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Posts Tagged ‘kids and teens’

Spyware, Adware and Antivirus

January 3rd, 2010 Owen Jones No comments

Adware, spyware and anti-virus software share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let’s make a distinction between the three.

Spyware is software that does not necessarily harm your computer. What it does is build links whereby someone else apart from the computer owner can communicate from that computer. Normally spyware records the different kinds of web sites you go to and sends that information to web advertisers, who then later send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.

Which is why spyware is unpopular and shunned. It is more intrusive than adware. Spyware has its own separate executable programs, which allow it to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use, including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.

Spyware then sends the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The author will then use this data for advertising and marketing purposes. They also sell the information to advertisers and other parties.

Adware, on the other hand, is a more legitimate form of software.. It is similar to spyware but adware is advertising spyware which is bundled into free software or a free program and is installed automatically once that particular program or software is loaded into your computer system.

Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising content when a particular application is being run. Some adware behaves like spyware in that it tracks and reports user data to the program’s writers.

The signs of spyware infection include pop-up ads that seem to be irrelevant to the site you are viewing. Sometimes spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Furthermore, if you notice your computer slowing down, there is a big chance that spyware and its components have found their way into your operating system. If Windows desktop takes a long time to load, it is best to scan your computer for spyware infections.

Viruses, on the other hand, are a destructive kind of software. They were designed and created for one reason alone and that is to cause chaos on your computer. They may destroy whatever data they come in contact with, can initiate self replication and then infect as many components of the computer’s operating system or network as possible.

These days, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. They then remove it as well as its components located in the system registry and other locations on your computer. It is therefore, good practice to regularly update your anti-virus and anti-spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the Internet. Beware of free add-ons or free anything really.

Adware could be spyware in disguise and could be just waiting to be deployed for its writers to gather your data. Learn how to set up a firewall and pop-up blocker in order to minimize the risk of computer infection and guarantee the security of all your computer files.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching the best virus protection software. If you have an interest in such software, please go over to our website now at Computer Antivirus Software

Common Computer Viruses

December 29th, 2009 Owen Jones No comments

New computer viruses are being generated, exposed and disabled every day. These computer viruses are created often just to annoy us and to inflict havoc in our computer systems. Below, I have described ten viruses recently cited as being the most prevalent and being potentially able to inflict the most harm. However, new viruses are being developed on a daily basis, so this list is by no means complete. The only thing you can do is stay alert, maintain your anti-virus software updated, and stay abreast of the current computer virus threats.

Virus: Trojan.Lodear: A Trojan (from Trojan Horse) that tries to download files from a remote source. It will inject a .dll file into the EXPLORER.EXE process causing system instability.

Virus: W32.Beagle.CO@mm: A mass-mailing worm that lowers security settings. It can delete security-related registry sub keys and may prevent admittance to security-related websites.

Virus: Backdoor.Zagaban: A Trojan that allows the infected computer to be operated as a covert proxy and which may degrade network performance.

Virus: W32/Netsky-P: A mass-mailing worm which spreads by emailing itself to addresses produced from files on the local drives.

Virus: W32/Mytob-GH: A mass-mailing worm and IRC backdoor Trojan for the Windows platform. Messages sent by this worm will have the subject chosen randomly from a list including titles such as: Notice of account limitation, Email Account Suspension, Security measures, Members Support, Important Notification.

Virus: W32/Mytob-EX: A mass-mailing worm and IRC backdoor Trojan similar in nature to W32-Mytob-GH. W32/Mytob- EX runs constantly in the background, providing a backdoor server which allows a remote intruder to gain admittance and control over your computer via IRC channels. This virus spreads by sending itself to email attachments harvested from your email address book.

Virus: W32/Mytob-AS, Mytob-BE, Mytob-C, and Mytob-ER: This family of worm variations possesses similar characteristics in terms of what they can do. They are mass-mailing worms with backdoor functionality that can be controlled through the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network. Additionally, they can spread themselves by email and through various operating system weaknesses such as the LSASS (MS04-011).

Virus: Zafi-D: A mass-mailing worm and a peer-to-peer worm which replicates itself to the Windows system folder with the filename Norton Update.exe. It can then generate a number of files in the Windows system folder with filenames made up of 8 random characters and a DLL extension. W32/Zafi-D replicates itself to folders with names containing words like ’share’, ‘upload’, or ‘music’ as ‘ICQ 2005a new!.exe’ or ‘winamp 5.7 new!.exe’. W32/Zafi-D will also show a fake error message box with the caption “CRC: 04F6Bh” and the text “Error in packed file!”.

Virus: W32/Netsky-D: A mass-mailing worm with IRC backdoor functionality which can also infect computers vulnerable to the LSASS (MS04-011) exploit.

Virus: W32/Zafi-B: A peer-to-peer (P2P) and email worm that will reproduce itself to the Windows system folder as a randomly named EXE file. This worm will check for the presence of an Internet connection by attempting to connect to google.com or microsoft.com. A bilingual, worm with an attached Hungarian political text message box which translates to ?We demand that the government accommodates the homeless, tightens up the penal code and VOTES FOR THE DEATH PENALTY to cut down the increasing crime. Jun. 2004, P?cs (SNAF Team)?

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the network antivirus software. If you have an interest in such software, please go over to our website now at Computer Antivirus Software

Computer Hardware Training

December 26th, 2009 Owen Jones No comments

In our current world of hi-tech computers and fast networks, it is quite easy to get confused about what you need to run a decent system. Many amateurs and professionals alike are constantly challenged by the new developments and innovations that are constantly taking place in the realms of computer cases, network adapters, monitors and such like.

Many people are regularly faced with situations related to computers and the hardware. This is why computer hardware training is essential for anyone who wants to either take the hobby seriously or treat it like a business. The basic knowledge and skills that you will acquire from proper computer hardware training will never go to waste.

Many contemporary companies around the country are keen to expand their businesses which would involve bigger networks and bigger IT departments. Modern businesses are either wholly handled by computers and servers or with the assistance of them. This means that if the IT department fails, then the whole company could come to a standstill or worse. They could even go bankrupt.

This is the reason why IT and hardware technicians are in such high demand. Technicians with superior computer hardware training are head-hunted aggressively by the big corporate giants who need the expertise of these skilled professionals. Huge benefits await these people at these companies and they are looked after very well.

For this reason many young people are now hoping to become computer and IT experts or technicians. There are various qualification levels in computer hardware training available from advanced specialization to basic computer hardware training courses.

But the challenge for any newcomer to this subject is the valuable experience that is gained from the field of operations. However, before all that can happen you should make sure that your training is carried out at a acclaimed center in IT. There are many fraudsters and cheats operating freely around the country and as a result it is best to be careful when you are selecting your computer hardware training course.

A search for the best computer hardware training centers online would be the easiest way to go about looking for a good technical center. Most of these centers are certified by the pertinent authorities and the proper identification can be made when you visit their individual websites.

When the summer holidays start to get near, many parents start to look for opportunities for their children to gain more experience and ability. An answer to this problem could be a summer camp that offers computer hardware training and IT training. These computer camps would undoubtedly bring a significant benefit to these youngsters when they eventually have to go out into the adult world.

So, if this is the direction you want to go in, stop thinking about it and get on with working towards joining a computer hardware training course as soon as you can. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you and start to plan your life. Look into getting yourself some computer hardware training today, right now!

If you are looking for new desktop computer cases, or any other type of computer case, just go over to our website now at Clear Computer Case for more information.

Remote Control Models - The Helicopter

December 22nd, 2009 Rhys Jones No comments

If you like remote controlled models and have plenty of space, then you might want to think about buying one of the new big remote control helicopters that have recently been introduced by several makes. These helicopters, which can occasionally be as large as ten feet long, rival real helicopters in dexterity. They are expensive and can set you back three thousand dollars or more.

As with many fads, some people just have to possess one of their own. So, the next time you are walking in the park and you see a helicopter flying around, look again closely. At first you will probably think that it is a real helicopter that is just further away then you first thought. But look again and you will almost certainly see someone controlling the helicopter with a huge remote control unit.

If you see one of these remote controlled helicopters in flight, consider yourself very lucky. Because it is so expensive to own one of these beautiful models, they are also still pretty rare. However, because I am an ardent collector myself, I have thought about purchasing one of these big remote control helicopters, and I even put a bid on one in Ebay once, but in the end I did not get it and instead made up my mind to wait until the cost comes down a bit more.

Just as with any new, trendy item, big remote control helicopters are the latest fad, but in a few years, I am sure there will be a better supply and the price will fall. Then I will be ready and waiting to buy. But until then, I have a very bighearted and rich friend who owns one, and I will rehearse flying his. I have already taken it out once - it is so much more powerful than the normal, small remote control helicopters that you are most likely used to. When you first turn it on, the big remote control helicopter?s rotors spin with such ferociousness, that you may worry that you are going to break something. and then, when it lifts off the ground, you will experience a huge sense of achievement, knowing that you are the one who is controlling it.

And if you are able to make a successful, smooth landing as well, then you can truthfully consider yourself a helicopter pilot, because even those very experienced with small remote control helicopters will be overwhelmed to see someone land a big remote control helicopter, because it really is totally different. So if you happen to be lucky, well-off, or just single-minded enough to acquire one of your own, enjoy your time with your large helicopter.

I guarantee you that it will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. For me, the entire process was unreal, and when it was all over, I had to phone everyone I knew and tell them how I had flown a 10 foot helicopter and landed it smoothly. I bet that?s how pilots feel the first time they fly a real aircraft.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with remote controlled trucks. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars