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New e-mail address – Spammers, Viruses, Spyware

My e-mail address

Please block all e-mails from ********@calnebgs.co.uk as they will not be from me. If you cannot block them, then delete them without opening them. Spammers are using this e-mail address.

My e-mail address is now dpwbgsX@hotmail.com, but remove the X, before you use it.

e-mail addresses are harvested from the internet, message boards, guest books, newsgroups etc by automated programmes, but apparently, most of these programmes aren’t clever enough to remove the X, so my e-mail address is protected.

All e-mail addresses on CalneBGS have been similarly protected, so remember to remove the X when using e-mail addresses on CalneBGS.

ABOUT SPYWARE AND VIRUSES

What is Spyware?

Spyware, Adware and other nasty little programmes, at their worst, can record the key strokes on your computer and send them back to their originators. This could include your passwords to your online bank account!

Theoretically cookies are spyware, but most are harmless and are used by shopping websites to record what you've put in the shopping basket. It's almost impossible to shop on the internet without these.

Spyware can get onto your computer just by surfing the internet, but the worst sort can be packaged with free software, music downloads and porn sites.

Is your computer secure and clean of viruses and spyware?

To check for Spyware on your computer and to remove it, try the following FREE downloads. These are the one's that I use.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE - Free download to remove Spyware and Adware from your computer. This software can be updated free.
(Rated No 1 by Which Magazine, February 2005)

Spybot - Search & Destroy - Another free download to remove Spyware and Adware from your computer. This software can also be updated free.
(Rated No 2 by Which Magazine, February 2005)

Have you got a firewall to stop hackers getting into your computer? If not I recommend the following FREE one that I use.

Zone Alarm - Free firewall to protect your computer from hackers. Although you can pay to upgrade from the free version, I find the free version perfectly adequate. This one can also be updated free.
(Rated No 1 by Which Magazine, February 2005)

If in doubt, you can get a FREE security scan at Symantec. See below.

Is your Anti virus software up to date?

Whether it is or not, you can get FREE online virus and security scans at Symantec  

Click on the Symantec link above, then scroll down and click on "Symantec Security Check". When new window opens click on "Security Scan" to check your firewall or "Virus detection" to check for viruses.

THE BEST ANTI VIRUS SOFTWARE?

Computer Which magazine (January 2005) rated Avast the best FREE anti virus software. It's not as good as the anti virus software noted below, but it's certainly better than no anti virus software at all.

The Which magazine recently (February 2005) tested anti virus software from Norton (Symantec), McAfee and Zone Alarm.

The Zone Alarm Security Suite came out on top. Not only was it rated better that the other two, it is slightly cheaper - You can buy it here at Zone Labs 
This package includes Antivirus software, a firewall, Identity & Privacy protection and e-mail security.

Maintaining your security

I recommend that you update all the above software and scan your computer on a regular basis to maintain the security of your computer. I do this weekly.

Updated
29th June 2005