Network Security

Many people may concern about how computer gets infected with spyware, rootkits, trojans, and other malware. For arming with such knowledge can help avoid being affected by these viruses. Below is a list of the most common ways a computer can contract these infections.

All people who use the computer should be aware of how to properly use the computer and protect it from malicious software.

No anti-malware software

It’s highly recommended you have some form of anti-virus and spyware protection on your computer to help protect you from malware and other infections. Because malware programs are growing rapidly, changing into more complicated and difficult to detect forms. You need a guard to defense your PC form these malicious program.

Why you need to install anti-malware software?

When downloading some software from the Internet, you may download some programs that contain viruses and other malware. So make sure you’re downloading the software from a reliable source and scan it with your anti-virus program before open and install it.  

Accepting without reading

According to a research, the most common ways a computer becomes infected is the user accepts what he or she sees on the screen without reading the prompt or understanding what it’s asking.

Some common examples:

Accept unknown plug-ins without reading. When browse the Internet, an Internet advertisement or window might appear to tell that your computer is infected and a unique plug-in is required. Without fully understanding what it is you’re getting, you accept the prompt.

A very often situation is that these plug-ins are malicious software that designed to monitor your usage of the program.

Opening e-mail attachments

Another very common way people become infected with viruses and other spyware is by opening e-mail attachments. Sometimes, these e-mails are sent by a co-worker, friend, or family member, so you treat it lightly. However, E-mail addresses can be easily faked, what’s worse, even if they are not faked, your acquaintance may unsuspectingly be forwarding you an infected file if they get infected by some viruses.

So be careful when receiving an e-mail with an attachment. Delete it right away if the e-mail was expected from someone you don’t know, and be cautious when opening the attachment if the e-mail is from someone you know.

Not running the latest updates

This is the most easily forgotten part. Many of the updates, especially those associated with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems and programs, are security updates. Running a program or operating system that is not up-to-date can be a big security risk and can be a way your computer becomes infected.

Pirating software, music, or movies

When you download copyrighted music, movies, software, etc. for free from some websites, you may easily get affected for many of the files can contain viruses, spyware or malicious software. So next time, be careful when download something.

Have you experienced a sudden slow of your internet connection and later you completely can’t connect to internet?  You rebooted your computer, and tried all the troubleshooting ways but it still didn’t make it work. Well, someone is trying to access your router!

As the spread of laptops, wireless security has become an essential part of this computer world. Embodied yourself with certain knowledge of this filed will ensure your wireless network not stolen by other people and less susceptible to hackers. Below are some suggestions which may help:

1. Type your router’s administration control panel address into Internet Explorer. If it doesn’t work, consult your router’s user manual.

2. Type in your user name and password for the administration control panel of your router, and click OK.

3 Click the “Wireless” tab within your router’s administration control panel. The same to all routers.

4 Click “Wireless Security.”

5 Select the “Security Mode.”

6 Select the shared key or password for your wireless security type.

7 Leave the “Group Key Renewal” setting as the default. Click “Save Settings” to complete the process.

Upon doing the above settings, any laptops and other devices that connect to your wireless network will need to enter the password you set in step six. You can put all your worries down then.

When using Internet Explorer web browser, user may be notified in a certificate error message if Internet Explorer detects the security certificate of some web pages has information that is invalid. This feature is designed to protect users from web pages that contain malicious software. However, sometimes these messages become excessive and block valid web pages, so you need to disable the function to stop the error messages.

Following are some ways to stop certificate error notifications:

1. Click the “Start” button in the Windows desktop. Click the “Run” icon and type “regedit” into the text field box. Click the “OK” button to open the Microsoft Registry Editor.

2. Double-click the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” folder that on the left-side pane of the editor, then double-click the “SOFTWARE” folder, followed by double-clicking the “Microsoft,”Internet Explorer,”Main,” and “Feature Control” folders.

3. Highlight the “New” option in the edit menu and click “Key.”

4. Type the following into the new key box:

“FEATURE_ERROR_PAGE_BYPASS_ZONE_CHECK_FOR_HTTPS_KB954312″

Press “Enter”.

5. Select and highlight the “New” option in the edit menu, then select “DWORD Value.”

6. Type the following into the value box:

“iexplore.exe”

Press “Enter.”

7. Select the “Modify” option in the edit menu.

Enter the value “1″ into the modification area and click “OK.”

Conclusion:

By following the above 7 steps you can easily get rid of certificate error notifications

Which is the best antivirus software for your home PC? When asked this question, I believe no one can give us a clear and persuasive answer. Different products have their own advantages and traits. They may have different layout, performance, functions, etc. There are thousands of reviews on antivirus and security software; here I just want to share my own experience.

I used to install Kaspersky Antivirus, which is well known for its fast performance and amazing security capabilities. It is described as no slowing down the computer at all, but in actual use, I found my computer ran a little bit slow after installing it. The protection I received from it for 13 months had kept my computer free of all invasions, and infections. I have to admit its good performance, and multiple functions, but I also hold a view that the price is a little expensive. So one year later, I tried BitDefender Antivirus.

The price of BitDefender Antivirus is quite affordable. It is said to be among top 10 antivirus list. You may hold the view: you get what you pay for. But to BitDefender Antivirus, the logic is totally wrong. BitDefender Antivirus is cheap, which does not mean it is less functional or worse performance. With its advanced technology algorithms and methods to identify security risks and blocks threats even before they try to harm your computer, BitDefender Antivirus offers advanced proactive protection to your computer. However, it’s still not that perfect, because BitDefender does not have a substitute, and it is generally incompatible with third-party Anti-Spyware, Anti-Trojan software.

Now I’m using ESET Smart Security 5. It performs a really good job, as evaluated by someone: ESET offers the world’s fastest and most effective proactive antivirus and antispyware protection for your computer. However, as nothing is perfect, the price of ESET is also a little expensive.

No matter what view you may hold, they are all good products. They have their own traits, what you need to do, is choosing the one you like best or trying one by one to seek for a more perfect one. Hope you will have a good working mode and never be interrupted by virus invasions.

You may wonder who would want to break into your computer at home and how they make it. Below is an overview of the security risks and countermeasures associated with Internet connectivity for the average home user.

Intruders (also named hackers or crackers) are motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge. You may not be their final target, but still intruded by them. One purpose of gaining control of your computer is to use it to launch attacks on other computer systems. Coz the control of your computer gives them the ability to hide their true location as they launch attacks. Once your computer is intruded by a hacker, all your actions and activities are under control of them, they may cause damage to your computer by reformatting your hard drive or changing your data.

The efficient way to solve this problem is to keep your OS and applications updated, install a network security and vulnerability scanner that allows auditing and monitoring network computers for possible vulnerabilities. For an average home user, there’s no better way.

One friend told me his computer got a blue screen when he tried to open a PPT, which annoyed him a lot. I recalled my own experience of getting this system crash.

The words “A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer” displayed on the screen, and the fail of Microsoft Windows almost drove me crazy.

What the hell is blue screen of death? So many reasons may lead to this system error. I think what people really concern is how to fix it, not the cause of it.

Here’s one simple tip:

Start your computer in safe mode, and possibly eliminate the virus file, driver, or device that is causing the system to lock up.

There is a video tutorial for this, which may be helpful if your PC is not start normally.

Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oITxnPGSHvM

Hope this simple guide on how to fix BSOD will put you in the right direction for putting a stop to this most annoying crash.

Below are sone quick tips for not getting hacked .

1. Don’t accept pop-ups or prompts for software unless you’re armed with web scanner software.

2. Don’t post or submit confidential personal data.

3. Change password at least once per month.

4. Don’t let others access their social networks on your computer.

5. Don’t auto save your password, and clear your history at least weekly.

6. Don’t accept friend requests or request friends that you don’t know.

Reference: http://blogs.hightechhigh.org/bscott/category/science/

I have a very naughty 8-year-old boy. He likes playing, hates study, he doesn’t listen to anyone, and even the teachers complain about him, I’m a totally out-of-control mother.

Recently he is so addicted to video games. My concerns are that some games tend to have some extreme violence and sexuality. It’s hard for me to control over this. As for social networking site, I have even less control over what he is seeing and sharing with others. He may easily trust others and post his personal information in public spaces, which may bring unknown potential risks.

BUT his teacher advises that children who have computers at home are more likely to be technologically literate than children who do not. Things are changing quickly, especially the tech world, and we have to keep up with this cyber world to make sure we are not falling behind, especially the children. Practical tips for parents are: guide them not monitor, listen to them not order, and encourage them instead of blaming.

As very coin has two sides, despite all these potential risks, it brings something good too.

There are some useful educational software such as student tools and science software, which may help with his study and improve his knowledge.

As for games, I download some brain games, such as plants vs zombies, angry birds, and Ballance, which may cultivate his analyzing ability, cognitive skills, and improve his memory, while bringing him happiness and fun.

My son loves me so much, and he is willing to listen to me, for I respect him, care about him, and understand him.

Notwithstanding her naughtiness, I love my little boy.

I’m sure his naughtiness will soon become a history.