Spyware is computer software that is installed stealthily on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s knowledge or consent. Unlike a computer virus, spyware does not directly spread in the manner of a worm. Generally, an infected system does not attempt to transmit the infection to other computers; the issue is contained to your local system.

Spyware normally interferes with networking software, which commonly causes difficulty connecting to the Internet. Spyware, along with other threats, has led some Windows users to move to other platforms such as Linux or Apple Macintosh, which are less attractive targets for malware. However these platforms are not full-proof so don’t fall into an out of sight trap. They will reach your system by exploiting security holes or are packaged with user-installed software, such as Limewire.

Spyware is often hidden alongside other programs, and you may unknowingly install spyware when you download a program from the Internet or install software from disks.
The scariest part of being attacked is the privacy implications, as spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Not only can spyware programs collect various types of personal information, but they can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party.
Microsoft has an entire Windows Update site devoted to automatically updating users’ systems with all the latest fixes and patches for a wide range of Microsoft software, including Windows, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Internet Explorer.

Anti-spyware software programs can be used solely for detection and removal of spyware software that has already been installed onto your computer. Anti-virus software can detect many but not all forms of malicious software before they have a chance to affect your computer. Anti-spyware applications must also be able to remove programs on reboot for spyware/adware that refuses to be removed through normal processes. Of course, anti-spyware applications alone can’t protect you entirely from unwanted spyware and adware.

For example, recent test results show that bundled software (WhenUSave) is ignored by popular anti spyware program AdAware, (but removed as spyware by most scanners) because it is part of the popular (but recently decommissioned) Edonkey client. To address this dilemma, the Anti-Spyware Coalition has been working on building consensus within the anti-spyware industry as to what is and isn’t acceptable software behavior.
Another form of spyware is Adware, it’s similar to viruses in that they can be malicious in nature, however the focus now is money as people are now profiting from these threats making them more and more popular.

Anti virus programs are so very important so all of you using the internet daily should most definitely check it out more thoroughly very soon.

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If you’re running ZoneAlarm Pro you will probably have considered that most of the “advanced” settings might as well be in Chinese for all the use they are. User friendly they are not!

If you are not on a LAN (connected to another computer in a network) you can use this guide to give your firewall some real muscle and a new lease of life:

Launch ZoneAlarm Pro and click to highlight the “Firewall” tab on the left hand side . In the pane that appears on the right hand side in the section “Internet Zone Security” set the slider control to “High” Then click the “Custom” button in the same section.

The next settings page is divided into two sections with tabs Internet Zone and Trusted Zone at the top of the page. Under the Internet Zone tab there is a list of settings that can be accessed by scrolling. At the top is the high security settings and the only thing that should check from there is “allow broadcast/multicast”. The rest should be unchecked.

Scroll down until you get to the medium security settings area. Check all the boxes in this section until you get to “Block Incomming UDP Ports”. When you check that you will be asked to supply a list of ports, and in the field at the bottom of the page enter 1-65535

Then go back to the list and check the box alongside “Block Outgoing UDP Ports” and at the bottom of the page enter 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535

Repeat this proceedure for the following settings
“Block Incomming TCP Ports”: 1-65535
“Block Outgoing TCP Ports”: 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535
Then click “Apply”, “Ok” at the bottom of the page.

Back in the right hand “Firewall” pane go next to the yellow “Trusted Zone Security” section and set it to “high” with the slider. Click “Custom” and repeat the above proceedure this time choosing the Trusted Zone tab at the top of the settings page.

These settings will stop all incoming packets @ports 1-65535 and also block all pings, trojans etc… this will also stop all spyware or applications from phoning home from your drive without your knowledge!

If you are having problems with your system, then you need to try troubleshooting the computer errors messages. Each error message means something different, but they are all fixed the same way: Using a registry repair software. But first, let’s look at some of the computer error messages you may have seen.

1. Waiting for res://ieframe.dll/dnserror.htm… This error can be caused by spyware messing with your registry files. It also could be cause by visiting a less secure site and it is conflicting with your Internet Explorer security settings.

2. Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:system32hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of the above file. If you are getting this computer error message, it is telling you the hal.dll is gone. And it needs this file. This is normally caused from the boot.ini file, but a registry repair software can fix this.

3. This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor. This is one of the more common computer error messages seen. It is normally caused when you uninstall some software from your computer, and it removes a shared file with it. Then, all of the other programs that need that file can not operate wit it missing. Since the computer does not know what to do, it gives you that error, and even sometimes will result in the blue screen of death. A good registry repair program can help with this as well.

A registry repair software is a must when troubleshooting computer error messages. Most of these errors are caused by something just getting out of order in the registry system. These can easily be fixed, even by you at home. Just run a scan of your computer, and see how many errors you have. Then let the software fix them for you. Now your computer will be back up to speed and error free. You now know the process of troubleshooting computer error messages. Michael Baker is a Computer Optimization Technician, and recommends using registry repair software when troubleshooting computer error messages.

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