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Downloads
Viruses
Did you know?
Computer Services is now offering Symantec
AntiVirus to all students for free? As long as you
remain a student at OBU and you are using OBU's computer
network, you will receive all virus updates for free.
Computer Services recommends using TrendMicro's Housecall to scan for viruses before installing
Symantec AntiVirus.
>>more information.
Windows Updates
One of the best ways to combat viruses is
simply by updating your Windows product.
Firewall
If you have Windows XP, check to make sure
your firewall is turned on. This will help combat
viruses from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
Learn more about this feature and how to turn it on.
Finally
The responsibility of owning a computer is
becoming more and more important these days. If you
ignore these issues you are not only risking that your
computer will be inoperable, but also of your friends and
family. Being proactive is the best way. View
instructions from the Microsoft site specifically
aimed at helping you protect your computer.
Phishing
How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’
Scam
Internet scammers casting about
for people’s financial information have a new way to lure
unsuspecting victims: They go “phishing.”
Phishing is a high-tech scam that
uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing
your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social
Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.
According to the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC), phishers send an email or pop-up message
that claims to be from a business or organization that you
deal with – for example, your Internet service provider
(ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government
agency. The message usually says that you need to “update”
or “validate” your account information. It might threaten
some dire consequence if you don’t respond. The message
directs you to a Web site that looks just like a legitimate
organization’s site, but it isn’t. The purpose of the bogus
site? To trick you into divulging your personal information
so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or
commit crimes in your name.
Read the full article
and learn ways
to prevent this from happening to you.
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Spyware
Clues that spyware is on a computer
include:
- a barrage of pop-up ads
- a hijacked browser — that is, a browser that takes
you to sites other than those you type into the address
box
- a sudden or repeated change in your computer’s
Internet home page
- new and unexpected toolbars
- new and unexpected icons on the system tray at the
bottom of your computer screen
- keys that don’t work (for example, the “Tab” key
that might not work when you try to move to the next
field in a Web form)
- random error messages
- sluggish or downright slow performance when opening
programs or saving files
The good news is that consumers can
prevent spyware installation. Indeed, experts at the FTC and
across the technology industry suggest that you:
- Update your operating system and Web browser
software. Your operating system (like Windows
or Linux) may offer free software “patches” to close
holes in the system that spyware could exploit.
- Download free software only from sites you
know and trust. It can be appealing to download
free software like games, peer-to-peer file-sharing
programs, customized toolbars, or other programs that
may change or customize the functioning of your
computer. Be aware, however, that some of these free
software applications bundle other software, including
spyware.
- Don’t install any software without knowing
exactly what it is. Take the time to read the
end-user license agreement (EULA) before downloading any
software. If the EULA is hard to find — or difficult to
understand — think twice about installing the software.
- Minimize “drive-by” downloads. Make
sure your browser security setting is high enough to
detect unauthorized downloads, for example, at least the
“Medium” setting for Internet Explorer. Keep your
browser updated.
- Don’t click on any links within pop-up
windows. If you do, you may install spyware on
your computer. Instead, close pop-up windows by clicking
on the “X” icon in the title bar.
- Don’t click on links in spam that claim to
offer anti-spyware software. Some software
offered in spam actually installs spyware.
- Install a personal firewall to stop
uninvited users from accessing your computer. A
firewall blocks unauthorized access to your computer and
will alert you if spyware already on your computer is
sending information out.
Read the full article
from FTC.
Removing Spyware
According to
Microsoft, many kinds of unwanted software, including
spyware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try
to uninstall this software like any other program, you might
find that the program reappears as soon as you restart your
computer. If you're having trouble uninstalling unwanted
software, you may need to download a tool to do the job for
you. Several companies offer free and low-cost software that
will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted
software and help you remove it.
To remove spyware
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1. |
Download a Spyware removal program such as:
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2. |
Run the tool to scan your computer for spyware
and other unwanted software. Don't forget
to update the program first.
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3. |
Review the files discovered by the tool for
spyware and other unwanted software.
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4. |
Select suspicious files for removal by following
the tool's instructions.
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