9 Steps to Protect your MS Windows System from Viruses

Nowadays as the Internet and other networks are greatly developed computer viruses are distributed rapidly and intensively. Everyday several new viruses capable to damage considerably your computer system arise. Anti-virus specialists work hardly to make updates their software against new viruses as soon as possible. The viruses can get inside computer in different ways. That is why there is no simple method to protect system. Only series of measures can give you reliable protection from the infection. Below are 9 steps to protect MS Windows based PC system from viruses.

1. Make regular backups.
It should be said that there is no absolutely safe way of protection. Virus creators regularly find holes in new computer products to use them for infection of computer systems. Some dangerous viruses can considerably damage data files or even erase entire file system. Make regular backups of your data files to separate file storage device. It can be separate hard drive, flash card, compact disc or another file storage device which you choose. To ease the procedure you can use some automatic backup software. And be ready if the system will die because of virus infection.

2. Be ready to reinstall your system if it dies because of viruses.
Get distributives of your operation system and distributives of software which you use and keep them together, for instance, on a set of CDs not far away from you. In this case if virus infection will cause unrecoverable system failure you can rapidly reinstall your working medium.

3. Protect your network connection with Firewall.
Firewall is a software which blocks suspicious potentially dangerous connections to preventing viruses from network to penetrate into your system. Windows XP system has quit simple but reliable built-in firewall. You can enable it as follows. 1) in Control Panel, double-click Networking and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections. 2) Right-click the connection on which you would like to enable firewall, and then click Properties. 3) On the Advanced tab, check the option to Protect my computer and network.

If you need more flexible control of connections with network you can get and install more advanced firewall software like Norton Personal Firewall or Outpost Firewall. If you use this software you have ability to permit or to block particular connections and to monitor network activity.

4. Use antivirus software.
Install antivirus software which will scan your system searching and erasing viruses on a regular basis. Leaders in antivirus software products for Windows systems are Norton Antivirus, McAfee, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and PC-cilin.

5. Regularly update operating system.
Windows XP has built-in automatic update service. It regularly contacts Microsoft server to find updates and notifies you if updates are ready to be installed. Updates are important because hackers regularly find holes in operating system which are often used by virus creators.

6. Don't install and don't run suspicious software.
Check new programs which you are going to install with anti-virus software. Don't download software from suspicious websites. To download software always seek website of software creator or official distributor. Do not open applications received by email from unknown persons.

7. Limit access to your computer.
Protect enter to system with password.

8. If you use Internet Explorer, consider moving to another browser.
As IE is the most distributed browser today virus creators actively use defects in its security system to infect computers. Infection may arise if you will visit webpage which contains invisible harmful code. You are more safe if you use less known browser only because virus creators do not pay much attention to it. Major IE competitors Firefox and Opera browsers provide now the same comfortable interface and range of services for working on the Web.

9. Use spam protection.
Viruses are often distributed via email. Switch on spam filters in your email box to block spam receiving. If you need assistance with using of the filters you can ask your email service provider.
About the author:
Evgeny Kovalenko is the Editor of FSSD computer software directory with free submission service for software developers and distributors.

What Is Spyware - An Overview Of Spy And Malware

Spyware is malicious software that can intercept and take control of your computer without your knowledge or consent. The presence of spyware in the computer of a person is a major threat to the privacy and productivity of a person. Spyware can get very easily installed to your computer without your knowledge. There are some software which can help you in fighting off the menace of spyware. Reading spyware reviews can help you in buying the best spyware remover available in the market. For, there are different types of spyware removers available in the market.

Spyware reviews contain all the features of the spyware remover. The reviews tell the customers about all the different features of the particular spyware remover. You can come to know about the effectiveness of the spyware remover. You can find the reviews from magazines, newspapers and different online sites. Reviews are reliable as they are written by people who have already used the product. Thus you can also come to know about the negative aspects of the software as well. The spyware reviews can help you in choosing to buy the remover which best suits your requirements.

Spyware is not the same as worms and virus found in the computers. Spyware is designed to exploit the infected computers for commercial gains by the makers. The typical tactic adopted by spyware is through the use of pop up advertisements, theft of personal information and also monitoring the web browsing activity of the user. The spyware which gets installed in your computer without your knowledge monitors your internet habit and this information is sent out to a third party who can use this for advertisement purpose.

Different types of spyware exist so it becomes very difficult to remove them from the infected computers. The most common form of spyware is adware. Adware works through sending one pop up ad after another pop up ad for different products and services while you are working online on your computer. The adware maker is thus able to collect your personal information and then starts bombarding you with spam and junk emails. This can at times become very frustrating to the user. In fact at times spam and junk emails outnumber the normal emails which you receive daily in your mail inbox.

There are some online companies that give its customers free trail of the spyware removers. You can read spyware reviews and find out about sites which provide its customers with such facilities. You can visit such sites and download the software and see for your self if it is effective for you or not. Such offers will help you in buying the spyware remover that will suit your requirements.

Always ensure that you go through different spyware reviews before you actually purchase the one. If you do not purchase the proper spy remover you could end up causing damage to your computer. Spyware reviews are the best sources to help you out in buying the best spyware remover.

About the author:
Matt Garrett, http://www.xoftspy.co.uk