Rogue Software

How to keep the rogues at bay

Your PC is a very vulnerable machine that can be easily corrupted if you do not take care of it. The biggest threat to your PC is from rogue softwares. Rogue software is basically software that gets into your PC when you succumb to the basic human tendency of downloading freebies or when ever a dialog box pops up and you try to close it. The rogue software then proceeds to advertise or install itself or force the computer users into shelling out the greenbacks for the removal of nonexistent spyware. Rogue software will often install a Trojan horse to download a trial version, or it will do other unwanted things that will ultimately hinder your work. Sometimes rogue software can enter your computer under the guise of a free anti spyware or antivirus program. Other times as a helper program (like search toolbars, screensavers, clock and weather utilities). To ensure the safety and security of your PC you need to practice safe computing techniques. Safe computing techniques that you can adopt are:- Install a security-related operating system that gets regular updates so that spyware and adware cannot enter your system. Download or buy a virus scanner, and ensure that it is updated. A Virus scanner cannot detect all the types of spyware, but it can detect a number of them and thereby provide a lot of protection instead of leaving you exposed. Purchase and install a hardware or software firewall, and regularly update it. Firewalls will be of great help in protecting your computer from rogue software. Try using a different web browser. Google’s Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are currently much less susceptible to rogue software than Internet Explorer. This is because these browsers do not use certain technologies that are usually exploited by malware writers. By practicing these safe computing techniques you can ensure that your PC remains uninfected and will definitely help to keep those rogues programs away. Walter

Prevention is always better than cure

Computer Maintenance - Prevention is always better than cure; even for your PC!

It is said that prevention is always better than cure. In this day and age spouting lines like the former can result in your being relegated to the nearest has been heap. Unfortunately, even today in the age of digitalization, globalization and any other ‘–action’ that you can think of, the old adage remains true especially where your PC is concerned.

What we need to remember is that our PC is ,after all, a machine and no machine can continue to function on it’s own without proper maintenance.

PCs are complex beings and they need two different types of maintenance, software maintenance as well as hardware maintenance.

Hardware maintenance involves keeping your computer’s hardware in proper working condition. To keep your computer hardware in good working order you need to maintain the external components of the computer, such as the keyboard and monitor.
For example, in order to maintain your processor in tip top shape it is important to keep the processor away from excess heat, moisture and dust.

Nowadays there are also computer hardware preventive maintenance software programs that can help with the upkeep of other internal aspects of a computer.

Software maintenance is basically concerned with keeping your computer virus free and updating both your antispyware and anti virus programs; removing temp files, cleaning the registry as well as removing unwanted files and folders. Also you need to ensure that your operating system is updated regularly and updates are keep up to date.

Maintaining your PC is not a major issue. By following these simple tips you can ensure that your PC is in good shape for years to come:

• Install a good anti-virus and keep it up to date.
• Install a good spyware blocker and remover and update them regularly.
• Scan your system regularly.
• Delete all you temporary files.
• Keep your web browser and operating system updated.
• Always reboot after installing or uninstalling any program

Remember the cost of maintaining is much lower as compared to the cost of repairing; therefore regular maintenance will help you reduce your cost and keep them at a manageable level.

Walter