Category Archives: Site Security
Computer and Internet Security Issues that you Should Know
Using your computer and a reliable Internet connection can be the best combination for an ideal business opportunity. You dont need raise too much capital for your business venture. With just a reliable Internet connection and computer system (which, because of wide availability and usage, become cheaper), you will be able to start your business right away and earn hundreds to thousands of dollars every month, depending on the online business opportunity that you would prefer.
However, you must be aware of the miscalculations that you can commit along your online business venture, especially when you forget to prioritize the protection of your computer system from unauthorized use and data theft. Contrary to the popular belief that a small-size Internet business will make them safe from data hackers and online intruders, there is also a great risk and danger involved once you neglect to protect your computer system, especially the hacking and computer destruction activities that are increasing significantly as the Internet evolves over the years. Most small-time Internet entrepreneurs are blinded by the fact that they are not exempted from these notorious data thieves, which is not true nowadays.
According to a research conducted by AMI-Partners, almost 50 percent of small and medium-sized online businesses failed to execute even the most basic security protection, which includes the installation of anti-spyware and anti-virus programs to their computer systems. This is one of the main reasons why the Mydoom worm triumphed, affecting one out of three small and medium-sized online businesses compared to one out of six large Internet companies. This was also discovered by the ISA or the Internet Security Alliance, a non-profit organization that handles information security issues. In other words, we can conclude that even small online businesses are more vulnerable to online threats of data theft and electronic sabotage.
In fact, every small online business owner must give data and network protection more attention due to the sophistication of data thieves. These thieves have now one of the advanced software programs and hardware necessary to break into the security measures implemented by data mangers. It would be a great waste of time and financial resources if your computer is left unguarded against these advanced data thieves and online hackers. You are on the verge of losing everythingincluding your computer, which is also a valuable investment.
Thus, it is important that you should consider data security and encryption as one of your top priorities. Keep in mind that your computer system is always vulnerable to this kind of attacks, even if you are just starting up. In fact, big businesses have more chances to recover compared to small business since big business have necessary funds available to recover from mishap. On the other hand, your small business has meager funds to start with your businessand an attack will be catastrophic for your small business.
There are hundreds of software providers that came up with latest solutions to guarantee the safety of your computer system. In addition, there are also Internet security services to guarantee protection of your online data against Internet hackers. By incorporating high level of encryption technology, hackers will have a hard time intercepting the data being stored in your computer system or while it is transmitted to a certain network of computer systems.
Always explore your options. Prioritize what is important and avoid getting caught by a catastrophic incident that will shut down your small business at an instant.
What is Adware?
The word Adware is short for Advertising-Supported Software. This term describes any software which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer, after the software has been installed on it.
It is usually included with other software which one can download from the Internet – especially software that you can download for “free”. The price you pay is having the adware installed on your computer. When you run the program that you downloaded for “free” from the Internet, it will usually automatically cause adds to pop up on your screen thereafter.
Adware software is integrated into, or combined with, another program. The person or company who is making the free program available is usually paid for including adware in his program. This is one of the ways that some programmers make a living or cover the cost of writing “free” programs.
Sometimes Adware takes the form of spyware, keeping track of what you do on your computer, and which pages you visit on the web. This information is automatically sent over the Internet to the company which runs the adware. The data is then used in order to target you with specific advertisements, or is sometimes resold to other companies. This is can be done entirely without your knowledge. Should you, however, complain about this, you would most likely be referred to some fine print in the license agreement which you accepted when you installed the “free” program.
Some Adware can interfere with the functions of other programs running on your computer, in order to force you to visit a particular web site. If you find yourself being automatically sent to a certain website, you can be fairly certain that you have some form of adware running on your computer.
These days it can be hard to separate out “Adware” from “Spyware” and “Malware;” especially since many programs might do all of these things at the same time. For example, if you install “adware” knowingly or unknowingly on a computer, and agree to a tracking feature, the “adware” becomes “spyware” as it is now also keeping track of what you do and sending the information somewhere. If someone else visits or contacts your computer, this will also be recorded and his information is then passed on as well.
Some Adware is not classified as Spyware because, somewhere in the user agreement it says that “third-party software will be included that may collect and may report on computer use.” As the company has included this statement in the “Terms of Use,” it is now no longer Spyware but simply Adware, as they are not “secretly” collecting and tracking your information.
But really… how many people actually fully read the Terms of Use?
Another circumstance to take into account is the case when there are more than one person using the computer. In the case of a family computer, your kids might download a simple “free game,” and unaware of all the facts, automatically agree to have Adware installed. All you see is the kids playing a new game. You might even be happy as it didn’t cost you dime this time. However the “free game” is most likely not all that was downloaded.
A few names of well-known Adware programs are as follows:
- 180 Solutions
- 180SearchAssistant
- Zango
- Bonzi Buddy
- BlockChecker
- ClipGenie
- Comet Cursor
- Cydoor
- Direct Revenue
- Ebates MoneyMaker
- ErrorSafe
- Gator
- Hotbar
- Mirar Toolbar
- Smiley Central
- WeatherBug
This list is by no means complete and serves only to give some examples. There are also programs that detect and remove adware. These programs are designed specifically to detect spyware and adware. They and will not detect or remove viruses. Some of these products are available for free on the Internet. Anti-Adware or Anti-Spyware programs are not Antivirus programs. This is a different subject entirely. A virus is a malicious program which is spread from one computer to the other. It harms your computer, erases your data, keeps your system from running correctly, or does other damage.
A virus can also spy on you like spyware does – for example, by recording your credit card information and sending the data to someone else by email. But the terms adware or spyware usually refer to software which does only that spies on you, sends you advertisements, and steals your data; with or without your consent. Most Anti-virus programs also detect Adware and Spyware. But if you are very active online it is a good idea to have several different anti-adware and anti-spyware programs installed. Different programs detect different types of spyware and adware. By scanning your computer with more than one program, you can do a more thorough clean-up.
What is Adware?
The word Adware is short for Advertising-Supported Software. This term describes any software which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer, after the software has been installed on it.
It is usually included with other software which one can download from the Internet – especially software that you can download for “free”. The price you pay is having the adware installed on your computer. When you run the program that you downloaded for “free” from the Internet, it will usually automatically cause adds to pop up on your screen thereafter.
Adware software is integrated into, or combined with, another program. The person or company who is making the free program available is usually paid for including adware in his program. This is one of the ways that some programmers make a living or cover the cost of writing “free” programs.
Sometimes Adware takes the form of spyware, keeping track of what you do on your computer, and which pages you visit on the web. This information is automatically sent over the Internet to the company which runs the adware. The data is then used in order to target you with specific advertisements, or is sometimes resold to other companies. This is can be done entirely without your knowledge. Should you, however, complain about this, you would most likely be referred to some fine print in the license agreement which you accepted when you installed the “free” program.
Some Adware can interfere with the functions of other programs running on your computer, in order to force you to visit a particular web site. If you find yourself being automatically sent to a certain website, you can be fairly certain that you have some form of adware running on your computer.
These days it can be hard to separate out “Adware” from “Spyware” and “Malware;” especially since many programs might do all of these things at the same time. For example, if you install “adware” knowingly or unknowingly on a computer, and agree to a tracking feature, the “adware” becomes “spyware” as it is now also keeping track of what you do and sending the information somewhere. If someone else visits or contacts your computer, this will also be recorded and his information is then passed on as well.
Some Adware is not classified as Spyware because, somewhere in the user agreement it says that “third-party software will be included that may collect and may report on computer use.” As the company has included this statement in the “Terms of Use,” it is now no longer Spyware but simply Adware, as they are not “secretly” collecting and tracking your information.
But really… how many people actually fully read the Terms of Use?
Another circumstance to take into account is the case when there are more than one person using the computer. In the case of a family computer, your kids might download a simple “free game,” and unaware of all the facts, automatically agree to have Adware installed. All you see is the kids playing a new game. You might even be happy as it didn’t cost you dime this time. However the “free game” is most likely not all that was downloaded.
A few names of well-known Adware programs are as follows:
- 180 Solutions
- 180SearchAssistant
- Zango
- Bonzi Buddy
- BlockChecker
- ClipGenie
- Comet Cursor
- Cydoor
- Direct Revenue
- Ebates MoneyMaker
- ErrorSafe
- Gator
- Hotbar
- Mirar Toolbar
- Smiley Central
- WeatherBug
This list is by no means complete and serves only to give some examples. There are also programs that detect and remove adware. These programs are designed specifically to detect spyware and adware. They and will not detect or remove viruses. Some of these products are available for free on the Internet. Anti-Adware or Anti-Spyware programs are not Antivirus programs. This is a different subject entirely. A virus is a malicious program which is spread from one computer to the other. It harms your computer, erases your data, keeps your system from running correctly, or does other damage.
A virus can also spy on you like spyware does – for example, by recording your credit card information and sending the data to someone else by email. But the terms adware or spyware usually refer to software which does only that spies on you, sends you advertisements, and steals your data; with or without your consent. Most Anti-virus programs also detect Adware and Spyware. But if you are very active online it is a good idea to have several different anti-adware and anti-spyware programs installed. Different programs detect different types of spyware and adware. By scanning your computer with more than one program, you can do a more thorough clean-up.