Security

If you go to many sites you will run across things called “pop ups” they are ads for things and they can be tiresome. You can block these.

HERE is a website that links to several and reviews and rates them.

Many sites also send out programs to “spy” on what your computer does. They are called spyware. These machines do this to find out how to sell things to you (that is a very short definition of what they are and do, but in essence, they are about getting money.). Some can be damaging and others ore innocuous. Either way spyware blocking is a good thing to use.

If you have heard of a computer virus but do not know what it is think of a real virus. It can make your computer sick and can spread itself to other computers too. There are anit-virus services that you can use.

Most anti-virus programs also have a spyware blocker component to them. I will link to a couple, but if you use Windows, click on the help page or go to the Windows sie and see what they have to offer too. (Here is one of Microsoft’s)

McAfee is one. You can buy it online or you can usually find it at stores that sell computers.

Trendmicro is another one. (Did not work with Mozilla Firefox browser when I used it. But it worked very well with Microsoft Explorer.)

HERE is a buying guide for anti virus software.

HERE is a site that reviews several. HERE is another. There are several more. Use a search engine and the term “anti virus software” and you will find plenty of help.
NOTE! Some of these programs do not work with some browsers. If you do not know what those are you can read the link or go to the category on the side margin marked “browsers.”

Using these tools to keep your computer healthy and free from virtual bugs will save you time.

I must put one note. If you are using a Mac. You probably were already told at the store or on the website that you won’t be as prone to viruses. You won’t! That’s great. But if you are set up using wifi (wireless network connection) even with a Mac, your router (the thing that sends the wifi around your house) can be vulnerable. There are anti-virus services to keep that safe too.

Anyone who uses a router can benefit from making sure it is safe as well. HERE is a site that has some information for you.

As with all these categories, using a search engine to find out more about the terms is a good idea. Wikipedia has a bunch of good and easy to understand information about all of these things. I have linked to it in the margin.

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