What is a Keylogger?

A Keylogger is a type of Malware that invisibly records all keyboard activity. Everything that is typed into your computer is recorded ex: password, socials, security questions & more.

The scary part is that it is absolutely invisible to all operating systems (in Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista processes as well) It runs in the background without you ever knowing it. Quietly recording all of your information for thieves to keep and use later to hack into your accounts. The thing is that it doesn’t matter how complex you make your passwords to your bank accounts, because they have it recorded, every keystroke you make.

Its obvious why you do not want this harmful program on your computer. Take these steps to take to protect your vital information:

1) Do not open spam email. Do not even click on it, if you are unsure about an email, delete it right away without viewing it. Also if your email inbox has a preview mode, where you can see part of an email message, turn that off. You could harm your computer by viewing even a partial part of an infected email.
2) Do not download attachments if its from someone you do not know.
3) Do not click on pop ups. Most web browsers have anti pop up software on them. Though, if you see ads popping up, install another program to prevent that. Also be weary of pop ups that look like Microsoft Windows messages that say you need to update your software. Microsoft only has messages that come from your task bar, not in the form of a pop up.
4) Make sure your firewall is turned ON. To do that, click on the red shield on your task bar. Windows Security Center will come up. Firewall is first on the list, make sure its green and says ON.
5) Run a full system antivirus scan weekly

Find antivirus software on www.thebootcd.com

Trojans -Computer Virus

A Trojan horse, or trojan for short, is a term used to describe malware that appears, to the user, to perform a desirable function but, in fact, facilitates unauthorized access to the user’s computer system. The term comes from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology. Trojan horses are not self-replicating which distinguishes them from viruses and worms. Additionally, they require interaction with a hacker to fulfill their purpose. The hacker need not be the individual responsible for distributing the Trojan horse. It is possible for hackers to scan computers on a network using a port scanner in the hope of finding one with a Trojan horse installed

Trojan horses are designed to allow a hacker remote access to a target computer system. Once a Trojan horse has been installed on a target computer system it is possible for a hacker to access it remotely and perform operations. The operations that a hacker can perform are limited by user privileges on the target computer system and the design of the Trojan horse itself.

Operations which could be performed by a hacker on a target computer system include:

Use of the machine as part of a Botnet (e.g. to perform Distributed Denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks)
Data Theft (e.g. passwords, security codes, credit card information)
Installation of software (including other malware)
Downloading of files
Uploading of files
Deletion of files
Modification of files
Keystroke logging
Viewing the user’s screen

So why are trojans or trojan horses so dangerous? The basic idea is that you download a program, for example one that you think is some sort a game demo. When you run the demo, to your surprise, nothing happens. Or so you thought. What may have happened is that you’ve just unwittingly run some form of program that has planted itself on your hard drive. Perhaps it’s going to be a very basic application, and simply delete some files on your system. Perhaps it’s an even more sinister tool that will actually give other people full access to your hard drive and system. Sounds ridiculous? It happens literally every single day, to computer users all around the world.

In short, if you want to keep your PC safe, follow the three golden rules:
• Use a good anti trojan application, that offers regular trojan definition updates. Use the software regularly, and keep it up to date.
• Use a good anti virus application, that offers regular virus definition updates. Use the software, and keep it up to date.
•Keep your operating system up to date with security fixes.

Purchase The Boot CD with multiple antivirus programs to keep your computer clean at www.thebootcd.com

How to do a System Restore on Your Computer

Did you accidentally delete an important program or install something that completely corrupted your computer? Did you know that you can basically turn back time on your PC like nothing ever happened? You can do a system restore and basically turn your computer back to a date prior from when the mishap occurred. Then your harddrive performs like it never happened! Just follow these simple instructions by the boot cd:

1) Go to Start menu/ programs/ accessories/ system tools/ system restore
2) Select restore my computer from an earlier time
4) Click next
5) Select the time frame you want to go back from
6) Click next & your computer should be back to its normal self!

For more helpful computer tips n tricks visit www.thebootcd.com

How to Change Your Computers Start Up Programs

Does your computer take forever to start up when you turn it on? If your computer takes more than a couple of minutes to completely start up, you probably have too many programs loading all at once. When you install new software, they all want to load right when the computer starts. If you do not uncheck certain box’s during installation, every program you have starts up all at the same time & really slows down your computer. Here’s a simple way The Boot CD will help to only start up the programs you need & make your computer run faster!

1) Go to Start menu
2) Select Run
3) Type in: msconfig
4) Click ok
5) Select the startup tab in the pop up window
6) Uncheck the box’s of the programs you do not want to start up every time. Be careful to not unselect important Windows software that you need.
7) Click Apply
8) Either restart you computer now to see the results or wait until later.

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Follow these helpful hints to keep your computer free of problems in the future

1. Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down.

2. It’s highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for your computer.

3. Backup, backup, backup, any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So backup data to external hard drives, Zip disks, CD-RWs etc. Also back up important files to an FTP site if you have access. If by worst scenario your computer crashes, your information is safe on the FTP site that is hosted by a 3rd party far away.

4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month, programs on the boot cd.

5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up. Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard.

6. Do keep at least 300 MBs of your C drive free for Windows to use. If you use Windows XP or Vista then you should have 400-600 MBs of free space on your C drive.

7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer. They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace).

8. Do use a virus check regularly. Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from multiple anti-virus programs. Many programs are on the boot cd that you can use to cross check. It good to utilize a couple of different programs because each one can detect different forms of viruses & malware.

9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer.

10. Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals.

Monthly:
11. Check for updates Windows updates
12. Delete/uninstall unneeded or unused programs. Keeping your hard drive free of unused programs is good to free up space.

Quarterly:
13. Change all your passwords. Make sure you always use a password that someone would not guess easily. Don’t use password as your password. Amazingly how many people actually use this! That’s just like leaving your car door unlocked with the key in the ignition. You are just asking someone to steal your information.

Yearly:
14. Renew your software update and anti virus subscriptions.

For more helpful computer tips n tricks go to www.thebootcd.com

How to Find Your Network Key

Sometimes you misplace that import network key to access your own wireless in your house. Here’s a quick way The Boot CD can help you find out what that key to your Linksys wireless router so you can get back on the internet:

1) Type this in your web browser: http://192.168.1.1
2) It will prompt you for a username & password, enter them (if you do not have a username & password see below)
3) A page that says LINKSYS in left hand corner will show up
4) Click on the WIRELESS tab
5) Click WIRELESS SECURITY tab
6) Here it will tell you what your internet key is
7) This you can type into your laptop for example to connect to your wifi

B) If you do not have the password to access the above, go to Linksys website:
4) Click on the WIRELESS tab
5) Click WIRELESS SECURITY tab
6) Here it will tell you what your internet key is
7) This you can type into your laptop for example to connect to your wifi

For more helpful tips visit www.thebootcd.com