At one time thieves and robbers were limited to where they could work from for geographical reasons.  They had to take into account how much petrol would fit into the tank of their getaway car, how much swag they could carry and if they could plan a decent escape route that would take them away from the scene of the crime as fast as possible, before the road blocks went up.  

Nowadays thanks to the wonders of the internet cyber-theft knows no boundaries and super hackers have found ways to make it possible to carry out crimes that bring in rewards of tens of millions of dollars without having to get up out of their easy chair,

From their havens around the World, with centres being as far apart as the Far East and Eastern Europe, cyber criminals can employ the latest spyware to extract information on individuals or company’s sensitive financial details.  Once they have that information at their disposal the sky is the limit to as how much money they can extract. And the chances are that nobody will notice till it is long gone. Cyber crimes are very difficult to solve as fingerprints or any other form of evidence is left at the scene.

So basically the only way that a computer owner or operator can protect their information and security us to set up roadblocks before the crime is committed. These days information highways are getting broader all the time, and the thieves that travel on them are getting smarter and more sophisticated as fast as the companies who provide software such as web browsers and operating systems progress. That means that these roadblocks whose role it will be to prevent the infiltration of viruses, malwares and worms into a computer need to be equal to the task of manning the roadblocks.

That’s why companies and individuals who can’t afford to take chances and  need to know that they are being protected at all times go for the most powerful and professional anti-virus software that is available on the market.

These raids can come from everywhere and at any time of the day or night, so remember that a good anti-virus program never sleeps. 

For more information of anti virus soft ware visit http://www.mcafee-downloads.co.uk/

Tags: Anti Virus, cyber-criminals, cyber-theft, cybercriminals, Fraud, Phishing Scams, Spam

Computer viruses at one time could only attack our computers through e-mail attachments. It could be said that these were in the "good old days", when most home computers at least were subject to seemingly never-ending waves of spam, and an unsuspecting surfer could open a virus-infested e-mail attachment, temporarily blinded by the promise of great riches, or a weekend for two in Bognor Regis. Thankfully, these days most of the computer-owning public have become alert to the dangers of opening e-mail from unclear sources and with anti-virus software becoming increasingly sophisticated, this threat has been largely removed from our radar, only to be replaced by more sinister threats. That doesn’t mean that we should now begin to open all our e-mail attachments without fear. There are still plenty viruses out there to attack our computers through opening the wrong e-mail attachment. So here are a few tips to help the innocent and unsuspecting to recognize a potential e-mail attachment threat.

Basically, if you are not totally acquainted with the person who sent you an e-mail with an attachment, you shouldn’t open it. If the sender has advised you that a specific e-mail is on its way with a specific attachment, and then it is a risk worth taking; otherwise think twice. If the attachment is a Word files (.DOC), Excel spreadsheet (.XLS), or an image such as JPG or GIF, then you should be able to open them with confidence. If you open a Word or Excel file before proceeding too far, you should make sure that it doesn’t contain any macro files, which could disguise a virus. If the attachment is an EXE, COM or VBS file, then it should be discarded without any second thought. These are executable files and will more than likely contain a virus, which can and probably will do tremendous damage to your computer. The only defense that you can have is to never run executables that arrive via e-mail, even at the risk of offending the person that supposedly sent it.

Computer viruses have sadly moved on a great deal since the hey-day of the attachment transmitted babies of just a year or two ago. That doesn’t mean that complacency be allowed to creep in. Anyone who regularly receives e-mails and sends them needs to make sure that there is an anti-virus software installed and active on the computer. Doing so will protect them from any of the dangers of these innocent looking and tempting “to open” e-mail attachments.

This article was sourced from www.mcafee-downloads.co.uk/

Tags: Anti Virus, anti-virus software, Computer virus, Digital Download Products, E-mail, e-mail attachment, executable files, Home Electricals and Computers, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, risk, Spam, Trojan Horses, virus-infested e-mail, Viruses

Software and hardware firewalls have basically the same ambition: to protect your computer from unauthorised users trying to gain access to your operating systems, programmes, files, or data, for illegal purposes.

It is a digital barrier which guards the entry ports to your computer, sometimes hiding your computer from others and monitoring all the attempts to breach the barrier. And if you’ve ever wondered if that seems all a bit over the top, take the occasional look at your Firewall report, because you might be just a bit surprised at to how many attacks you are subjected to on a daily basis.

And if that’s not enough to make you think you need a Firewall, bare in mind that it has been shown that it only takes about 20 minutes for an unprotected computer to be compromised from linking it via ADSL to the internet. Only 20 minutes.

So, don’t dither, if you haven’t got a Firewall, switch off your computer then get one. There are two types from which to choose.

Firstly, a software firewall is a computer programme which runs automatically in the background.

Secondly, a hardware firewall sits outside the computer as an external device.

Most people use a software firewall. They are usually cheaper, can be configured with ease, can be set-up to stop different criteria of threats and can even differentiate between acceptable and non-acceptable web-sites.

They have two main problems. If your computer gets embedded with a virus, or malware, without the user knowing, then it might turn off the software firewall, or perhaps worse still, take control of it and allow penetration from those intent on stealing data. The second main problem is that it does affect computer performance. Such programmes are memory hungry and if you hear your computer whirling away all the time running the internet security programme, then you should upgrade your PC.

So, the advantage with an external hardware firewall is that it should not be comprised via a virus, or malware, and it will not slow the performance of your computer. The downsides are of course that they can cost more and might be trickier to set-up and keep working.

There’s no reason not to use both types and be ultra-cautious, but you might find some communication, or compatibility problems.

Also, a firewall is not an anti-virus programme. You cannot rely on them to stop viruses, or malignant malware, so you must invest in quality anti-virus software as well, although most internet security companies will sell both programmes in one package.

And one final point, although many of the modern computer operating systems have built-in firewalls, it is best not to rely wholly on these. It has been found that they do have inherent weaknesses and you would be better buying an external firewall to give you maximum protection.

So, remember, a firewall is not just for Christmas, it’s for life!

Tags: Anti Virus, Digital Download Products, Hardware Firewalls, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Software, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

Internet security in plain English is about understanding one concept: if you use a computer for sending emails, or surfing the internet, you are in danger from some pretty aggressive and ruthless criminals.

It might not be the same as wandering into a bad part of town late at night, but it might as well be; you can be robbed just as easily.

So, internet security in plain English comes down to protecting your computer from external tampering with malicious intent.

And unless you are an IT professional or employ one, the simplest way to get the best protection is to purchase the best and most advanced anti-virus software programme you can afford.

Good anti-virus protection includes creating firewalls and intercepting viruses.

A software programme called a Firewall is like a redoubt, or moat, which surrounds a castle, and records and accepts/declines all the connections (and attempts to connect) that are made by your computer and other computers trying to connect to it. This basically ensures that those with envious eyes on your personal data, are kept at bay.

And if this sounds a little far-fetched, just remember that your computer can easily be controlled by another computer, as long as they are connected via the internet. This remote desktop control is a facility that most modern day computers enjoy and now some companies are promoting such a system for people who are away from home and wish to check their personal computer, remotely. But if it has a benign use, it also has a sinister use.

The anti-virus bit of the protection is just that; it is designed to locate, look-out for, monitor and defeat any attempt to embed a virus within your computer.

Viruses are now extremely sophisticated pieces of computer code and have specific functions. Although virus is used as a generic name for a number of baddies, they are but one of a whole host of computer nasties, including malware, trojan horses and worms.

They are all designed to reek havoc with your computer. Whether installing instructions to record and transmit your personal details (for identity theft), to rob you of your bank details (for later theft and fraud), or play havoc with your email programme (such as sending further viruses to all those in your email address list), they are extremely aggressive and damaging.

So, internet security in plain English is all about getting help out there in cyber space. Do not wander out there alone!

Tags: Anti Virus, Internet Security, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

When you’re sitting there, wondering just what does anti-virus software do, bear in mind that the internet is in many ways similar to the old Wild West.

Part of it is tamed, but there are many parts of it that are hostile, unruly, aggressive and basically, anarchic. The rule of law does not always exist in cyber space. And lurking out there in the undergrowth are a large number of people intent on illegally parting you and your money.

And it’s not a question of the outlaws, or ruffians, riding into town and holding up the bank; cyber criminals are sophisticated and ruthless. Based in any part of the world, but mostly where people don’t look too closely, they sit at computers on a 24/7 basis and plot how to steal money, personal identities and bank details.

And the modern day sheriff is not Wyatt Earp, or Clint Eastwood, but your anti-virus software.

It has two simple aims. Once loaded, to see if your computer has already been infected by viruses. Secondly, once satisfied your computer is clean, it sits there, running in the background, offering you a level of protection while you are emailing and surfing the net.

And as your anti-virus software runs in the background, it regularly updates itself via new data files.

Now, just a quick word on your constantly running internet security programme. They are memory hungry, but don’t succumb to the temptation and turn them off, so as to enhance computer performance. That would be like leaving your property doors always unlocked, day and night. It would almost be inevitable that you would come under attack sooner, or later. It would be far better, if possible, to increase your computer’s memory, which nowadays is quite cheap to buy.

Okay, so your anti-virus software receives a new data file which basically contains a new set of virus definitions. Viruses are created on a daily basis, so keeping up with their introduction is one of the biggest headaches for your anti-virus software.

And the great thing is, most of the modern anti-virus software is an automatic process. You might get a pop-up asking if you wish to update your anti-virus software, but these days it’s a seamless service, not requiring any action from the user.

So, when it comes to choosing your anti-virus software, whether you choose a pre-loaded version, or go out and buy a CD, have a good look to see what it can do. Basically, you want a version that can cover you for all eventualities, and one that regularly updates itself and it therefore powerful enough to protect you from all the latest nasties.

Tags: Anti Virus, Digital Download Products, Phishing Scams, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

This is how a virus is created article is not a guide as to how you can create a virus. In most countries, creating a virus and then distributing it, even for a joke, is a highly illegal act and could land you in a prison. Simply, don’t do it.

And for those of you that are tempted, think about a legitimate alternative. Hone your software skills, learn correct computer programming and get yourself a job helping to eliminate the world of the scourge of computer viruses.

Right, lecture over, now a bit about the virus, because a basic understanding of how it works, might help you avoid them.

Most of us understand biological viruses, such as colds, and how they pass from person to person, infecting some, and creating carriers of others. The modern day computer behaves in much the same way. Once a virus has been created, someone, or some computer programme, has to pass it on. A computer virus cannot just transport itself through the air like a germ though; it has to be transmitted digitally, originally via the good old floppy disc, but nowadays via the widespread use of emailing, Broadband connections and computerised networks. These have made it so easy for the virus to spread.

Even if you vetted your computer’s software and only loaded programmes that were bug free, as soon as you go onto the internet, your computer is vulnerable. It becomes open to attack.

Now, a virus is basically a piece of coding which has a set number of instructions. It is usually written by a computer programmer, so some knowledge of computer code, such a C++, is necessary. Of course, nowadays, you don’t necessarily have to have such knowledge, as some computer programmers have created virus making kits, in which it is possible for a layman to use a specially designed interface and build their own virus.

The virus has to be embedded within another programme so that it can launch. Without a host to facilitate the launch and hide its existence, a virus will struggle to survive.

Early viruses, first gaining recognition in the late 1980s, tended to be a vehicle for individual programmers to show off to their colleagues and peers. The ‘…look-at-me…’ mentality was strong amongst the early programming communities. A virus would then say open up on a particular date, say the programmer’s birthday, and say post a card on the screen of every computer it had effected. How clever and amusing! Yet, certain individuals began to see the dark side of computer viruses. Began to realise that they could be used for nefarious purposes.

Then the humble virus became a tool for the more criminal fraternity, who could use the later versions to start causing trouble.

And the word Malware was coined. There are many types of Malware, but the most common are Spyware (robs you of personal information); Adware (puts unwanted advertisements on your screen); Diallers (which makes your computer make expensive phone calls to premium numbers); and, Hijackers (which take over your machine).

And nowadays viruses are commonly spread attached to emails and downloads.

So, beware. As soon as you buy a computer, boot it up, activate a purchased, or pre-loaded internet security programme and never, ever, surf without it running. If you stand around in cyber space naked, you’re likely to get more than a chill.

Tags: Anti Virus, Computer, Computer Crime, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

Online gamers face attacks from their virtual enemies with bravery, intelligence and flair, but when it comes to facing attacks from online criminals, they sometimes don’t have the same approach.

The online gaming community is growing rapidly and individual gamers, despite being highly proficient and computer literate, have been shown to sometimes have a cavalier attitude when it comes to protecting themselves against attack bugs and viruses.

If you take the average online gamer, they tend to have high-end equipment, good Internet links, money for game buying and subscription based game sites, and also be online for great amounts of time.

This is the ideal profile for an online criminal, who would love to exploit these so-called attributes.

And add to this the gamer’s habit of turning off their online protection software, in order to maximise their computer processing power so as to maintain speed during the game, and they are increasingly being targeted with viruses, malware and phishing.

So, okay, the threat from not running your internet security programme in the background is obvious to most people, but how come such computer savvy users are vulnerable to attack?

Simply because the average online gamer is forever buying and downloading various add-ons to the game, whether official, or unofficial, which either heightens the game enjoyment, or increases the users speed at playing th game. Such an add-on might optimise the game interface, or create, or modify exist game weapons. Now, if this enhancements are coming from official, or bona fida sources, then no problem, but lets say a gamer opts to download an add-on from a bogus source, and one which promises regular updates for his favourite game? This is the entrance for the internet criminal, who once sees the front door is open and the gamer’s guard is down, can then start to infiltrate that person’s computer will all sorts of manner of bugs and malware.

They are also under threat from phishing emails, which promises gamers all sorts of benefits if they use a particular service. And these emails will usually appear very legitimate and official, coaxing the unwary onto sites that will eventual begin to attack their gaming systems.

As with all security threats, the best thing a gamer can be is very suspicious of every offered downloads. Unless they can verify the source via official web-sites, or other games via chat rooms, then they would do well to stay clean.

Also, there are new internet security programmes being introduced that are specially designed to help the game stay safe, while playing at maximum power. They have been designed to take up the least amount of processing power, while staying alert in the background.

Online gamers beware; it’s not only the virtual alien with the mean looking weapon that might represent a threat!

Tags: Anti Virus, Gaming, Mcafee, Spam

What is a dropper? Now, there might be any number of rude and amusing meanings for this word, but, in internet terminology, there is nothing funny about it at all.

A dropper is a software programme that has been designed to covertly install Malware code into a computer’s system. The Malware is basically software that consists of code that is in effect a computer virus with specific instructions.

The dropper is designed to install the Malware without the virus scanners picking it up. Alternatively, the dropper might install a line of code that downloads the actual Malware at the next opportunity, when the computer is online.

But however the dropper works, it is bad news.

It usually comes in two forms. The first one exploits the computer’s system without the user’s help; in other words, it just gets on with the job of either destroying the computer, or sending out information from that particular computer including personal and banking details. The second type of dropper is one that disguises itself as another sort of programme and then tricks the user to activate it.

A great example of the second type of Malware is one that bogus subscription sites employ. You download a programme and you agree to pay a set amount per month to access the site, or receive some other goods, or services. The programme appears innocent enough, yet in fact it enables it to authorise payments from the credit card as often as it likes.

And you only become aware of this when your credit card bill arrives and you find you’ve been spending well over the odds for what was a small initial payment.

So how can you avoid being dropped on? Firstly, get the best anti-virus software you can afford and get one that frequently updates itself. Finding an old security CD and loading that into your computer and hoping that will do the job, is nigh on useless. Viruses, Trojans and Malware are developed so quickly these days, that one day to the next can mean you are vulnerable to a whole host of new attacks.

Secondly, and this a rule that you should adhere to no matter what, do not download anything that you cannot vouch for. With every email that does not come from a trusted source, take a few minutes to get its measure. Who sent it, why, what’s that attachment. And never, ever, download attachments unless you are 100% sure of what they are and that they can be trusted.

Thirdly, if you suspect you have Malware on your computer, stop using it immediately. And unless you are highly skilled, don’t bother to try and find the Malware and delete it. It’s more than likely hiding as something completely innocent and secondly, it’s not just a matter of pressing the delete button. They are designed to hang on for dear life. You should bring in a computer expert and he will have to usually wipe and reload all your computer’s software, in order to ensure it’s safe.

So what is a dropper? It’s something you don’t want to get.

Tags: Anti Virus, Dropper, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

If the world is a logical place, it follows that as computerised systems take more control of our lives and as the Internet becomes the main forum for communication and the sharing of ideas, that cyber space could become the new battleground for nations to exercise their muscles.

Cyber War is upon us might be the new worry, but actually, what does it mean? How does the ‘war’ manifest itself and is the world heading for some Terminator-like scenario as the computers eventually brush aside frail humans and begin to think it would be much more fun to rule the planet themselves?

So, lets have a look at different aspects of cyber war. At one end of the scale is the subversive techniques, which include setting out to destroy certain web-sites, create damaging email scams, or spitting out propaganda via innocent looking and so-called independent web-sites. Arguably this happens on a daily basis already, with governments and various groups (lobbyists, activists and terrorists) constantly trying to win the hearts and minds of the nations by explaining and justifying their version of events.

Few people these days don’t bear their grudges via the Internet and whereas before governments might be able to claim the upper hand by controlling their particular media, now everyone can establish a web-site and deliver their view and rant on life.

In the middle of the scale of cyber war techniques comes cyber espionage. Having James Bond running around the world clocking up horrendous expenses and causing a lot of explaining to do, is just now so old hat. Why not turn your computer on and get some clever computer geek to hack into someone else’s mainframe and get all the information they want. Everyone from the military to business people will tell you that their systems are safe and secure, and impossible to exploit. Wrong, any computerised system is vulnerable to attack, especially one that communicates to the outside world via a network. You’ve just got to hope that the programmers are as savvy as the hackers and that they can keep the bad boys out. But recent media stories about spotty teenagers hacking into U.S military computers are arguably very frightening indeed.

And at the nasty end of the cyber war scale is the all out attack on a countries infra-structure via the web. Basically, if you can hack into another country’s system, you can run riot and cause far more damage than a group of lone terrorists.

Think what you could do if you hade free rein inside a bank’s computer system (draining all the accounts for example), or if you could take control of a country’s power system (shutting down power plants, or turning off gas), or accessing military control computers (controlling submarines, or bombers during a mission).

And yes, that might just sound a bit fanciful, a bit like a Hollywood film plot, but Internet security firm McAfee recently issued a report that some 120 countries were actively researching ways of using the internet to target and attack another country’s government, utility and military systems.

And the fingers of accusation have already been pointed, with China having been blamed for cyber attacks on the U.S, Germany and India. They have all been rigorously denied by the Chinese government.

But, cyber attacks have been reported, including Estonia under attack from Russia; the U.S. and Europe from China (pundits reckon that pinning the blame on China is not totally provable, although they do point out that maybe Chinese based systems are prone to be controlled by external parties and used as proxy attack method); and, most recently, Georgia from Russia.

So, cyber war might sound like the good basis of a blockbuster novel, but, unfortunately, it’s now a reality and likely to get worse, in whatever guise it takes.

But the Terminator? Perhaps not quite yet.

Tags: Anti Virus, Cyber War, Home Electricals and Computers, Mcafee, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

A fake anti-virus solution is a particularly low trick to play, but, when computer hackers are out there in cyber space determined to literally rip details from people’s computers, it’s perhaps no surprise that there use is more popular than ever.

When an inexperienced, or occasional computer user comes across a web-site that promises great downloads, such as an innocent looking screen-saver, what they actually could be downloading is a small application which infiltrates their computer, creating new files in the Windows folder, or the actual system folder, which it then claims poses a threat.

The ingenuity of this method allows the infiltrated bug to bypass the existing security software.

The user suddenly finds that his, or her computer starts flashing up warnings that their computers has a security problem. The great irony of course is that yes, it does have a security problem; caused by the very software now bogusly making the claims.

One such fake anti-virus solution is Antivirus XP 2008, which sits on people’s computers, makes changes to the screen background and settings, and then informs the user of all kinds of security problems.

Of course the next step is obvious; the user is ‘forced’ in to buying what they think is the anti-virus solution, a fake. And when money has passed hands, a new threat will be alerted and new money requested for another solution. And this will go on until the user realises that they have a compromised computer and need to seek professional help quickly.

This type of bug comes from the appropriately named Trojan family and is particularly invidious and aggressive.

So, what can you do to keep the Trojan horses at bay? Firstly, afford the best security software you can buy and ensure that is covers all types of attacks, not just the common viruses. Also, get cover that updates regularly. New bugs are invented and set to use on a daily basis, so you need cover that can perpetually update itself regarding the latest threats. Also, avoid switching off, or delaying security scan checks; it may at times slow your computer down, or start at an annoying time, but you have to let the security software do its job.

And if the creator of your operating system offers updates, then remember to use them, as all software applications have glitches and need patches and updates to make them secure.

And finally, the best advice of all, is to be very cautious of what you are downloading. Do you really need that screen saver, can you really say it’s free of bugs and malicious applications? Don’t be attracted by all that glitters and shines on the internet. There is a whole industry out there who make a living prying your money from you via your computer. Make life just that bit harder for them by not falling for their online ruses.

Tags: Anti Virus, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses