security

Internet Security - How Safe are You?

Is Your Internet Security Software

Keeping Up With The Cyber Crime Pandemic?

· Have you heard U.S. businesses lost over $67 billion to cyber crime in 2006 according to the FBI?

· Did you know that 87% of businesses suffered from some sort of cyber crime last year according to the same report?

· Approximately 15 million U.S. citizens will lose their identity this year according to the FTC

I could add that cyber crime out grew the illegal drugs business in 2006 according to the U.S. Department of Treasury, too. Needless to say we are looking at a huge problem. Many are calling the Internet security issue a pandemic.

Over the last couple of years hackers have shifted their focus from large targets to small business and individuals.

I’ll tell you why…

Small business and individuals don’t have the large sums of money needed to pay for the kind of Internet security protection used by large corporations. This makes both easier targets.

What are these two groups using to protect themselves? Generally, you find small business and individuals using over-the-counter and freeware (shareware) to protect their computers.

Over the last year, antivirus companies have attempted to counter the spyware problem, however, the fact is their code and signature files were not built to effectively remove spyware. How does this impact how well your home or business is protected? The rule for viruses is to keep them out. When it comes to spyware much more sophisticated code and scanning mechanisms are required.

Several September 2005 product reviews state that many antivirus applications have obvious deficiencies in antispyware cleaning and blocking routines. This makes it difficult to recommend these software products to individuals and businesses protecting themselves against the spyware problem. At this time, antivirus companies haven’t arrived at a solid solution.

So what are these anitvirus companies doing? Some are including some type of antispyware functionality into their products. Some vendors are selling patching and spyware combined into one. Others have mixed their spyware solution with their antivirus Bundled together, these solutions aren’t cost effective and probably deliver a lower level antispyware.

Several independent tests have shown that stand-alone antispyware products have been proven to be the most effective.

Today’s over-the-counter anti-virus Internet security products protect against specific code or signature files. Each virus has it’s own code. When the anti-virus software identifies the code it kicks it out or alerts the owner of the computer. Many anti-virus companies try to keep up with this, however consider this:

Professional hackers have developed spy ware that, once it enters a computer and steals your email addresses and other information, changes its code or signature file. The spy ware continues to invade new computers stealing information and changing its signature file automatically from computer to computer virtually making traditional over-the-counter anti-virus Internet security protection useless.

To be safe, small business and individuals need to find a proven Internet security solution that can fight against this type of cyber crime. This solution not only needs to aggressively keep up with the changing cyber crime landscape, but also anticipate what might be coming in the future. This is what the major corporations are using and it’s what you should have on your computer(s), too.

You may find it surprising that many vendors have downgraded or “delisted” known spyware and adware. This can jeopardize the security of your personal or business information.

Unfortunately, most Internet security software available to small business and individuals don’t have the ability to keep up with the growing cyber crime pandemic creating Internet insecurity.

.About the Author:

Warren Franklin is engaged in the cause of educating and protecting people who use the Internet about the threats they face and the inadequacy of the solutions they trust, and over a three-year period has become an expert on PC Security and a passionate advocate of Internet safety. Find out more his campaign for personal and Internet security go to his web site at http://www.completeinternetprotection.com or email warrenfranklin@completeinternetprotection.com

A Conundrum Called Adware!

We, as dedicated computer and software users, have traversed a long way from those bad days, when our computers used to get attacked by vicious sounding

viruses, Trojans, spyware and malwares. We are still are under constant threat from attack by invisible viruses or spyware. As the word “spyware” became a household name, and when it started creating havoc on thousands of computer systems the world over, security experts and anti-virus software professionals started taking notice of the menace posed by these spyware modules.

Strangely, all these spywares were designed and propagated by the so called software majors! However, with the passage of time, the word “spyware” became a dirty word among computer users, which needed to be avoided at any cost! As a result, everyone started to think that spyware is a piece of software that closely monitors your activities on computers and reports them back to its maker. In fact, all software users were neatly outflanked by these smart operators, who surreptitiously planted their evil creations in the computer systems. It was a peculiar situation, when people simply abhorred the word “spyware”, and they got irritated when it was suggested to them that their computer systems were being spied upon by these spyware modules. As a result, it was so convenient to label these software items, as something that is very dirty. And, it was a good way to make sure that everyone listened to this fact!

But, the situation is entirely different today; if you notice, there are a lot of public relation exercises that keep coming at you, non-stop for twenty-four hours a day. Many software majors claim that they are not making spyware anymore, but they make highly innovative “adware”! Paradoxically, these firms also claim that adware is actually very good for your computer system! As all computer users were just sighing relief, thinking that they had decisively won the moral war against “spyware”, they were in for a real surprise! Many software majors wanted to push computer users all over the world, with a clever strategy that was devised with a novel idea in mind (maybe ulterior?).

Though, these software majors stopped creating spyware altogether, they found another smart way to outflank computer users! It was very ingenious as well! And it had to be! It is so true that someone could plant legal software right into your computer, with your own consent, to monitor your online activities and browsing habits! And the amazing thing with these software modules was that there was absolutely no need to send those vital bits of information back to the software company! The program that was installed on your computer system did everything by itself!

These smart software items were designed to perform the same thing that was performed by spyware. However, there was no need for any spying with these software modules. The creators of these software programs were intelligent enough to call them “adware” and their monster creation was promoted by floating a huge publicity campaign. All of this was done to separate out adware from spyware!

A typical promotional ad ran like:

“Spyware is really bad and it deserves all those scoldings and whip lashes from people. Here is the change - what is being given to you is an adware, which we’re providing to you free of charge, provided you allow us to display some simple ads! But, there are some people who still hate all forms of advertising! Our adware is totally safe and secure for your computer system.”

It was all so brilliant and smart! We were really outflanked again by them! The big debate was not about how pervert it is to spy on us

without our knowledge, but whether or not advertising was a bad thing! In fact, the truth was that the software was achieving the same thing as before and nothing was really changed! In all, the big debate was centered on ads and not on spying!

Now, the big question is this: Is adware really that bad?

Here is a typical scenario:

It is all about your perception and how you create your own opinions.

When you call a spyware a real parasite, you’re automatically adding two different meanings!

Scenario A: It was definitely true that spyware is a monstrous creation that is designed to do only the bad things.

Scenario B: Spyware also meant that it was very evil in its nature, which made you and me take notice of its existence.

Over a period of years, an effort was made by us to make spyware, as something that is very dirty and bad. But, an equal effort was put to make adware a passable word, so as to make us believe that adware is totally different from spyware.

Do you really believe this argument? Most probably NO! It is time to act tough and stop pretending that adware is different from spyware! What exactly is the real difference between spyware and adware? The real truth is that there is not an iota of difference between them!

Here is the summary of the activities of each of these software programs:

Spyware = Monitoring your online activities and reporting them back to the creator.

Adware = It is stealthy, secretive, suspicious and as effective as damaging spyware. Same unannounced entry! Same pop-up ads!

If adware is so good and better (as claimed by its creators), why are computer users like you and me still complaining about it? Is it due to adware’s ability to know which online shops you visit and the type of goods you buy on them? Most probably, it is just a tip of a bigger picture.

You may notice that you’re disgusted to see that your computer takes ages to load up or you may get angry to see that, brand new toolbars appear over your browser. It is also painful to see those innumerable pop-ads loading on your desktop with an amazing regularity. You may also notice that your web browsers change their settings to something that is totally unexpected. In total, you have already lost control of your own computer and you’re helpless as well! Maybe you never observe this fact- it is all the same thing, from those spyware to today’s adwares! But, when it happens to you and your computer, you just want to shout and yell, STOP!

Did you ever know that adware is installed by those web sites that exploit many security flaws that exist in your computer system? Do you feel that companies that install such a program are perfectly legitimate? Definitely NO! These adwares are so intelligent in their software structure; adware is supported by a root kit that perfectly hides adware files. This is done intentionally to prevent you from detecting them. If your adware is perfect and legal, why are the so called creators trying to hide them from your gaze?

Adware is designed with such brilliance that it comes packaged with several memory files that keep appearing even when you delete them. All deleted entries keep bouncing back, even when they have been removed altogether. It means that adware is extremely difficult to remove from your computer. If this is true, adware is beginning to look like a very suspicious piece of software! How do you call adware a legitimate program, when you see your computer becoming a factory for producing tens of unintended pop-up windows on your desktop?

It is the right time to think critically and arrive at a valid conclusion to decide whether adware is legitimate or not. Let us stop

pretending to think that adware is a lesser evil than a spyware. It is also the right time not to pretend that adware is better than spyware. It is also a ripe time to stop pretending that there is a lot of difference between these two programs. Just make a visit to one of those spyware and adware forums, and you’ll understand why there are so many messages that are posted on the message boards that specifically ask for help to remove those annoying adwares. Most of the requests that are posted on these forums invariably center on an adware.

If you ask any experienced expert about an adware program, he or she will express a similar opinion that it is bad and painful. If you also ask them, if it is really possible to distinguish between spyware and adware, the answer will be a definite NO! In all possibilities and in essence, both are the same and identical.

.About the Author:

By Srikanth G.K Hegde for http://www.removeadware.com.au/

- Here you’ll learn about online privacy and how to remove adware

Internet Privacy

Internet privacy consists of privacy over the media of the Internet: the ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet,

and to control who can access that information. Many people use the term to mean universal Internet privacy: every user of the Internet possessing Internet privacy.

Internet privacy is the part of computer privacy. So many experts of Internet privacy have the same opinion that Internet privacy does not really exist. Privacy advocates believe: it should exist.

Those people who use internet casually don’t need achieve total anonymity. Regular Internet users have to take care of privacy. You never know who can misuse your personal information. So many people desire much stronger privacy. In that case, they may use Internet anonymity to ensure privacy.

You can read more: www.infosecuritylab.com

.About the Author:

Internet Security - More on This Hot Topic

The Internet is a wonderful tool that provides us with entertainment and information. It is important that while you are on the Internet you use the

latest developments in Internet security to protect your computer and personal information. There are several different types of programs that ensure Internet security while you are accessing information on the Internet. A router is a device that prevents a connection from being made to an inbound computer while permitting Internet connections out. If you get a router for your home or for your small business it will improve the security of your home network.

A firewall is a software program that ensures Internet security. The responsibility of a firewall is to block all areas of traffic that are not through authorized ports on your computer. This means that the firewall restricts access to certain webpages or emails or programs that may be a potential virus risk to your personal computer. There are different types of firewalls that can be used in a home or business. There is a stateful firewall, software firewall and a proxy firewall.

An anti-virus program is designed to protect your computer system from programs like computer viruses, spyware, Trojan horses and worms. Each of the programs that were just mentioned infiltrate your computer system by being unwanted software that installs itself onto your personal computer or office computer through a form a deception. Some of these programs can actually ruin your computer so it is important to make sure that you use the latest developments in Internet security to protect yourself.

An anti spy ware software program was created in order to protect your home or office computer from spyware or adware. Adware is a program that runs without the owner’s consent. It will slow down your computer and cause software conflicts. Spyware is a software program that gathers personal information through your computer without your permission. Use Internet security and protect yourself while on line.

.About the Author:

Written by Joe Amerson. Find the latest information on

private browsing as well as

anonymous surfing

Internet Security in China

Nowadays almost everybody has a computer and internet connections that we want to know is safe. There are different kinds of possibilities to make our

computer safe from the viruses and from the malicious programs.

In China virtual cops take care of the Chinese internet users. The Beijing Police Force wants to have the attention of the internet users, with the help of virtual patrol, that they should avoid visiting the illegal and pornographic websites.

While surfing on the sites a cyber cop will appear in pop up window like an advertisement at the bottom of the screen every half an hour.

Next to the policeman’s figure a text message pays the users attention to respect the law. The figures also gives tips how to use the internet in a safer way while they running across the screen by a car or a motor.

The user can click on the patrol if he wants the police’s help and it navigates him onto the Police Force website.

www.infosecuritylab.com

.About the Author:

Best Internet Security

Installing the best Internet security software on one’s PC is an unwritten rule that many of us follow. We’ve heard countless

horror stories of computer viruses and stolen identity; some making us swear we’ll never use the Internet again. But, let’s face it, the Web is essential to all of our lives and despite the risks, the benefits sure outweigh those detrimental aspects.

In order to fully protect your PC and find an Internet security software program you can stand hosting on your OS, it’s important to consider the following:

• Features-While most Internet security providers claim to ‘have it all,’ make sure you choose a software program with anti-virus and spyware protection, rootkit and spam protection, a firewall, and parental control functions, such as Security Shield 2008.

• Pricing-Everyone wants to save money and when choosing an Internet security software program, it’s vital to choose a great product with an affordable price tag. Security Shield 2008, for example, will run you $39.99 after mailing in their rebate.

• Ease of Use-Opt for a software program that is easy to install and doesn’t drain your system resources. CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, for example, provides an In-Product Tutorial if you run into any problems along your virus-scanning way.

• Customer Support-Make sure the Internet Security provider you go with has comprehensive customer support. Security Shield 2008 is covered by free technical support via email, phone and live chat. Many companies charge per-incident or by allotted time, so it’s wise to compare costs.

Most Internet security software programs run automatic updates and have real-time scanning capabilities, which are a must. Technology and Web-based threats aren’t static and in order to completely protect your PC, it’s crucial to choose a product that is both versatile and continuously updates itself.

.About the Author:

Kelly Liyakasa is staff writer for 6StarReviews.com. Kelly Staller is site manager at 6StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then Visit our site at 6StarReviews.com. Also, if you have the time, check out the 6StarReviews Blog for product updates, new site reviews and to give us suggestions or feedback! Visit 6StarReviews.com Blog!