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A
computer
virus is a program designed to spread itself by first infecting
executable files or the system areas of hard and floppy disks and then
making copies of itself. Viruses usually operate without the knowledge or
desire of the
computer user.
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Viruses have the potential to infect any
type of executable code, not just
the files that are commonly called 'program files'. For example, some
viruses infect executable code in the boot sector of floppy disks or in
system areas of hard drives. Another type of virus, known as a 'macro'
virus, can infect word processing and spreadsheet documents that use
macros. And it's possible for HTML documents containing JavaScript or
other
types of executable code to spread viruses or other malicious code.
Since virus code must be executed to have any effect, files that the
computer
treats as pure data are safe. This includes graphics and sound
files such as .gif, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, etc., as well as plain text in .txt
files. For example, just viewing picture files won't infect your
computer
with a virus. The virus code has to be in a form, such as an .exe program
file or a Word .doc file, that the
computer
will actually try to execute.
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Spyware
programs are deeply-rooted applications that embed themselves into your system
with the intent of tracking your online activity, stealing your personal
information, or exposing you to increased advertising. Categories of spyware
include Trojans, system monitors, adware and dialers.
Spyware is most frequently installed as the result of a "drive-by" download,
through which the spyware piggybacks on a seemingly harmless application
intended for sharing music or pictures, or offering other "fun" and usually free
utilities like customizable cursors or e-wallets. By unscrupulously burying
consent deep in a license agreement, many spyware programs are "legally"
installed.
Because spyware is not viral, and generally installs only with consent,
anti-virus software does not offer adequate protection. By attaching itself to
legitimate downloads, spyware easily bypasses firewall protection.
Five signs that your computer may be infected with spyware:
1. Popup windows
2. Frequent computer crashes
3. Strange hard drive/modem behavior
4. Unusually slow computer and/or Internet connection
5. Stolen credit card numbers, identity theft, or phone charges to 1-900 numbers
Even if you notice none of these signs, Spyware is probably present on your
computer. It often sits idle on your computer, waiting for a preset time
to strike you or other computers on the Internet.
What you can do about it:
Select a Program to Scan Your Computer for Spyware.
We've identified and tested dozens of Spyware Removers and come up with a short
list of the best that will scan your PC for free and remove all
spyware/adware/malware in minutes.
Avoid freely downloading "freeware" and "shareware".
These are leading sources of spyware infections.
Delete spam from your e-mail.
Spyware is increasingly spread through e-mail just like other viruses.
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If you are located in a rural or remote area,
your website is the quickest and easiest way to convince buyers it is worth the
drive.
Anyone in the world can see it 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. It doesn't
matter if you are awake, asleep, at work, sick, or on vacation.
You can afford to advertise in more places because once you create or purchase a
banner ad it can be reused at several locations to point buyers to your website
for details.
Most newspaper classifieds are online. When you include your website name in
your ad, a viewer can probably go there with a single mouse click. Many who are
not actively looking for product will do that because it is so easy.
Casual viewers of your site can easily send its link to friends or relatives
they know ARE looking for this kind of product. It takes only seconds and costs
them nothing.
You will be astonished at where visitors to your
site come from. You won't waste time on lengthy phone calls, saying the
same things over and over. A buyer may think of questions he should have
asked on his first call, with a web site available, he can return as often as he
likes; without disturbing you.
You can let your web site "speak" for you.
You can add/edit/delete the content of your website as often as you like.
You can compile a mailing list from business reply cards, customer information
sheets, business cards collected at trade shows, or membership lists.
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A driver
is a program that controls a device. Every device, whether it is a printer, disk
drive, or keyboard, it must have a driver program. Many drivers such as the
keyboard driver, CD-ROM driver, or hard drive drivers come with the operating
system. For other devices such as the video or soundcard, you may need to load a
new driver or drivers when you connect the device to your computer. Go to
the appropriate Manufacturer's Website, looking for Support and Downloads.
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META tags
were developed and made a HTML standard for the purpose of addressing specific
information about your web page that does not affect the way your page actually
looks.
The primary META tags that affect promotion include the "Description" and "KeyWords"
and “Title tag” tags
META
NAME="KeyWords"
Place you top keywords first. Since 1 web page can't possibly be effective with
each and every possible key word that you can think of, concentrate on the top
10 or 15.
META
NAME="Description" Note that no search engine will display more than 250
characters of the Meta Description tag, so it's best to keep this one brief and
to the the point. This META tag was designed specifically with search engines in
mind. It provides the search engine with the description that is displays when
your site is included in the search engine results. Keep it 15 words or less.
< title >
This is where you define the text that you’re the browser will displaying at the
top of the computer screen? Most search engines place additional emphasis on
words contained in the web pages title. Be sure to include a couple of your top
keywords in a brief phrase.and be sure to re-use these words in the body of the
web page.
Recent statistics indicate 85% of web visitors are referred to the web site
initially by various search engines.
Traffic you receive from search engines is already targeted.
Visitors arriving at your site from search engines have entered a keyword
relevant to your site, so they are already interested in your product or
service. This is the best source of potential customers you can have.
Search engines are free to users and users know where and how to use them.
Search engines are the number one way where users find new sites.
Link popularity - Link popularity helps weave you into the web. It’s the process
of getting your website on pages of other websites. The more popular you are out
there the more the search engines consider you a part of the web. There are
several ways to do this but one popular way is to request links from other like
sites.
Is my
antivirus program really protecting me?
Maybe.
And then again, maybe not!
One of the things I
personally have always pondered is a notice in virtually every
antivirus program on the market that recommends you have one and
ONLY one antivirus program on your system. Naturally, I
figured it must have something to do with conflicts or performance
issues. In light of a recent experience, I am not so certain.
Like many of you, I have the
latest and greatest protection available from the “world leader in
internet security.” It automatically updates itself and scans
every file I access on my system. It even scans every message
that comes in or goes out. What more could a user possible
want? Well, not being one to always follow recommendations, I
also run another much lesser known antivirus program on my primary
system. I personally have always felt you can never be too
cautious.
Very recently, this made for
a very interesting scenario. As I said, this well known
software (yes I am purposely not mentioning names), is always on
guard and automatically updates itself with the very latest virus
definitions. In fact, I had all but forgotten my backup
program because this one catches everything…well almost anyway.
Much to my surprise, one day last week I saw the all to familiar
“Virus Detected – Cannot Repair” warning. But wait, it wasn’t
the world leader that caught it. My initial reaction was ‘Hey this
is unusual.’ Figuring this was a really good time to do a
complete system scan, I made sure my primary antivirus definitions
were in fact the latest and greatest, and started a full system
scan. What happened next, really surprised me.
Everything was running
smoothly for about the first half hour. Then I got the
familiar “Virus Detected – Cannot Repair” warning. But wait, a
minute, it again wasn’t the ‘world leader’ that detected it.
My backup program detected it when the first one accessed the file
to scan it. Hmmm. Now my curiosity was really
peaked. I then disabled my backup program and scanned the file
again…no virus detected. But, after enabling my backup once
again, the virus was yet again detected.
Being the pessimist I am, I
then scanned the file using yet another ‘name brand’ antivirus
program…yep, it’s infected. Lastly, I used one of those
‘on-line’ virus scanners…same result, infected. With the odds now
at 3 to 1, one can only assume my “world leader” had missed the
boat. Was it a fluke? I don’t know. Am I going to
continue running a backup scanner? You betcha!
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