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Free
Computer Clean-Up
Fix your computer right now - free tips and advice on how to clean up your PC or notebook computer. Your
wireless internet connection is the weakest link when it comes to protecting
your PC. Setting up the right protection - both software and hardware -
will help keep malware out of your system. We also offer tips and advice
on how to surf the internet safely. |
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Home > PC
Clean Up > Quick Fixes >
Firewall
Internet Security Tips
Set up a Firewall and Router
If you connect to the internet via a high speed connection (i.e. DSL or
cable modem), you should protect your computer from intruders and hackers.
Your high speed internet connection makes your computer vulnerable via
certain ports that are open to even the most novice cyber snoop.
Installing a hardware router is the best, most secure option in computer
internet security. A second, less robust alternative, is installing a
software firewall.
A software firewall acts as a guard standing between your PC and the Internet
checking information that flows from the internet to
your PC.
Firewalls will block suspicious data or data from
nefarious websites that are attempting unauthorized
access to your PC. ZoneAlarm is a great free software firewall that you can install and
configure to protect your computer. Another
feature-rich free firewall is
Comodo. If you want a more feature-laden program,
we suggest buying Norton Personal Firewall . |
Ever since Windows XP SP2
was released, Microsoft bundles its free software firewall
with their operating system. In later versions of
Windows, the firewall is part of Windows Defender. In
a perfect world, the firewall would never allow anyone
suspicious in, but the truth is that a firewall is not
ineffable. However, it makes it a lot harder for hackers to
get in, and if you are just running a personal computer,
this should be enough security for you.
If you have a wireless internet connection in
your home, you should check out our section on how to secure your wireless network for detailed instructions and advice on data encryption and wireless router
security.
More info on Firewalls & Routers . Read PC
World article on Firewalls .
"A typical unprotected
PC will come under attack
within 20 minutes of being connected to the Internet."
Install a Pop-Up Blocker
Pop-up ads are those
annoying advertisements and messages that pop-up on the
screen of your internet browser whenever you're online. There are three major causes of pop-up
ads:
- Web sites that
will display additional advertisements each time you request to view a specific page
online.
- Messenger Service advertisements that
surreptitiously sneak in
through the Windows Alerter service with malicious intent (this
loop-hole was originally designed to allow
network administrators to contact their users within a corporate network
- but is an exploited flaw today).
- "Free" software
available online that you download and
install, not realizing that those "free" programs are
attempting to exploit your online security settings in order
to earn ancillary revenue by
displaying these irritating pop-up ads on you internet
browser screen.
Dealing with the first two types of
pop-up ads
is pretty easy. You can download and install a free pop-up blocker like the Google
Toolbar to block those ads. Download Windows XP SP2 and you get
Microsoft's free pop-up blocker (download ).
Microsoft Windows Vista and later (Windows 7) comes built in with a pop-up blocker and the
latest version of Internet Explorer comes installed with security
features such as anti-phishing options.
Installing the Google
toolbar
The Google toolbar is a
free plug-in for your internet browser (available for Google
Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer) that
makes it easy to search the Web. As an added security bonus, it can automatically
block most pop-up ads that come through your Web browser. To install the
Google toolbar:
- Use your Web browser (or this link)
to go to http://toolbar.google.com
- Click on Download Google Toolbar.
- When the File Download dialog box
opens, click on the Open button.
- Follow the instructions on your
screen.
Internet Browser Security
It is well known that Internet Explorer (IE) has had many security loop
holes over the years, allowing many harmful viruses and malware to invade
millions of computers worldwide. Usually, Microsoft will eventually
distribute a security patch to solve some of these issues. Internet Explorer (IE) version 7 includes new anti-phishing features that help protect you. There is
another option. Firefox is a freeware browser that includes many more
security features that IE does not. Additionally, the web browsing
experience is enhanced and personalized with many plug-ins and add-ons.
Downloading Tips
If you use Peer to Peer file sharing software such as KaZaA, you are
probably experiencing a ton of pop ups and other interruptions to your
computer - as stated in #1 above, you must eradicate your spyware.
However, continuing to use KaZaA will probably result in additional spyware
being installed - that is because KaZaA installed such harmful software in
the background. There is a great utility program that you can install
will fix such problems. KaZaA
Lite is a great plug-in -- it will overwrite your original KaZaA
software and prevent spyware and pop ups from occurring. This will
make your searches quicker and your computer run cleanly and efficiently.
Be very careful when installing or downloading software - only install it if
you need it and intend to use it. Viruses are becoming more and more
prevalent nowadays. Another, full-featured P2P download program is BearShare .
How fast is your internet connection? Test your internet
connection speed .
Browse the Internet Safely
Are you concerned about your online
privacy? Check out our new section on how to best Protect your Privacy Online - with tips and advice on browsing, protecting
and encrypting information on your computer.
Downloading files from the Internet can feel like
playing a game of chance. You never know when you're going to encounter a file
that damages your system. While the possibility of that happening is relatively
slim, getting to know some of the security features in Internet Explorer and keeping your PC protected will help you make
informed decisions and avoid putting your computer at risk. Norton
AntiVirus – Download the newest version of premier antivirus protection!
Install the latest version of Norton Internet Security and protect your PC -Click
Here . |
Any file you download from the Web—such
as, a program, a picture, a game, or a music file or movie,
may in fact be a file infected with a virus.
Check out our tips below on how to safely
browse the internet and use email:
- Do not open attachments
sent by people you don't know - in fact, avoid opening
emails sent by strangers or with suspect subject lines.
Email is one of the most effective ways for
viruses to infect you. If you do not know the sender, then
just don't open the email - instead, delete it.
- Avoid
opening an attachment that is a
.exe, .pif, .com, or .bat file unless you trust the sender
and it is necessary to open the file (i.e. family photos,
work-related documents, etc.). Viruses and malware typically are hidden as these
types of files!
- Avoid
the "bad neighborhoods" of the internet - such as
sites promoting illegal activity (i.e. hacking/warez/pirate websites);
these sites are havens for malware.
- Don't click
the links inside pop-up windows; excessive pop-up windows
may be a sign of a browser
hijack.
- Don't click on
links in suspicious, unsolicited, or spam emails. Be
wary of and avoid unreasonable claims such as free offers
for anti-spyware software - most of these "free" programs in
fact will infect you with spyware.
- Download free
software only from trusted and secure websites.
Stick with well-known, established sites that you know of.
Be cautious about downloading anything (especially "free"
software) from unknown websites - often free software comes
loaded with hidden malicious code or spyware.
Internet
Explorer Security Settings
Make sure the security settings on
Internet Explorer (the most popular internet browser) are
set high enough to give you the right amount of protection.
Attacks can come right through an internet browser when a user
unsuspectingly visits a Web page
that has malicious code hidden within the page intended to harm
your computer,
take control of your PC, or steal your private personal information. Check out an
excellent tutorial on how
to make internet explorer safer .
Nefarious persons are more commonly using attacks that
involve phishing where the phisher
hopes to bait and lure a victim in by asking them to log in
to a fraudulent website that looks exactly like a trusted
website. There are ways to spot a phishing site or email
that all internet users should be aware of. Phishing is a
method of obtaining information from internet users by which
scammers disguise themselves as websites thought to be
trusted. Sometimes the scammer will send an email claiming
to be from your bank or sites like Ebay and Paypal. The
scammer will link to a website that appears entirely
legitimate. The website will ask for the information you
typically supply to the trusted websites – user name and
password. Find
out more about how to prevent phishing attacks .
You can access the security settings on the Internet Explorer
browser by clicking on "Tools" on the menu bar, then select
Internet Options from the drop-down menu. Then, click on the Security
tab. Internet
Explorer divides websites into zones categorized as Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Site, or
Restricted Site zones. You can adjust the settings
specifically for each of
these security zones, or select the default security settings
by selecting a pre-configured level.
Check out our suggestions on how to protect your PC
privacy . For more advanced tips on how to maintain security
online, check out our detailed article: Protect
yourself Online .
>>Continue to our next step: Update your PC's
Operating System
Free Computer Clean Up :
1. Free PC Fixes
2. Eliminate Spyware
3. Anti-Virus Scan
4. Set-Up a Firewall
5. Update your Computer
6. Backup your Data
Protect your PC:
1. Protect your Privacy
2. Secure
your Wireless Network
3. Avoid Internet Phishing
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