Computer security: How to make PCs safe

Latest virus- and security-news: Windows XP SP3 has problems with AMD processors After Microsoft has postponed Service Pack 3 for Windows XP already several times, also due to compatibilityproblems, AMD users are now reporting problems with SP3. In some cases the computer will not ... mehr... New Firefox 2.0.0.6 disables security breach When using Windows XP and having Internet Explorer 7 installed, there is a high risk that a Windows security breach might be used by hackers, even when surfing with the secure Firefox browser. A probl ... mehr...

Help, an email from an unknown sender!
Most viruses, worms and trojans spread through email. An opened attachment can infect the computer and pread itself through email. Therefore, do not open any attachments from unknown senders! Also, with email-attachments that come from known email users, you should be careful,because most viruses send itself without knowledge of the known sender to all the adresses in his adressbook. Antivirus-Programs that are updated regularly can help to scan emails with dangerous attachments.

Especially with English mails you should be careful, even if the sender says he is 'mail administrator'or gives out another official title.

Forum for internet security Viruses, Worms, Dialers and Trojans? You can find assistance and answers at your questions in our security - Forum. more...

Phishing: Stealing your bank login codes
With forged bank emails, attackers try to get the login codes of you online bank account. They will tell you there is a security check, and will send you to a website that looks just like the real website of the bank, to enter your accountnumber, PINcode and TANcode. With these data, the attackers then can make unwanted transactions.


Can a Firewall protect me?
A firewall checks all the in- and outgoing internet traffic of a Computer. This way, programs can only send data, that are actually allowed to be sended. The unsafe ports of the computer will be closed by the firewall, so attackers cannot put unwanted data on your computer. The so-called "Stealth Mode" function of many firewalls hides your computer on the internet, so hackers can find your computer less easy.





HijackThis: Check your System!
Hijackthis is a free anti-browser-hijacking program, that creates a Log-File which displays not specific programs/URLs but the methods used by hijack-software to force your browser to use a different - and unwanted - starting page or search page. A short tutorial helps to read the logfile, which alternatively can be checked online for threads at hijackthis.de/en. You can post question about your log file afterwards in our Security Board.