Windows Firewall is a personal firewall which comes bundled with Microsoft’s Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista operating systems. It filters data before it enters your system. Not only does Windows Firewall check incoming information; it takes care of outgoing information as well. A firewall that works with a router program probes every network packet to decide whether to forward it toward its address.
Windows Firewall protects the valuable data stored on your PC in following ways:
• Denying Remote Login.
• Preventing SMTP session hijacking.
• Scanning E-mail bombs that carry viruses and other malware.
• Not allowing suspicious Macros to run on PC.
• Keeping track of Virus, Spams and Trojans.
• Deleting / blocking risk ware.
Windows Firewall ensures an effective security of Microsoft Windows. It also prevents the malicious software from going out of the system followed by giving prompt to clean it. Computer viruses and hackers use open ports of a computer whose firewall security system is disabled. It leads to spread of virus in whole PC. Therefore, a firewall is essential security software on a computer.
Windows Firewall was first released onto Windows XP SP2. All kind of network connection including wired, wireless, VPN, or even FireWire, has the firewall enabled by default. However, there can be some built in exceptions allowing connections from machine on the local network.
Windows Vista has an improved version of the firewall which boasts of addressing concerns around the flexibility of Windows Firewall in a corporate environment.
Installing firewall security system offers an ultimate protection to network against outside intruders. Improper architecture or poor set up of firewall can affect data, thereby hampering your productivity. This encourages a need for to avail firewall support specifically focused on firewall protection.
James John is a part of the content team for Iyogi. Iyogi provides support for Windows Firewall, windows XP, windows vista, configure windows firewall, enable windows firewall, computer repair, online computer technical support, remote pc repair, home computer repair, computer tech support, remote support, computer problems.
Well-known anti-spyware pioneer, Lavasoft announced today the release of Personal Firewall 3.0, redesigned with the latest in firewall technology to protect computer users against today’s IT security threats, such as hackers, keyloggers, botnets, and other forms of malware that attack through unpatched security holes.
“With uncertainty for Internet privacy and cyber attacks at an all time high, a top priority for computer users is protecting their vulnerable data” says Lavasoft CEO Jason King. According to a survey by NCSA Cyber Security, only 4% of Americans understand Firewalls completely, and over 46% are not sure if they have Firewall protection at all. “This leaves a lot of room to take advantage of unsuspecting computer users” says King.
Lavasoft Personal Firewall has an intuitive user interface, without sacrificing security or control. Building on nine years of firewall expertise, it is specifically designed for the home environment and small-to-medium sized businesses. This new version offers selective network access policies and allows PC users to take advantage of the convenient learning mode in order to reduce the number of alerts requiring a response.
Functionality and enhancements include:
•Packet-filtering through a two-way firewall
•Host protection to proactively monitor and block attacks
•Web Control to protect from corrupt websites and drive-by downloads
•Low resource consumption
•Full Windows Vista and 64-bit platform support
More information about this product is available at http://www.lavasoft.com/products/lavasoft_personal_firewall.php
Price and availability
Lavasoft Personal Firewall 3.0 is available immediately at www.lavasoft.com. It is competitively priced at .95 for a one year license, which includes installation on up to three computers, as well as free technical support. It is also available as a free trial. The Press Pack is available at http://www.lavasoft.com/company/press/.
About Lavasoft
Founded in 1999, Lavasoft is “the original anti-spyware company”, with over a quarter of a billion downloads worldwide for the Ad-Aware product. A private company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lavasoft provides security solutions for individual consumers and enterprise clients alike. Lavasoft has 4,000 partners in 120 countries.
With the ongoing threat of damaging viruses to computer systems and the increased awareness to the threats of identity theft, consumers are at risk more than ever. Antivirus Email understands the critical need to provide consumers with an anti-virus product which is both easy to install and easy to use.
Antivirus Email is a consumer products company that offers a suite of privacy protection software, e-mail and ISP services. Antivirus Email will now offer anti-virus software as part of its bundle of online protection software. The entire package, included with the standard monthly subscription to Antivirus Email, includes spyware protection, a pop-up blocker and internet accelerator software along with the new anti-virus software.
Antivirus Email’s new anti-virus software comes complete with full technical support and virus updates, which automatically install on the consumer’s PC, keeping them protected against the latest online threats, as well as streamlined processing which does not interfere with computer performance while running. Also included are the following outstanding features:
Email Scanner – checks messages received as well as messages sent for viruses
File Scanner – protects the consumer from opening or executing a file containing a virus which could be potentially harmful to their computer
Quarantine – files infected with viruses are isolated so they cannot harm the consumer’s computer
Control Center – allows the consumer to easily access settings and options
Scheduler – sets up automatic scans of the consumer’s computer and controls how often they are run
A standard monthly Antivirus Email subscription rate is .95 a month for four email accounts and ISP service along with the online protection software bundle.
Antivirus Email’s software suite protects the consumer’s computer from internet predators – the fastest growing threat to computer user’s privacy today. Antivirus Email subscribers will be able to safely detect and remove Trojans, system monitors, ad-ware and other such programs. Removal of these harmful programs will ultimately protect them from identity theft, computer corruption and privacy invasions. Antivirus Email’s software package will wash away all traces of PC and Internet Activity, completely wipe out data for total privacy protection and improve system performance.
A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized access to a private network. Firewalls are extensively used by businesses, corporations and the government to protect against potential hackers. They act as a barrier between a private network and the Internet. Anything that goes into or out of the network must pass through the firewall. The firewall examines each message to make sure it meets the specified security criteria before passing it through. Just like a literal firewall, a computer firewall prevents a fire (in this case a dangerous intrusion into a private network) from spreading.
You can choose between software and hardware firewalls or choose to install both for added security. Hardware firewalls are a physical gateway between your computer and the Internet. A common example of a hardware firewall is a Cable/DSL router. A router is connected to the modem that supplies your Internet connection and your computer is connected to the router either via Ethernet cable or wireless connection. A router can be configured using a web-based interface to filter out any information you want it to before it reaches our computer’s browser.
A software firewall works in the same way, but without the physical unit. You download the software and configure it to filter out information to and from your computer. Companies often use firewalls to prevent their employees from accessing certain websites or from sending inappropriate email communications. Some people, however, use a firewall to only filter in only one direction—from the Internet. This protects them from unauthorized intrusions from unscrupulous players.
There are many ways that devious people can interfere with unprotected networks and computers. For example, hackers can remotely login to your computer and assume some level of control over it. This control can range from stealing files to running programs to sending spam from your email to trafficking in illegal files to spying on you using your microphone and web cam. Some hackers plant malware (malicious software) on your computer without your knowledge that runs in silently in the background and tracks your computer usage. This is a way to obtain your personal information and steal your identity. The only way to protect yourself is to put up the proper barrier between your computer and those who wish you harm.
Comodo Firewall Pro is a Free Firewall Software program from a leading certification authority and security solutions provider. This software provides a suite of security features that are simple enough for beginners to install but can be highly customized by advanced users. Comodo Firewall Pro focuses on preventing malware from installing on your computer. Traditional firewall software has been “detection-based.” These programs waited for malware to be installed on your computer and then alerted you to its presence. In the interim damage could be done. Comodo Firewall Pro takes a more proactive stance against malware and restricts installation of all software unless it is on a pre-approved list of clean applications (there are over 1 million applications on this list) or it is specifically approved by the user. Never allowing the malware to reach your computer, Comodo Firewall Pro prevents damage from occurring.
Vijayanand working as a online marketing co-ordinator in ID Theft team in Comodo, a leading internet security provider, offers a real time Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Fraud restoration services among others.
With the ongoing threat of damaging viruses to computer systems and the increased awareness to the threats of identity theft, consumers are at risk more than ever. Antivirus Email understands the critical need to provide consumers with an anti-virus product which is both easy to install and easy to use.
Antivirus Email is a consumer products company that offers a suite of privacy protection software, e-mail and ISP services. Antivirus Email will now offer anti-virus software as part of its bundle of online protection software. The entire package, included with the standard monthly subscription to Antivirus Email, includes spyware protection, a pop-up blocker and internet accelerator software along with the new anti-virus software.
Antivirus Email’s new anti-virus software comes complete with full technical support and virus updates, which automatically install on the consumer’s PC, keeping them protected against the latest online threats, as well as streamlined processing which does not interfere with computer performance while running. Also included are the following outstanding features:
Email Scanner – checks messages received as well as messages sent for viruses
File Scanner – protects the consumer from opening or executing a file containing a virus which could be potentially harmful to their computer
Quarantine – files infected with viruses are isolated so they cannot harm the consumer’s computer
Control Center – allows the consumer to easily access settings and options
Scheduler – sets up automatic scans of the consumer’s computer and controls how often they are run
A standard monthly Antivirus Email subscription rate is .95 a month for four email accounts and ISP service along with the online protection software bundle.
Antivirus Email’s software suite protects the consumer’s computer from internet predators – the fastest growing threat to computer user’s privacy today. Antivirus Email subscribers will be able to safely detect and remove Trojans, system monitors, ad-ware and other such programs. Removal of these harmful programs will ultimately protect them from identity theft, computer corruption and privacy invasions. Antivirus Email’s software package will wash away all traces of PC and Internet Activity, completely wipe out data for total privacy protection and improve system performance.
A new test created by the renowned Internet security portal, PC Flank, has demonstrated that all major firewall programs can be bypassed and that none of them can prevent a leak of your personal information from Internet-connected computers.
The test is called the PC Flank Leaktest and it attempts to upload user-specified text data directly to PC Flank’s server, completely undetected by your firewall.
To the creators’ astonishment, all of the top-tier commercial firewalls failed the test. Every known firewall, except for the Tiny firewall, allowed the custom data to be transmitted to the test location. None of the firewalls could deter a genuine, malicious attempt to steal your private data.
These results emphasize the fact that, while most firewalls provide reliable protection against inbound data threats, they are often incapable of providing outbound protection, allowing your private information to be accessed by hackers.
“It remains to be seen how the top firewalls will be able to cope with our test sample. So far I’ve only seen lackluster performance with even the heavyweights, such as of Symantec, McAfee, ZoneLabs, Sunbelt and Agnitum. All of them, except Tiny are porous. The scariest thing about this test is it’s based on real life; its principle could be successfully used by real identity thieves, costing real people real life savings.” – said Andrew Cooper, PC Flank’s editor-in-chief.
A firewall leak test is software designed to determine how capable a firewall is at preventing information from leaving your system, using either legitimate software installed on your computer or an insecure system configuration. While there are over a dozen hard-to-beat leaktests in existence, which are largely addressed by the firewall developers, PCFlank’s new test has so far proven unbeatable. The technical principle behind the PCFlank leaktest is called OLE automation-application control technique.
PC Flank has informed all firewall developers about the existence of this security issue and will conduct a re-test in a month’s time to verify each developer’s response to the urgent need to protect their customers.
Details about the PC Flank Leaktest can be found on the PC Flank webpage specifically dedicated to the test at: http://www.pcflank.com/pcflankleaktest_results.htm
Ca Antivirus Review: a Close-up on the New Ca Antivirus 2008
With so many antivirus softwares competing in the market, all with similar features and protections, it might be hard to choose the right one to protect your computer. In this article, we will take a close look at the new CA Antivirus 2008 software. CA stands for Computer Associate, a company whose products have been widely used in business corporations for security and antivirus protections. We will examine the CA Antivirus in terms of its features, interface, performance, and support.
The CA Antivirus features only anti-virus protection, with no anti-spyware, no firewall, no anti-spam, etc. The license supports up to 3 PCs. The coding is tighter, hence taking shorter time to scan from their previous version. It also has real-time scanning, automatic email scanning.
The interface of CA Antivirus is simple and non-flashy, which is its strong point. The interface is easy to navigate, responds instantly without the need to look through all the fancy graphics that some other antivirus programs have. You have all the tools you need to make a full PC scan, activate real-time scanning, and select your settings, etc.
Performance is what sets CA Antivirus apart from the competition. While features and solid protection are essential for an antivirus program. Our reason for getting an antivirus program in the first place is to protect our computers so that they can run and operate smoothly. “Smoothly” is the magic word here and many antivirus softwares fail simply because they consume too much of the computer’s resources when real-time scanning is activated. CA Antivirus, however, has been praised for its performance even when alongside highly demanding applications, such as online games.
It is unfortunate the CA Antivirus fall short on the Support category. The help file provided does not go deep into the details. There is no manual and the CA Antivirus website does not have an online forum nor online chat support. This might make it difficult to antivirus novice to learn about and fix problems related to a virus or the program itself.
All in all, CA Antivirus 2008 remains a strong choice in the antivirus world. Though it lacks the technical support that some of the other antivirus programs provide, its combination of simplicity, performance, and affordable pricing makes it a viable choice for PC users looking for virus protection.
Jeff S Anderson is a software reviewer who specializes in reviewing the latest computer softwares. His new reviews on CA Antivirus are now available. For more information on CA Antivirus, please see www.caantivirusreview.com
When it comes to firewalls, there are several different types available. They are differentiated primarily by the methods they use to filter data. An in-depth understanding of firewalls requires an understanding of the four basic categories they fall into—packet filters, circuit level gateways, application level gateways and stateful inspection firewalls. Firewall products can use one or more of these methods.
Packet filtering is one method that works by examining data packets as they pass through the firewall at the network layer. The firewall examines where the packet was sent from and its intended destination to determine whether it’s safe to let it into your network. A set of criteria is used to determine safety. This method is usually a part of a firewall in a router. Firewalls that use packet filtering can disable information from traveling to and from particular ports, but they are somewhat limited because they do not examine the actual data that is transmitted. They are, however, inexpensive and usually do not interfere with network performance noticeably.
Circuit level gateway and application level gateway are two other methods employed by firewalls. These methods only permit data into a protected network if that data was requested by a computer inside the network. The circuit level gateway method is primarily used by cable/DSL home routers and has the disadvantage of permitting any type of data though the firewall that was requested from inside. It does not examine the content of the data only the port address and port information. Application level gateway (proxies), on the other hand, does examine different types of data at the application level. This method offers the advantage of preventing direct contact between inside and outside sources because everything passes through the proxy. This method offers a high level of security, but can cause noticeable network performance issues. Additionally, these type of firewalls need to be manually configured on each client computer.
Stateful inspection firewalls combine elements of packet filtering and both gateway methods. They both filter packets at the network level and the application level. Contact between inside and outside sources is permitted with this type of firewall, so it tends to remain transparent. Stateful inspection uses algorithms instead of proxies to identify data. These are arguably the best firewall systems because they offer the best of all worlds, but they are usually very expensive and have to be administered by experienced personnel.
If you are looking for a Firewall to provide superior protection for your home or business network, Comodo Firewall Pro is the answer. This Free Firewall Software features packet filtering in combination with outbound application filtering at the network layer. It works proactively to prevent malicious software from ever installing on your computer and has highly configurable features to customize your security options. Comodo Firewall Pro block Trojans, spyware and viruses and prevents any unauthorized access to your computer or private network. It has an intuitive user interface and is suitable for all levels of experience from beginners to advanced users.
Vijayanand working as a online marketing co-ordinator in ID Theft team in Comodo, a leading internet security provider, offers a real time Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Fraud restoration services among others.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to protect your home or business network from hacker intrusions. Comodo Firewall Pro is a free firewall software program that offers all of the security features of expensive and best firewall programs and then some. Comodo Firewall Pro provides complete protection from a variety of malware (malicious software) programs including spyware, Trojan horses, viruses, worms and more.
Unlike many other types of free firewall software, Comodo Firewall Pro works proactively to prevent malware from ever installing on your computer. Many other programs only work after the fact to discover malware that has already been installed on your computer. Between the time that the malware is discovered and you can purge it from your system, however, significant damage can be done. A savvy hacker can gain access to your sensitive information in very little time. The only way to be completely protected from such damage is to prevent such malicious software from ever gaining access to your computer.
Comodo Firewall Pro uses the patent pending “Clean PC Mode” to register your existing applications as safe. From then on, it only allows applications that either you specifically allow or are listed in Comodo’s “White List Database” of trusted applications to be installed on your computer. That database contains over 1 million applications and continues to grow. The Clean PC Mode prevents virtually all types of malware from being installed on your computer and keeps your personal information safe from prying eyes.
This Free Firewall Software program also boasts a suite of other valuable features including on of the most advanced Host Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS) available. This system, called “Defense +” prevents all levels of intrusion into your computer system including unauthorized changes made to your operating system files and registry entries. Complemented by an intuitive user interface and highly customizable configurations, Comodo Firewall Pro is easily one of the best firewalls on the market.
Comodo Firewall Pro is completely free with no license fees ever. Comodo can afford to provide this powerful software to consumers at no charge because Comodo’s main revenue comes from providing SSL certificates (proof of web authentication) to web businesses. Providing free firewall software is Comodo’s way of increasing the customer pool for the businesses it serves. Customers who are more confident in the security of their networks are more likely to shop online, which will in turn create more business that require web authentication. Essentially, Comodo provides one of the best firewalls available for free as an incentive for consumers to participate more in e-commerce.
While the Comodo Firewall Pro software is a complete Firewall solution, you can upgrade to Comodo Firewall Pro Plus for installation and configuration by Comodo security experts for a small fee. In addition, Comodo also offers other free desktop security solutions. If you take the time to download and install these simple preventative applications, you can rest easy that the next time you surf the Internet, no one else is watching.
Vijayanand working as a online marketing co-ordinator in ID Theft team in Comodo, a leading internet security provider, offers a real time Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Fraud restoration services among others.
Antivirus 2008: the Latest Scourge of the Internet
The one thing that never changes in IT is the fact that everything is constantly changing. In the past, people had to watch out for viruses. Then it was spyware, and then it was browser hijackers. Next came the Trojan, a program, that when opened would release either a virus, spyware or both. Lastly, we heard about phishing, an attack that tricked the end user into giving out personal information that can lead to identity theft.
Recently The Village Geek has been flooded by computers that are infected with what researchers are calling fraudware. Fraudware is software that tries to frighten the end user into purchasing protection from… itself. In the old days they called it extortion.
The current rash of fraudware is called Antivirus 2008; it is available in several varieties, including XP Antivirus 2008, XP Antivirus 2009 (the latest version!), MS Antivirus and probably more. This is an actual program that installs itself on your system in the same way spyware installs, without your knowledge or permission. Antivirus 2008 then shows up on your task bar as a warning icon that looks almost identical to the Windows Security Center shield and it shows an “X” or an exclamation mark. Pop up bubbles will warn you that an infection has been found. If you ignore the pop ups the program will pop up full screen and simulate a virus scan showing multiple infections. The program will show you all the problems and then it will explain that you must purchase the full version for in order to clean these infections.
Here are some typical warning messages:
PrivacyViolation alert! XP antivirus detected Privacy Violation. Some program is secretly sending your private data to untrusted internet host. Click here to block this activity by removing threats (Recommended).
Or
Systemfiles modification alert! Some critical system files of your computer were modified by malicious program. It may cause system instability and data loss. Click here to block unauthorized modification by removing threats (Recommended).
The beauty of the scam is that (at least so far) none of the major antivirus and antispyware programs are picking this thing up. Once you pay your money the program doesn’t clean anything and on some versions it will actually release a flood of spyware or Trojans into your system. Eventually you will no longer be able to use your system as the Antivirus 2008 will not allow you to get past its interface except to follow the link where they will allow you to repurchase the software in hopes of ridding yourself of the menace.
Obviously if you have paid these crooks for the full version you will need to contact your credit card company and stop payment as soon as possible.
The early version of this fraudware had an uninstall routine, which would remove it from the “Add and Remove Programs” applet in the control panel, but did not remove the program. The newest versions don’t bother with the extra steps, they’ve got you and they aren’t going to let go.
Below are some typical processes, files and registry entries that must be removed in order to clean Antivirus 2008 off your system. You should be aware that editing the registry should only be done by experienced technicians, and there is no guarantee that these files are the only ones on your system. Comparing your running processes in the Windows Task Manager against this list will help you determine if this is an issue on your system.
Associated (XP) Antivirus 2008, XP Antivirus 2009, and XP AntivirusProcesses
Typically I would refer you to links on the internet that may be helpful at this point, but every site I can find is busy attempting to sell you a solution, or worse, attempting to infect you. At one point the top paid advertisement on the right side of a Google search was for Antivirus 2008. Tread carefully here folks, or just bring it to The Village Geek and let us clean this mess up for you.
Steve Weigle is the owner of Village Geek Computers, an IT center with multiple locations. Steve has provided IT services to Central Indiana since 1996.
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