• Install anti-virus software:  Anti-virus software detects some, but far from all keyloggers.  Many viruses and other malicious software become bundled with keystroke loggers as well.  There is free anti-virus software available for download online, such as AVG AntiVirus.  Many Internet security software vendors offer free trials of anti-virus software as well.  Remember that anti-virus software is only as good as the last update.
• Install anti-spyware software:  Anti-spyware software detects most, but certainly not all keystroke loggers.  There is reputable and free anti-spyware software available for download online, such as Spybot Search & Destroy.
• Install anti-keylogger software:  Most keystroke loggers are not detected with anti-virus software.  Anti-spyware software fares better, detecting most, but not all, keyloggers.  You need anti-keylogger software installed, such as Zemana AntiLogger, to prevent and detect keyloggers.  This anti-keylogger acts differently than other Internet security software, which relies on virus signature files and time consuming “full system scans”.  Zemana offers a free 15-day fully functional trial of Zemana AntiLogger.
• Protect your computer with a personal firewall:  A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and other computers; keeping hackers out and any keylogger already installed on your computer from sending your personal info to cyber criminals.  Zone Alarm offers a free personal firewall available for download online.  Windows XP, Vista, and 7 all include a free firewall.  If you have no other personal firewall installed make sure that it is activated.
• Manually check your computer for hardware keyloggers:  Before using your computer, especially in public places such as libraries, physically check the computer for keystroke loggers; particularly the cable between the keyboard and computer as well as the USB ports.

Following a few simple anti-keylogger tips can go a long way towards making your time spent online safer; preventing and detecting keyloggers.  When it comes to keystroke loggers and other malicious software, an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.

Malware can cause many problems, ranging from a downright annoyance to a serious Internet security and privacy threat:  slowing your computer to a crawl, causing your computer to crash, and even having your personal information stolen.  The later can lead to identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.

It is good to know that there are some steps to take to detect and at the same time prevent malware.  When it comes to this malicious software and other Internet security and privacy threats, an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.

• Install anti-virus software:  This Internet security software is the first line of defense against malware.  If you have do nothing else to help prevent and detect malware, have anti-virus software installed.  It is good to know that there is reputable and free anti-virus software available for download on the Internet.  Other anti-virus software vendors offer fully-functional free trials.  Remember that anti-virus software is only as good as the last update.
• Install anti-spyware software:  Anti-virus software detects most, but by no means all spyware.  This is why it is essential for your Internet security and privacy to have anti-spyware software installed.  There is free anti-spyware software available for download, absolutely free of charge, including Spybot Search & Destroy.  All they ask is for a donation.  It is important to remember to only download anti-spyware from a reputable source, as there are many “free anti-spyware” programs available for download or “free spyware scans”, that only infect your computer with more malicious software and/or ask you to spend $39.99 to remove the”trojan horse”(they tell everyone they have a “trojan horse”, no matter if you have one or not).  This malware, disguised as anti-spyware software can hit you more than just in the pocketbook; it can cause you to become a victim of identity theft.
• Use a firewall:  This Internet security software acts as a barrier between you and other computers out there.  It helps prevent hackers from remotely installing malware on your computer.  At the same time, it prevents any malicious software already on your computer to send personal information from your computer to a cyber criminal.  There are free firewalls available for download online, such as ZoneAlarm.  Windows XP, Vista, and 7 all include an absolutely free firewall.  If you have no other firewall installed on your computer, ensure that it is activated.
• Install anti-keylogger software:  Keyloggers are malware which silently records every keystroke you type or even screenshots of your computer screen.  Anti-virus software all detects a minority of keyloggers, also known as keystroke loggers.  Anti-spyware software does a better job, detecting most keyloggers.  You need anti-keylogger software installed to detect and block keyloggers.
• Don’t open an email attachment from someone you do not know:  It could very well be infected with malware.  A matter fact, even if you do know the sender, be cautious if you are not expecting the attachment.  This is because the senders email could be spoofed and/or their email account could be compromised.
• Avoid visiting sites containing pornography, shareware, freeware, warez, file sharing, and the like.  These sites are well known for being infected with malware.
• Keep your operating system up-to-date:  This will help protect you from the latest Internet security and privacy threats.  It is a good idea to set your computer to update automatically.

Secure your WiFi (wireless) network:    WPA1 is good, WP2 is best, and WEP is certainly better than no encryption at all.  Make sure that your encryption key is a minimum of 14 characters long; a combination of numbers and letters.  Change your router’s default name and password.

Exercise caution in using Public WiFi (wireless) Internet connections, such as public libraries and restaurants:  Cyber criminals often take advantage of weaknesses in these networks to gain access to your computer.  If you do use this type of Internet connection, on your laptop set it to “Public”.  Also, be sure to be protected with a personal firewall, firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-keylogger software.

Protect your computer with a login password:  Set a password for your computer when you login.

Turn your computer off when not in use:  It is much more difficult to hack into a computer that is turned off.  It is much less likely to be infected with a computer virus, spyware, trojan horse, keylogger, or other malware.  Remember not to leave your computer unattended in a public place either.

Be careful when using flash drives, USB drives, floppy disks, CD-ROM’s that have been in another computer:  They could be infected with malicious software.  When you do insert these devices in your computer, scan them with your anti-virus software.

Use strong passwords for email, personal banking, and other applications requiring a password:  Your password should be at least 8 characters in length; a combination of numbers, characters, small letters, and capital letters.  Don’t use common names or any word in the dictionary of any language.  Remember to change your passwords often.

Keep your operating system up-to-date:  To make your computer more secure update it on a regular basis.  Your operating system vendor is constantly coming up with new security patches to protect your computer from the latest security threat.  It is a good idea to set your computer to update automatically.

Install anti-keylogger software:  Keyloggers, malicious software that secretly records keystrokes and even captures screen shots, are a very real threat to your Internet security and privacy.  Anti-virus and anti-keylogger software do not detect all keyloggers.  You need to have anti-keylogger software installed to detect keyloggers.  I personally use and trust Zemana AntiLogger.  It acts differently from other Internet security software, that relies on time consuming “full system scans” and virus signature files.  It detects and blocks keyloggers.  CLICK HERE for a free, fully functional 15-day trial of Zemana AntiLogger.

Install anti-virus software:  Be sure to install reputable anti-virus software.  There is reputable and free anti-virus software available for download online, such as AVG AntiVirus.  Remember to keep your computer up-to-date; anti-virus software is only as good as the last update.  It is good to get into the habit of running a full system scan on a regular basis, such as weekly, as well.

Install anti-spyware software:  It is crucial for your Internet security and privacy to have anti-spyware software installed.  There is reputable and free anti-spyware software available for download online, such as Spybot Search & Destroy.  That said and done, before downloading anti-spyware software online, make sure that it is reputable.

Following these tips on how to make your computer more secure should go a long ways in increasing your online security and privacy.

Formatting a hard drive only erases the address tables., leaving your all your personal information still intact on your hard drive.  Most of your data could be recovered using data recovery software.  This is fantastic if you have accidentally reformatted a harddrive. On the other hand though, it is not good if you’re selling, recycling, or giving away your computer.  With your computer in the wrong hands, cyber criminals could very well steal your identity. This could lead you to becoming the next victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.  Not using proper disk deleting software to permanently delete your hard drive is very much a real threat to your Internet security and privacy.

Recently, I was reading a somewhat alarming story about how much of a threat to our Internet security and privacy data not properly deleted, by disk deleting software truly is.  Two MIT students, back in 2003, purchased 138 used disk drives from various locations.  They found more more than 5,000 credit card numbers, medical reports, deleted personal and corporate financial information.  On top of that, the students found personal email and pornography on those disks.

To securely erase data and files from your hard drive you need to use a process called disk wiping, also known as file shredding.  This is a secure method of ensuring that data on your computer and other storage devices is permanently deleted. To permanently and securely erase data on your hard drive you need to use disk deleting software, also known as file wipers, shredders, and wipe programs.

Disk deleting software overwrites your hard drive with 0′s or random patterns. This makes it virtually impossible to recover data and files on your computer using data recovery software.

Apparently, according to an article I read in PC World, some hardware can recover data that has been written over once or twice. That is where secure delete standards, such as the Department of Defense 5220.22-M, comes into play. This specification states that overwriting the drive sector three times with specific, different characters constitutes one pass.  Seven such passes are recommended by many Internet security experts to make the data completely unrecoverable.

However, it is good to know that to read data overwritten by even the simplest disk deleting software requires expensive hardware to recover, so only the most determined professional sleuth would be able to recover your data.  This does not mean though, that you shouldn’t use reputable, disk deleting software to permanently delete your harddrive.  Darik’s Boot And Nuke is available for download online.  This disk deleting software is completely free of charge and securely wipes the hard disk of most computers.  To permanently delete your hard drive,  Darik’s Boot And Nuke overwrites your hard drive several times.

As mentioned earlier in this article, formatting does not permanently erase your hard drive.  Don’t play Russian Roulette with your personal identity.  Securely and permanently delete data on your hard drive using reputable disk deleting software.

If you suspect your computer is infected with malicious software, keep it disconnected until you are ready to clean your computer.  This will help prevent any malware already on your computer from sending your personal data to cyber criminals.

Next, boot your PC into Microsoft’s Safe Mode.  In this mode, only the absolute necessary programs and services are loaded.  This way, if any malware is set to load automatically when Windows starts, this mode may prevent it from doing just that.

The first step to booting your computer into Safe Mode is to shut down your PC.  Now that you’ve done that, locate the F8 key and turn your computer back on.  As soon as you see anything on your screen press F8 continuously.  If all goes well, you’ll now see theAdvanced Boots Options menu; select the Safe Mode with Networking and simply press Enter.

Your next step is to delete temporary files.  This may speed up virus scanning and even delete malware already installed on your computer.

Now, you want to run a virus scan ASAP.  If you already have anti-virus software installed on your computer, make sure it is up-to-date.  Remember that anti-virus software is only as good as the last update.  Run a “full system scan”.  If this does not detect any malicious software, download and install another anti-virus program, such as AVG AntiVirus Free Edition.  Run another “full system scan”.

Next, download and run anti-spyware software.  There is free and reputable anti-spyware software available for download online, such as Spybot Search & Destroy.  All they ask is that you can spare some change for a small donation.  Proceed with caution before downloading anti-spyware software; be sure that it is reputable.  There is so-called “free anti-spyware software” that is far from free; asking you for $39.95 to delete a “trojan horse” that may or may not exist and even infecting your computer with more malware.

To be sure to remove all malicious software, install anti-keylogger software.  Not all malware is created equal; anti-virus and anti-spyware software do not detect all keyloggers.  Keystroke loggers are a type of spyware that secretly records every keystroke and even captures screen shots.  This could lead you to being a victim of identity theft.  You need anti-keylogger software installed to detect and block keyloggers.  I use and trust Zemana AntiLogger.  It acts differently than traditional Internet security software, that relies on “full system scans” and virus signature files.  Zemana AntiLogger detects and blocks keyloggers.  CLICK HERE to download a free, fully functional 15-day trial of Zemana AntiLogger.

It is good to know that there are some steps to take to remove malicious software, without having to wipe your hard drive; a time consuming venture where you very well might lose all your data.

• Install anti-virus software:  This is your first line of defense against computer viruses and other malicious software.  There is reputable free anti-virus software available for download online, such as AVG AntiVirus Free Edition.  Many Internet security software vendors, such as Norton and Kaspersky, offer fully functional free trials of anti-virus software.  It is essential for your Internet security and privacy to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date; anti-virus software is only as good as the last update.  Don’t forgot to run a “full system scan” on a regular basis.
• Install anti-spyware software:  Many people assume that as long as they have anti-virus software installed, they are protected from all computer viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.  Anti-virus software does protect you from most, but by no means all spyware.  You need anti-spyware software installed on your computer to protect you from spyware.  I personally use Spybot Search & Destroy, which is free of charge.  All they ask is for a donation.
• Have a firewall:  A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and hackers; keeping hackers out and  preventing any malicious software already installed on your computer from sending personal information to cyber criminals.  There is reputable free anti-virus software available for download on the Internet, such as ZoneAlarm.  Windows XP, Vista, and 7 all include a free firewall as well.  Just make sure that it is activated.
• Install anti-keylogger software:  Keyloggers are a very real threat to your Internet security and privacy; silently recording every keystroke you type and even capturing screen shots.  They can lead you to becoming a victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.  Anti-virus software only protects you from a small percentage of keyloggers.  Anti-spyware software does a better job, detecting most, but certainly not all keystroke loggers.  You need anti-keylogger software installed on your computer to detect and block keystroke loggers.  I personally use and trust Zemana AntiKeylogger to protect me from keyloggers.  CLICK HERE for an absolutely free, fully functional trial of Zemana AntiKeylogger.
• Keep your operating system up-to-date:  It is extremely important that you keep your operating system up-to-date to have the latest Internet security patches.  Set your operating system to update automatically.
• Resist the urge to open email attachments from senders you don’t know:  A matter fact, even if you do know the sender, be leery in opening the attachment if you are not expecting it.  The attachment could contain more than you bargained for; a trojan horse, worm, virus, keylogger, spyware, or other malware.
• Avoid visiting sites containing file sharing, warez, freeware, shareware, pornography, and the like:  These sites are notorious for infecting your computer with computer viruses and other malicious software.
• Create strong passwords and change them often:  This is a very important step in protecting your computer and personal information.  Don’t use the same password for every site and application; use different passwords and change them often.  A strong password should be at least 8 characters long; not a common name or any word that is found in the dictionary.  It should be a combination of numbers, symbols, capital, and small letters.  To learn more about creating strong passwords visit How to Create A Strong Password.
• Disconnect your computer from the Internet when not in use:  The longer your computer is on the Internet the greater the chance of your computer being hacked.
• Encrypt your WiFi (wireless) network and change the routers default username/password:  Learn more on how to secure your wireless (WiFi) Internet Connection.

Keyloggers are certainly a very real threat to your Internet security and privacy. This malicious software will secretly record every keystroke that the computer user makes. Some keylogging programs can even take snapshots of the users Desktop, record both side of instant messenger chat conversations(AOL, Windows Messenger, ICQ, etc.), and record every website the unsuspecting computer user makes. How scary is that!?!

You should be glad to know that by following the steps below you will significantly reduce your chances of becoming infected with a keylogger. If you have already downloaded a keylogger, following the steps below will stop the keylogging software before it does anymore harm.

• Anti-keylogger software will detect and block keyloggers.   Anti-virus software only protects you from a small percentage of keyloggers.  Anti-spyware software does a better job, detecting most, but certainly not all keystroke loggers.  You need anti-keylogger software installed on your computer to detect and block keystroke loggers.  I personally use and trust Zemana AntiKeylogger to protect me from keyloggers.  CLICK HERE for an absolutely free, fully functional trial of Zemana AntiKeylogger.
• Installing a good antivirus program will help prevent having a keylogger installed on your computer. There are actually free antivirus software available to download free of charge.
• Anti-spyware software will certainly help prevent you from becoming infected with a keylogger. Most, but not all keystroke loggers are detected with anti-spyware software. It is good to know that there is free anti-spyware software available to download on the Internet.
• Also, to help prevent having keylogging software installed on your computer, avoid running programs you receive via email and instant messaging unless you know exactly what it is.
• Installing a firewall will detect and disable keyloggers before they are installed or do anymore harm on your computer.

As you can see there are some definite keylogger prevention tips to avoid having this malicious software compromise your Internet security and privacy.

Why is it called phishing, you ask?  It is called phishing because criminals fish the water with millions of pieces of spam, hoping a few fish (that’s you) will swallow the bait.  The unsuspecting user thinks that they are going to the companies actual site, when in reality they are going to the criminals site.

 As you can see this is an all too real threat to your online security and privacy.  In fact, it can lead you to having all your personal information stolen; added to the ever-growing list of victims of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.

 Don’t close your email account forever just yet.  Fortunately, there are some simple methods to protect yourself from “phishing” schemes.

• First of all,  never respond to an email query from a financial institution, auction site, or anyone else for that matter to confirm your identity on a website.  Legitimate organizations will never ask you for this info via email, so you should never reveal it.
• Never click the hyper links in an email, even if it looks perfectly legitimate. Get into the habit of typing the URL into your browser instead.
• If you are not the customer of the financial institution or other company that’s trying to get financial or personal info from you, delete the email. You can also forward the spam to spam@uce.gov as well as the company or financial institution that was spoofed in the email.
• If you are insist on visiting the site linked in the email, provide them with a password that you know to be false. If the site accepts the password, you will know that it is not legitimate.
• Use anti virus, antispyware, anti-keylogger, and firewall software and keep them up to date.  Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.
• Don’t email personal or financial info, as email is not a secure way to transmit info.
• Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them. Better yet, check your credit card and bank statements online on a regular basis to ensure no unauthorized charges have been made. If your bank account or credit card statements are more than a few days late, call them to check your account balance and to ensure your they still have your correct address.

If you have fallen victim to a phishing scam there are some steps that you should take.

• Immediately contact all compromised card issuers.  If you gave your password to the spoofed site, change the password on the legitimate site and any site where you use that password for that matter.
• Contact your credit bureau(s).
• Report the incident. In the US file a report at ftc.gov and than visit the FTC’s Identity Theft Website.  In Canada, report the incident online at the RECOL website.  You can also contact PhoneBusters with any info at 1-888-495-8501.

It sure is good to know that there are some steps you can take to help protect yourself from phishing scams?  Like other Internet security threats, when it comes to phishing scams an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure.

• I’m not one to talk (I’m always losing things), but try not to lose your handheld device:  If you’re in a public area, it is unwise to put it in a pocket or an open bag where it’s easily seen and could be grabbed easily.
• Password/lock code:  Put a password/lock code on the mobile device and enable automatic locking when the device is idle.
• Remote wiping:  All major mobile devices are able to send a signal to the device that triggers the phone’s software to delete any and all data (documents, e-mail, or address book) that is on the phone.  Just be sure to wipe your phone when it is lost or stolen.
• Install anti-virus software:  Just like you would with your laptop, notebook, or desktop install anti-virus software on your handheld device.
• Don’t click onto links:  The same advice for not opening links in email on your personal computer applies the same for mobile devices.  With handheld devices, this extends to text messages, SMS, instant messaging (IM), and social networking sites.
• Be careful what APPs you download:  Make sure that you are downloading an APP from a reputable company.  Remember that when you download an APP you are granting them certain privileges.  This may include access to your physical location, contact information (yours and that of others), or other personal data.

Following these tips should go a long ways for improving your mobile device security.

If you don’t take steps to secure your wireless network, anyone within range of your router can easily connect to your network. With the latest high performance equipment, your WiFi signal could reach clear down the block. In fact, a hacker could intercept your WiFi signal as far as ten miles away, by simply using a WiFi antenna created with a Pringles can.

If you have an unsecured wireless network, it is easy for a hacker to see exactly what you are doing on your Network. They could install malicious software, such as a keystroke logger, onto your computer; allowing the criminal to see every keystroke that you make. This could ultimately lead you to becoming a victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.  People could also steal your bandwidth, slowing down your Internet connection to a crawl.  They could even use so much of your bandwidth, downloading huge files such as movies, that your ISP charges you for the extra bandwidth used on your account   Someone could even use your Internet connection for illegal activity.  Scared yet?!?  Here are some steps to take to secure your wireless internet connection.

The first line of defense for your WiFi network is encryption.  Encryption encodes the data transmitted between your computer and wireless router.  Most routers ship with encryption turned off.  Unfortunately, many people don’t turn it on, leaving themselves totally exposed. If you haven’t already, enable your router’s encryption, using the strongest form supported by your Network. The Wireless Encryption Protocol(WEP) is far less secure than the Wireless Protected Access(WPA) protocol and the more recent WPA2. If at all possible, use WPA or WPA2, since WEP is easy for a hacker to crack. The keys used by WPA and WPA2 change dynamically, making them nearly impossible to hack. It is important that you use a strong password for your encryption key, using a combination of letters and numbers of fourteen characters or more.

If you are one of those that has an older router that only supports WEP, you`ll be most secure using 128-bit WEP keys.   However, be sure to check the manufacturer`s web site for a firmware update that will add WPA support.  If you have an older router, you should be happy to know that most older equipment can be upgraded to be WPA compatible.

It is crucial that you change the default network name and password on your router.  This is because the default network name and password are easily obtained.  Most devices use a weak default password like “password” or the manufacture’s name.  Believe it or not, some don’t have any default password at all!  Just make sure that you don’t change the default network password to something that is easily guessed, such as your first and last name. Doing so will make it much harder for hackers to break into your router, taking control of its settings.

The easiest step you can take to help secure your WiFi (wireless) Internet connection is to simply turn off your router when not in use.  Especially when you are away for an extended period of time, such as going on a vacation.  If your router is turned off, this definitely will ensure that hackers don’t break into your Network.

Enable the firewall in your router.  For added protection be sure to have firewall software installed on your computer.  There are free firewalls available for download on the Internet.  The firewall built into your router prevents hackers on the Internet from getting access to your PC.

Also, have anti-virus software installed on your computer.  AVG AntiVirus is free for personal use. It is critical that you keep your anti-virus software up to date.  Your anti-virus software is only as good as the last update. There are countless viruses and other malware created everyday. Internet security companies are constantly playing a cat and mouse game to keep up with the latest viruses and other malicious software.

Have anti-spyware software installed on your computer. There is free anti-spyware software available for download on the Internet. Maximum PC actually suggests that you have Spybot Search and Destroy and two other anti-spyware programs installed on your PC. Windows Vista actually includes Windows Defender, an anti-spyware program.

Finally, make sure that your operating system is up to date and that you have downloaded the latest security patches.

Following these steps can drastically increase your wireless WiFi internet security and privacy.