has the ability to self-replicate itself. It can move from one computer to another and replicate itself in your computer system then spread hundreds of its copies to other computers that might cause wide spread damage.

Rootkit Virus: It is a program that is possible to cover the processes, files and data in the computer Registry (a database which is used to save Windows's system and program settings). Rootkit is usually used to hide the activities of viruses and processes which harm your computer. It is to help a hacker to control the system.

Bootsector Virus: A virus which attaches itself to the first part of the hard disk that is read by the computer upon bootup. These are normally spread by floppy disks.
Logic Bombs: It is a program that is used to send many data to the same email address and overwhelm the system or block the server connection. It is also used to threaten others (for example mail bomb etc.).

Memory Resident Virus: This type of virus dwells in the RAM. From there it can overcome and interrupt the operations executed by the system. It can corrupt files and programs that are opened, closed, copied, renamed etc.
Multipartite Virus: These viruses spread in multiple ways. It might vary in its action depending upon where it's installed and the presence of certain files.

How do you get a virus and Prevention:
These are 3 common ways that your computer may get infected by viruses:
Email: You get an email from a person that contains one or more viruses. If the attachment is opened, the viruses may infect files in the computer. The viruses might also send emails to people from your email address book or email folders automatically. So, you should not open unknown attachments in emails or do a virus scanning after opening them.

Internet: If you download an exe file or a data file from the Internet or other shared networks, viruses might be transferred to your computer. Sometimes the free software programs on the Internet have viruses especially if downloading from sources such as Torrent or Usenet news groups. Therefore, if necessary, you should download files from trusted resources.
Peripheral devices: The devices such as MP3 player, USB thumb drive, Memory card or CD Rom are also means for spreading viruses. So, remember to do a virus scan for them after they are connected to your computer.

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Symptoms of virus infection:
These are some of symptoms which may indicate virus activity:
• Your computer has unusual activity (e.g. programs crashing a lot or running slowly).
• Messages or images (unrelated to your current task) come up unexpectedly.
• A program may start up unexpectedly.
• Your firewall informs that a certain application is trying to connect to the Internet (unrelated to what you are working on).
• Your friends say that they get emails from you but you did not send any to them.
• You receive many system error announcements. (Note: This may also come from another activity such as a hardware problem or genuine system error)
• Windows does not run when you start up your computer. (Note: This may also come from a hard disk problem)
• You realise that folders and files are removed or changed.
• You find that there's an access to your hard disk (one of the small light is blinking) even though there are no programs running.
• Your web browser has abnormal indications, for example it opens an unknown web page or you cannot close the browser tabs.
• Advertising pages pop up, desktop wallpaper changes.
• Exe files occur and have the same names as the folders.
• On the right corner of your computer, there is a small symbol written "Your computer is infected" or "Virus Alert" etc.
• When you open an USB thumb drive, unknown files such as Autorun.inf, New Folder.exe etc. appear.
• Cannot press Control + Alt + Delete (Task Manager) and you are warned that Administrator banned it.
• Folder Options disappears.
• Your computer keeps restarting when you try to shut it down.
• You cannot log in your Windows account with the right logon details.

What to do when infected:

• Make sure that your Antivirus software is the latest update. If necessary, download the update from another computer and update it manually.
• Disconnect from the Internet or Local Area Network (LAN).

• If Windows is not running, start it in Safe Mode (when turning on your computer, keep pressing F8 as soon as the computer starts running, then choose 'Safe Mode' from the Menu).
• Run a full Anti-Virus scan.

• If your computer is quite infected but you have important files or documents on it, do a full scan with your updated Antivirus software. If it finds viruses, delete all of them then open each ancillary disk (USB, Thumb drive etc.) and look for Autorun.inf files and remove them. Afterward, restart your computer.

• If you have any difficulties with finding a way to remove bad programs, refer to your Internet Security Software Supplier to look for an essential dedicated tool to remove them.

• If you find a bad program, follow the instructions of your Internet Security Software Supplier. Good Security software will provide with options such as disabling infected files, isolating possibly infected files, Worms and Trojans removal.

• If you do not have any important files on your computer disks, format the disk and then re-install your Windows and applications. This is quite an extreme and lengthy process and it's recommended to back up your computer settings prior to commencing. When finished, do not open on any ancillary disks (USB, Thumb drives etc.) yet, install the Antivirus software, do a full scan, find Autorun.inf files and remove them. Restart your computer after that.

• If the Anti-Virus software does not find anything, your computer is possibly not infected. Check your hardware and software that is installed on your computer meets the hardware specifications of the Operating System. Delete unnecessary or unwanted programs to save resources and ensure you have updated your Windows OS via Windows Update.

Lily Tran
http://www.computhai.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lily_Thi_Tran/1222539

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