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Spyware is sometimes used by unscrupulous companies to monitor and track the sites you visit on the
Internet so as to determine your web-surfing habits and display targeted pop-up ads on your screen.
However, some kinds of spyware go beyond simple tracking and actually monitor keystrokes and capture
passwords and other functions which pose a definite security risk.
What is Malware?
Malicious software, also known as malware, is software designed to deliberately harm your computer. For
example, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are malicious software. To help protect your computer against
malware, make sure it is using up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software.
What is a personal Firewall?
A personal firewall is a software program designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private
network. It acts as a shield to protect your Internet connection from unwanted connections, some of which
may attempt to take control of your computer to install or re-distribute viruses or malicious programs. Each
connection to your computer is monitored - programs that attempt to receive information without your
permission are detected and the firewall will display an alert. You can then decide if you will allow the
connection, if the connection is to a program you are currently using then normally you would allow it (i.e. a
game connecting to a multi-player server or an encyclopaedia making a content update).
How to protect your computer
Cybercrime prevention can be straight-forward - when armed with a little technical advice and common
sense, many attacks can be avoided. In general, online criminals are trying to make their money as quickly
and easily as possible. The more difficult you make their job, the more likely they are to leave you alone and
move on to an easier target. The tips below provide basic information on how you can prevent online fraud.
1. Keep your computer current with the latest patches and updates.
One of the best ways to keep attackers away from your computer is to apply patches and other software fixes
when they become available. By regularly updating your computer, you block attackers from being able to
take advantage of software flaws (vulnerabilities) that they could otherwise use to break into your system.
While keeping your computer up-to-date will not protect you from all attacks, it makes it much more difficult
for hackers to gain access to your system, blocks many basic and automated attacks completely, and might be
enough to discourage a less-determined attacker to look for a more vulnerable computer elsewhere.
More recent versions of Microsoft Windows and other popular software can be configured to download and
apply updates automatically so that you do not have to remember to check for the latest software. Taking
advantage of "auto-update" features in your software is a great start toward keeping yourself safe online.
2. Protect your computer with security software.
Several types of security software are necessary for basic online security. Security software essentials include
firewall and antivirus programs. A firewall is usually your computer's first line of defense-it controls who and
what can communicate with your computer online. You could think of a firewall as a sort of "policeman" that
watches all the data attempting to flow in and out of your computer on the Internet, allowing communi-
cations that it knows are safe and blocking "bad" traffic such as attacks from ever reaching your computer.
The next line of defense many times is your antivirus software, which monitors all online activities such as
email messages and Web browsing and protects an individual from viruses, worms, Trojan horse and other
types of malicious programs. Your antivirus and antispyware software should be configured to update itself,
and it should do so every time you connect to the Internet.
Integrated security suites such as Norton Internet Security combine firewall, antivirus, antispyware with
other features such as antispam and parental controls have become popular as they offer all the security
software needed for online protection in a single package. Many people find using a security suite an
attractive alternative to installing and configuring several different types of security software as well as
keeping them all up-to-date.
A complete version of Norton Internet Security™ is pre-installed on your Packard Bell system. It includes a
90-day free subscription to protection updates. Make sure you Turn it On!