Internet Safety or Protect and Survive

How to surf the Internet and not have to worry about Virus attacks and Browser Hijacks

I have been asked by quite a few of my friends on how they should protect against unwanted intrusions on their computers while they are surfing the Internet. I have therefore put together this list of free software that should help you protect your computer against unwanted attack. I have sorted these in order of their importance.

I have noticed that the Google ads on the right direct you to click on them to download free popupstoppers and such. As you have to pay Google to place these ads I doubt that anything you get from them will actually be free, so while I would like these ads to be clicked on as I earn a small fee when you do, I would suggest that you are very carefull before you decide to download any of the products. The rest of the ads on site have been examined by myself and are just normal commercial sites.

This website 'Spyware Warrior' give reviews as the capability of most spyware and adware programs and to quote the site: "Some of the products listed on this page simply do not provide proven, reliable anti-spyware protection. Others may use unfair, deceptive, high pressure sales tactics and false positives to scare up sales from gullible, confused users. A very few of these products are either associated with known distributors of spyware/adware or have been known to install spyware/adware themselves."

The links below are for items that I have verified and use myself and are actually completely free of charge although you can purchase added functionality or donate money if you wish.

The best way of dealing with diallers, virii, key loggers
and other programs that hijack the IE browser is to:

Make sure you have a good firewall (this one is free) http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html

Download an Anti-virus program and use it and update it regularly (once a day?) this one is free http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Download Spy-Bot Search and Destroy, run it and follow suggestions (free) update and use it regularly http://www.safer-networking.org/"

Download Ad-aware SE, update and use it regularly (free) http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Download a pop-up killer (free) and use it. http://software.xfx.net/~bruce/

Download a modified hosts file and write protect it. (free) http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Download and apply any Windows security patches available for your edition.

Remember that these programs are only any good if you update and run them regularly !. I suggest once a week minimum. Owning and using a computer is your responsibility if you spend an evening downloading, installing and tuning the above programs and you will save yourself possibly hours and hours of frustration and possible costs of employing a professional to rescue you.

A final word on email - NEVER I repeat NEVER EVER open any unsolicited email attachment EVEN if you think its from someone you know DELETE it straight away. If someone wants to send you something get them to tell you first - then tell them to zip it so you can examine it with an anti-virus program first.

If using Outlook Express you can make a rule to delete emails with attachments straight away (tools -> message rules -> mail).

Of course you could always choose and use another Web browser, Mozilla Firefox is capable of importing all your Internet explorer settings and bookmarks and is free of charge. http://www.mozilla.org/

Internet Security is up to you

If you don't understand computers and / or your computers security on the Internet go on, or take an online course, there are plenty out there in the UK, government sponsored, and most of them are free! and it may lead you to a better job!

For free online courses (in the UK) search for free tutorials on google - or visit http://www.vision2learn.com or http://www.learndirect.co.uk for details.

All the above programs are suggestions only, there are others, both payware, freeware and shareware. The ones above have worked and indeed are working now, very well for me, - But I cannot be held responsible for any problems they may cause on your own system.

- Also there is a way to prevent you receiving junk mail, faxes, and unwanted telephone sales calls simply go to http://www.tpsonline.org.uk and register your telephone numbers, both home and mobile and they will be placed on a list of numbers that sales people are barred from calling. (it is also illegal to send unsolicited SMS text messages), Once on the list any Company calling you without your express permission is breaking the law. The same goes for http://www.mpsonline.org.uk to take your mail address off junk mail listings. To prevent junk faxes go here http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/fps