Computer Security – It’s Bigger than Spyware and Viruses

Computer security, in basic terms means keeping your computer and the data that’s in it safe and secure.  More of our personal data is stored in or accessed from our computer, now more than ever before.  Yet most people lack even the basic understanding of how to keep their computers safe and secure.  By following just a few simple rules you can dramatically improve the overall security of your computer.

Computer security, in basic terms means keeping your computer and the data that’s in it safe and secure.  More of our personal data is stored in or accessed from our computer, now more than ever before.  Yet most people lack even the basic understanding of how to keep their computers safe and secure.  By following just a few simple rules you can dramatically improve the overall security of your computer.

The first thing to understand is what exactly it means to be connected to the internet.  Your computer connected to the internet is similar to your house in many ways.  There are many ways into your house.  Windows, doors, etc.  The more windows and doors you have, the more ways someone has into your house.  An open door doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to be robbed, but it does improve the chances.  Complicating matters, the ones that you think are locked, may not be because the lock is faulty or even the door itself may have an as of yet undiscovered flaw that would allow an intruder easy access to your home.

Your computer has many windows and doors, not all of which are locked. New flaws are being found everyday, often with the fix not coming until days after.  Just like you wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked, you shouldn’t leave your computer wide open either.  The first two things we will discuss to help with this task are installation of a quality firewall and regularly updating your installed software.

Updating your software is becoming easier these days, especially your Operating System.  We don’t have the time here to go into detail about the many ways to update the many software packages you may have or use, but generally speaking the software manufacturer will provide you a way to do this automatically via the internet.  A good example of this is the Microsoft Windows Update feature.  Be sure to get the updates for everything installed on your computer, nothing is too trivial.

There are two basic types of firewalls and both perform the same functions.  One is hardware the other is software.  A hardware firewall is probably included in your router if you are using one, while you may or may not have a software firewall installed.  To continue our house analogy, a firewall is like building a wall and gate around your home and giving the guard at the gate instructions on who to let in and out.  While this does give a great deal of protection, it is not all that is required.  Someone may know a way around or under your wall, or even be able to coerce the guard into letting them in. 

You yourself may unwittingly allow someone in.  This could happen by simply opening an email or even simply surfing the net.  Spyware, viruses, trojans and the like are ever more adept in their methods of fooling you and your guards.  Emails may come from a trusted friend containing a dangerous virus without them even knowing it.  This is where the next layer of protection comes in, anti-virus software.

Anti-virus software is a large category these days.  Often these packages come as “suites” including a firewall and Spyware scanner.  While most of these programs are very effective in their promised tasks, it is not wise to be lulled into a false sense of security by them.  They are simply one layer in what should be a multi tiered protection plan for you and your computer.  One last important note about anti virus software is to be sure that it updates on a regular basis.  New threats come out daily so check its updates manually to be sure they have happened.

Back to our house analogy, we now have all of our windows, doors and other entry ways locked and fully updated.  We have a wall around our house with a guard at the gate and we have software scanning everything that comes in past the gate.  Sounds pretty good, but there’s one last security hole we need to address, you.

A large percentage of infections are caused by the computer user themselves.  The internet is an ever changing place that requires it’s users to be educated about its use.  I’m not suggesting that you need to be a computer expert to simply read your email.  I am however suggesting that you take some time to educate yourself on some of the dangers that pop up everyday, and the precautions to take in order to avoid them.

In summary, your computer is a powerful machine connected to one of the greatest things ever invented, the internet.  This vast resource can be a dangerous place if you are not properly prepared and informed.  Regular software updates, a good firewall, anti virus software and a little education are the basics in computer security.  Having and understanding these basics will make your computer safer, more secure and more enjoyable.

Securing Your Computer System

Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps...

Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.

2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.

5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.

6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.

7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.

8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.

9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.

Some Computer Viruses In History

Computer viruses generally trick hosts or other types of computers into reproducing copies of the invading organism. They spread from computer to computer through electronic bulletin boards, telecommunication systems and shared floppy disks. Viruses are created by human programmers, for fun or malice, but once they begin to spread they take on a life of their own, creating disruption, dismay and paranoia in their wake.

If the virus is found in any of the PC's that PC shoul...


Computer viruses generally trick hosts or other types of computers into reproducing copies of the invading organism. They spread from computer to computer through electronic bulletin boards, telecommunication systems and shared floppy disks. Viruses are created by human programmers, for fun or malice, but once they begin to spread they take on a life of their own, creating disruption, dismay and paranoia in their wake.

If the virus is found in any of the PC's that PC should immediately be isolated. The virus can be removed by giving an antidote by studying the virus. The machine should be put into use only after the virus is eliminated.
Viruses and such

A Virus is defined as a program inserted into another program. It gets activated by its host program. It replicates itself and spreads to others through floppy transfer. A virus infects data or program every time the user runs the infected program and the virus takes advantages and replicates itself.

There are two types of computer viruses 'parasitic' and 'boot' virus.

A Parasitic virus attaches itself to other programs and is activated when the host program is executed. It tries to get attached to more programs so that chances of getting activated is more. It spreads to other computers when the affected programs are copied. 'Jerusalem' and 'Datacrime' are parasitic viruses.

A Boot virus is designed to enter the boot sector of a floppy disc. It works by replacing the first sector on the disc with part of itself. It hides the rest of itself elsewhere on the disc, with a copy of the first sector. The virus is loaded by the computers built-in start-up program when the machine is switched on. The virus loads, installs itself, hides the rest of itself and then loads the original program. On a hard disc, virus can occupy DOS boot sector or master boot sector.
Some Reported Viruses

C-Brain: Amjad and Basit, two pakistani brothers, developed this software in January 1986 to discourage people from buying illegal software at throwaway prices. This was the most famous virus ever found and has a record of damaging few millions of personal computers. This is designed to stay in the boot sector of the disc or near zero sector. The virus enters the machine memory once the PC is booted with the infected floppy.

Macmag: This virus attacked Apple Macintosh computers only. Not much damage is reported because of this virus. This was not noticed on any IBM compatible PCs. It displayed a message of peace on the monitor and killed itself.

Cascade: This virus attacked IBM PCs and compatibles. The letters on the screen could be seen dropping vertically down to the bottom of screen after the virus picked them off in alphabetical order. This is a sort of parasitic virus. It attaches itself to other programs and gets activated when the host program is executed. It gets copied to other PCs when the programs are copied.

Jerusalem: Found in 1987 at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, this virus was designed to activate only on Friday, January 13 and delete all the files executed on that day. This infects the COM and EXE files. This is similar to Cascade virus in that it is parasitic in nature. This virus attaches itself to COM and EXE files to damage the data.

Daracrime/Columbus or October the 13th virus: This virus is similar to Jerusalem and was programmed to attack on October 13, 1989. Track zero of computer hard disk is destroyed and the contents of discs are rendered unreadable. This virus enters COM and EXE files and damages the hard disk. An antidote called 'Vchecker' was developed by the American Computer Society. Fortunately the virus was located in March 1989 itself and the damage reported after October 13 was minimal.

Bomb: This is also know as 'Logic Bomb' and 'Time Bomb'. An event triggered routine in a program that causes a program to crash is defined as a 'bomb'. Generally, 'bomb' is a software inserted in a program by a person working in the company.

Several Common Ways That Viruses Spread

In addition to the common methods of spreading through email attachments, boot infections and program infectors, there are other ways by which viruses spread to your computer. These include:

Infection by Disk(Floppy, Zip, CD's, Tapes, etc.)

Floppy disks, though not as commonly used as in the past, are still a very common way viruses being spread from machine to machine. Anyone with an infected machine, using a floppy disk to copy and save files, can also copy and transf...


In addition to the common methods of spreading through email attachments, boot infections and program infectors, there are other ways by which viruses spread to your computer. These include:

Infection by Disk(Floppy, Zip, CD's, Tapes, etc.)

Floppy disks, though not as commonly used as in the past, are still a very common way viruses being spread from machine to machine. Anyone with an infected machine, using a floppy disk to copy and save files, can also copy and transfer the virus. Any use of that same removable disk, by any user, at any time in the future, will most likely contaminate, or re-contaminate the any computer it is used with. The only way to properly clean an infected floppy disk is to perform a low-level format. The normal Windows(tm) "format disk" is often not enough.

With CD's, all the above holds true with the exception that an infected CD can never be cleaned. To get rid of an infected CD, you need to put it in the trash and never use it again.

Infection from Networks

Peer-to-Peer network, Local Area Networks (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), Wireless Networks, and the Internet, are all computer networks. They all have the same basic purpose; to share software, and information resources between two or more computers. As with anything else that is shared between computers, networks let users share files, and wherever files are shared, viruses can be shared and spread.

Most network virus/worm/Trojan activity is like what we described earlier, although more and more examples of automatic mass mailing attacks, system resource attacks are being found.

Recently many attacks are designed to specifically target major corporate interests (Microsoft, eBay, Amazon, major Banks etc.) in an attempt to disrupt their online services. Very generally these are called DOS (denial of service) attacks. The way they most commonly work is by secretly infecting thousands of local user computers (like the one you are using right now), and then at a specific time, launching a combined attack from all the infected machines against the primary target.

As you can see, your computer can be hijacked without your knowledge and then used in a major attack against an unsuspecting company. However with up-to-date virus/firewall protection, your computer will be immune to such hijacking.

Other ways by which virus spreads

Other sources of viruses have been found to be the result of software downloads available over the Internet. Software patches, drivers, demonstration software, from reputable companies, generally carries little risk. However, the Internet is also filled with "unofficial" software, pirated programs, and low-budget software from questionable sources that may be intentionally or unintentionally infected with viruses. Files downloaded directly from the Internet (either through file-sharing programs or direct download from websites), are among the fastest growing sources of computer virus infections.

Email, with its nearly universal availability and ease of use; chat rooms and messenger systems, not only make communication simple and quick, also make the transmission and re-transmission of infection simple and alarmingly fast. Creators of newer viruses, and internet worms specifically target these systems because they are widely used, and are often built right into the operating system and used with default settings making them much easier to attack and exploit.

As a point of reference, Internet Explorer, and Outlook/Outlook express email clients are two of the applications most targeted by Internet viruses and worms. Why? Because they are installed on more computers around the world than any other software, and they are installed 99% of the time with default settings (which means virus programmers have an easy blueprint to follow).

If you use an email system or instant message system that is installed automatically with your computer's operating system you need to install and use current antivirus software. You also need to learn how to turn off certain default settings that can leave your system open to very easy attack.

An Honest review of NoAdware

Spyware, adware, diallers, and web bugs can easily be installed onto a PC without the owner even realising. These infections can slow down or crash the computer, change a browser's home and search pages
Spyware, adware, diallers, and web bugs can easily be installed onto a PC without the owner even realising. These infections can slow down or crash the computer, change a browser's home and search pages, track surfing habits or even open up the PC to hackers ready to take passwords  and personal details if not traced and removed. That's where programs like NoAdware become invaluable.

NoAdware protects the computer with:

•    PC immunization – to block rogue installations

•    browser and PC shields – to prevent blacklisted URLS finding their way into Favorites or hijacking the browser

•    scheduling scans to remove infections

PC immunization protects against a regularly updated database of recognized programs known to be spyware, adware, unauthorized toolbars or similar. Requests by these programs to install themselves on the computer will be blocked, eliminating many popup ads, preventing surfing habits being reported and stopping passwords being sent to unscrupulous con men. If one of these programs does get so far as attempting to install itself, NoAdware will stop it from doing so.


Browser and PC shields provide real time protection against hijackers. A highjacker is not to be confused with a hacker. A hijacker changes the home or search page URL to what it wants them to be, sometimes even locking itself in and preventing the preferred URL being put back. NoAdware will prevent these hijack changes, as long as the appropriate filter is switched on. There is also a Favorites menu alert which makes an announcement when a URL is added to the Favorites. This ensures every one added is a genuine URL added by the PC owner.


The schedule function of NoAdware lets scans run on the PC without the need to remember to perform them. Scans can be run manually at any time, but if it always gets forgotten, the scheduler can be set for a time the PC will be always switched on and it will run itself. Regular scans are important. Despite the real time protection offered by NoAdware, new types of net nasty are being released all the time, so it is always possible a new one could slip through before the latest database has been downloaded.


Whilst it is a well-known fact that many of these parasite programs come from file sharing applications, anyone who uses the Internet is at risk.
Fake websites and sites programmed to pop up advertisements are prime examples of where adware and web bugs can be found.  As soon as, or preferably before, a new PC goes online, it should be protected with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Since much of the software is available online free of charge, many people prefer to download rather than buy the software. If that is the case, the first sites visited on a new Internet connection should be to load up with anti-virus and anti-spyware.


NoAdware is one such product – free for download from the company website and highly effective against spyware. Available since 2002, No Adware comes well recommended. It runs on most versions of Windows: 95, 98, ME, NT 3.x, XP, 2000, 2003 and CE.

CyberScrub Privacy Suite Review

Did you realize every picture, video clip, chat room conversation and website address you visited is written to your hard drive. Simply opening an email can put you in a compromising situation. Your deleted files are easily recovered using simple software tools.

Did you realize every picture, video clip, chat room conversation and website address you visited is written to your hard drive. Simply opening an email can put you in a compromising situation. Your deleted files are easily recovered using simple software tools. Sensitive data, such as passwords, financials or health records are at risk. Don't allow discovery by a snoop, computer technician or unauthorized persons.


CyberScrub Privacy Suite removes all evidence of your online activity. It erases data beyond recovery, secures your files with strong encryption and enhances overall system performance. This award-winning program includes over 50 new features and enhancements.

Privacy Suite eliminates all web tracks including pictures, video, history, websites visited, cache and temporary files, Internet Messenger (IM), chat, email, and others. It automatically removes newsgroup pictures and binaries, eliminates traces from popular Peer2Peer applications. It even removes Real and Windows Media Player, Photoshop and other media. You can even create your own customized areas to clean. Remember, just deleting is not enough. - "Delete" does not mean, "Erase".

You probably already know deleted files can be retrieved using simple recovery tools. CyberScrub Privacy Suite employs erasure methods that exceed standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense. Federal agencies, the US Army and Navy, and the United Nations use privacy Suite. Privacy Suite also allows you to secure your files with powerful encryption to prevent discovery by unauthorized persons. A powerful new Scheduler runs functions at predetermined times or system events, (such as shutdown, start-up or even "when idle").

If you are a business user, you will appreciate the Permissions module that limits features to Users or Groups. Other new features allow the automatic removal of Thumbs.db and alternative data streams, as well as the ability to retain Restore Points when wiping free space. CyberScrub Privacy Suite also supports Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, and Opera. This Suite includes excellent documentation and support.


CyberScrub Privacy Suite's New Features are many. Here are some of the notable enhancements:  Over 50 new features and enhancements; Full scheduler, which allows for the flexible management of tasks; Run any feature at system (shutdown, start up, browser closing, etc.) or scheduled events. You can even wipe free space "when idle"; Ability to retain Restore Points, newsreader support; New User Interface; New Welcome Screen; Quick Launch Icon; Secure Files with Strong Encryption; Retention of Restore Points; Stealth mode; Privacy Guard Auto Reboot; Destruction of file attributes from previously "deleted" files; Automatic Updates; New Privacy Guard design; Panic key; Allocate system resources from within the program; Generate and submit Support Tickets directly from Privacy Suite; Upgrade protection retains your prior CyberScrub program settings; and Task Shortcut Keys.

Computer System Requirements to operate CyberScrub Privacy Suite:
•    Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP

•    At least 16 MB RAM

•    Pentium Processor

•    At minimum 14 MB of free disk space.

CyberScrub LLC, a global developer of security Applications Company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the developer of CyberScrub Privacy Suite. CyberScrub recently received a Dun & Bradstreet Open Ratings score of "94" out of a possible 100 for providing outstanding customer service. Overall, CyberScrub offers excellent protection via its numerous features and is an excellent value for Internet Privacy Protection.

MSRP $49.95

CyberScrub Privacy Suite

CyberScrub Privacy Suite is a tool intended to wipe out all traces of data from a PC hard drive and encrypt sensitive data. Used by federal agencies and the US military, CyberScrub Privacy Suite confirms to US Department of Defense 5220.22 standards for secure file erasure.
CyberScrub Privacy Suite is a tool intended to wipe out all traces of data from a PC hard drive and encrypt sensitive data. Used by federal agencies and the US military, CyberScrub Privacy Suite confirms to US Department of Defense 5220.22 standards for secure file erasure.


Even after deleting from the Recycle Bin, traces of files remain on the hard drive and are sometimes easily recovered. CyberScrub Privacy Suite prevents the recovery of these files, as well as protecting sensitive data which is to be kept.


The latest release of CyberScrub Privacy Suite, version 4.0, is packed full of features for keeping the most secure PC:

●    Evidence of online activity destroyed, including temporary files, emails and cookies

●    Evidence of P2P (file sharing) applications, including KaZaA, Morpheus, etc removed


●    Newsgroup and download activity deleted

●    Instant Messenger and chat logs destroyed

●    Secure data encryption

●    Create restore points before each action

●    Various wiper levels for maximum security

●    Panic button

●    Stealth mode

●    Inbuilt Support Ticket system

●    Scheduler: set for PC startup or shutdown, browser close or set time


●    Can be used with most Internet browsers, including Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera

●    Also works with Microsoft Office files

●    Microsoft Windows® 98/ME/NT/2000/XP compatible. Low system requirements


●    Supported file systems: Fat12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, also floppy, ZIP and Jaz media

●    Tested with Encase forensic recovery software

●    VIA padlock certified


CyberScrub Privacy Suite has a simple, clean user interface, now made easier to use with drag and drop integration with the Windows filesytem. Whilst installed to run on any user account on the PC, CyberScrub can be configured for a logged in user to only be capable of removing traces of their own activity. The administrator account has the power to set functions available to user individual accounts via the Permissions Module, and to destroy any file on the hard drive.


CyberScrub Privacy Suite is tested against Encase recovery software to ensure the best deletion performance. Encase are specialists in forensic computer data recovery. Using the most powerful of the wipe levels completely eliminates all traces of password files, temporary files, cookies, documents and download information so that even this sharp tool cannot dig up any trace of the files' existence. Restore Point creation is possible, meaning that if anything goes wrong, the PC can be sent back to it's previous state. For sensitive data that needs to be kept, and kept securely, CyberScrub Privacy Suite uses VIA Padlock Security, military-style encryption used by government agencies around the world.


CyberScrub Privacy Suite is currently only available for Windows based PCs, but can be run on most any hardware. Its overheads are small – only 16MB RAM and 14MB free hard disk space are all that it needs. The full version of the program is available, at the time of writing, for $49.95. The "CyberScrub Lifetime Insurance Policy" is also offered during the purchase process for a further $19.95, allowing unlimited downloads of all future upgrades for no extra charge.

Computer Virus And Internet Worms Explained

Is your computer sluggish? It won't open programs and you can't get into anything? Well, maybe you have a sick computer. Just as people get ill from viruses, so do computers. When this happens, you need to have a computer technician look at the computer to re-format and get rid of the virus. If you know something about computers, you might be able to do this yourself.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a parasitic program written to intentionally enter a computer without the u...

Is your computer sluggish? It won't open programs and you can't get into anything? Well, maybe you have a sick computer. Just as people get ill from viruses, so do computers. When this happens, you need to have a computer technician look at the computer to re-format and get rid of the virus. If you know something about computers, you might be able to do this yourself.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a parasitic program written to intentionally enter a computer without the user's  permission or knowledge. The word parasitic is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, which allows it to spread. Though some viruses do little more than copy themselves, others can cause serious damage or affect program and system performance. A virus should never be assumed harmless or left on a system.

Types of viruses

Viruses are classified by the ways they infect computer systems:

1) Program: Executable program files such as those ending with the extensions .Com, .Exe, .Ovl, .Drv, .Sys, .Bin
2) Boot: Boot Record, Master Boot, FAT and Partition Table.
3) Multipartite: Both program and boot infector.

What is Trojan Horse?

Besides being a large wooden horse used in the Trojan war 2500 years ago (and more  recently by Brad Pitt), a Trojan Horse or Trojan is a computer program that seems innocuous or harmless, but conceals another more nasty function. Generally a Trojan is contained in a part of program brought into your computer from an outside source - (e.g. floppy disk, CD, internet download, infected email). Trojans can be dangerous sometimes. For example a program may appear to be a computer game demo, but while you enjoy the game, it may be happily formatting your hard disk or emailing porn sites to everyone in your email address book.

Trojans are also used as a 'back door' or 'trap door' to sneak into a computer's operating system's information. An example is a program that pretends to be the system log-in program (such as you find in Windows NT/XP or Linux). When an unsuspecting user tries to log-in, the Trojan program captures the user-name & password. Then it may indicate a failed log-in attempt and exit to the real log-in program. The user may successfully log into the system next time, but by that time Trojan has also got enough details to log into the system.

Example Trojans

Notroj. This Trojan horse pretends to be a program that guards against Trojans. It's actually a time bomb that wipes out the hard disk after it's more than 70 percent full.

PWSteal.Refest A Trojan Horse that installs itself as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) for  Internet Explorer and steals online banking information when it is submitted in web forms.

PWSteal.Likmet.A A Trojan horse that displays a fake MSN Messenger logon window and steals the password provided.

Run.me. This is a graphics program, which plays the Star Spangled Banner and displays the American Flag while it worms its way into the hard disk and erases the data on it.

What is Worm?

A Worm is a self-propagating program that works its way through a system or network (like the Internet), often causing damage. It does not require a host program to activate it. Someone has to insert a worm directly into network of interconnected computers where messages can be sent from one to another and data files and programs exchanged. An example is a local area network where each computer has its own files, programs operating systems and hard discs such as would be found in a university or corporate setting.

Example Worms

Alarm Clock Worm. A worm that reaches out through the network to an outgoing terminal (one equipped with a modem), and places wake-up calls to a list of users.

Worm Watcher. A special program which automatically takes steps to limit the size of a worm, or shut it down, it grows beyond a certain limit. The worm watcher also maintains a running log recording changes in the