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(Created page with "=='''Anti-Virus Protection'''== Antivirus software is installed on the local machine to protect your PC against viruses, trojans and various other types of malware. Antivirus...")
 
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*[http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus Avira] Free Anti Virus for home users.
 
*[http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus Avira] Free Anti Virus for home users.
 
*[http://www.clamwin.com/ Clam Win] AV for windows - also standalone which can be run from USB pen drive.
 
*[http://www.clamwin.com/ Clam Win] AV for windows - also standalone which can be run from USB pen drive.
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*[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials Microsoft Security Essentials] Free Real time protection for home PCs
  
  
 
''It is not recommended to run more than one AntiVirus program at any one time, as this will likely cause conflicts.''
 
''It is not recommended to run more than one AntiVirus program at any one time, as this will likely cause conflicts.''
 
 
  
  
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== '''Spyware and Malware Tools''' ==
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Spyware is often malicious software used to gather personal information about a user or a users system without their knowledge.  There are varying degrees of spyware, ranging from simple web tracking to more seriously gathering information about passwords and/or credit cards.  The latter is often known as phishing.  Phishing often occurs by tricking the user into clicking on a disguised link or opening a malicious file which may have been downloaded from an unscrupulous site or as an email attachment.
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'''Free Defence Tools against spyware and malware:'''
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*[http://www.lavasoft.com/ Adaware] Free spyware and malware scanner.
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*[http://www.safer-networking.org/ Spybot S&D] Spybot Search and Destroy -Free spyware and malware scanner.
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*[http://www.anti-spy.info/index.shtml Anti-Spy] Spyware, trojans, keyloggers + adware protection.
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*[http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx Windows Defender] Microsoft's Free spyware protection.
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*[http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html Spyware Blaster] Free spyware defence from Javacool
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*[http://majorgeeks.com/download172.html a-squared Anti-Malware] Malware defence against trojans, worms, diallers, rootkits and spyware.
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*[http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antispyware/ AVG Anti-Spyware] Formerly Ewido Security Suite - Full features only active for 30 days.
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*[http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popup-Ad-Spyware-Blockers/SUPERAntiSpyware.shtml SUPERAntiSpyware] Free Edition does not include real-time blocking or scheduled scanning
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'''Free Clean up tools against spyware and malware:'''
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*[http://free.antivirus.com/cwshredder/ CWShredder] Utility for removing the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack
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*[http://www.safer-networking.org/files/delcwssk.zip CoolWWWSearch.SmartKiller] Tool for CW variant that stops access to certain sites.
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*[http://majorgeeks.com/download3550.html BHO Demon] Utility to view and disable installed BHOs
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*[http://uk.trendmicro.com/uk/products/personal/free-tools-and-services/ Hijack This (HJT)] Browser Hijacker detector.
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*[http://hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english HJT log file analysis] On-line file analysis for HJT
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*[http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/malware-removal.aspx Malicious Sortware Removal Tool] Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
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*[http://www.combofix.org/ Combofix] Powerful tool which scans for malware and rootkits.  Use with caution unless you know what you're doing.
  
  
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*[http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/scanforvirus Kasperspy File Scanner] Upload files for remote checking.
 
*[http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/scanforvirus Kasperspy File Scanner] Upload files for remote checking.
 
*[http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/spyware/ewido.html Ewido online scanner] On-line trojan and malware scanner (Win XP)
 
*[http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/spyware/ewido.html Ewido online scanner] On-line trojan and malware scanner (Win XP)
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*[http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx Microsoft Safety Scanner] Free downloadable on demand scanner
 
*[http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/vc_scan.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=NCGICVGZBZTVOGXFSTZ Symantec Security Check] On-line virus scanner from Symantec.
 
*[http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/vc_scan.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=NCGICVGZBZTVOGXFSTZ Symantec Security Check] On-line virus scanner from Symantec.
  
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''Online AV scanners are no substitute for full Antivirus software.''
 
''Online AV scanners are no substitute for full Antivirus software.''
  
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== '''Virus Removal Tools''' ==
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A selection of tools to remove specific viruses
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*[http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/removaltools.jsp Symantec Removal Tools] Specific Virus removal tools from Symantec
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*[http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/free-tools/how-to-use-stinger.aspx Stinger] Detect + remove specific viruses utility from McAfee.
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*[http://www.pc-cruiser.ca/remove.htm Virus Specific Tools] List of specific virus removal tools.
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== '''Other Security Scans''' ==
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Check your vulnerability to online threats.
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*[http://www.grc.com/intro.htm GRC.com] Various scans, checks and security downloads. 
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*[http://www.pcpitstop.com/ PC Pitstop] Various internet and PC benchmark tests. 
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*[http://www.pcflank.com/ PCFlank] Various stealth and port scan checks
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*[http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/ Hackerwatch] Port scan and probe check
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*[http://nmap.org/ Nmap] Network Mapper
  
  
  
== '''Spyware and Malware Tools''' ==
 
  
  

Revision as of 06:22, 18 December 2011

Anti-Virus Protection

Antivirus software is installed on the local machine to protect your PC against viruses, trojans and various other types of malware. Antivirus programs run in the background and need to be kept up to date to ensure maximum protection against new threats that are released into the wild practically every day.

There are many well known brands of AntiVirus software such as Symantec or McAfee, but we list below a selection of free Antivirus programs.


  • AVG Free Anti Virus for single home users from Grisoft
  • Avast Free Anti Virus for the home PC.
  • Avira Free Anti Virus for home users.
  • Clam Win AV for windows - also standalone which can be run from USB pen drive.
  • Microsoft Security Essentials Free Real time protection for home PCs


It is not recommended to run more than one AntiVirus program at any one time, as this will likely cause conflicts.


Firewalls

Firewalls work by limiting authorised traffic into the local network. There are two types of firewalls:- Hardware and Software firewalls.

Hardware firewalls are machines which limit traffic based on specific configuration and rules. Most of today's adsl routers have an inbuilt firewall which can be configured to restrict certain types of traffic on to the local network. Most also use NAT which adds another layer of protection.

Software firewalls are installed on the local PC to monitor traffic passing to and from that computer.

There is some debate over whether or not you need a software firewall if you have an adsl router. Personally Ive relied upon various NAT based routers for the past 9 years. If you fully explore the features in the router you will find there are various configurations and most can also be set up for logging. However, the final choice is up to you if you want to also install a software firewall on your PC then below is a list of free software firewalls.


  • Ashampoo Free Firewall
  • Comodo Free Comodo Firewall Pro.
  • Kerio Free software firewall for home and personal use.
  • Outpost Free Firewall
  • Zone Alarm Free software download for personal use


You should not only rely on a firewall whether it be software or hardware and you also need Antivrus protection installed on each machine.


Spyware and Malware Tools

Spyware is often malicious software used to gather personal information about a user or a users system without their knowledge. There are varying degrees of spyware, ranging from simple web tracking to more seriously gathering information about passwords and/or credit cards. The latter is often known as phishing. Phishing often occurs by tricking the user into clicking on a disguised link or opening a malicious file which may have been downloaded from an unscrupulous site or as an email attachment.


Free Defence Tools against spyware and malware:


Free Clean up tools against spyware and malware:


On-line Virus Scanners

Online Virus scanners are either where you upload a particular file to a remote server to be scanned or where you connect to a server which will remotely scan your PC for viruses.

Online virus scanners are no substitute for full antivirus as they are unable to monitor the constant flow of data, but they are very useful if you wish to either check the contents of a particular file you downloaded, or if you suspect your PC may be infected and your existing AV has been disabled in some way. Be warned that a remote scan may take some time depending upon the size of your hard drive and the number of files it has to scan.

Listed below are some free online virus scanners:



Online AV scanners are no substitute for full Antivirus software.


Virus Removal Tools

A selection of tools to remove specific viruses


Other Security Scans

Check your vulnerability to online threats.


  • GRC.com Various scans, checks and security downloads.
  • PC Pitstop Various internet and PC benchmark tests.
  • PCFlank Various stealth and port scan checks
  • Hackerwatch Port scan and probe check
  • Nmap Network Mapper





--Kitz 01:06, 18 December 2011 (GMT)