Be safe from online threats! part 1

Many people think that security begins and ends with antivirus software. However, it is not enough. Yes you have to have an antivirus software, but there are cautions you have to take.

So let’s say that you’re running a well-supported, up-to-date security program—whether you use a PC or a Mac. What else do you need to do? Here I will share the steps I teach clients, friends and family members who want to avoid malware, phishing sites, and other online scams.

First of all, you should expect to be attacked if you download porn or pirated software. But just staying out of bad online neighborhoods isn’t sufficient anymore.
These days, threats can come from unexpected places: Google (and Bing) search results, compromised websites, deceptive ads, seemingly innocent downloads. You don’t have to be doing anything out of the ordinary to inadvertently stumble across one of these potential threats.
Their goal is to appear when you don’t expect them and convince you to act hastily. Online criminals often play on fear (your PC or Mac is infected with malware!) or simple social engineering (try these smiley’s! oh, and you need this codec—fake, of course—to play an enticing video clip).

When in doubt, stop. Think. Ask for help. If you’re truly worried, pull the plug on your Internet connection temporarily until you can call a knowledgeable friend or drag the machine in to a specialist for a thorough diagnosis.

You should, of course, have a regular backup routine. Mechanical failures (a crashed hard drive or a dropped notebook) can be even more devastating than a malware attack. With Windows 7, you can use the built-in backup program to save an image backup on an external hard drive; you can do the same thing on a Mac using Time Machine. Restoring a full backup is easy, especially if the alternative is spending hours trying to track down a well-hidden infection.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• pc computer services problem windows scam

PCoptimizer 2010 virus

PCoptimizer 2010 is a rogue security program that pretends to analyze your computer for virus infections and system errors. When installed, PCoptimizer 2010 will issue an alert that states that one of your running processes is a security issue and will then prompt you to clean your computer. Regardless of what you press on the alert you will be brought to a screen where PrivacyGuard will pretend to scan your computer for viruses and other system errors. When finished it will state that it has fixed these errors and viruses, but that there are other issues it could not fix until you license, or purchase, the program. This is obviously a scam and you should not purchase the program regardless of what it tells you.

PCoptimizer 2010 will also randomly terminate programs when you attempt to run them. When it terminates a program you will be shown an alert that states that the program is trying to perform some sort of malicious activity. The text of these alerts include:

Security Essentials 2011 virus

Security Essentials 2011 is a rogue anti-spyware program from the same family as Internet Security 2010. This rogue is installed by malware that impersonates Flash updates or video codecs that are required to watch an online video. When you install these Trojans, instead of allowing you to watch the video they will instead download and install Security Essentials 2011 onto your computer without your permission or knowledge. Once Security Essentials 2011 is installed, it will be configured to start automatically when you log into Windows. Once started it will scan your computer, and when done, state that there are numerous infections on your computer, but will not allow you to remove any of them until you purchase the program. As the infections it shows are all fake, and as this program is a scam, you should definitely not purchase it. Also note that many of the files it states are infections are legitimate Windows files that if deleted could cause your computer to not operate correctly. Therefore, do not manually delete any of the files it states are infections.

While running, Security Essentials will protect itself by not allowing you to run any executables on your computer. When you attempt to run an executable it will display a message that states the executable is infected and then terminate the program.
This alert is fake and should be ignored as your programs are not infected. It is only performing this action this so that you cannot launch any programs that will allow you to remove it from your computer.
While the program is running you will also see a constant barrage of security alerts appear on your desktop. These alerts may be pop-up windows or little balloon alerts from your Windows taskbar that state active infections have been found, that private and personal data is at risk, or that your computer is under attack.

Without a doubt, this program was created to scare you into thinking you are infected so that you will be scammed into purchasing the program. With that said, you should definitely not purchase it, and if you have, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charges stating that the program is a computer infection. To remove Security Essentials 2011 and any related malware please contact one of our specialists at VA Denver Computer Services.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• security essentials 2011
• A Security Essentials 2011
• computer repair Virginia blog comments

Having multiple anti-virus programs. Is it good or bad?

Incoming search terms for the article:

• is having multiple antivirus programs bad
• is it okay to have multiple virus protections
• is having 2 antivirus programs bad
• Having multiple antivirus programs Is it good or bad?
• is it bad to run multiple antivirus programs
• is it good to have alot of anti-virus
• HAving 2 antivirus bad?
• is it bad to have multiple antivirus programs on your computer
• multiple virus programs
• is it bad to have multiple antivirus programs