Yet another 'puter question???

[azsnowman]

Sheeesh, maybe I need to take a community college course in 'puters "LOL!"

O'TAY, this system came with the *Ad-aware 6.0* security system installed, NOW.....it runs auto all day long and I run it 2 times a day, it picks up people using *data miner*, what the HECK is this, are people tracking everything I do or what??? I'm very confused here I've used the help section on the program a lot but there is nuthin' on laymans terms there, it's all computer lingo

8) Dennis 8)

[Aslkahuna]

there could very easily be people tracking your every computer move. This is why IT Security is so important.

Steve

[coriolis]

Data miner sounds like "spyware" but I have'nt heard of that particular one. These things get put into your computer from web sites you visit. Most of them track your browsing and then "phone home." Usually this information is used for targeted advertising to you based on your browsing habits. It's also used for market researching, and other commercial uses. The bottom line is that it's an invasion of your privacy. This kind of stuff also could have more malicious uses by evil people. Ad aware is ok. I don't think that you need to have it run continuously. That would slow down your computer. It should be enought to run it once a day max, unless you are a true internet junkie. Ad-aware has been criticized for not being updated very often. Another good one is Spy-bot, which is also a free download.

You should have a firewall too. When you are on line, hackers and others can get into your computer without you knowing it to steal information, or install spyware, or do other nasty things. A firewall will prevent any traffic to and from you computer unless you specifically say yes. I believe that Zone Alarm is a free download and it works well. One caution is that AOL and firewalls don't get along too well. the good part is that AOL supposedly has built-in safeguards against this kind of stuff. there's so much stuff going on, you can't keep up with it.

[ColdFront77]

I hope my firewall I downloaded and installed a few months ago is working... I assume it is. For some reason it disappeared from the lower right hand corner of the screen. I didn't change the setting so I am not sure why this happened.

When I restart my computer for any reason I have to remember to the firewall.

[breeze]

Adadware version 6.0 will take care of all of the spyware
pop-ups that imbed themselves in your computer. I had the
older version of Adaware, but, I noticed that every time I
tried to do a Google Search or such, my browser was "kidnapped"
to XUPITER.com... I tripped on over to my favorite pc virus site,
PCHell and discovered that
I could only get rid of Xupiter with Adaware 6.0. You can download
it for free. So, I did...no more Xupiter, or, any other spyware
on my browser![/url]

[coriolis]

Coldfront, I don't know what OS you are using. I have windows ME. In this system, if you click the start button you can click on "run." then type in "msconfig"
Click on a tab labeled "startup."
that will give you a list of many of the programs installed on your computer. the checked boxes indicate the programs that will load when you start your computer. If your firewall shows up there and is not checked, check it. Then restart your computer. That should cause your firewall to automatically load when you boot up. If there are other programs that are checked that you know that you don't want running, you can uncheck them to make your computer run faster. There are some essential ones like system tray, and explorer may show up there. Also any programs for your mouse or other devices are needed. I found that many of them can be turned off. Windows xp may be somewhat different. This is something that you can look into. Do a google search for any of the items that you don't know. You can usually find info on anything.

[M2]

You are all right: AdAware and Spybot are both great applications to remove spyware, bots, remote control software, keyloggers and other malcode. Either is good, both are free. Be sure to run auto-update to get the latest versions. Run them at least once a day and remove any crap it finds. Xupiter is nasty, get rid of it. So is Alexa. You can get this stuff from surfing or from CHAT by the way, or Instant Messaging (any type). Firewalls must be auto-updated frequently too to obtain the latest definitions and files. Set it to HIGH. Update you virus protection software at least once a week if not daily; some new virus definitions are released every day especially if there is a worm outbreak or some other malcode propogating around. Again, don't IM or use any ICQ function. Sorry, that's the way of the world these days unless you want to spend all your (small) free time rebuilding your hard drive from scratch. It's a pain in the butt. And of course, download all your operating system patches and updates as soon as they are released and install them. Update your browsers. Update your applications. Apply all security fixes. .... There, that will keep you busy til Hell Freezes Over :o

[ColdFront77]

I have Ad-Aware and a firewall on my computer, too. My brother has told me about them. He told me how to use it (again) last night, a matter of fact.

Ad-Aware is fun to use, I haven't used it much yet; but I have had it on my computer for a number of weeks.

It is very good for me to interact with people on Instant Messeging programs. I would think if it were a major issue, most people wouldn't be using them.