Internet Privacy
The World Wide Web, aka the Internet, consists of interconnected computer systems and networks. These systems and networks communicate via Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol, referred to as TCP/IP, in order to transfer data and process information.
The definition of privacy is the right to unauthorized intrusion. Therefore, Internet privacy is defined as the right to use the series of interconnected systems and networks without unauthorized intrusion, including and not limited to personal identifiable information being tracked or intercepted by another party.
Internet Privacy Software
You can get software to help protect your privacy. The wide variety of privacy protection software arms you with tools to battle unwanted Internet security breaches, ads, browsers hijacking, cookies, email invasion, porn and other unsafe intrusions, bugs, viruses and more.
Internet Privacy Download
Helpful Internet privacy download tools work to cover basic Internet security measures. Tops features of the tools are firewalls, ISP (Internet service provider) filters, and protection from unwanted viruses, worms, Trojans, spam and spyware.
Important Resources & Tools
Some important help for online and offline privacy follow, listed in no particular order of preference.
Offline tools that can help with online junk, too:
National Do Not Call Registry - put your number here and don’t give out info over the phone accidentally or otherwise: https://www.donotcall.gov
Free annual credit reports - get reports form the top three agencies annually at no charge and make sure no one is abusing your credit and identity: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
Stop Credit Offers - put an end to unwanted junk-mail of pre-approved credit card offers by signing up here: http://www.optoutprescreen.com
Ad-Blocking Software
AdSubtract Pro by InterMute
AntiPopUp for IE by Webknacks
PanicWare
PopUpCop
STOPzilla
xFX PopUpKiller
Preferred “Safer” Browsers to Use
Firefox
MyIE2 Browser
AVANT
Super Browser
Browser Cleaning Tools
CCleaner
IE Privacy Keeper
Tracks Eraser
Window Washer
Cookie Cleaners
CookieCop 2
Cookie Crusher
Cookie Pal
Email privacy Protection
Zixit
CipherSend
SafeIT
HushMail
Pretty Good Privacy
Protect Kids
SafeBrowse.com Safe Eyes 2006
Do You Know Where Your Kids Are Clicking?
Password Protection
Roboform
Password Agent
So arm your equipment, yourself and your family. Lock up by taking security measures both online and off. If you need help with all the online tools out there today, start by checking to see what’s available already on your computer and with your Internet service provider, email hosting account. Then check out tools packages, too, instead of piecing the remaining toolbox items together yourself, and see if perhaps one download can cover everything at once for you. Popular packages include (in no particular order):
Netkeys Ultra, Software Appliance Company
Proxomitron
Acronis Privacy Expert
PanicWare
Trace Removers
WebWasher
Web Bugs
Private Browsing
Simply ask your friends and associates for their recommendations, check at the point of purchase for your computer, your ISP, and make the best choices you can. Monitor activity and revise accordingly. And stay safe!
This article was written by Greg Johnston sponsored by nukeantispyware.a1wired.com. Antispyware Resources Site can assist you in finding the right AnySpyware Software that will help you fix any spyware problems. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link pointing to http:/nukeantispyware.a1wired.com.
Tags: adware, Internet Privacy, pc security, spywareFiled by itbsuperrich on July 4th, 2008 under free-spyware-guide.info | Comment now »
How to Stop Spyware
Spyware is one of the biggest threats to your privacy and the security of your data. Here’s a series of helpful questions and answers that can help you remove and minimize future spyware from your computer.
Spyware comes in various forms, but basically it is a program or piece of information on your computer that either sends data about you or your computer habits to someone else on the Internet. This can be a company that is collecting data, or a thief seeking to steal access to your computer or data like bank information on it. Spyware can also be a program that places unwanted ads on your computer. Cookies can be considered spyware. They are little piece of information placed in your web browser to track your web habits. This is useful sometimes as a web site can see you have visited it before and let you on without a registration process. Cookies are also used to keep track of your progress through a web store. They are also used to customize website ads to your likes and dislikes.
Spyware is bad because for one it can hog precious system resources like memory and hard disk space. It can also compromise your privacy, providing outsiders with information about your computer habits. If a spyware program installs a keylogger it can capture your keystrokes and send it to a third party. This can potentially expose your user IDs and passwords to thieves. Some spyware are trojans which allows someone to log into your computer remotely and use it for their own purposes like sending spam or launching malicious attacks on other computers on the Internet, making it look like you are at fault.
There are several techniques how spyware get’s on your computer. Sometimes they arrive as an automatic download from a website you are surfing. Typically this happens a lot on porn sites. Sometimes if you download a free or illegal piece of software, they are embedded in the installation process. Or spyware can get on your computer via an email attachment that you shouldn’t have opened.
Sometimes a spyware program is very obvious and it can be deleted manually. It adds itself to your menu bar and be found listed in your Add/Remove Programs list in your Windows Control Panel. Click START, (then if you have Win95/98/Me click Settings) then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs and look for a program that you don’t recognize. Sometimes its obvious….like “XXX dialer” or something like that. Just use the Add/Remove Programs features to remove it. Sometimes its not as evident and you have to go diving into the registry and delete entries and also search for specific files on your hard drive and remove them. There are good list of spyware removal techniques that can be found on the internet.
There are a few things you can do to stop spyware. Don’t download programs by companies you are not familiar with. Avoid shareware and freeware. Don’t download illegal pirated software. Set your browser security to high. One Internet Explorer, click Tools > Internet Options > then the Security tab and move the slider to MEDIUM or preferably HIGH. The only problem with this is it may block access to some websites you want to see. Ultimately your best bet is to get an anti-spyware program and scan your system regularly.
Mike Stewart and his company http://www.Freespamfilter.nl provide Free Anti Virus - Spyware remover - Adware removal - Pop Up Blockers and Spam Filters at their website http://www.Freespamfilter.nl
Tags: adware, anti virus, blocker, free, pop, popup blocker, removal, remover, software, spyware, upFiled by itbsuperrich on July 1st, 2008 under free-spyware-guide.info | Comment now »
Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
On December 8, 2004 Webroot, an award winning anti-spyware solution provider, released a press release identifying the ten most significant emerging spyware and adware threats. Most of these you probably haven’t heard of and a few may surprise you.
It is estimated that 9 out of 10 computers are infected with spyware, also known as, adware, scumware, malware and many others.
Here’s the top 10.
PurtyScan - popup ads that trick users into installing by claiming to find and delete pornographic images.
n-CASE - adware program that delivers targeted popup adds. This program is usually bundled with freeware.
Gator - adware program that displays banner ads based on your Web surfing habits. This program is usually bundled with the Kazaa file-sharing program, as well as other free software programs.
CoolWebSearch - hijacks home page, Internet Explorer settings, and Web searches.
Transponder - monitors sites visited and any data entered into online forms, and then delivers targeted ads.
ISTbar/AUpdate - spyware posing as a toolbar. Has been reported to display porn, pop-ups, and to hijack homepage and Internet searches.
KeenValue - an adware program that collects personal information and delivers advertisements.
Internet Optimizer - hijacks error pages and redirects them to its own site.
Perfect Keylogger - records all keystrokes (including personal information, passwords, etc), clicks and web sites visited.
TIBS Dialer - hijacks phone modem and redirects to pornography pay by the minute phone sites.
The following precautions are recommended in the fight against spyware: install Microsoft security patches, avoid downloading and using freeware; and disable ActiveX downloads in Internet Explorer. In addition, install at least one anti-spyware program, some experts actually recommend that you have two installed. For starters you can download one of the free spyware removal programs such as Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware. There are also a few good anti-spyware programs on the market that proactively protect your computer (alert you before the spyware is installed). When purchasing an anti-spyware program you need to be sure it is from a reputable company as many of the anti-spyware programs available actually place spyware on your computer. They do this by offering a free scan, which places the spyware on your computer as it is scanning. Then they entice you to purchase the product to remove the spyware.
In conclusion, if you take a few precautions and install anti-spyware software on your system you should be well protected in the fight against spyware.
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Lisa Smith is the webmaster of 1stSpywareRemoval.com
offering in depth information on spyware, anti-spyware reviews, news and free spyware scans.
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Tags: adware, adware removal, anti spyware, free removal spyware, free spyware, removal spyware, spyware
