Submitted by: David Chandler

Help, I was sitting in front my computer and it starting acting strange! Pop-ups were on my screen and I was not even surfing the web. My home page was changed somehow and so did other web settings. My programs are at a crawl and overall my computer is just not working the way it should be.

If this sounds like your computer, chances are you have been infected with some type of malicious software. Several types of software can infect your computer; some of these are spyware, a virus, a Trojan, and a worm. That is why you need security software.

Below is a brief and simple description of the software that can infect your computer and cause poor performance.

Spyware is a program that gathers information about the user through the internet without their knowledge. It monitors your web activity and passes this information to another party without your knowledge. Spyware is designed for commercial gain, thus when it is installed in your computer you will probably receive unsolicited pop-up advertisements. It can also gather your email addresses, passwords, and credit card numbers stored on your computer.

A virus is programming code or a piece of code that loads onto your computer without your consent. A virus is also self-replicating by inserting copies into an executable code or documents. Any virus is dangerous as it uses up memory and brings your system to a halt.

A worm is much like a virus in the fact that it is self-replicating but differs in the fact that it does not need another program to do so. A worm can spread itself without any action from the user. A worm can attach itself to you address book and send a copy to everyone in it, then attaches itself to the receivers address book in addition, send it out to everyone in that address book. Worms are dangerous and in the end can cause networks to crash.

Trojans are designed as legitimate software that you can download onto your computer. Once installed though, they can be annoying and/or malicious. Annoying activities of a Trojan would be changing your desktop around or silly icons appearing. Malicious damage from a Trojan is capable of deleting files on your computer and allowing personal and confidential information to be collected without you being aware.

Preventing spyware and other malicious software from infecting your computer through security software is lots easier going online and finding a reputable online scanning site after the fact. Sometimes if your computer is infected, you may not even be able to get online. Therefore, prevention is better than fixing.

You can protect your computer from malicious programs in many ways. Here are a few tips to consider.

Always have the latest version of anti virus and anti spyware technology on your computer. You will also need to keep the program files up to date in order to protect against newest threats.

Only download files from a trusted source. If you are not sure, run a virus scan on the file before downloading it or saving to your computer.

There are limitless resources on the internet offering anti spyware and antivirus programs. Many sites offer free online scans, and provide instructions for removal of any malicious programs on your computer. Once you have selected a well known, (well-known being the optimal word) follow the instructions for installation carefully to ensure that the scan will work properly. Below are the most common and well-known virus and spyware removal programs.

McAfee (mcafee.com) virus remover features up-to-date protection from the latest viruses and web activity threats for the user. They have three main anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that you can choose perfect for home and business uses.

Microsoft has an anti spyware (microsoft.com) removal tool that you can use to scan your computer. This functions mainly by reviewing and checking your files for unwanted software contents, and once found can be selected and removed depending on the procedures indicated on the program. Just follow the tools and guides on how you can remove the infected files.

Ad Ware Personal provided by Lavasoft.com features scanning and fixing infected files and drives, detection of known and unknown but potentially damaging software with its Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology. This program also has a spyware removal and capabilities of removing other damaging programs in your system.

The above sites are just a few of anti spyware and anti virus removal programs that are available on the web. Take the time and do the research and you will find the right security software for your needs. Once again, it is imperative that the site you select for your computer security is credible.

About the Author: For more information about security software, visit

securitysoftwareanswers.com

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isnare.com

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By Lee Dobbins

When you think of a room divider or folding screen, you usually picture using it to divide a room. Perhaps between a large living room – dining room combination or to divide a bedroom into a sleeping and sitting area. But room dividers can be put to many other uses that will enhance your decor as well as add a unique touch to any room.

Today’s room dividers are quite decorative and come in almost any style to suit whatever your decor. Some can even be functional with shelving, slots for photos and activity centers for children’s rooms. Adding one to your room will immediately create a unique focal point, but what if you don’t need to divide the room?

If you are decorating a bedroom, one great use for a room divider is to use it as a headboard. In order to do this, you should choose a divider that is roughly as wide as your bed. In this instance, you won’t be folding the divider – you want to leave it flat. Simply open it up and slide it behind the head of the bed. Purchase matching bedding and you will have a fabulous display. Be sure to buy bedding that matches the theme and color of your folding screen divider and if the divider is very busy with a pattern or scene you might want to make sure you buy bedding that is more plain.

You can also use a room divider simply to dress up a wall. This is a great idea for apartments where you can’t paint or wallpaper but you want something a bit more snazzy to liven up a room. You can put the divider flat against the wall, but if you do you will have to anchor it somehow so it doesn’t tip over. If you don’t want to anchor it, then you can fold it slightly – not too much as you want to be able to see the full divider but just enough so that it is steady.

You can even use a room divider in the kitchen to enhance a breakfast nook or corner eating area. here you will be using it in sort of the opposite way you would normally. Instead of folding the divider so that it is kitty cornered and there is a space between the divider and the wall, you will put it flat against the wall with a fold in the corner so that it wraps around the corner creating a decorative alcove for a unique dining area.

Room dividers add ambiance to any room and you don’t have to use them in the traditional manner. If you use your imagination, you can think of different ways to use traditional decorative accessories which will give your home a unique flair!

About the Author: Lee Dobbins writes for

Room Divider Decor

where you can learn more about the

different types of room dividers

and how to decorate with them.

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