Best Download site for Security Software
There are just a few things to watch out for when downloading from the site.
- Search for the program you want
- Read carefully as the top banner will probably be for a different ulity. Usually a Fast Tune up. Etc. This is not what you want so check that you select Download beneath the required program
- Do NOT agree to the CNET update Tracking.. less sites tracking you the better
- During the install of any program, especially free ones always read the screen and take the ticks out of boxes for extra tool bars, auto updates, forums etc.
- Do NOT select the Startup menu icon or anything else offered except a Desktop Icon which is OK
- Apart from that this site os good for professional and users reviews and will be virus free
FREE AVG Antivirus. Sometimes they hide this link well in order to tempt you into the paid version. Here is the link to the free version and some installation tips. Two minutes of reading now might help time spent uninstalling or sorting out afterwards.
- http://free.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus-download is the link nut make sure you select under the FREE VERSION
- Select the CUSTOM install and take out the tick against the Additional languages
- Watch all questions and decline all offers of toolbars etc by deselecting the ticked box
- Let it complete the intelligent scan after installation as it will flag all files that will never change so that subsequent scans will be faster.
Spyware and Malware Checkers
From Cnet download Superantispyware and Malware Bytes
Again check FREE Versions.. no extras and No Startup Menu icons
Update and run full scans on these monthly.
If any problems are found let the program remove or clean as recommended.
Cookies
What Cookies Do to Your PCs
Cookies are browser dependent and are essentially text files that contain information your browser saves on one of this folders for some websites that do send out cookies. By themselves, cookies pose no risk since they do not contain virus in any form nor do they spy on your PC content to compromise security. They are used to make online surfing faster and easier by make the sites you’ve visited remember who you are, like remembering you IP address or passwords, along with your own preferences such as when Amazon recommend a book or music CD similar to what you looked for in your
There are few general goals that are accomplished by the usage of cookies:
- To notify the Web site that you have visited it in the past. This information can be used to block some one-time services (for example Web pools, one-time promotional services, etc.).
- To remember your user name and password so that you don't need to enter them each time when you visit this Web site.
- To remember your personal information that is important to the Web site you are visiting. It can be your name, personal preferences, advertising information, etc.
- To show you a different ad each time when you visit the site or similar ads to ones that you have clicked in the past.
As you can see there are plenty of ways for cookies to threaten your privacy. Even if it seems that the purpose of some cookies is innocent they still reveal the fact that you have visited this specific Web site. Furthermore, the Web site can update the cookie every time you visit its pages, adding new usage information. Cookies remain on your computer as long as their creator decides (from few days to many years). Some cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser (so called session cookies) but others can stay on your PC virtually forever.
It depends on the BROWSER you use how you delete cookies but it follows this format
You can easily remove any cookies that have been created in the cookie folder of your browser. For example, if you are on Windows machine, here are the steps on how to use Windows Explorer to erase cookie files:
- Click on 'Windows Explorer'
* Select the 'Search' button on the tool bar
* Enter “cookie” into the search box field for 'Folders and Files'
* Choose 'My Computer' in the 'Look In' drop down menu
* Click on 'Search Now'
* Select and open the folders that are retrieved
* Click to highlight any cookie file
* Click the 'Delete' key to erase the cookie file
This is a link which gives full instructions for other browsers.
Utility Programs to Manage Cookies, Temporary Files, Browsing History etc
Two programs I recommend and again can be downloaded from CNET
CCleaner FREE
- http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/?tag=mncol;1
- Again ignore and add-ons and icons in start-up menu
- It will complete an intelligent cookie scan first to establish was it thinks to be ‘good cookies’ like banking security cookies
- Then complete a preview and establish what space it will find. Make sure that you are happy about clearing your deleted items and history. Anything you have any doubts about just uncheck the box beside it.
- Rescan and accept the clean up.
Advanced System Care FREE
Again ignore any add-ons , upgrades and icons in start-up menu. Be VIGILANT with this one as it does try to add quite a lot of extra software
Run a Quick Care
On a Monthly Basis Run Deepcare and let the program solve any problems.
Read the reviews from CNet and Users and some have also got Video Tutorials on using the software.
Change to Google’s Privacy Policy
Nothing is ever for FREE so all our Google services like browser, email, maps, translation etc etc have a natural payback. FACEBOOK is now worth billions of dollars when in fact they trade no commodity. Their value is in their database and personal information that users have readily volunteered. Information that is very valuable to the commercial world who want to tempt us into spending money and even into debt. Google gathers it by watching the web pages we browse to, the items we show an interest in, the places we book for holidays and the goods we purchase.
The Legislators are looking at how they gather this information and how they use it and what the victims can do about it. Whilst they debate for years to come it is time to look at how, we the users, can invoke damage limitation.
TIPS
- EMAIL: We have free Email accounts but we do not need to be signed in at all times. Why are we lazy and allow the account to ‘remember’ our password and sign in automatically? Make sure you know your account password and sign OUT when not using. Sign in to send mail created and waiting delivery in the OUTBOX. Receive mail then SIGN OUT. Follow this procedure for all the applications linked to your Google account like Youtube, Picasa etc. The default setting is to ARCHIVE Emails on the web after they have been downloaded to our computers. Just log in to your account on the web and be surprised how many messages are in your ALLMAIL Box. Try deleting them on a regular basis and keeo them to the minimum. Of course my pet hate .. DO NOT SEND Emails to multiple addressees with their contact details exposed. Use Bcc.
- BROWSING Why send in the sniffer dogs to find someone when we probably have the direct address? Type in the http://www address directly into the address bar and keep your searches to a minimum
- HISTORY;.. clear your history frequently
- PASSWORDS.. reject the offer to save or remember passwords.
- COOKIES clear out your cookies on a regular basis.. see above for help on achieving this.
So we cannot close, lock and secure all the doors and Big Brother out there has more on us than we will ever know, but a little home housekeeping will help .
If in doubt about a SCAM or a potential Virus laden Email then check it out with http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ do not just rely on the fact that the person who sent you a message is pretty computer savvy.. We all make mistakes especially if the subject is TO MY SPECIAL VALENTINE!
Sylvia
February 2012
