Protect your PC from viruses and trojans!

If you get email on your PC or surf the web, you are at risk for becoming a victim of Internet viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware and many more kinds of malicious activity.

TeknaLight recommends the following to help protect your PC and private information:

1. Anti-virus protection
   Purchase an Anti-virus program and configure it to automatically update virus definitions at least once a day, or as often as you log on to the Internet.  An outdated Anti-virus program or definitions will be as effective as NO Anti-virus program!  Anti-virus definitions are updated on almost a daily basis with the latest threats.
   
   Configure your Anti-virus program to automatically scan your entire computer at least once a week.
   
   In a hurry? Panda Software has a FREE online scanner that finds and eliminates viruses on your computer - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan Since this is only on demand, you shouldn't rely on it, but it's great as an initial scan to check your system.
   
2. Check System and Virus Threat Potential
   Have your connection and system tested by going to one of the following:
   - Symantec Security Check  
      (or go to www.symantec.com and click on the link for "Symantec Security Check in the Downloads section)
   - Gibson Research Corporation www.grc.com
      Find and click on the ShieldsUP! link and follow the instructions
   
3. Does your computer suddenly seem very sluggish and unresponsive?  Do you get pop-up ads or does your browser seem to have a mind of its own, going to porn or other sites without your initiation?  Has your Home page been hijacked?  You probably have spyware running on your machine!
   
   Download and run one of the following programs that search for spyware on your computer:
   
   - Earthlink's Spy Audit (identifies problems but doesn't eliminate them)
   - Patrick M. Kolla's Spybot Search & Destroy (one of the best spyware fixing programs - and it's still FREE!)
   - Lavasoft's Ad-Aware (has a FREE version)
   
   Want to know more about "adware"?  See http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
   
   If, after running these programs, you still see problems, reboot your machine in Safe Mode and run them again - many spyware and trojan programs disable or otherwise corrupt the action of these utilities to avoid detection.
   
4. Protect your Connection
   Install a Software or Hardware Firewall for added protection if you have a DSL or Cable Modem (always-on-connection).  Many threats come from scanners on the Internet looking for holes to get into your computer and run programs without your permission or knowledge.  Hackers use Trojan Horses, worms, and spyware to control your PC and access your private information disguised as you.
   
   Much of the spam that ends up in your Inbox is originating from computers that have been turned into spam mail servers - That's right, you may be part of the spam problem if your machine has been overtaken in this method.
   
   Some Software solutions: 
   - Zone Labs ZoneAlarm (Free version has basic functions, while Pro version has many more features).
   - Symantec Norton Internet Security
   - Sygate Technologies Sygate Personal Firewall Pro
   
   Hardware Solutions:
   Any home/small office Router with configurable firewall.  Good choices are Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, Siemens, Microsoft, etc.  Go to any CompUSA, OfficeMax, OfficeDepot etc store and find them in the Networking section.  If you feel confident, you can set it up yourself, otherwise, get a local pc shop or networking consultant to come in and set it up for you.
   
5. Keep your software updated!
   Microsoft issues patches for all of it's software on a periodic basis to fix security and other issues.  If your computer is not equipped with software to automatically update Windows and other Microsoft products, please go to the Windows Update site to get the latest patches for your computer.
   
6. Install a Pop-up Blocker
   You could pay for a pop-up blocker, but why?  Get a free pop-up blocker plus loads of other features with any of the following:
   - Google Toolbar http://toolbar.google.com
   - AltaVista Toolbar  http://www.altavista.com/toolbar
   - MSN Toolbar  http://toolbar.msn.com/
   - Hotbot Desktop http://www.hotbot.com/tools
   

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