Avoiding Viruses, Worms, and SPAM
Actually, they can't be totally avoided, but there are steps you can take to minimize their impact.
- Most importantly, install an anti-virus program on your computer and be sure to keep your virus
definitions up to date. You can usually set this to happen automatically. We can recommend two products.
Norton Anti-Virus from Symantec
works very well, as does AVG Antivirus from Grisoft, and its free!
- Many online companies share their email lists,
so don't give them your personal email address.
Instead, set up a free email account, either with Yahoo
or Hotmail, and use it for all your Internet transactions, such as
shopping on the web.
- Don't post your email address on your website. When we create a website,
we encode all email addresses using Javascript, so robots cannot extract them for spamming purposes.
- Install a firewall. They are available from Symantec or
Zone Alarm from Zone Labs, which is free.
- Install a SPAM filter. If you're using Outlook,
SPAMBAYES
is free.
Beware: A virus is often disguised to look like a bounced email with an attachment.
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Controlling Spyware
Spyware is software that is intentionally hidden on personal computers, designed to
stay hidden and do things consumers don't know about, things that are unwanted or malicious.
Counterspy
from Sun-Belt Software is a top-rated spyware removal tool, and is quite reasonably priced.
There are two free programs available that will remove spyware from your computer.
Adaware from
Lavasoft and Spybot Search and Destroy. It wouldn't be a bad idea to run all three!
Restore old Photos
Have an old photo that needs to be restored?
Check out Boston Photo Restorations.
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