Spamzy

Every single computer on the internet is at risk from PC threats which include viruses, Trojans spyware, adware, key loggers, the list goes on. Most people genuinely try by buying an anti-virus program or an anti-spyware package which will help but there are still many other problems that need to be addressed.

More and more people are using PCs these days for internet banking, paying bills, online shopping, using programs to manage financial information, and much more. Its great to be able to do all these things without stepping out the door, but what people are actually doing is storing some of their most valuable information on PCs and if the proper precautions are not taken hackers can have a field day.

Hackers and virus writers are getting increasingly sophisticated every day. At the same time, people are storing more and more confidential information on their computers. A good hacker can enter an unguarded PC through your browser, download your, credit card numbers, social security numbers, your entire identity is there for them take and use at there discretion.

Most people realize that they should be taking some type of security measure, but they don’t know where to begin. Before you ever risk all the data on your computer again, you need to know exactly where to begin locking your PC down or you are taking some serous risks.

I have been working in the IT industry for many years now and it has been a scary experience to see how PC threats have evolved. People need to seek good advice and put a system in place to protect their computers and themselves against the many PC threats.

I recommend people to use the Windows update feature, a trusted anti-virus package, a trusted anti-spyware package, and make sure they are set to auto update. These three things will certainly help guard against many of the nasty PC threats but other precautions still need to be taken to insure your PC protection.

The idea that advertising supports and pays for many of the services we have is an old concept. Sponsorship is what we often hear and see in the media (television, newspaper, magazines and radio). The fact of the matter is, these advertisements support and pay for what we normally enjoy — our favorite TV show and radio station, the magazines we read and the information we get from reading newspapers. In this internet age, the same concept applies all too naturally by putting advertisements in software. This is what we know as Adware.

Adware boom began in the mid-nineties. The idea for adware was very simple: software creators could incorporate advertisements in their product by having these ads played or displayed automatically or as soon as one downloads and installs the software. For many of these software creators who author and program freeware or shareware, adware is a very effective marketing tool. They would create software and then distribute it for free yet they might make little or no money out of their creation. But they could possibly make tons of money through adware.  Software authors program special codes inside their application which then sends the ads onto the computer.

Adware works by installing third party applications in your computer system (like banner ads, survey forms and subscriptions which you fill-out) and are viewed via special bars or pop-ups that appear randomly your computer screens. The problem with adware though is that it can slow down your computer. Because adware retrieves advertisements from different servers or feeds information from your computer to their serves, it takes up a lot of your computer’s RAM cycles and resources. Sometimes, adware applications are also programmed improperly that it may cause your computer system to hang or bog down. And because adware displays the ads through pop-up windows which would often appear while the computer is used, it may get very annoying and obstructive.  Concerns have also been raised against adware because of the fact that information from a user’s computer can be tracked or even sold in cyberspace. The idea that someone’s privacy may be invaded has caused for other people to brand adware as a very dangerous marketing tool.

However, not all adware downloads should be labelled as a security risk. Some could prove useful and pay for the freeware’s improvements and developments, which users could also benefit from. Adware downloads from the Opera browsers for instance, support and fund Opera’s further enhancements. It also helps to keep these kinds of software as “freeware” or at no cost to the user.

Applications with adware may be considered good and effective when:

•    The Installation of an adware program has to be granted your permission first.
•    The adware application may be easily un-installed if you feel you have no use for it.
•    It does not change your browser settings and displays the ads without obstruction.

When adware really gets obstructive and annoying, and if you still feel that some security risk may be involved, you can opt to install an adware blocking tool or a blocker that prevents your computer from reading into adware servers. Many of these totals are available for purchase online. These programs have to be continually updated for it to work effectively.

Most people now know the official definition of spam- Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE for short).

That definition does several things we should look at. It categorizes spam as commercial It limits it to email Calling anything unsolicited creates vagueness

Even though all the above things may be true, there are several more things about spam that seem far more annoying. First: Spam doesn’t have to be commercial to be a nuisance. Second: Unsolicited commercialism is so widespread that you can’t avoid it by just changing websites. Third: A lot of people give out their email address one day and don’t understand why they get email the next day from that website.

Also what if Bill Gates decided to give $10,000 to the next 20 people who opened an email from him. That would be unsolicited, but who would care. (what if your spam filter tossed it out).

On the other hand there are people who will claim to be giving away money when they only want your bank account #. Don’t give it to them.

Even if all the above were acceptable, what is it about spam that really, really gets your dander up? Isn’t it the untruth. Isn’t it the out and out deception involved? If all email were limited to truthful advertising and genuine value, wouldn’t that be the solution?

Think about it, only offers of genuine value and truthful claims come to your inbox. Then we’d all have to make choices that (whichever choice you made) moved us forward.

Of course, there are a few things we should do to protect ourselves from problems. don’t open unexpected attachments don’t sign up for every get rich quick scheme you see remember that many, many online entrepreneurs will take your money and run. MLM (Muti-Level Marketing) stands for Millions Lost to Management

There probably isn’t an absolute solution to spam. What is spam to one person is a god send to the next. Perhaps a national preference list would be better than a no-send list.

The one thing that will never change is human nature. If there is a real solution to spam it’s probably learning to deal with it defensively. It’s more than a little bit like driving a car. You can’t really control the other drivers you must do what you can and that means operating your vehicle (whether it be a car, website, or business) in a safe, responsible manner.

Copyright 2004 Dean Walden