Security - the problems
Anyone who uses a PC now, especially to access the Internet or retrieve email should be aware of the need for security. Without any security you will be at risk of having your personal and financial details stolen. Even if you do not store these details on your computer, you will be vulnerable to a lot more nasties. Security comes in many forms, ranging from passwords to physical locks or software keys to anti-malware products to internet protection methods.
The accumulation of spyware, spam, malicious software and advertising can be relatively harmless at first, but may soon escalate to be a real drag on your computer, slowing it down (or stopping it completely), forcing it to display endless advertising pop-ups, or other undesirable content.
The PC can be used to relay messages on to other PCs or can be hijacked by another party for its own use. The "baddie" on the net may log into your PC remotely and install software for some dubious purpose.
Sometimes the damage caused cannot be undone and you will need to reinstall everything again from scratch. This may mean losing some of your important information, or at the very least being time consuming and inconvenient. For ways in which you can approach these problems, click on the following links:
Spyware
General Security
Phishing
Firewalls, Routers and VPNs
Viruses and Trojans
Do you think you have a virus? Go Here
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