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PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER
FROM VIRUSES, SPYWARE AND ADWARE
When your computer has unexplainable problems, the first thing you should do is scan for viruses, spyware and adware.
Any of these alone can cause your computer to slow dow, freeze up or prevent you from opening web pages and downloading email.
This page was created for our customers to provide education as well as instructions on maintaining a computer to provide the best internet experience possible.
Please Note: The programs we recommend are not produced by The National Business Network Inc. They are only a recommendation for your use because of our experience with them and of others who use them.
We will offer limited customer support, but each program will offer their own customer support staff. |
There are five basic needs to complete
full internet usage.
1. A working computer.
2. A phone
line plugged into the computer.
3. An ISP
(Internet Service Provider) which is what we are to you. You may
know us as The National Business Network, Inc. or localconnect.
4. You will need Browser software on your computer
such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera... Most computers
come with Internet Explorer unless you have a MAC.
5. You will need a way to access your Email
provided by your ISP. Most ISPs provide your email via Webmail,
which is accessed through their website. (ours is
www.nb.net) If you choose to use an
Email Program installed on your computer, it could be Microsoft Outlook,
Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, or
one of many others.
The first step to browsing the Internet is to "get
connected". That is the responsibility of your ISP.
The second step is to "browse the internet" which is
the responsibility of your Browser software on your computer.
The third step is to access your email. If you
use your ISP's webmail, you will do this through your browser software.
If you choose to use software on your computer to access your email, then
this is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the email software on
your computer such as Microsoft.
As your ISP, we will provide you with the proper
settings for browser software to help you open web pages. We will
also work with you to ensure that you have the proper information to
access our mail servers to download your email onto your computer.
**Keep in mind, once you download the email off our servers, it becomes
the responsibility of the manufacturer of the email software on your
computer to download, display and send your email, ex. Microsoft Outlook
Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, Netscape Communicator, etc. |
Viruses:
A computer virus is a program created specifically to invade computers and
networks and wreak havoc on them. The mischief caused can be very minor,
such as causing a funny image or cryptic message to be displayed on your
screen, or it can do some serious damage by altering or even destroying
files. Two common Anti-Virus programs are
Norton and McAfee. There are free programs that can be obtained from
the internet such as AVG, Avast and many others.
The first thing you should do is make sure your
anti-virus program is completely updated. If your anti-virus program
is out of date, you are not protected against the latest viruses.
Some of these anti-virus programs update your computer once or twice a
day. The threats are constantly changing.
The second thing you should do is update your
anti-virus program at least once a week. You need to be "on line" to
receive updates but you do not have to be "on line" to run a scan.
You should run a scan at least twice a week or more depending how much you
are on the internet. If your anti-virus program does not provide
automatic updates, then you should click on Check for Updates in the
program.
If you do not have an anti-virus program or wish to
obtain one for free, you can visit
www.google.com and do a search for anti-virus software or go to
www.download.com or
www.pcworld.com and do a search.
You will find many that are free for personal use. We recommend AVG
and Avast. We have found them to be thorough and easy to use.
After you've downloaded a program from the internet, it must be installed
on your computer and updated before an up to date scan can be performed. |
Spyware and Adware:
Spyware is the name given to a wide and growing range of software programs
designed to steal your personal information. This data is then sent to
advertisers or possibly criminals.
Some spyware records your keystrokes. Why would this
interest thieves? Because when you log in to your financial accounts, they
can figure out your passwords by analyzing what you typed.
Other types of spyware may redirect you to unsavory
adult websites. Another type of spyware, called adware, is responsible for
those annoying pop-up windows that litter your screen.
Spyware is typically downloaded from the Internet
without your consent. It can take the form of a virus or be part of a
"free" program that you download. Once it's installed on your computer, it
secretly gathers information and transmits it.
Common Anti-Spyware/Adware programs are Spybot,
Ad-Aware, Spysweeper, Microsoft Anti-Spy. Some of the new versions
of anti-virus programs include an anti-spyware feature. There are
many free programs that can be downloaded from the internet.
Adware is a type of spyware that is
responsible for those annoying pop-up windows that litter your screen.
Adware is files that are downloaded onto your computer than can be harmful
to your computer. Some adware is designed to track your internet surfing
which would include secretly gathering info about the user and relay it to
advertisers or other interested parties. The more adware that is
downloaded onto your computer can start to build up and cause problems in
the performance of your computer.
The first thing you should do is make sure your
anti-spyware and anti-adware programs are completely updated. If
your programs are out of date, you are not protected against the latest
spyware and adware. Some of these programs update your computer once
or twice a day. The threats are constantly changing.
The second thing you should do is update your anti-spyware
and anti-adware programs at least once a week. You need to be "on
line" to receive updates but you do not have to be "on line" to run a
scan. You should run a scan at least twice a week or more depending
how much you are on the internet. If your anti-spyware or anti-adware
program does not provide automatic updates, then you should click on Check
for Updates in the program.
If you do not have an anti-spyware program
and wish to obtain one for free, you can visit
www.google.com and do a search for anti-spyware software or go to
www.download.com or
www.pcworld.com and do a search.
You will find many that are free for personal use. We recommend
Spybot and Spysweeper. We have found them to be thorough and easy to
use.
If you do not have an anti-adware program, we
recommend Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal. We have found this to be
thorough and easy to use. Ad-Aware is free and can can be obtained
by going to www.lavasoft.com and
clicking on the link to obtain the latest version of Ad-Aware which will
take you to www.download.com so you
can easily download it.
After you've downloaded these programs from the internet, they must be
installed on your computer and updated before an up to date scan can be
performed. |
Unable to access the
Internet? Then you're not going to be able to visit these
websites to download these programs or update your current software.
You then have two options: Download these programs onto a disk from
another computer or contact our Customer Support Department at
1-888-594-8324 to purchase a disk with these free programs for a nominal
fee for supplies, shipping and handling. You then can install them
from the disk, update and run the scans to remove any viruses, spyware or
adware that may be infecting your computer. |
We will be happy to answer your initial questions. However, If you need
further assistance with any of the above, visit our Services
page to find out more
about our computer services offered from our Altoona, PA office.
This would fall under Various Downloads and Instruction.
We may be able to help you with our
Virtual Housecall |
|
Customer Support Hours
1-888-594-8324
Monday: 9 am - 7 pm
Tuesday - Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm
Altoona, PA
area: 946-8641 |
last updated 5/17/06
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