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SPAM,
VIRUSES AND SECURITY
What
is computer security?
Computer
security is about making sure that computer systems are protected
from damage and unauthorised access.
Why
is computer security important?
It is important
to make sure that computers are secure in order to protect the information
on them from theft or destruction.
How
can I make my computer more secure?
There are
several ways you can help make your computer more secure:
- Install
antivirus software
- Install
personal firewall
- Keep
your software up to date
- Keep
your password secret, and change regularly
- Don't
open suspicious e-mail attachments
- Only
download software from reputable sources
What
is personal firewall software?
A personal
firewall helps prevent people from hacking into your computer while
you are on the Internet. A personal firewall can help make your
computer impenetrable to hackers.
With
new hacking techniques appearing every day, it is important that
you keep your personal firewall software up to date.
What
is anti-virus software?
Anti virus
software helps prevent your computer from becoming infected by a
computer virus. Anti-virus software inspects files on your computer
and reports any viruses which are discovered. Some anti-virus software
will detect and remove trojans and viruses.
With
new viruses appearing every day, it is important that you keep your
anti-virus software up to date.
What
is "hacking" and "cracking"™?
"Hacking"
and "cracking"are the terms used to describe unauthorised
access and use of computer systems. Most hackers try to break into
computer systems which are connected to the Internet.
How
do people hack into my computer?
Hackers
use many methods to break into computers. Some hackers exploit vulnerabilities
in the software or hardware already on your computer. Some hackers
will install software on your computer which gives them access to
your machine. There are a huge variety of hacking techniques, and
new methods are developed every day.
How
can I help prevent hacking?
There are
several ways you can help prevent hacking attempts on your computer:
- Install
anti virus software
- Install
personal firewall software
- Keep
your software up to date
- Keep
your password secret, and change regularly
- Don't
open suspicious e-mail attachments
- Only
download software from reputable sources
With
hacking techniques appearing every day, it is important that you
keep your anti-virus and personal firewall software up to date.
Comstar can help you with a firewall... contact us on 1300 728292
or email.
How
do I know if my computer has been hacked?
The
best way to discover if your computer is being hacked is to install
anti-virus and personal firewall software on your computer. These
programs will help prevent and detect hacking attempts.
I
think that my computer has been hacked, what should I do?
Most
personal firewall software will report the details of any hacking
attempts. The firewall should produce a report on the hacking attempt.
You should e-mail the hacking report to the administrators of the
network from which the attack came.
What
is a Trojan?
A trojan
is a computer program which, when running on your computer, allows
a hacker to gain easy access to your computer system. Trojan software
is designed to run on a computer without normal users noticing that
it is there. Some trojans allow hackers to take control of your
computer system.
How
can computers get a Trojan?
Trojans
can be sent to people as e-mail attachments. The Trojan will install
itself on the recipient's computer system when the e-mail attachment
is opened. Trojans can also be included in software which is downloaded
from the Internet.
How
can I help prevent my computer from getting a Trojan?
There
are several ways you can help prevent getting a trojan on your computer
system:
- Use
personal firewall software
- Use
anti-virus software
- Don't
open suspicious e-mail attachments
- Only
download software from reputable sources
- Ensure
that no unauthorised people use your computer
With
new trojans appearing every day, it is important that you keep your
anti-virus and personal firewall software up to date.
How
can I tell if it's safe to download software from a Web site?
Some
less reputable Web sites provide software which is intentionally
designed to perform malicious actions on your computer.
To help ensure that software you download is safe to use:
- Make sure the Web site has a good reputation
- Scan all downloads with anti-virus software
How
can I tell if my computer has a Trojan?
The
best way to tell if your computer has a trojan is to scan it with
up-to-date anti-virus software which will detect trojans.
I
think that my computer has a Trojan, what should I do?
If
your anti-virus software does not remove the trojan for you, then
you will probably need to download some specialised trojan-removal
software.
What
is a computer virus?
A computer
virus is a small piece of computer software which is designed to
automatically spread itself from computer to computer like a virus.
Viruses spread from one computer to the next when people exchange
programs or documents.
Viruses
can have many different effects on computer systems. Some viruses
do nothing except spread further and further. Some display messages
on the infected computer's screen. Some will delete information
on the computer it infects.
Comstar
can help you with a Anti Virus software... contact us on 1300 728292
or email.
How
can my computer get a computer virus?
The
two most common way of becoming infected by a computer virus are:
- receiving
an e-mail message with an infected attachment,
- downloading
software which is infected with a virus
If
you receive a file which is infected with a virus, the virus infects
your machine when you open the infected file.
How
can I help prevent my computer from getting a virus?
There
are several ways you can help prevent your computer from getting
a computer virus:
- Use
anti-virus software
- Don't
open suspicious e-mail attachments
- Only
download software from reputable sources
With
new viruses appearing every day, it is important that you keep your
anti-virus software up to date.
How
can I tell if my computer has a virus?
The
best way to tell if your computer has a virus is to scan it with
up-to-date anti-virus software.
I
think that my computer has a virus, what should I do?
You
should use up-to-date anti-virus software to detect and remove viruses
from your computer.
I
think my account is being used by an unauthorised person, what should
I do?
First,
change your password through your members tools or contact the Comstar
Account Abuse Investigations team by e-mail at abuse@comstar.com.au
and we will investigate the matter.
How
could someone discover my password?
There are
many ways someone could discover your password. These include:
- Guessing
an easy password (when Sam uses the password "sam",
for example)
- Finding
the password written down somewhere
- Hacking
into your computer system
How
can I keep my password safe?
There are
several ways you can keep your password safe:
- Use
a firewall
- Use
antivirus software
- Change
your password regularly
- Make
your password difficult to guess (John shouldn't use the password
˜john")
- Do
not tell anyone your password
Never
disclose your Comstar password to anyone over e-mail. Comstar staff
will never request that you supply your password by e-mail.
What
is spam?
Spam is
the Internet equivalent to junk mail. Instead of sending the junk
mail to your letter box, "spammers" send unsolicited messages
to your e-mail address.
Why
am I receiving spam?
You must
have disclosed your e-mail address to someone. You are at a higher
risk of receiving spam if you post your e-mail address on a Web
site, in chat forums or in any Internet discussion groups.
How
can I stop spam?
It is very
difficult to stop people sending you spam. Once a spammer knows
your e-mail address there is no way of preventing them from using
that address or selling your address to other people. You are best
to e-mail a complaint to the network from which the spam was sent.
Remember to include the full e-mail message (with all the headers).
Spam-blocking
software is available for some e-mail clients.
How
can I help prevent spam?
Be careful
about who you disclose your e-mail address to. Be wary about disclosing
your e-mail address on Web sites, in chat forums or in Internet
discussion groups.
Where
can I find more information about security, hacking, viruses and
spam?
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