Computer Safety - No I don't put a condom on my computer!!

Well I finally got around to it. Seems I can't sit still and must do something. On the computer that is. :)

thought it would be a good idea to pass on what experience and basic knowledge I have on a few things computer related. That way someone can get up to speed faster than I did and avoid having to read tons of magazines, search the internet, tune in to TechTV and quiz every techie they come in contact with.

A really major concern is computer security! I wish they would write in a law that applied across borders that would throw in jail the spammers and virus writes. The cost to us all simply cannot be calculated. It's one thing when it affects a computer with meaningless personal information, it's another when it takes out life saving information from a medical facilities system, or affects the operation of any business be it a mom and pop shop or a large corporation. The fact is that it affects peoples jobs and livelihood.

The following programs I have found very useful easy to install, configure and understand. The companies that offer then have useful support and the programs do not seem to have any reported spyware. All the programs listed are FREEWARE except where noted. Please remember that the people, in particular those who offer open source DO NOT have to offer their work. So please show appreciation where possible and if you partake in their forums do NOT be abusive, NO MATTER WHAT. If you can pass on something you have learnt to others then please do so. Every little helps, and there is always someone who just needed to know what you just solved.

Security
AntiVirus
1. Grisoft AVG Free Edition. Free doesn't mean lacking. AVG Free Edition offers what you need in an antivirus and doesn't burden your system. Click Here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.grisoft.com/

2. (Others to be announced) :)

For those of you who can afford to purchase the full version, an AntiVirus program is money well spent. I know, I know ...never heard of it. Well you should have by now. They are a European concern if I'm not mistaken. I read a review about it from one of the popular magazine's website that was blatantly trying to promote another brand by CREATING faults that didn't exist with AVG. The posts by users that followed that article were amazing as it clearly indicated that the review's author was "getting a little something under the table from another company" or just plain stupid.

Once you install AVG you will see its icon in your system tray (bottom right beside the Windows time). Double click on the icon to open AVG Control Centre click on the Update Manager tab select what time you want the program to check for updates in "Update will start at". I suggest using 1 day for the "Update if database..." and "If not successful..." settings. Dial-up users who do not access the internet regularly or stay online for long periods should be vigilant in updating AVG by clicking the "Update Now!" If you sue Outlook or Outlook Express then you will see AVG icons installed there. When a virus is found AVG advises you and stores it in the AVG Vault. You should empty this periodically by going to AVG Windows clicking Programs and selecting AVG Virs Vault. There you can dump the viruses that AVG found from the system and see a log of when they were found.

Firewalls - (First before you get on the internet with XP installed - turn on the Microsoft Firewall that comes with it. To do this in XP click the START button then scroll up to and click on Network Connections. You should see the connections you use for the internet (dial up or network) right click on the connections shown and from the list select Properties. From the window that pops up select the tab that says Advanced. There you should see Internet Connection Firewall - put a check mark in the box, then click OK.)

1. ZoneAlarm (Warning do NOT install if you have Sygate Personal Firewall or other similar firewall installed -Microsoft Firewall can be install no problem there - As recommended by Microsoft, ZoneAlarm disables Windows Firewall on installation and re-enables it if ZoneAlarm is uninstalled.) - Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.zonelabs.com/

2. SyGate Personal Firewall (Warning do NOT install if you have ZoneAlarm or other similar firewall installed -Microsoft Firewall can be install no problem there - As recommended by Microsoft, ZoneAlarm disables Windows Firewall on installation and re-enables it if ZoneAlarm is uninstalled.) - Click Here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.sygate.com/

Both these programs are free downloads and very easy to install and setup. Please, please, please take the time to READ the instructions that are provided. Take the time and visit the websites of these programs and read additional information they might have and look through their support forums. I cannot think of any good reason why the average user would not have or need a firewall like those above, once they are connected to the internet. If your computer is not connected to the internet but plan on doing so soon, please ensure that you turn on the included Microsoft Firewall before connecting and then make one of the above software the second website you visit, and an AntiVirus the first.

Many users are turned off by the pop messages these programs use to advise you of what it is blocking, whether it is a program on your system trying to access the internet or someone trying to get in. THIS FEATURE CAN BE TURNED OFF in both programs. So please don't do something as stupid and uninstalling it for that reason. The people who uninstall it for that reason have absolutely no idea what they are in for by not having a firewall.

Configuring either of these programs is very easy. Essentially it asks that you tell it what programs you want to always allow to access the internet without asking your permission each time (Like your browser or instant messenger), those programs that you want to access the internet, but with your permission by clicking on a confirmation button (Your e-mail client like Outlook Express, Outlook, Eudora etc), and those that you never want to access the internet and never want a pop asking you to allow it access. All these settings are not final but can be changed by the user at anytime.

Spyware Removal - (are you finding that every time you open your browser that a number of webpages open without you typing that address in? Or do you keep getting pop-ups offering everything you don't want or will ever need, from websites that you know didn't generate them? This is more than likely due to spyware that has been loaded on your computer by software that either downloaded itself on your system or when you clicked on a link or pop-up thinking you were closing it. The people who do spyware are very crafty. They have to be to avoid you knowing what they are doing to your system. Another form of spyware sits on your system making notes of what you do with your computer, what website you visit and any other type of activity they might be designed to monitor. The software sends this information ack to its source where the data on you is then analyzed and often sold for marketing purposes.

1. Spybot Search & Destroy - Great program. Here is a little outline of what it's all about.
Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

2. Ad-Aware - Why have one when you can install both and have additional safety? Get both. Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

You can install both of these programs on your system and use them. Spybot - Search & Destroy and Adaware can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spyware is a relatively new kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, if web pages just start opening for sites you know nothing about or if your browser start page has changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Spybot-S&D and Adaware are free, so there's no harm in trying to see if something snooped into your computer, too :)

Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you worked on. And for professional users, it allows to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports.

E-mail Anti-Spam

1. SpamBayes - the best thing to have with your spam :)
Click here to go right to the download page.
Home page: http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html

SpamBayes is a tool used to segregate unwanted mail (spam) from the mail you want (ham). Before SpamBayes can be your spam filter of choice you need to train it on representative samples of email you receive (actually you can train it while you are using it). After it's been trained, you use SpamBayes to classify new mail according to its spamminess and hamminess qualities. Look carefully at the downloads available. There is one for users of OUTLOOK and another for OUTLOOK EXPRESS, EUDORA and other POP Clients. The first version integrates with Outlook nicely and provides buttons on its menu. I haven't had any cash problems and I've been using it forever. The second version does NOT integrate with the e-mail client but sits between the e-mail client and the web.

I haven't come across another spam filter the works as well as SpamBayes in removing spam. I like the fact that SpamBayes does not delete the spam from your system but instead sorts into two folders - Junk E-mail and Junk Suspects. To date I have not seen anything but Spam in the Junk E-mail folder. SpamBayes allows you at anytime to go into any of the folders where your received e-mail is (Inbox/Junk Mail/Junk Suspects) and reclassify the mail with the click of a button on the toolbar (Delete Spam/Recover from Spam) . This is what trains the program.

Check the FAQ if you are using an e-mail client other than Outlook. Click Here for FAQ.

Browsers
- meaningful alternates (not change for change sake) to Microsoft's Internet Explorer which is very old in the tooth (rotten might be a better discription). MS Internet Explorer is now being revamped by Microsoft.

Great features like mouse gestures, pop up blocker, ad blocker, auto scroll, tab windows, enhanced security and much much more make all the browsers below a better choice than Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

1. Opera
2. FireFox
3. Mozilla
4. Maxthon

(Will provide more information soon)

E-mail Client
- meaningful alternates (not change for change sake) to Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook Express.

1. Mozilla Mail
2. Opera Mail
3. FastMail
4. YourName@YourChoice.com/net/org/yours to choose.

(Will provide information soon)

Contacts
Contacts under security? Actually yes, as I feel it is important to SECURE your contacts, and if not, then at least have a backup source. Ever lose your Contacts? Ever seen an adult run stark naked down the highway, crying like a baby and tearing their hair out? That's would be someone who lost their List of Contacts. I highly recommend Plaxo for all Outlook and Outlook Express users (for those who use other e-mail clients you can use the Plaxo online version). Make sure that you also sign up for the online version, that's where the the SECURE part comes in. The online version allows you to access your address book/things to do etc. with and internet connection on any computer, by accessing the Plaxo website and logging in. Plaxo

Plaxo keeps people connected by solving the common and frustrating problem of out-of-date contact information. Plaxo is a service that securely updates and maintains the information in your address book.

Plaxo 2.0 also connects you with your most vital information. Not only are you connected to your contacts, but also your calendar, your tasks, and your notes. Synchronize your home and work computers, and securely access that information anywhere through the Web. This online access is also a reliable backup, ensuring that you will never lose your data by accidentally deleting it or in a computer crash. Just one click and you're in sync. It's safe, and it's FREE.

**SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS**Windows 98/ME - (Service Pack 2 is recommended) - US onlyWindows NT - 4.0 Service Pack 4 and higher (Current is 6a) - US & InternationalWindows 2000 / XP - (Windows Update recommended) - US & InternationalWindows 2003 - (Windows Update recommended) - US & International

**SUPPORTED MAIL CLIENTS**Outlook Express 5, 5.5, 6 - IE. 6.0 Service Pack is recommended) Outlook 2000, 2002/XP, 2003 - (ALL Service Packs are recommended).

They plan to support more platforms and address book tools in the future. Visit their Web site at http://www.plaxo.com/ . Plaxo 2.0 currently does not support the following operating systems or address book tools.

Unsupported operating systems: MacOS (Apple Macintosh), Linux, Solaris.

Unsupported mail clients: ACT, Lotus Notes, AOL, Incredimail, Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Eudora.

If your system is unsupported, please consider signing up for Plaxo Online -- it combines the benefits of Plaxo 2.0 for Outlook and Outlook Express with the convenience of the Web. You can import and build your address book from Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Palm, Yahoo! Mail, and Hotmail.To sign up for Plaxo Online, visit: https://www.plaxo.com/register.

OpenOffice

Alternatives to Microsoft's Office Suite.

Sun's Open Office Suite and others.

(Will provide information soon)

Connectivity (for those of you who just want access to your files look at BeInSync, I have some information above)
Have you ever wanted to stay at home and use your computer to connect to say...the computer at work to access some information, or to access your grandmothers computer to help her out with a PC problem or show here how to use a program?

Though XP has a built-in feature not everyone has XP and someone might be at the remote PC to initiate access.

There are many ways to get this type of access going. VNC and VPN are two common ways. VPN (Virtual Private Network) tends to require a lot more than to setup, in expertise, cost, hardware/software and time. VNC (Virtual Network Computing) on the other hand is quite easy. The cost is FREE, no hardware other than the remote and your PC and just a few minutes.

The most popular VNC programs are Real VNC (http://www.realvnc.com/), Tight VNC (http://www.tightvnc.com/), Ultra VNC (http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/) and Tridia VNC (http://www.tridiavnc.com/). One of the concerns with VNC is security. Once you connect over the internet and start sending data back and forth there is always a possibility that your information can be intercepted. There are methods of encrypting the data and I will post information on that later, but before using VNC make sure that you read the information on security offered on the software's site and do some reading using searches from Google. VPN tends to be much more secure, hence the expensive and additional requirements.

There maybe some open source VPN utilities and if I find any that are user friendly and don't require $$$ or other needs I will be posting information on it here. Until then I have to use VNC and use what encryption is available to me.

There is another method of remote connection, but this is not done using the internet just telephone lines dialing in to the remote PC's modem. This is much more secure as it is not using the internet and snooping is virtually eliminated. If the remote PC is a local call then this maybe your best bet, but if it is a long distance call or overseas call for those of us who travel and need to access, then it maybe too expensive.

I will provide details on this later.