Make the Internet Safe for Your Children - Safe Online Kids - Internet Security

Hunting Down Spyware and Adware

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:49:00 +0000

Most of us hate spyware and adware. Unless you're a web developer which has a couple of spyware and adware programs tied to your credentials, chances are you belong to the majority of web browsers who seek the assistance of anti-spyware removal programs to kill spyware and adware infections in their computers.

There are a number of ways to kill or remove spyware infections. Most of them involve easy enough steps. However, there are times when the computer has been too infected by a multitude of spyware programs that the only solution that remains is to format the hard drive of the computer. To start anew is sometimes the only way to free your computers from such infections.

Nevertheless, there are a lot of anti-spyware and anti-virus programs out in the market that are able to identify and remove, delete or quarantine spyware utilities and their infected files efficiently. Anti-spyware and anti-virus creators are working overtime to keep up with the development of spyware and adware programs. They need to release versions of their anti-spyware utilities as quickly as possible or they will be overrun by spyware's development.

The best way, of course, to rid your computer of these problematic and irritating spyware is to prevent them from entering your system in the first place. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as they say. You need to be cautious on the websites that you browse. Do understand that most of the spyware programs attach themselves to various advertisements that contain adult contents. The various porn sites in the internet are a cesspool of spyware, adware, malware and viruses.

If you noticed unrelated pop-up ads that regularly appear as you browse the web, this is a sign that your computer is already infected by spyware programs. You should also remember that when you find a spyware software installed in your computer, it is never alone. If you find one, then your computer is most likely a host to several spyware and adware programs. Each of this spyware and adware may even install their own sets of components which can be found in different locations of your computer system.

It is quite fortunate that a number of anti-spyware scanning and removal tools available area able to locate and remove the main spyware application as well as all its embedded components. One other symptom that shows your computer has been a victim to spyware and adware infections is a sluggish system.

When it takes your computer like forever to load an application or even go to the Windows desktop, there's a big likelihood that spyware and adware has found their way in your operating systems and are hindering the normal speed of your applications.

But why do spyware exist? Basically, spyware applications are very good marketing tool. They enable advertisers to target specific audiences for their campaigns. The pop-up ads when viewed from an objective view point serve audiences or consumers by providing related links to similar websites and services. But because spyware applications have been used extensively, have been abused and have been used for unscrupulous activities, they have become more of an annoyance overshadowing their potential legitimate benefits.

Among the anti-spyware scanners and cleaners available, SpyBot and Ad-aware are two of the most popular programs. These two are among the best spyware and adware killers in the industry.

Virtual Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:48:00 +0000

Beware: free spyware and adware programs come with some of your favorite downloads.

The Internet is a wonderful tool. It works like a virtual web, connecting everyone within its network from all parts of the globe. With many salient features, the Internet has become so popular that virtually everyone around the world has access to an Internet connection. This popularity has spawned more and more products, services, and information that anyone with Internet access can enjoy.

Unfortunately, it is precisely because of its popularity that some less than scrupulous groups have come up with free spyware and adware programs to take advantage of the connectivity that the Internet provides. Spyware is also known as adware and in some cases, it is labeled as malware. Simply put, spyware is a computer software that comes bundled with some programs that are downloadable from the Internet and it works as a virtual spy within your system. To the uninitiated, it may seem that the idea of espionage happening within one's own personal computer sounds either like a joke or a great exaggeration but the truth of the matter is that spyware is something that should give Internet users pause.

The purpose of spyware is to secretly track a variety of personal information from the user of the computer using some techniques like tracking internet browsing patterns, logging keystrokes and some spyware are even sophisticated enough to scan documents from the computer's hard drive. There are many reasons as to why spyware is proliferated in the Internet. One such reason is to enable unsolicited pop ups us a targeted marketing tactic but sometimes, spyware or malware is used to be able to commit criminal acts such as identity fraud by stealing passwords and vital credit information.

This spyware business is an extremely difficult and potentially dangerous program. It runs undetected within your system so that you are unaware that your computer activities are being tracked. It is obviously an infringement to one's right to privacy and its processes utilize your computer's system causing a slow down in your computer's performance. Like all types of espionage, the installation of spyware into your system is tricky.

Free spyware and adware programs often come bundled along with some freeware downloads that you may be enticed into installing. There are also some unsolicited pop-ups that you may encounter while browsing that look like regular Windows system generated pop-ups and clicking on these will cause you to unknowingly install unwanted spyware.

While the mere fact that you are on the Internet and browsing immediately makes you vulnerable to spyware, there are some measures that you can take to ensure safer web usage. For instance, you should install legitimate anti-spyware programs to detect, eradicate and prevent future installations of spyware on your system. Don't be so trusting of anti-spyware downloads on the Net because some of those are there to trick you into installing free spyware and adware programs into your computer.

Likewise, be very careful also of free programs that you download on the Internet. Some free versions of programs contain spyware so be sure to read the agreements before agreeing to install certain products. Also, it should be noted that older versions of Internet Explorer make one's system very vulnerable to spyware attacks because of its close link and integration to the Windows platform.

The Spyware Threat

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:47:00 +0000

Spyware and adware programs have become constant threats to computer users. Spyware as well as adware programs work their way into computers and can become a hassle and may even do damage in a variety of ways. In such cases, an adware or spyware removal tool may be used to protect computers from such threats and keep it safe from further damage.

In essence, there is a fine line whether a malicious program can be called either an adware or a spyware. An adware is usually considered as a legitimate alternative offered by software companies to consumers who do not wish to pay for a software product. An adware can be distributed as a program, game or software utility designed and distributed as freeware.

There are cases where adware programs that are considered as freeware have features and functions that are blocked until you pay in order to register it. As freeware, most or all features are enabled for use but may have sponsored advertisements that come along with them while the freeware is being used. These sponsored advertisements usually run in a small section of the software interface or it can be displayed as a pop-up ad box on your PC. When you stop running the software, the ads should disappear.

There are times that these ads frequently pop-up on your desktop when you least expect them to. Such adware programs may suddenly come as you are doing some important work on your PC and may become somewhat of a hassle. Try as you might, you cannot find a way disable them and stop distracting you.

For the distraction that they cause, some adware programs would try to force their way into bombarding you with ads even though you do not wish to buy any of the product that they offer. You begin to lose control of your computer and may not be able to do your job well on your PC because of some adware nuisance, as remedy, you might need an adware removal tool for this.

Spy ware, on the other hand, can be a hassle to a computer user in a different sort of way. A spyware may work and look like an adware but is usually a separate program. The functions of a certain spyware program can be malicious and may secretly work its havoc without you ever noticing it. They can be installed by posing as a freeware that is offering a computer user something useful. Once the freeware has been downloaded, the spyware may then find its way into your computer and do its dirty deed.

Spyware programs usually try to monitor your online activity and transmit that information to the spyware propagator. Some spyware programs will force your PC to download a certain software product even if you don't want it. Some more malicious spyware programs even go to the extent of monitoring your keystrokes which makes it possible for some spyware propagators to record and find out about sensitive computer information such as passwords, credit card numbers and email addresses.

Some spyware programs are so sophisticated that they can snoop inside a computer user's hard drive, spread its way into other computers, change and download software into a computer or even damage a PC's internal system. In order to remedy such a threat, a computer should have an updated and effective spyware removal tool in order to get rid of such malicious and pesky programs.

Adware Spyware Remover from Trend Micro Systems

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:46:00 +0000

Computers are like people. This is because the software inside is very sensitive and should something enter, the entire thing could crash or at worse, sensitive information can be stolen from it.

Here are a few ways that adware or spyware can get into the computer.

The most common is in the form of a pop up telling the individual there is a virus in the computer. One can wonder how it is possible given that the anti-virus program did not detect it and then decide to download it to be on the safe side.

The other is by downloading videos, pictures and other files from the web. It may seem harmless in the beginning and the person will only notice something amiss when it is too late.

Some people have the habit of opening email from strangers. This should never be done because it is like opening Pandora’s box and the person will just suffer for it.

Emails from strangers can be thrown in the junk mail, certain sites can be avoided. Somehow, hackers are still able to get no matter what the person does so some bigger guns should be brought in.

Security for this machine should be everyone’s concern. After all, more than 85% of American households have a unit at home. Can anything be done to protect it from serious threats? The answer is yes because companies like Trend Microsystems have an Adware Spyware remover designed to search and destroy it.

Aside from checking for current problems in the computer, the designers have even programmed it to look for potential problems. That way, it can warn the user when opening accessing a website.

Is the adware spyware from Trend Microsystems free? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Customers can download it though and try it for 15 days and those who are satisfied with the initial performance can buy it.

The minute the system is downloaded, the adware spyware remover will begin to do its job. Those who have never used such a system before will notice that there are no more pop-up ads appearing thus assuring the person that this works.

The only thing for the individual to worry about now is if this is compatible with the operating system of the computer. Those who are unable to run it should do an upgrade before proceeding any further.

Trend Microsystems, which is a Japanese based company, has other products to offer. Just like McAfee or Microsoft, it also has programs to fight against viruses, which is considered to be a major headache in the information technology industry.

Aside from getting a remover, computer users are advised to also set up a firewall and a back up disk. This is to ensure that all the documents are safe in the event that threat has compromised the existing files.

After buying the adware spyware remover from Trend Microsystems, the individual will be able to receive updates for free. The person should just run it the program regularly every few days upon logging in.

Those who value the computer should not compromise between an adware spyware remover that is free from one that will cost $30 or $50. This is because the decision one makes could mean losing certain information or a computer crash in the future.

The Difference of Adware, Spyware and Anti-virus

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:43:00 +0000

Adware, spyware and computer virus share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let's differentiate the three.

Spyware is software that does not intentionally harm your computer. What they do is that they create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Normally spywares record the various types of web sites you visit which are later used by web advertisers to allow them to send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.

This is why spyware are usually frowned upon and greatly avoided. They are more intrusive than adware. Spyware have their own separate executable programs which allow them 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.

The spyware then will send the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The agent will then use this information for advertising and marketing purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.

Adware, on the other hand, are more legitimate form of freeware. Similar to spyware, adwares are advertising materials which are packaged into a software or program and are installed automatically once that particular program or software is added into the computer system. Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take the form of spywares that is they track and report user information to program authors.

Some signs of spyware infections include pop-up ads that seem to be not related to the site you are viewing. More often than not, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Also if you notice your computer slowing down, there's a big chance that spywares and its other components have found their way in your operating system. When the Windows desktop also takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.

Meanwhile, viruses are destructive form of software. They were purely designed and created for one purpose alone: to wreck havoc to your computer. They destroy whatever they come in contact to and will initiate self replication and infect as many components of the computer's operating system or network as possible.

Nowadays, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. Some programs, however, are focused on located and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or a anti-spyware dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware and virus installed on your system.

They then remove it as well as their components located in the system registry among other places in your computer. It is therefore, good to regularly update your virus or spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the internet. Never be fooled from ads that claim that their products only contain adware.

These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are just waiting to be deployed for them to gather your information. Learn to setup firewall systems and always block pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.

The Difference of Adware, Spyware and Anti-virus

noreply@blogger.com (docreport) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:10:00 +0000

Phoenix Teen Admits Killing Father for Restricting His Use of MySpace

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Makes me think twice about restricting MySpace!
I think this kid had some other issues possibly?

Phishing

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:02:00 +0000

This is really aimed at anybody that uses the internet and gets email,that being phishing.

I won't go into the detailed version of it, I'll just say that it's an official looking email that tries to trick you into visiting an official looking site and inputting your information.

It happens.

And now is the season for the phishers favorite spoof email, yes, IRS emails that trick you into thinking that you have either going to be audited or get a nice check you didn't know about.

Even I have had to scrutinize an email more than once to make sure that it was fake?

But how?

Here are some links"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing

http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/

http://www.anti-phishing.info/

Surrounded by stupidity

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:18:00 +0000

http://surroundedbystupidity.blogspot.com/2008/01/eye-c-u.html

Keep the internet safe for your children

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Keep the internet safe for your children http://parentalwebcontrol.blogspot.com

Headache websites you didn't know about

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Game cheat websites! 9 times out of 10 they have some sort of spyware or adware embedded in them!

Block MySpace

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000

After plugging away at this for several hours I was finally able to come up with the ultimate blocker!

How would you like to block:

MySpace.com
Limewire
Adware/Spyware sites
and several thousand proxy websites? (Remember the websites that your kids use to get around parental software?)

Introducing the MYSPACE BLOCKER V1.0!

Mind you that by using the MYSPACE BLOCKER your children will go crazy, ask for you to hire a computer tech and have their geek friends try to solve the problem, but hey it's worth it!

I wish I could provide this for free but I spent way to much time composing it so a small donation is requested.

The cost? Email me, I will send you the link for the download and my PayPal account, it's up to you after that!

I WANT THE MYSPACE BLOCKER

Latest and greatest

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:55:00 +0000

Do you know how to tell if your computer is infected with a virus, trojan or spyware?
Is your anti virus program up to date? Do you have a firewall?

Blog - What your kids do online

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:30:00 +0000

http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-do-your-kids-do-online

Things you can do - Lesson 1 - The internet cache

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:19:00 +0000

As long as your child hasn't been quick to the draw and deleted their
internet cache/cleared surfing history and cookies you can view some
interesting stuff by viewing their cache files.
The cache files are temporary files the computer stores on the hard
drive when you go web surfing.
Again, probably much more information I can go into, but not the forum
for that.

Oh, another thing. If there are NO files in your internet cache, which
means your child IS clearing it, which means they are most likely hiding
something, then I'll post a way you can prevent them from doing that.

It's a bit geek 101, but you can do it!

To view Temporary Internet Files (Temp files) in Internet Explorer 7.0:

• Click the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
• The Internet Options dialog window will appear.
• Open the "General" tab.
• In the "Browsing history" area, click the "Settings..." button.
• In the "Temporary Internet Files and History Settings" window, click
the "View Files..." button. The new window displays all of the Temporary
Internet Files stored on the computer and their location on the local
hard drive. The window also displays the URL each temporary file came from.

To view Temporary Internet Files (Temp files) in Internet Explorer 6.x/5.x:

• Click the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
• The Internet Options dialog window will appear.
• In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the "Settings..." button.
• In the "Settings" window, click the "View Files..." button. The new
window displays all of the Temporary Internet Files stored on the
computer and their location on the local hard drive. The window also
displays the URL each temporary file came from.

Viewing internet cache with Firefox

Type "about:cache" into the address bar and press enter.
You'll see a high-level summary of the status of the RAM cache and disk
cache, along with HTML links to follow to browse each in greater detail.
The detailed listing of cache items is presented as a web page.
Each item has a hyperlink associated with it, allowing you to
click-to-view or right-click-save-as, etc.

Virus protection

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:51:00 +0000

Although there is probably way more than I can ever go into regarding
virus protection the key question here is, is yours working? You might
think it is, your computer may have come with virus protection out of
the box, but that doesn't mean the trial period expired.

But you purchased an antivirus solution, great! But is it getting it's
virus definitions regularly? Have you set it to scan your computer daily?

If you don't have any antivirus at all I urge you to visit this website
and install their free product. Feel free to Google it and read reviews.

http://www.grisoft.com/

IPods and viruses - Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:08:00 +0000

So your teen just unwrapped his or her shiny new iPod and before they
could say "Gee thanks!" they were gone to the family computer and in
under 3 minutes had downloaded Limewire and installed it. Ever wonder
where your child gets all of those music files for their iPods? Granted
they will pay for some songs, but a good 90+ % of the rest of it will
come from Limewire and other file sharing sites. So what?

There are plenty of really bored people out there with nothing better to
do than wrap a virus inside a music file. To your kid it looks like a
music file and plays like one, whats to worry?

The worry is viruses, trojans and the like.

Reality: If your anti virus happens to catch a virus or trojan while
your kid is on the computer and they know they downloaded it from
Limewire do you think that they are going to tell you or close the
warning message? And wait for you to make a eBay purchase and have your
PyPal or credit card info stolen from a trojan.

It happened to me!

Not just there - proxy server in your neighborhood

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:26:00 +0000

One interesting fact about proxy servers (The computers that hold proxy
web sites) is that they just don't exist in some far off country ending
in "stan" or in China.
Fact is many kids at school are quite savvy enough to turn for instance
their laptop into a proxy web server, and then what? Tell other kids
and they will then use this to surf where they're not supposed to.

Lesson 5 - Alternative Browsers

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:14:00 +0000

Ever see a orange fox icon on your desktop and wonder what that is?
It's called Firefox, it's Internet Explorers rival, how about a red "O",
it's called Opera although not as well known it's also another web browser.

So although you thought you were keeping up with what your child has
been doing on the Internet by checking Internet Explorer, they've been
surfing the Internet using another browser all along.

Even more clever? There are some browsers that can fit on a USB thumb
drive, you need only to insert the thumb drive into the computer, open
the web browser and start surfing, and you would never know!

Lesson 4 - Cover their tracks

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:10:00 +0000

Another thing that kids pick up easily is how to cover (hide) where they
surfed, it's pretty easy and believe me they'll do it if they can...and
will.
From the Tools options on Internet Explorer they simply go to Internet
Options and Settings buttons and clear, clear, clear!

Lesson 3 - The Administrators account

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:06:00 +0000

If your the typical non-geeky parent you went out to the big box store,
bought the nice priced XP Home computer, turned it on, followed all the
easy prompts and had your local cable or telephone company hook the
internet to it.

You've always used the same account when you logged on, clicking the
frog or skate icon or what have you, in fact, you even went and created
accounts for the kids to use.

What you probably didn't know is that by default XP has this super
account called "Administrator", and guess what, it has no password.

So what does that mean to you and controlling your children's web surfing?

Plenty, if they know this they can login with this account (Switch User
- Administrator) and they pretty much have free reign!

Lesson 2 - The Ubuntu Live CD

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:36:00 +0000

I can hear the collective - WHAT?!!! What the heck is an Ubuntu? Well let me tell you, you have to be fairly geeky to know what Ubuntu is, and that is a form of the Linux operating system. It's very popular and very easy to install and use.

But what does this have to do with my kid getting around parental control software and surfing at will on the internet?

Pretty easy.

Your child merely reboots the family computer with the Ubuntu cd and without installing a thing on the computer has a fully functional "live" operating system to work with, and with that access to the internet and surf wherever.

When they're done they remove the cd and reboot, nothing ever happened. Short of being a computer forensics expert you'll never know what happened!

Believe me anybody can burn Ubuntu to cd and figure out how to run it without installing very quickly.

In later posts I'll discuss ways of preventing this.

Lesson 1 - The Proxy Website

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Your concerned about MySpace and much more worse web sites your child
can stumble upon on the internet. You go by the local big box computer
store and they sell you some parental control software for $49 and you
install it.

The next day you realize your teen has been to MySpace with no problem.

What went wrong?

What your teen knows and every other kid knows are the availability of
thousand upon thousand of "proxy" sites. What do they do? In a
nutshell they disguise the website that they are visiting, also known as
anonymous surfing?

In future blogs I'll discuss how to prevent them from accessing these
sites, how to know if they are accessing these sites and other measures
you can take.

Right of passage

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:34:00 +0000

I want to start off telling parents the cold hard fact. You can install
Parental Control Software and feel safe and secure that your pre-teen or
teen won't ever make it to MySpace or any other nefarious websites when
the truth is, yes they will and they will find a way.

As I had read on another blog, it's a right of passage, just as much as
learning to drive.

There is one very simple and hard to deter method, proxy web sites.

The other is using a Linux "Live" disk (Usually Ubuntu), booting up with
this and working from the CD, accessing the internet and everything else
leaving no tracks on your computer.

And if you think booting up from a Linux Live CD is hard or your son or
daughter "can't" do that, believe me, they can and it's that easy.

In my following blogs I will teach you ways to see where they're surfing
(But they will probably also learn how to hide that too).

Good security measures and other tips and tricks.

Welcome to my blog

noreply@blogger.com (UnBlockerX.com) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Look for new posts soon