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General Tools
Improve computer security, reduce
SPAM, prevent Viruses, limit Adult Content and put an end to annoying pop up ads.
If you have a Windows based Operating system you should always
have the latest Windows updates installed on your computer. |
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Pacific
Online is not responsible for configuring, troubleshooting, supporting and or for the
content of these services. Pacific Online cannot provide technical support for these services. |
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 Security
Information
These are links having to do
with protecting your computer from security breaches, hackers and
security flaws. Links below are alphabetized by name and address
viruses, spyware and other intrusion attempts.
Spyware is becoming more and more of a problem on the Internet. It is relatively new and may be the cause of problems such as your start
page changing automatically, new toolbars added to Internet Explorer,
you can connect to the net but cannot view websites (page cannot be
displayed error) or causing your browser to crash. Spyware can also be programs that track your
activities on the net and websites that you visit often, so as to market you with pop up ads or email
advertising.
Spyware can be contracted by simply visiting websites or opening
emails that contain spyware.
AVG Anti-virus Free Edition -
free.grisoft.com
AVG Free Edition is for private, non-commercial, single home computer
use only.
GRC - https://www.grc.com/
This site contains many free security programs that are
invaluable.
Iconix -
https://sp-guard.iconix.com/
This programs ads a "visual ID" to your email. This software helps
identify trusted Email and protects against "Phishing".
Mcafee - https://www.mcafee.com/
This is another well known anti-virus company.
Norton Anti Virus - https://www.norton.com/
Norton is a well known and respected anti-virus and security program.
This is the place to look first for information about new threats,
worms, and viruses.
Their Symantec Security Center website is invaluable as it lists the
latest virus threats, security updates, removal tools, and virus
definitions. The removal tools are free for downloading. The main
program does cost money but is well worth it - it runs on your
computer and checks for viruses, worms, and other security problems as
well as provides a live update via the web when new known viruses are
release.
SpyBot - https://www.safer-networking.org/
This free program removes Spyware. Once you install this software you must
go online and get the updates before actually
running it (the program doesn't really remind you to get the online
updates although in the program itself, there is an
"Updates" tab).
Zone Alarm - https://www.zonealarm.com/
This is a software based firewall program. It monitors all incoming
network traffic for your computer - and it can be setup to only allow
connections that you know and want to receive. Basically it works by
closing off ports on your computer that you do not need open.
It helps hide your computer on the net - which helps
prevents hackers and other data mining programs from finding
you. |
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Phishing
Phishing is when someone tries to
gain access to sensitive data usually by sending out emails that pretend
to be from legitimate companies in which they ask you to fill out
information usually by going to a website that they link in their email
(common phishing emails pretend to be from PayPay, Amazon, Ebay etc).
We have a "phishing"
Example Here
Windows Updates
This is the official Microsoft Windows Update page. On occasion
Microsoft will release "updates" and depending on which
Operating System you have, will need to be installed on your computer.
The Critical updates are the most important as they "patch"
known security flaws. If you do not have the windows updates you will
be extremely vulnerable to security flaws, and other
worms. Please visit: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Windows Life-Cycle FAQ (information about Windows Systems) :
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy
Support Life-Cycle Index (Support
length for Windows) :
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex
Spam
 (Put
it in the can)
Spam is
unsolicited (unwanted) emails sent out via mass mail. Pacific Online runs a server
side anti-SPAM program which catches literally hundreds of thousands
of junk mails each month. Spam is held in the "Spam" folder of
Webmail for
30 days before being auto deleted.
Additional information is available by logging
into Webmail, and then clicking "? Help" in the top left-corner of the page.
 Parental
Control
We recommend Net Nanny - this is a rather
inexpensive program that lets you control what your children see on
the Internet. You are able to filter harmful websites, monitor online
activity, and even restrict Internet access.
Click
here for more information.
 Online Virus
Scanner
With the variety and numbers
of viruses on the Internet it is always a good idea to run a virus
scan/cleanup on your PC. The following program is a web based online virus scanner which will scan
and clean your PC system for viruses. Please
visit Trend
MicroTM for their online virus scanner.
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