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Internet Security
Warning
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Do you get bombarded with popup
ads whenever you are on the internet? Do the ads you see seem
to target a particular interest or concern of yours? Has the page you
chose as your home page suddenly changed to another page you've never heard
of? When you type something into your address bar, are you redirected
to a website you weren't trying to reach? Has your computer recently been attacked
by a virus? |
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If you answered yes to
any of these questions, your computer has been infected with spyware or adware. (NOTE: If you have adware or spyware it
did NOT come from this site). Computers are vulnerable to the unwanted
installation of spyware and adware when the web
browser's security settings are too low.
Spyware is a program that can be
downloaded to your computer when you surf the web. If your security
settings are too low, the spyware can be downloaded without your knowledge
or consent. Spyware tracks the sites you visit to determine your
interests, concerns, and desires. Then it changes the banners and ads you
see when you surf the web. For example, if you visited a few sites about
working out, you would start seeing ads for health clubs, nutritional
supplements, and fitness equipment on every site you visit. How? Because
the banners on the sites you visit are hidden from you by your browser and
replaced by ads from the spyware. The spyware also produces a large number
of annoying popup ads, which can cause your computer to crash. Spyware and
adware can also download viruses to your computer. You can get programs that remove adware and spyware
from your computer at Download.com.
Unsigned active X controls can
be very dangerous because a lot of them download harmful code that can
damage your computer. If your security is set at either "High" or "Medium
High", you will be protected from unsigned active x controls and nothing
can be downloaded to your computer without your
consent.
Here's how to increase your security
settings. In your browser window there is a tab labeled "Tools". Click on that
and then choose "Internet Options" from the drop down menu. Next, click the tab
that says "Security". You should be able to see what level of security you have.
If it is not on the highest or second highest level, you should increase it. Any
website that is not functional on the higher security settings is not worth the
risk and is potentially dangerous.
Under "Internet Options" there is also
a tab labeled "General". This is where you can delete temporary internet files,
cookies, and the history of sites you have visited. Deleting this information
every time you finish your web surfing can also protect you from prying eyes and
unscrupulous marketers.
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