Welcome to the Security Centre

1. Backup 2. Lockdown 3. Play it Safe

** Disclaimer - Hinterland IT provides the following information as a guide only. We take no responsibility for any loss incurred. We recommend that all crucial tasks in your IT system be performed by trained staff and that if you are unsure about any of the procedures listed below that you consult a trained professional.

Lockdown - Clean up & Secure Your PC

Now more than ever unscrupulous individuals are making an effort to invade your privacy, steal your important information and generally make your computer experience a nightmare. Virus', Malware, Spyware, Junk email and phishing are an ever increasing problem for PC users.

These programs and malware can corrupt your important data, steal your information, harm your PC and much more. Hence it is important to ensure the security of you systems from outside attacks. Here are a few steps that will assist you in keeping your systems locked down.

Anti-Virus Software

No system should be left to the wild without a quality Anti-Virus solution. Virus' can enter your computer in a number of ways and infect various areas of your computer. And virus' are not just received via the web. They can be present on software disks or if you are on a local network, another PC. Virus' can be received through emails and email attachments and also through websites that download software, music, games etc. Remember there is a multitude of what can only be described as IT thugs and vandals out there trying to corrupt peoples PC experience. And although some of these people think they are smart, they are nothing better than lowlife criminals who wish to damage other people’s property or steal their import information.

To this end we implore all users to use an effective anti-virus solution.

Anti-Spyware Software

Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviours such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:

• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
• The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
• You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
• Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
• You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.

Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. That does not mean all software which provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads. If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair trade-off. You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.

Other kinds of unwanted software will make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer slow down or crash. These programs have the ability to change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them. These types of unwanted programs are also often called spyware.

The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.

There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program. Whenever you are installing something on your computer, make sure you carefully read all disclosures, including the license agreement and privacy statement. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.

Many kinds of unwanted software, including spy ware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall this software like any other program, you might find that the program reappears as soon as you restart your computer. If you're having trouble uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to download a tool to do the job for you. Several companies offer free and low-cost software that will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted software and help you remove it.

Next Step Play it Safe >>