| Has your computer developed a mind of its own? Is | | | | Horses. Use caution when downloading files off |
| your computer doing things such as the mouse | | | | Usenet. Also, be careful what you freeware you |
| moving on its own and the CD-ROM drawer moving | | | | download. That cool game could very well contain |
| on its own? You knew your computer was smart, | | | | more than you bargained for - a Trojan Horse or |
| but not smart, right? It is good to know that there | | | | other malicious software. Only download programs |
| are steps you can take to help prevent and detect | | | | from reputable sources. Never accept programs |
| Trojan Horses. Like the ancient Greek Trojan Horses | | | | transferred by instant messaging applications. Finally, |
| that appeared as innocent, but were very | | | | never open an email attachment from someone you |
| destructive, computer Trojan Horses are malicious | | | | don't know. In fact, never open an email attachment |
| software that masquerade as something harmless, | | | | from even someone you know that is unfamiliar and |
| useful, and innocent. A Trojan horse in fact can allow | | | | or unexpected, as their system could be infected |
| a hacker to take full control of your computer. The | | | | with a Trojan Horse or other malware. Confirm that |
| hacker could actually have more control of your | | | | the sender did actually send you the email before |
| computer than you have. The cyber crook could | | | | opening. |
| even install a keystroke logger onto your computer, | | | | If you have no other internet security software |
| allowing them to see every keystroke you type. This | | | | installed on your computer, ensure you have |
| malicious software could allow them to record your | | | | anti-virus software installed on your computer. Don't |
| passwords, banking info, credit card number, and | | | | forget to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date, |
| other personal information. This could enable the | | | | as anti-virus software is only as good as the last |
| hacker to steal your identity and you could become | | | | update. It is good to know that most anti-virus |
| yet another victim of identity theft, one of the | | | | software automatically updates. There is also free |
| fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA. | | | | anti-virus software online to download. AVG offers |
| Trojan Horses get into your system by pretending to | | | | free anti-virus software, also bundled with free |
| be something good, useful, and innocent. This is very | | | | anti-spyware software. In a recent report Maximum |
| much like the ancient Greek Trojan Horse. Did you | | | | PC gave AVG Anti-virus Free a rating of "good", 7 |
| download an image or video file off of Usenet, a cool | | | | 10. |
| game or MP3 music file from a file sharing site such | | | | Ensure that you have anti-spyware software installed |
| as Kazaa or Limewire? The file very well might be | | | | on your computer. Maximum PC actually recommends |
| bundled with more than you bargained for - a Trojan | | | | you have Spybot Search & Destroy as well as |
| Horse or other malicious software. | | | | two other anti-spyware programs installed on your |
| Trojan Horses are downright scary and a real threat | | | | computer. It is good to know that there are free |
| to your Internet security and privacy. In fact, this | | | | anti-spyware programs, including Spybot Search |
| malware could lead to you becoming a victim of | | | | & Destroy, to download online. Windows Vista |
| identity theft. Ready to disconnect your Internet | | | | actually includes Windows Defender, a free |
| forever and throw your computer out the window? | | | | anti-spyware program. |
| Well, don't do that just yet. It is should be reassuring | | | | Finally, be sure to keep your operating system |
| that there are things that we can do to help detect | | | | up-to-date with the latest security patches, to help |
| and remove Trojan Horses. | | | | protect yourself from Trojan Horses and other |
| Probably the biggest line of defense for helping | | | | malicious software. For the latest Windows updates |
| prevent having your computer infected with a Trojan | | | | go to |
| Horse or other malicious software is being careful | | | | By following these internet security tips you can |
| what you do online. Avoid using file sharing sites using | | | | indeed help prevent and detect Trojan Horses and |
| the Gnutella network to download free movies, MP3 | | | | other malicious software. When it comes to Trojan |
| music files, etc. These sites are notorious for | | | | Horses and other malware, an ounce of prevention is |
| containing files infected with malware, including Trojan | | | | indeed worth a pound of cure. |