As printed in the advisor | 
Additional information
In computer repair I see a lot of computers. 85% of all repairs are software related and 80% of those are caused by spyware. Even many people have heard of spyware very few actually know what it is. Lets take a look at the different categories. Of course there is spyware itself then there is adware and recently phishing became a dangerous subcategory. Adware is the least dangerous and most common type. Adware is usually acquired by installing certain types of software on your computer. These programs are often financed by advertising that gets installed along with the software. You agree to the terms by installing the software. The fineprint of the license agreement is designed to make you click install before you read about the little “extra” you get. Most adware is harmless but some can become very annoying by opening pop up windows all over your desktop. The second category is the actual spyware. Spyware installs itself on your computer in many different ways. It is sometimes as easy as just visiting a website. A website can install Viruses, Spyware or Dialer on your computer. That's why it is so important to have anti spy and anti virus software on your computer as well as a firewall. Some spyware, like the name suggest, spies on you and sends the results to companies for targeted advertising. Other spyware is more malicious and can stop your computer from functioning. A large number of computers break down by this kind of spyware. Sometimes the transition between ad- & spyware or spyware & viruses is to close to put it in only one category. To keep your computer running smooth and speed it up again you need to get rid of all that stuff. There are a few ways of doing that and all of them are FREE! We all like that, right? First you need to download one of the free spyware removal tools. Install it, update it and run it. They come with instructions. Just click on one of the links below.
• Spybot Search & Destroy – One of the best (if not the best) anti spy solution.
• AdAware – Also a good anti spyware program.
• Microsoft has a brand new AntiSpyware. It is still in beta testing. Try it out.
The last category for today is phishing (Password Fishing). This is the most dangerous attack. It usually aims at Internet money transactions of all kinds. This is also the easiest attack to counter. This method, often used by organized crime, tricks you into entering your credit card or account information in a forged website. The data is than used to empty your bank account within minutes. The attacks vary in style but can be recognized and countered by the same method.
| • | Do not respond to emails from your bank, credit card or other (e.g. PayPal) that urge you to enter or change your account information, credit card number or Social Security Number. These emails usually contain a spoofed link, that looks real but leads to a fake website. The site may also look real but is a fake, designed to fool you into entering your account information. A variation of this scam opens the real bank site but overlays it with a fake pop up window to enter your account information. If you are in doubt about a website or an email talk to your bank or credit card institute directly.
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| • | NEVER enter a bank login into a popup window. |
| • | ALWAYS type the URL (Link) to your bank manually into your browser. |
| • | ALWAYS log out when you are done. |
| • | ALWAYS check for a secure connection. Lower right corner in Internet Explorer. (See below)  Lower right corner in Firefox.. (See below)  Refer to the manual if you use a different browser. |
| • | Further you can check for the safety certificate. In Firefox you can see it right away in the lower right corner. . (See below)  In Internet Explorer doubleclick the little lock and you can see whom it is issued to.  If in doubt LEAVE THE WEBSITE ! |
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Dialer
Dialer are little programs you get the same way as spyware. A dialer changes your dial up settings to a special phone number (like a 0900 number). These dialer can cause you a lot of trouble an cost. Several thousand dollar phone bills aren't unusual. Anti spyware and antivirus software usually recognize and neutralize dialer. But it takes time between a new dialer and the antidote. If you don't use these kind of phone service contact your telephone company and have it disabled (you can still use them via operator). Also if you have a high speed Internet connection you don't need your modem. Disconnect it from the phoneline.
See you again next week for Tips & Tricks around email.
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