Internet Security

Viruses, adware and spyware have reached epidemic proportions.

They have turned into malware due to their viral and very aggressive behaviour. With the threat of identity theft and financial fraud looming on the Internet, viruses, adware and spyware can be more than just annoying.

Here are four methods to remove or simply avoid adware and spyware without spending a penny on the latest "anti-virus" software.

1. Consider using Mozilla Firefox. If you don't use the Internet much, than perhaps you don't know much about Mozilla Firefox. All you need to know is that it is a browser that works REALLY well and has great security features. There will be some things you will have challenges with in Firefox like streaming media and certain active x sites.

2. Internet Explorer is the default browser in Microsoft Windows. Microsoft is continually releasing patches to fix all the flaws in the Internet Explorer 6.X and lower versions of the browser. Although it can be "secured" by increasing the security it may loose much of its functionality once set to maximum security with certain exploitable features off. Make sure you regulary do your windows updates so you have the latest security updates.

3. Use a software or hardware firewall (not just Window XP Service Pack 2's firewall). This may sound expensive and hard to do but it is not. If you have a DSL or broadband cable connection your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have given you a DSL/Cable router with a firewall built in. All you have to do is turn it on. This may require you to take a few minutes to read the manual.

If your ISP didn't give you a DSL or Cable broadband router with a built in firewall you can spend anywhere from £10 - £100 to get a router. If you have DSL you will need a DSL router. If you have Cable broadband ISP you will need a Cable Router. Brands such as Linksys have built in firewalls and a feature called NAT (Network Address Translation) which is very effective since it hides your real IP address from the Internet. All routers come with instruction on how to hook them up. If you want to keep you computer security free, just use a free software firewall. An example of this is Zone Alarm.

4. Remove Viirus/Spyware/Adware with free internet security packages such as AVG anti-virus, anti-adware software such as Lavasoft's Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy. These internet security software packages are excellent methods of cleaning your system for free. Majorgeeks.com is a popular and trusted freeware site that has these and many other excellent spyware/adware cleaning and malware prevention tools (including free downloadable firewalls). 

The alternative is to purchase an all in one full internet security suite. The most popular of those is Internet Norton Security.

The best method is to use ALL of the above.

Being proactive by surfing with a decent browser and getting a firewall is important, but it also helps to know about a couple of good anti-virus/adware/spyware applications.

If you get hit with a really nasty bit of malware that can not be cleaned with Adaware or Spybot, find yourself a geek. There are many great forums on the Internet dedicated to doing nothing but finding and cleaning such malware. Chances are if your system is infected with it, hundreds of others before you have been infected and have already figured out how to get rid of the malware.

Identity Theft

All too often we here nightmare stories in the media how peoples identity have been stolen and the devastation that has ensued. These effects can include lose off money, debtors knocking on your door for finance created in your name and ultimately a severe dent to your credit rating.

Just by taking some basic precautions you vastly reduce the risk of it happening to you. Here are some suggestions:

1. Only shop online at secure sites. When you get to the payment page you should see an https//  in the address bar, the "s" depicting secure.

2. Always protect your debit card and credit card pin identity. Even when you enter it when purchasing goods make sure people are not looking over your shoulder.

3. Any mail that you throw away that has your personal details on SHRED IT ie. name and address, bank account details, credit card statements, bills, anything bearing your date of birth. It costs as little as £15 to buy a basic paper shredder for the home. Make it a habit.

4. For around £80 a year you can get identity theft cover that takes care of many headaches if you do fall victim.

Taking the precautions above cannot guarantee you will not fall victim to identity theft however as mentioned already they will go some way towards prevention.