Security on your own computer
From WikiProperty
I have often been asked what I do regarding virus, spam and generally protecting my home computer. I am not discussing security within Property Returns (i.e. the password protection and encryption) but what are reasonable precautions for any home computer, whatever they are used for.
All the software discussed below is available at no cost, have regular updates and I have found to be of a high standard. Some of the software developers ask for donations or offer a version with more functionally for a smallish fee. If you feel you are benefiting, you should pay something for it but try it first for a month or so. You need to check out the web site for each programme for more details.
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Virus Checking
I use AVG Anti-Virus System from www.grisoft.com. It checks your computer when you start it up and any email attachment or other source for viruses. Once a day it will check your computer for any existing virus. It also regularly downloads a file with the latest viruses to check for.
Firewalls
A firewall blocks undesirable traffic between your computer and the internet. It blocks access to your computer when an attempt is made to alter something on your computer. It also blocks any rogue program on your computer trying to send information you did not intend to send. It can also inhibit a rogue program dialling a rogue internet connection, which is not your normal internet access point (ISP). I use Zone Alarm (www.zonelabs.com.)
Spam
Here I use a program developed in New Zealand called MailWasher (www.mailwasher.net). This program does not replace your normal email program (e.g. Outlook Express) but it checks the mail before it is sent from your ISP to your email programme. It will send spam back to the sender as if your email address does not exist. This is called bouncing. Any mail you would normally receive but don't want this time, you can delete before downloading. It checks your mail with any known spammers and marks them for bouncing. You can easily override this for each message so you do not miss legitimate mail.
Spyware
Here I use two programmes.
Spybot-S&D (www.security.kolla.de) describes spyware as:
'This is a relatively new kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, or if you browser start page has changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertising companies.
Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you worked on. And for professional users, it allows you to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports.'
The other programme is Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com/).
Ad-aware will comprehensively scan your memory, registry and hard disc for known Datamining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, Keyloggers, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.
I use both Spybot and Ad-ware as a double check. Spybot is very good for finding any problems with your computer but depending on your knowledge can be difficult to understand.
