Important: to ensure yer computer is secure

Many people do not realise that internet sites can install stuff without you even knowing. These sites can install programs that can:

*Automatically dial foreign countries (causing huge phone bill)
*Allow people access to your computer
*Cause your browser to crash
*Change what websites say/have on them
*Cause popups
*Cause sites to load slowly

There are also many viruses out there that can easily be installed on your computer. A common one I have seen going around infects computers through AIM.

If one of your AIM buddies says to you
"Check this cam im gettin from bestbuy Pic - Mini DV Digital"
or ANYTHING about a camera including a link, do NOT click it. It will automatically infect your computer, (even though you get a dialog asking if you want to save the file, its too late).

Alert the buddy that he is infected with a virus, and make sure you have antivirus/have it updated.


Now, for the preventative measures:

To PREVENT spyware/adware/malware from installing
without having any program running, download this neat prog from javacool. (NOTE--it will interfere with installation of macromedia flash. Simply deactivate the protection, update, then activate it again.)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
(always check for updates; dont forget to click download updates)

To scan for adware/malware/spyware
as well as add some additional protections,
http://security.kolla.de
(again, always update it...weekly is best...when downloading updates, pick a mirror in the same country as you)


For further adware protection
Ad-Aware is good....it gets stuff that Spybot Search and Destroy doesnt, and Spybot gets stuff that Ad-Aware doesnt...they make a good team...
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
(again, always remember to update...and the prog HAS to be run to work....)



for a FREE ONLINE virus check:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

(this will begin the check)

For advanced users--wondered why that damn adware/spyware loads at startup?
wanna stop it?
http://www.mlin.net
easy to use, accessible from control panel applet that can easily change which progs load at startup.


Finally....lookin for a popup killer?

Finnish programmer Eero Muhonen has made two really awesome programs. First one is freeware, and is great for most popups.
http://www.emsproject.com/FS/download.htm
(mkII download)

For $20, you can get the full version, which can be used to manually kill certain popups that would normally get by...it also has some extra great plugins, and uses 50% less RAM than the MKII popup killer. Purchase now, and the new version (1/31/04) is free (save $3.90). I say its worth it.
http://www.emsproject.com/FS
(click buy now) (dont bother tryin to use a crack....prog will get all goofy on ya, and anywho, any hint of crack use will result in a ban)

will do

mhhhm