Virus has been a great threat to internet users. Protecting yourself from this destructive program is a basic necessity for internet users even if you are just checking your e-mail.

You cannot avoid viruses because sooner or later you will have one. What’s important is that have the knowledge about viruses and how to use Anti Virus protection.

You can take precautionary measures to protect your computer. Also, you will know what to do if your computer got infected with a virus. Allow me to give you some advice about having Anti Virus Protection.

Educate yourself about Viruses.

Having basic knowledge about viruses would help you in easily solving the problems brought about by a virus. This way you know the ways you can get a virus, signs of having a virus, different types of viruses, what it does to your computer and how it can damage your files.

Be careful when online.

They say that prevention is better than cure. Although, the chances of getting a virus is very high, it is still suggested that you are careful when surfing websites, downloading files from email or web and installing programs.

Some programs may look very attractive but they can be dangerous to your computer. Taking precautionary measures will result into minimal chances of your computer being infected with a Virus.

Make a smart decision.

There are Anti Virus softwares which you can download for free such as AVG, Panda etc. But there are also some which you need to buy before you can use them. Compare their advantages and disadvantages.

You may be getting a free anti virus protection but it does not satisfy your needs. Or you may decide purchasing one but you are on a tight budget.

Think of what you need from an anti virus protection, get information on the prospect software, make a comparison and then decide which one to download or purchase.

Know your Anti Virus Protection.

Once you have installed an Anti Virus program, ensure that you know the basic information regarding the software. Read the manual or user guide as a starter.

Then use the internet to look for other helpful information about the anti virus protection.

Furthermore, you can seek assistance from the Customer Service of the software provider if available.

Regularly Perform Virus Scan.

Depending on your anti virus settings, you can do a quick scan everyday just to ensure that your computer is clean from any viruses. A full scan is not recommended as an everyday online habit specifically if you do a lot of things when online.

A full scan is very slow because it will check all the files on your computer. While a quick scan will just check the important sectors on your computer.

Always update your Anti Virus Protection.

Everyday, a new virus is being introduced. Thus, it is important that your anti virus software is updated so that it can detect and repair the newest virus.

Some anti virus programs have automatic update functionality. This means that every time you have internet connection, your anti virus program will be updated. But if yours does not have that setting, then you may need to run an update regularly.

There is no need to worry too much about viruses because there are just some things you need to know and do to ensure that your computer is safe and secure. Have enough knowledge about viruses and anti virus protection to have a safer online experience.

Dave Poon
http://www.articlesbase.com/spam-articles/anti-virus-protection-advice-to-internet-users-50286.html

Spam is here to stay. And whether you like it or not, you have to face spam squarely and do your share in mitigating its negative effects. Although spam can be a source of information, spam is taken negatively because it is unsolicited. Who would ever want to receive bulk of emails containing product advertisements and easy get rich-schemes information? Spam can slow down your server’s bandwidth and can be a form of spy ware designed to steal confidential information from your computer.

One way to deal with spam or unsolicited emails is thru email filters or email filtering spam. Basically email filtering is a process which acts as a shield to inbound and even existing emails. Your emails should be screened out not only to unclog your email box and your mail server from spam but also to address possible threats of viruses and even spyware that may encroach into your computer and later hamper your productivity.

Email filtering spam can be classified into integrated, stand alone and online. All of these email filtering spam categories share one common objective geared towards ridding out spam and even viruses. They only differ on how email filtering process is employed and undertaken.

Email filtering spam under the integrated category is the most common among the three categories. Such email filtering spam integrates email filter as a feature of your existing email software. With this feature, you can mark emails as spam or not spam or you can bounce the email back to sender. Most integrated email filtering spam tools automatically segregate and place suspected spam into a folder for deletion or retention. Examples of integrated email filters are Spambully and Spam Inspector.

The stand alone email filtering spam is not a common email filter. However, it is as useful as the rest of commonly used email filtering spam. This is in the form of a separate application installed on your PC. One major advantage of using this email filtering spam is that it checks emails on the mail server before they are downloaded. The only drawback is that it requires technical configuration which may not be an easy task for a non technical user. One popular example of standalone email filter is MailwasherPro.

The third email filtering spam category is called online. Online spam filters are two types. One type is for commercial use while the second type is for home use. For the business type, this online email filtering spam directly deletes spam from the mail server without even reaching the recipients. On the other hand for the home use type, emails sent require authentication from the sender. Authentication failure means non acceptance of inbound email to user’s inbox. Typical examples of business type and home use type are iHate and Spam Arrest respectively.

The email filtering spam tools presented above are available options in addressing spam. Still the effectiveness of any of the email spam filters above lies on how you optimally use these tools. Joining e-groups and forums on email filtering spam could provide you invaluable information and help you deal with spam better.

Kistina Robin
http://www.articlesbase.com/spam-articles/email-filtering-spam-tools-68816.html

The Federal Trade Commission has reported identity theft as the top consumer complaint, affecting millions of Americans each year. Seniors are appealing targets because they generally have higher credit lines, home equity, and more savings than young people. Identity theft affecting seniors rose 200% between 2000 and 2001.

There are many simple ways to protect your identity. Never release personal information over the internet, unless you are absolutely sure that you are on the correct website. Never respond to an e-mail that asks you to “verify” bank account or pin information. These e-mails are almost always fraudulent. Most banks and credit cards have a 24-hour toll-free number for customer service and identity theft victims. If you suspect identity theft, immediately contact your bank and credit card companies.

If possible, always leave social security cards and Medicare cards at home. If you are going to a new doctor, take them with you, and then return the cards to a safe place when you come home.

Refuse to provide your social security number if a business requests it without a legitimate reason. Health care providers, the social security administration, and the IRS are agencies that have a legitimate reason for requesting your social security number. Small businesses, such as your veterinarian, handyman, or grocery store clerk should not ask for your social security number.

5 Easy Tips to Help Protect Your Identity

1. Print checks with as little information as possible. Use only your first initial, last name, and address. If you have a business address, use it instead of your home address. That way, if your checks are ever stolen, your home address is protected. This is especially important for female seniors who may live alone. Never print your phone number or social security number on your checks.

2. Get a copy of your credit report every year. It’s free, and if you find errors on your report, you are entitled to free reports until the errors are corrected. If you have been denied credit or you suspect fraud on your account, you are automatically entitled to a free credit report. To get a free copy of your report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also request your credit report by phone. Call 1-877-322-8228 to request your credit report by phone. Your report will be mailed to your address on file.

You can contact all three credit reporting agencies directly. The contact numbers for the three credit reporting agencies are:

Equifax (800) 525-6285

Experian (888) 397-3742

Trans Union (800) 680-7289)

3. Protect your mail. Do not leave mail in your box overnight. Get a locking mailbox from your local hardware store. They are relatively expensive, and well worth the investment. Deposit outgoing mail in US post offices, or US mailboxes. Do not leave mail out for your postman to pick up, especially if your mail contains personal checks!

4. Shred all important documents. Use a paper shredder to destroy all important financial documents. Identity thieves often “troll” trash bins for personal information. This technique is called “dumpster diving,” and is one of the most common methods that thieves use to steal financial information.

5. Never give personal information over the phone unless you initiated the phone call. A common scam is for a thief to call you, and claim to be calling from your doctor’s office. They ask to “confirm” your insurance information, and social security number, which most people supply without thinking. Don’t become a victim of this scam! Call your doctor’s office directly, and ask them if they require the information. If the call was fraudulent, contact your insurer, and the police.

If you are still a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. Go to your local police station, and file a police report. And remember–your bank and credit cards cannot make you legally responsible for crimes committed in your name by an identity thief. Contact the credit reporting agencies, and place a fraud alert on your account. If creditors begin calling, tell them that you are the victim of identity theft, and that you request to be contacted in writing. That way, you can respond with a copy of the police report and a letter. DO NOT PAY CREDITORS FOR FRAUDULENT CHARGES! Many collection agencies intimidate and bully identity theft victims. This is sad, but true. After consulting multiple identity theft victims, I was shocked by how many were also victims of creditor abuse. If you become a victim of creditor harassment, report the credit card company or creditor to the Federal Trade Commission.

The address to report creditor abuse is:

Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

55 East Monroe Street, #1437

Chicago, IL 60603

312-353-4423

There are a number of online resources and excellent books to help guide identity theft victims. Do everything you can to protect yourself, and don’t give out personal information unless you are sure the requester has a right to it. When it comes to identity theft, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Christie Pinheiro
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/protect-yourself-from-identity-theft-136752.html

To remove computer spyware or spybots you need to understand what these programs affect. First of all, spyware not only sends logs of you keyboard activity with log files over to a designated address over the internet, but it can also install unwanted software and eventually bringing the computer into an advanced state of degradation. To prevent this from happening you need, detection software and removal tools.

The best way to get them is by downloading them from free spybot downloading software sites and copy them, then perform routine checks on your system to make sure that nothing that goes in has the chance to damage anything. Spybot Search and Destroy offers a perfect example of this kind of software, thus keeping its reputation. Although this is a passive removal tool, as in you need to perform checks yourself, it is more than capable to detect and remove unwanted Malicious Software. Don’t think twice when installing and using this software.

Quick Note: Taking the Nonsense out of looking for the right spyware remover

If you really want to take the work out of looking for that right Spyware Protection from a Spybot go to the Internet and get a Free Spybot Download or a Free Spybot Search and Destroy

Download, In order to prevent your vital information from being ripped from your computer get your Spybot Remover Today.

Spybots will continue to infect us even with all the latest software updates because there will always be someone that gets a kick out of making you feel corrupted. Still, you don’t need to despair. Do a good job in running scheduled sweeps of the system and if by any chance you get infected by some spyware or spybot software, relax because in a short while an update will arrive and rid you of the problem.

Jesse Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/remove-computer-spyware-277907.html

Speed of any computer has always been an issue with regular PC users and same with the new launched Windows Vista operating systems. Do you know that most of the time Windows vista when not scanned through registry cleaner promptly and used through out are prone to run slow. This is mainly because performance of the hard disk is affected when there is more software opened at one time. And in turn it affects the speed of the computer. However it’s not even possible to avoid such situation so what possibly could be a solution then - A Windows Vista Registry Cleaner!!!

As technology is getting better and better there are more things one can do with a Windows Vista PC, listen to music, chat, upload pictures and endless other things. Obviously, it needs more resources to carry out such tasks at same time and as the more resources are used, the speed of the computer is reduced. However, another major known reason why PC runs slow is due to Spyware. Spyware is a hidden process program that gulps down all your resources and it often can destroy your privacy.

All the Spyware programs are installed in the registry, as most people are not much aware of the registry usage and in many case don’t even know there is something like that. At this point, a compatible Windows Vista registry cleaner can help you!

How Can A Windows Vista Registry Cleaner Help You?

As we all know that the spyware can be very risky as it can collect a lot of confidential details and other surfing information of the owner and pass on to the person who had installed it in the owner’s computer and also cause a windows vista computer to run slow. From the genuine windows vista’s registry cleaner, the best vista registry cleaning tool would make sure that your registry of windows vista is free from all such hidden spies.

The Registry Cleaner for windows vista operating system is generally equipped with more than 15 variants of cleaning tools to search & fix the registry problems associated with Windows vista 64-bit. Search & repair stuck or damaged key, invalid key, obsolete key and other key. A Registry cleaner compatible or specially designed for Windows vista can help to repair the registry files, which is unable to reload.

To find out any reliable or genuine registry cleaner for windows vista, search for the websites that is offering dedicated windows vista registry cleaner. If you browse Internet you will easily find out many websites providing such windows vista registry cleaning programs for free of charge. Remember, to choose the one, which is capable of cleaning all Spyware programs and prevents any future invasion. As Spyware is the most common phenomenon now days that can even hang or shut down any PC apparently

Arvind
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/is-your-vista-pc-running-slow-registry-cleaner-may-help-119219.html

Ok so you’re new to online casino’s- you may be new to gambling or you may be a regular fixture on the real life casino floor but not quite up to speed on the internet itself- this article aims to clarify the technology behind the online casino and help you make the right choice for where you want to play.

The choice is yours

You’ve probably noticed by now online casinos are not exactly a) uncommon or b) hard to find these days. Google is currently listing some 71 million + pages of them and growing everyday but essentially most of the main casinos are offering the same service and its up to the casino player to decide what’s right for them and a good place to start is by looking at the software which online casino is offering. Casino software generally comes in 2 forms- ‘downloadable’ and ‘no download’ or ‘instant play’…

Downloadable online casino software

Downloadable software is for lack of a better explanation software which you download from the casino website onto your computer before you can play the games. Typically you would download the software as an executable file (these types of file have the filename suffix .exe so something like onlinecasino.exe). The file will go to a location on your computer- either a download folder or onto your desktop.

Once the casino software has been downloaded you will need to install it in the same way you would a new computer program i.e. Microsoft word or a computer game. This will unpack all of the files needed to play the casino games onto your computer so next time you want to play you will not need to go through this process- opening the casino will then be like opening any other program on your PC so you will see the software listed in the Windows start menu. The installation process will usually offer you the option of adding a shortcut to your desktop like the one you have for your recycle bin and probably a few other applications.

Unlike most software you run on your computer in order to play at an online casino the software needs to be connected to the internet at all times while you are playing. This is because the casino software on your computer is transferring information with the casino website- although all the games themselves are held on your machine your account information is held with the website so when you win or lose a game the website knows instantly and updates your account accordingly. Think of it like this- with downloadable casino software the table and the dealer is in your living room but the casino vault is still inside the casino building.

Possible problems with downloadable casino games

Having software connected to the internet from your computer is not in itself a security risk- in fact most modern software tries to make an internet connection upon loading up- for example Microsoft Word connects to the internet upon loading to check for security updates. However any software you download is likely to be treated suspiciously by virus checking or anti-spy ware software you have running i.e. AVG or Norton. This is because of the risk of malware (Malicious Software) which can infiltrate users computers, usually for the purpose of serving unwanted advertising or disrupting the users computer similar to a computer virus. Downloading from a reputable online casino should ensure there is no risk of this as it’s not in the casino’s interest to irritate or damage the users’ computer. You will most probably need to grant permission for the software to access the internet before a connection will be established- pop-up boxes will advise you of what you need to do.

If you are on a shared network or do not have administrative rights to your computer i.e. you’re on a work computer, you may have problems installing downloadable casino software. You can always try but if you don’t have permission you’ll get an error to tell you so.

Web-based, no download or instant play online casino games

Web-based casino games do not require the user to download or install any software before playing (hence they are often referred to as ‘instant play’). Instead they generally use pieces of software which are already installed within your web browser (i.e. internet explorer) known as ‘plugins’. Plugins used by online casino games include flash player, shockwave player and java- these are all freely available and you will most likely already have them installed on your web browser in which case you will be able to play the online casino games straight away- if not you will be prompted to download them from the relevant websites- you may then need to restart your browser before using the plugin and the casino.

Security issues with web-based games

As nothing is installed on your computer the risk of viruses or adware being installed is far lower than with downloadable games. There is a minimal risk of web based applications being ‘hacked’ by malicious users with the intent of extracting personal information or disrupting gameplay in the case of multiplayer scenario’s i.e. an online poker room. As with downloadable casino software the risk is extremely low and security on both types of casino games are getting ever more sophisticated.

The golden rules remain- go with a respectable online casino, make sure they are contactable before committing any money to your account and make sure you’re in control of your account balances. Remember millions of people play online casino games everyday; it is only the tiniest of percentages that experience any problems. Online casinos are still far more secure than any other online purchases.

Which types of online casino games are best for me?

Instant play casino games are great for trying out an online casino you have just found because they will usually let you try out the games by giving a limited amount of information so you can get onto the tables quickly and try out the software. Typically downloadable casino games will have richer, smoother graphics and sound which can make for a more immersive gameplay experience although graphics on modern instant play games are also improving. The main factor is the download time- downloading online casino software can take around 20 minutes on a slow internet connection so you may need to be patient- but if you’re not in a rush and want the improved graphics and don’t want to have to navigate to the casino website in your browser each time you play then downloadable software may be better for you.

In summary…

Downloadable casino software is good for;

- Graphics and sound
- Smooth gameplay with short load times once downloaded
- Players who are loyal to a casino
- May be better for users on a slow internet connection as once downloaded all games are stored on your computer

Things to consider though;

- Have to wait for download to complete
- May have problems installing on shared/ networked computers and can be blocked by anti virus software.
- Download software is usually only designed for computers running Microsoft Windows.

Web-based online casino games however;

- Let you play straight away with no downloads
- Increasingly good graphics
- Good for first time, practice play and trying out a new online casino.
- Work on any computer with a modern web browser and internet connection

The drawback;

- Can cause a big load on your internet connection so might run slowly if you’ve got other stuff going on.
- You will need to navigate to the website each time you want to play

John McElborough
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/online-casino-software-download-no-download-the-lowdown-123019.html

Did you know that you can get a free credit report? Your credit report is the document that records all your credit transactions. It is what finance companies, banks and credit card companies use to judge whether you are a good risk. If you’ve had difficulty getting a loan or a credit card it may be because you have a bad credit report.

What is the point of knowing your credit report you may ask. If you can’t get credit what can you do about it?

Well there’s plenty you can do. Getting your free credit report can really help you turn the situation around. It is a way of taking control of your financial affairs. This is the starting point to improving your record score so that you can get loans.

When you get your credit report you can make sure that no one has stolen your identity and is running up bad debts in your name. This was one of the main reasons the legislation was brought in. The problem of identity theft is a serious one. The Fair And Accurate Credit TRansactions Act was passed in December 2003 specifically to prevent identity theft.

The FACT Act as it is known allows US citizens to see their credit report once a year. They can check it for accuracy and have mistakes changed.

There are three credit reporting companies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can get a free report from any one of them. They are all similar but areproduced by slightly different methods.

You can go to the website of one these companies and apply for a free credit report. They can be found at www.experian.com, www.equifax.com, or www.transunion.com. Alternatively, you can visit www.annualcreditreport.com or www.freecreditreport.com. Follow the instructions to get your credit report.

They will check your identity by asking a few personal questions just as your bank would. But the process is not difficult. If you find no problems then there is probably no need to get the other reports. If you find problems then it is worth paying to see the others and correcting the mistakes.

Information that was once kept secret from consumers is now freely available. This is a resource and you should make use of it. It will help you to keep a good credit score and keep your finances in order. Since this legislation came into force checking your credit report has become one of the basic tasks of personal financial management.

You may not have had your identity stolen. The bad credit score may be all your own work. But once you know what the damage is you can set about putting it right. The worst thing you can do when the debts start piling up is to hide your head in the sand.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/free-credit-report-get-hold-of-your-free-credit-report-today-703509.html

What if I told you there was a way you could solve all your bad credit problems overnight by creating a brand new credit file in 24hrs - would you be interested? And what if I told you this program was 100% legal and even backed by the federal government - would that sound too good to be true?

Well… you’re right. It is too good to be true but these types of ads are now surfacing again after the Federal Trade Commission launched “Operation New ID Bad Idea” over 8 years ago. This operation targeted (and took down) over 50 credit repair organizations and companies selling consumers both pamphlets and services giving them a brand new credit file under the pretense it was 100% legal and in some cases even claimed it to be a “government sponsored” program!

The con was simple. Companies would target consumers with bad credit and offer to create a brand new credit file for them by substituting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for their Social Security Number (SSN) along with a new address. EIN’s were obtained from the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of the consumer. With the EIN and a new address the companies would either have the consumer apply for credit with the “new information” or the company would apply for them. When the creditor would run the application it would automatically create a new credit file because the computer would be unable to find the consumer in the database due to the new address and SSN.

While there is some dispute among privacy experts as to whether or not this is legal, the FTC’s actions at the time were not up for debate. Companies were advertising and luring in consumers in order to have them falsify credit applications by providing new information such as their address and SSN in order to obtain credit. This was a direct violation of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and worse yet, the companies were advertising to consumers that this was 100% legal and in some cases claiming it was a government sponsored program. As you’ll hear me say often “In reality, nothing could be further from the truth”.

Privacy experts will argue that using an EIN or 9 digit PIN (simply a made up number) in place of ones’ SSN is completely legal since creditors are on shaky ground asking for your SSN in the first place. In regards to the truth in lending act they will argue that one has to exhibit “an intent to defraud” a creditor. My question “Is concealing ones’ adverse credit history intent in itself?” While I am not an Attorney on the matter of credit law I can conclude that if a consumer was to create an alternate credit file using the EIN or PIN method they better be darn sure they never have a problem paying their bills. If they do, they most likely would find themselves in a courtroom with a case involving credit fraud. Which brings me to my next topic.

How To Create An Alternate

Credit File Legally

Most consumers are unaware that in addition to consumer credit reports, both Experian and Equifax own and operate business credit reporting services. By creating a business credit profile a consumer can now create an alternate credit file legally. While some creditors such as residential utility companies will not allow you to use business credit in place of personal credit, we have had numerous clients who have successfully used business credit to obtain credit cards, automotive leases and loans. This technique (although controversial) can be very effective when done properly.

The basics of building business credit involve 1.) Setting up the proper structure for your business (i.e. Corporation, LLC, etc.). 2.) Obtaining an EIN as well as a DUNS number (Dunn and Bradstreet). 3.) Borrow and/or buy products and services from vendors who reports to business credit reporting agencies such as Experian, Equifax and Dunn & Bradstreet. While building business credit requires time just like personal credit, don’t get discouraged. Remember, when you set out to begin building your business credit you are starting with a clean slate. This is when it becomes imperative that one learn from the mistakes of their past. Remember, in the credit world those who do not learn from their past are (inevitably) doomed to repeat it.

Jay Peters
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/find-out-the-truth-about-creating-an-alternate-credit-file-139193.html

(Sorry if that sounded like a fake "frequently asked question" from the gmail marketing department
But… gmail seems to be effective and reliable in its filtering of spam, moreso than some other email tools I've tried, which often require extensive periods of "training the filter"). So what's gmails secret?

Read here and it has a video.
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-our-spam-filter-works.html

I'm helping a friend of mine with a PC issue she's having. She's running Windows XP and recently starting getting a blue screen of death. I dont remember the exact error message, but after looking around i found that the error was related to a trojan virus. I installed AVG's free anti-virus program, as well as ad-aware, ran scans through both and nothing was found. Now, however, she cannot boot her computer and gets an error messgae regarding isass.exe. I've heard that the best way to solve this problem is to run Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool. However, how can I do so if her computer doesnt boot? Should I put it on an ancient floppy disc and boot from DOS, or if I burn it to a cd for her how can I run the removal tool? Also any other suggestions would be welcome, but from what I've read I'm pretty sure she has the Sasser virus. Thanks!

I've only seen the Microsoft tool on their website. Have you tried starting the computer in safe mode?

To start the computer in safe mode
As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.
On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.

After that, you still should be able to assess the internet and use Microsoft's tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Another good site is: http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/
Trendmicro will provide instructions for the removal of the virus.

I hope that helps. Good luck.