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Benefits of Internet Security Software
Internet security is a complex subject, too complex for a brief article like this. So here I'm sticking to a few of the most important basics. If like so many Internet users, you are clueless about what the best Internet security is and how to get it, hopefully this article will help.
First on your list of defenses should be a good firewall. Your firewall will prevent unauthorized access to your computer from any external source, and the settings can be varied from low security to high. Another thing the firewall does is to generate a log file capturing connection details, such as those of the systems which are trying to gain access to your computer, as well as record the data that is being sent out by you. Windows XP/Visa provides a firewall by default.
Often the information you use on the internet is extremely sensitive and personal. You make purchases using financial information such as credit card numbers and authorization codes, sign up for deposits using bank account numbers and routing numbers, fill out demographic forms with your social security information, or post details of purchases and plans in public forums. Even though you may feel that these items are safe because they are being done virtually, they can actually be less safe than face-to-face interactions. This is because internet predators can use spyware programs that will secretly infiltrate your system and steal this exceptionally classified information. It can then be used to steal your identity, create new credit accounts in your name, empty your bank accounts, or otherwise harm you personally. Internet security software prevents this from happening by identifying spyware and destroying it.
Adware is software that causes those annoying and distracting pop-ups. Spyware is a little different. It grabs info off your computer and passes it onto its remote master. Both adware and spyware can ride piggyback on the free software you download, then latch onto your system files and corrupt them. These types of "malware" are nearly as bothersome as a virus, though they seldom do direct harm to your system. Your best defense against adware is anti-adware, such as AdAware. But more importantly is protecting your system against spyware, and to accomplish this, try ZoneAlarm Spyware. Needless to say, Norton and McCafee also supply anti-spyware. Secure Web Browsing. For a more secure web browsing experience, it's a good idea to disable third party cookies that let the advertisers keep track of your system (in IE, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then Privacy).
Another simple yet effective methodology is to enable "warning text boxes" that will alert you if you are entering an unsecured connection (in IE, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then Security, then Custom Level). A couple useful add-ons to keep in mind are Ad- block, which prevents pop-ups, and No-script, which protects you from XSS attacks by allowing scripts to run only from the sites that are trusted by you.
First on your list of defenses should be a good firewall. Your firewall will prevent unauthorized access to your computer from any external source, and the settings can be varied from low security to high. Another thing the firewall does is to generate a log file capturing connection details, such as those of the systems which are trying to gain access to your computer, as well as record the data that is being sent out by you. Windows XP/Visa provides a firewall by default.
Often the information you use on the internet is extremely sensitive and personal. You make purchases using financial information such as credit card numbers and authorization codes, sign up for deposits using bank account numbers and routing numbers, fill out demographic forms with your social security information, or post details of purchases and plans in public forums. Even though you may feel that these items are safe because they are being done virtually, they can actually be less safe than face-to-face interactions. This is because internet predators can use spyware programs that will secretly infiltrate your system and steal this exceptionally classified information. It can then be used to steal your identity, create new credit accounts in your name, empty your bank accounts, or otherwise harm you personally. Internet security software prevents this from happening by identifying spyware and destroying it.
Adware is software that causes those annoying and distracting pop-ups. Spyware is a little different. It grabs info off your computer and passes it onto its remote master. Both adware and spyware can ride piggyback on the free software you download, then latch onto your system files and corrupt them. These types of "malware" are nearly as bothersome as a virus, though they seldom do direct harm to your system. Your best defense against adware is anti-adware, such as AdAware. But more importantly is protecting your system against spyware, and to accomplish this, try ZoneAlarm Spyware. Needless to say, Norton and McCafee also supply anti-spyware. Secure Web Browsing. For a more secure web browsing experience, it's a good idea to disable third party cookies that let the advertisers keep track of your system (in IE, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then Privacy).
Another simple yet effective methodology is to enable "warning text boxes" that will alert you if you are entering an unsecured connection (in IE, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then Security, then Custom Level). A couple useful add-ons to keep in mind are Ad- block, which prevents pop-ups, and No-script, which protects you from XSS attacks by allowing scripts to run only from the sites that are trusted by you.
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