Here is another of my posts on computer security, prompted by the recent surge of hackers taking remote control of home computers. All the software mentioned here is free, but read the licence agreement to ensure the restrictions suit you and your computer at home
3 new programs to install and run on your computer if you are running Windows XP or Vista -- remember you should ALSO be running in addition to these a good anti virus and spyware application such as AVG and have Firewalling and automatic Microsoft updates turned ON, AVG provide a nice free anti virus and Spyware application for home @ http://free.grisoft.com
SECUNIA PSI
This application checks ALL the software on your PC, it then works out if there are updates available for ALL the software. This is important as hackers/id thieves use faults in outdated software to get unauthorised access to your PC. Remember 'Microsoft Update' just updates the Microsoft software, NOT everything.....Hence you need this great tool to be sure you are not leaving holes in your Computer that someone can exploit..
RUBOTTED
This program checks if your PC is being remotely controlled by a hacker, these remote control programs are known as 'bots' or 'zombies', hence "R U Botted". This one is very important if you use Windows XP at home on a broadband connection. Trend are an excellent company and give this software away for free.......An amazingly huge number of computers are BOTTED......see here from September 2008 -- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/02/zombie_surge/
Your anti virus program may not detect BOT's, this application spots BOT like activity and thus discovers if you under remote control.
HAUTE SECURE & TREND SECURE
These 2 programs check that the webpages you are visiting are SAFE, Haute Secure is run by ex Microsoft employees ....it works with Firefox & IE browsers. The Trend Micro program does a similar job but for XP - Personally I prefer Haute Secure as its browser neutral.
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