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Malware Prevention
'SymRealWinOpen is undefined' - why do I get this?
An update to your popup-blocking software may be in order if you get the message 'SymRealWinOpen is undefined' on your machine. (Continue reading...)
Can I prevent phishing attacks by using a bookmark?
You can prevent phishing attacks several ways; the most common is to never click on an emailed link. Bookmarks can be also be used to prevent phishing. (Continue reading...)
Do I still need anti-virus software if my computer came with a security suite?
Many computers come pre-configured with security suites. I'll look at why you might or might not want to keep them, and why they might not be free. (Continue reading...)
Do you really need anti-virus software?
How can an anti-malware program possibly scan all my files in a reasonable amount of time?
Anti-malware software is amazingly tuned and optimized for doing what it does. On top of that, scanning all your files might not always be needed. (Continue reading...)
How do I get rid of this infection that keeps coming back on my machine?
It's frustrating to go through the steps of cleaning your machine of malware only to have it return almost instantly. We'll look at possible causes. (Continue reading...)
How do I pick the right tools to protect my system?
There are many choices when looking for solutions to protect your system. I'll review how I look for things and how I make my decisions. (Continue reading...)
How do I stop popups?
Popups that appear in your internet browser are usually fixed using a good popup blocker. (Continue reading...)
I'm being notified of an intrusion attempt, what should I do?
Intrusion attempts are actually common - you'd be surprised at how much internet traffic is due to infected machines trying to infect other machines. (Continue reading...)
I've installed anti-virus software, but Windows says I haven't. What do I do?
Windows tries to ensure that you have anti-malware tools installed, and warns you if it thinks you don't. Sometimes it's wrong. (Continue reading...)
I've received a popup telling me I'm infected and recommending a download to fix it. Should I?
Messages that indicate you have a problem and recommend a specific download as a solution are immediately suspect. There's typically a safer solution. (Continue reading...)
Is autorun really that evil, and if so, how do I turn autorun off?
Autorun is an increasingly used attack vector for malware. Common techniques to turn it off are incomplete. I'll show you how to turn it off, and recommend you do so. (Continue reading...)
Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?
Mounting a disk drive on your system can expose you to various types of malware, most notably viruses. We'll look at steps to do so safely. (Continue reading...)
Is my anti-virus database up to date?
Keeping the database of virses that your anti-virus program uses up to date is critical. Here's why. (Continue reading...)
Is online banking safe?
With all the reports of sniffing and malware and hacks ... is it even possible to bank online securely? Yes. If you're careful. (Continue reading...)
Is there a way to bypass keyloggers?
Keystroke loggers can log a lot more than just keystrokes. We'll look at a couple of ideas for bypassing them, and they chances that you can. (Continue reading...)
My anti-virus performed a virus removal but I still have a symptom, how do I get rid of it?
Your anti-virus program may claim successful virus removal, but if symptoms remain then clearly the job's not really done. (Continue reading...)
What are Warez? They appear to be free, but are they safe?
Warez, or pirated software, while free often comes with an exceptionally high cost in the form of viruses, spyware and more. (Continue reading...)
What are these access attempts in my router log?
Any device sitting on the internet is subject to a constant stream of "internet background noise". It's why you really want to be behind a firewall. (Continue reading...)
What's a port scan, and should I be worried about them?
Infected and malicious computers out on the internet are continually looking for ways to infect your machine. A firewall is an important barrier. (Continue reading...)
What's the risk of connecting to the internet without protection?
Connecting to the internet without protection in place is a very dangerous thing to do. Fortunately, this danger is very easily dealt with. (Continue reading...)
Where is Windows Defender's Vault?
A vault is a place where programs like Windows Defender put suspected malware rather than deleting them. Typically, it's managed right in the program. (Continue reading...)
Why am I getting a network attack from China?
Internet connected computers are constantly probed for vulnerabilities. Many come from China, but safety steps are the same no matter where from. (Continue reading...)
Why, in IE's Tools, Internet Options, is the Home Page selection grayed and unusable?
In an effort to prevent malware from hijacking your browser's home page anti-spyware software may inadvertantly prevent you from changing it as well. (Continue reading...)
Will using an on screen keyboard stop keyboard loggers and hackers?
Using an on screen keyboard instead of a real keyboard might stop some logging, but there's no guarantee that other techniques aren't also being used. (Continue reading...)