How to Tell If Your Computer Is Infected With Spyware

Do you suspect that your computer has spyware? Do you understand the symptoms of spyware infections? Spyware has the tendency to hide itself in the background, making it hard for the average person to figure out if their computer has spyware. There are spyware signs which can be easily detected if you know the right places where you should take a look. There is a myriad of signs you have to look out for although the three most common signs are hereby listed.

Symptom 1: Your computer is slow.

Oftentimes, spyware utilizes the resources in your computer. This means that spyware makes your computer do more things thus making it move slower. A computer moving so slow is a huge indicator that it's possibly infected with spyware.

Symptom 2: You see pop-ups and your browser redirects.

While looking for something on Google, you suddenly see a totally different search page comes up. At times, spyware wants to earn some money from the programmer. To be able to do that, it redirects your PC to a different page or it enters its own ads.

Moreover, spyware programs tend to bring out pop-up advertisements on your PC, even when you're not surfing the Internet. They can be really annoying because they tend to continuously pop-up in huge amounts.

Symptom 3: Your programs cease to work normally.

Another vital sign of having a spyware infected PC is when your programs start malfunctioning. A computer program may work normally in one day, then freeze in a random fashion or stop functioning all together. Spyware has the tendency to be "buggy." A spyware code isn't well constructed at all times, and such code can create a conflict in your daily normal operations. Furthermore, the number of programs which stop functioning will only get higher, so deal with it as quickly as possible. If you don't, sooner or later your OS will stop functioning.

What should I do?

What you need to do is to avail yourself of an anti-spyware/virus program. You have to be sure that it's updated and capable of scanning for any computer infections. It is highly recommended that you use several programs for scanning. These programs for anti-malware are not that perfect and they could miss a few issues when scanning. By using more than one program can help you solve the problem.

Furthermore, it is advised that scanning is done during a safe mode. You can access this mode by pressing the f8 key continuously when your computer is being turned on. This safe mode allows certain tasks of windows and programs to function while they are under safe mode. This makes it difficult for more annoying spyware infections that are actually hiding from scans or blocking you from accessing anti-virus programs.

If it's not possible to access the Internet on an infected computer, you can download the software and save the installers within a flash disk. Next, you have to boot with networking the infected PC under safe mode.

My PC is normal

No matter how much you think your PC is perfect, scan it just the same. There is a type of spyware which can totally hide its tracks and cause things to appear normally. Through scanning and the right antivirus software, you'll be able to remove these troublesome pests before they create any huge damage to you PC.

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How To Prevent Your Computer From Being Infected With A Virus

Are you more than just a little concerned that your computer might be infected with a computer virus? Wondering if there are any tips to help prevent your computer from being infected with a virus? A computer virus is more than just a pain in the you know what. It is an all too real threat to your Internet security and privacy. A computer virus infection can in fact lead you to having your identity stolen. There are some definite steps you can take to help prevent your computer from being infected with a virus.

First of all, make sure that you have Internet security software protecting your computer from spyware and other malicious software. This includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-keylogger software. There is both reputable and free Internet security software available for download online. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your Internet security software up-to-date. Don't overlook installing anti-keylogger software either, as computer viruses often contain keyloggers as well. Also, anti-virus and anti-spyware software alone do not detect all computer viruses.

Have a personal firewall guarding your computer from intruders, who could remotely install a computer virus. Windows 7, XP, as well as Vista all include a free personal firewall. There are both reputable and free firewalls available for download online as well.

It is probably not a good idea to open an attachment from an unknown sender. In fact, you might want to reconsider opening the attachment even if you know the sender; if you fail to recognize the attachment or you are not expecting it. Unfortunately, it could be infected with a pesky computer virus.

You might want to think twice before visiting sites containing freeware, shareware, file-sharing, warez, porn, and the like. These sites are more often than not infected with computer viruses or other malicious software.

Don't forget to keep your operating system up-to-date. Windows and other operating system vendors are constantly coming up with security patches, against computer viruses and other malware. To be protected with the latest updates it is wise to set your operating system to update automatically.

Simply turn off your computer when not in use. A computer that is turned off is much less vulnerable from being infected with a computer virus. Not only that, but you are doing your role for the environment as well; helping to save energy.

Be wary in sharing CD's, USB Flash Drives, etc. They could be infected with a computer virus. Be sure to scan them with your anti-virus software, prior to uploading any files off them.

Following these tips and a little common sense will go a long ways in helping prevent your computer from being infected with a computer virus.

Christopher is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise on online security and privacy. Visit Internet Security 101 for the tools and resources to protect your Internet security and privacy, including free Internet security software.

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Apple Malware Attack: Is My Mac Infected?

There have been reports of the malware which has been targeting and infecting many apple products and particularly the Mac computers. The apple malware attack has created and raised great furor and greatly put to the sword the earlier invulnerability that was associated with the apple computers. The malware has been identified as the flashback Trojan which is a terrible piece of code which brings about lots of terrible damage creating great fear since reports put the number of affected apple users way above the half a million mark specifically in areas like Europe, America, specific regions in Asia, Australia and spreading more and more like the bush fire. The flashback botnet has had unique characteristics which include preying and specifically targeting Java vulnerabilities. Another characteristic is that the attack occurs unnoticed. Initially, the earlier versions of the flashback malware were designed to replicate the adobe flash player and often confused people into clicking onto it and then the malware would unwittingly get introduced into the Mac computer often with devastating results. The piece of malware has now evolved and will infect a Mac computer even without the knowledge of the user through the simple visit to a website which is already laden with the flashback Trojan. This implies that the piece of malware has become extremely virulent and this has made it spread very fast since the attack has become the drive-by attack. A computer which forms part of a botnet pool is never under the control of its rightful owner and can be used to perpetrate the denial of service attacks and all other manner security violations which are done by the malicious controllers of the botnet.

The capabilities of this malware are grave in the manner in which it is able to influence how the affected Mac computer behaves. It has created a worldwide dangerous botnet which is able to sniff and retrieve passwords both for user accounts and other loads of data collected from details of financial transactions and other information on credit cards. The biggest headache for many users has been that they have been left without known measures on how to prevent and remove the flashback malware from already affected Mac computers. Even though apple has come up with security patches which are able to seal the vulnerability areas, a solution is still not found for the users who are already affected by the malware. The debate has been extensive as to the kind of security measures which can be taken to tackle this problem. One school of thought has completely negated the fact that the flashback malware is Trojan and that the measures which have been in place to deal with Trojans will not work out well in eliminating the problem. Even with the continued debate on which would be the best way to deal with this software, reports continue to emerge of the increased number of attacks which have been perpetrated by this piece of malware. The good thing though has been that some of the internet security companies have worked extremely hard to come up with solutions to this problem via the use of antivirus software akin to that used for the Windows computers. The antivirus software created will be in a position to detect and work to remove the flashback malware.

Now, many people will want to be in full control of their machines and this will always have to do with the fear of a personal computer or computers on a network for companies and institutions being part of a botnet. The other fear is that to do with having the malware in the computer and this malware capturing sensitive information like the passwords to credit cards and other financial information. Here is a small process of how to go about identifying if the specific Mac computer that an individual is utilizing is infected with the flashback botnet. The best way to about protecting the Mac computer is to check for the most up to date java software that has been released from apple. The update can be done from the apple menu on the title bar. This way an individual is assured that the computer is not open to attacks by the flashback malware. The procedure to follow is though clicking on the apple icon on the title bar menu and proceeding to software update section. Here check for updates applicable and select all the java related ones and any other settings involved with security. Then install the updates and restart the computer to secure the computer. The other method of going about protecting the Mac computer will be through the disabling the java software if an individual is not in need of any functionality from the java scripts. The java scripts are the main way the flashback malware gets to infect the computer. The disabling is done from the java preference settings which are found on the browser.

The best way to detect if a computer has been infected with the flashback malware is through the Kaspersky flashfake removal tool which will scan the computer to identify whether it is really affected by the flashback malware. This tool will move forward and remove all of the flashback malware from the infected Mac computer and this is through simple instructions which will be provided in using the free removal tool on the website. Kaspersky has also on their website provided a sure method of identifying if a specific Mac computer is infected through its identification number. This one is compared with the list of Mac computers found on the database of infected apple computers or rather those already on the flashback botnet. On the website still it is possible to authenticate if the java software in use is the latest and updated software version which will prevent attacks from the flashback malware. Another way is through the Dr. Web's online Web utility which also tracks UUID's of infected Mac computers.

A word of caution goes to the people out there who have had their Mac computers infected with the malware to avoid the lure of purchasing the many anti-malware options provided by the anti-malware and internet security vendors. The issue of antivirus software is a contentious one with many of these antiviruses not being in a position to fully detect the viruses and the Trojans. Most of the options provided are scandalous since they will want to prey on a desperate situation to sell scareware software which does not work at all in providing security features or doing away with the malware.

Guardian Network Solutions or GNS is an IT solutions value-added reseller that specializes in providing malware removal tools for businesses, government, and education organizations as well as home users. GNS Solutions Professionals work with manufacturers and businesses of various sizes to find secure, cost-effective solutions, and currently provide the fastest and easiest transactions for users of all sizes.

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