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Don't Get Ripped Off Getting A Merchant Account
Far too many people get ripped off when setting up a merchant account for their online business. The biggest reason is that they don't understand their options and are intimidated by the whole process. Now, armed with the proper knowledge,...
The Next Marketing Tool: Design
Design sells. It’s something that all of us know, but few of us consciously acknowledge. There is an age old adage that warns people not to “judge books by their cover.” In other words, we shouldn’t judge people or products by their appearance. But...
Types of mp3 Players: a Quick Overview
MP3 players are pocket-sized electronic devices that have the ability to not only store, but play music and other sound files.
Although MP3 players are sophisticated devices and there are of many types, they can be placed into one of three broad...
Video Bytes From The Web
Copyright 2005 Jim Edwards
** Handheld Video **
Apple Computers recently announced the addition of a small video screen to its new iPod, the perennial favorite portable MP3 music player.
Apple's announcement comes as no surprise to many...
What Makes Podcasting Different
When the signs of a new technology for developing web content appeared, nobody was aware about its growth speed. Now, after months, the podcasting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting) is going to be more and more popular and new publishers...
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Tips on understanding the dangers of spyware and adware
Adware is a program that displays advertisements on the
computer whether you want them or not. They are not just
connected to particular websites or free software but are
programmed to start up whenever your computer is switched on.
Programs like Eudora mail client display advertisements in lieu
of charging registration fees for use of software. It helps
developers recover program development costs. Kazaa the file
sharing application comes bundled with at least three ad-ware
programs. Two of them serve ads to the desktop while another
redirects the user's browser to a search engine with advertiser
sponsored web results. Well known ones are: BroadcastPC; Comet
Cursor; GeoWhere; Network Essentials, 123 Messenger, Direct
Revenue, and so on.
Unfortunately, other guises of adware are spyware and malware.
Spyware is a program code that relays information about you and
your work without your permission or knowledge. Some just "spy"
on you conveying your Internet habits to marketing companies,
while others are "thieves" they access credit card information
as well as other sensitive files. In plain terms, it is
malicious software that can intercept or take control of a
computer's operation without user knowledge or consent. Termed
as "malware" the redefinition of spyware, the programs can:
* Steal personal information and the address book. * Flood the
browser with pop-ups. * Spam the system. * Slow down programs
and connection. * Hijack the browser and redirect the user to a
"con" page. * Uses the computer as a server to broadcast porn. *
Can cause a crash.
Spyware reaches a computer through innocent web pages, game
demos, MP3 players, search tool bars, and other downloads like
free software. It installs itself and leaves a mark on the
windows registry. It can hog the computer resources such
as
memory and hard drive and cause a crash or lock up.
Keystroke-logging spyware can steal passwords and credit card
information for thieves.
To protect the files one has to:
* Use anti adware and spyware programs. Examples: Spybot, Search
& destroy, Pest Patrol, and Lavasoft's Adware. * Keep windows as
well as Internet explorer up-to-date by applying the latest
security patches. * Maintain the security level of the Internet
Explorer at medium. Users must not lower the security level. *
Use firewalls and web proxies to block access to web sites known
to carry spyware. * Install layered protection. * Update the
antivirus program. An up-to-date program will stop spyware as
well as Trojans. * Install a startup monitor to protect your
system. * Never accept "free" as being free---check out free
software and downloads, there will be a hidden surprise or
catch. * Never download software from warez sites. Pirated
software is always distributed along with adware and spyware. *
Use Spy checker to determine if the download has spyware. This
can be accessed from the free computer securities pages.
An anti-spyware coalition has been instituted by Microsoft,
Earthlink, McAfee, and Hewlett-Packard. They are working towards
anti-spyware legislation and putting protection systems in
place. A survey shows that 87 percent of users know what spyware
is and of this 40 percent through firsthand experience. Protect
yourself and your work; keep your system free of adware and
spyware.
About the author:
About the Author : Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for
www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com
, the premier website to
find Free Software Downloads including free anti-virus software,
free spyware detection software, free toolbars, free chat
software and more. He also freelances for
www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com
.
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