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Yeah, you regularly run spyware scanners (you do, right?), but they don't catch everything. X-RayPC shows you everything that's running on your computer, and lets you terminate any process you wish. An online interface allows you to send the program list to its home server, and it reports back on whether any particular process is OK, known malicious, or unknown. This is definitely a powerful, nerdy tool: you can remove important components of your operating system with this tool, so proceed with great caution. But for those perplexing problems, this is a great addition to your toolkit, and it's free for personal use. From This is True for 22 May 2005 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: Wallace Wang List Price: $29.95 Amazon Price: $19.77 Editorial Review: This offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how readers can protect themselves. Informative, irreverent, and entertaining, the completely revised fourth edition of Steal This Computer Book contains new chapters that discuss the hacker mentality, lock picking, exploiting P2P file sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads. Includes a CD with hundreds of megabytes of hacking and security-related programs that tie in to each chapter in the book.If ever a book on cyberculture wore a fedora and trench coat and leaned against a lamppost on a foggy street, this is the one. It is an unabashed look at the dark side of the Net--the stuff many other books gloss over. It's hard-edged, wisecracking, and often quite cynical as it pours over the reality of online scams, illegal activities, and simple annoyances. Wang's stated goal is to open the reader's eyes about what's really there. He shows what's being done, how it's being done, and how to avoid problems or even strike back. He begins with a chapter about the news media, and his message is that no source is to be trusted completely. He examines issues important to Internet users: the cost of getting computerized (with tips on how to find the real bargains), who is using the Internet as a source of hate information, and how your privacy can be invaded and protected. He shows you the secrets of malicious hackers and others and how some of them attack computer systems without the ethical mindset typical of the original, idealistic hackers. Wang shows you how you can set up your defenses against such an onslaught, discussing how to protect yourself and your kids from online stalkers and how online con games work. Wang never claims that the Internet is the electronic den of darkness that the pop media make it out to be. But he makes it clear that something this big has its lowlights--it's own "net noir." His messages are "know your enemy" and "be careful who you trust," an ideology verified by the examples he provides. --Elizabeth Lewis  By: Ed Tittel List Price: $29.99 Amazon Price: $26.99 Editorial Review: Think there's no malicious software on your computer? PC Magazine thinks you should think again. Scans by ISPs have revealed as many as twenty-eight spyware programs running on the average home computer--like yours. That's a lot of people prying into what's on your PC, and a DSL or cable connection is a virtual welcome mat. But by following Ed Tittel's advice, you can learn how invasions occur, spot an infestation, repair damage that's already done, and slam the door on those who want to hijack your PC--along with your wallet. Here's how you can * Learn to recognize when a Trojan horse, a virus, adware, or spyware has invaded your PC * Get the tools that can cure an infection * Dig into the Windows Registry to remove the nastiest of bugs * Prevent a recurrence with personal firewalls and protective software * Deal with the onslaught of spam * Keep your defenses up-to-date Give it the boot If you believe you've caught something and you're willing to kiss everything goodbye that you've added to or changed ... since the last time you booted up your computer ... try this. While Windows is first booting up, hit the F8 key .... Choose the Last Known Good Configuration option, and Windows should boot running the version of the Registry that existed the last time your system booted--that is, before you got infected. -- From Chapter 4  By: Ian Barile List Price: $39.95 Amazon Price: $39.95 Editorial Review: New computer viruses are released everyday, spam continually overloads our inboxes, identity theft is in the news daily, and system crashes seem to happen for no reason! Figuring our how to protect your computer against all of these problems is a challenge for every user, so Protecting Your PC was written to help you keep your computer safe! It provides a detailed guide to the many risks that affect your interaction with your computer, including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, personal identity theft, and a variety of surreptitious tools used by hackers. Then it teaches you about the tools and techniques available for preventing these hazards from wreaking havoc on your computer. The book is divided into six major areas, including Getting Started, Malware (pop-ups, adware, spyware, etc.), Networking, the Internet (email, instant messaging, chat rooms, phishing, spam, etc.), System Maintenance, and Protecting Personal Information. So whether you use your computer for work, family finances, homework, or just for surfing- you'll learn how to have a safe and enjoyable computer experience! What you'll learn: * What the major computer hazards are and how to address, prevent, and fix them * How to protect your computer from viruses, spyware, adware, and personal information theft * How to stop spam and avoid pop-up ads * What potential system and security issues come with instant messaging and chat rooms * How parents can protect children on the Internet * How to avoid viruses, worms, and Trojan horses * How to surf the Web safely using firewalls and intrusion detection * How to back up and recover from a disaster, install operating system patches, create secure passwords, and protect personal and confidential information The book also includes a CD-ROM with Norton Internet Security 2006 trial software from Symantec that allows you to implement the lessons from the book and start protecting your system immediately.  By: John Ross List Price: $29.95 Amazon Price: $21.86 Editorial Review: When Windows works properly, it's relatively easy to ignore; you can concentrate on the work you're trying to do and forget about the plumbing inside your computer. But when something goes wrong, it often requires an experienced guide to solve the problem and restore the computer to working condition. Everybody who uses Microsoft Windows eventually has to deal with cryptic error messages, frozen screens, and other more or less dramatic problems. Windows troubleshooting is the set of tools and techniques that can identify the source of a problem and find a solution. It's Never Done That Before is a guide to Windows XP troubleshooting for people who don't spend their lives fixing computer problems. It includes basic troubleshooting techniques, specific instructions for solving the most common problems in Windows XP, and more general information for finding and fixing more obscure ones. It also provides pointers to explanations of BIOS beep codes and blue screen errors, instructions for using the troubleshooting tools supplied with Windows XP such as Safe Mode and the Recovery Console, and advice for dealing with device drivers, the ROM BIOS, and the Windows Registry. Viruses, spyware, and Internet connection problems are all included, along with advice for getting the most out of the Microsoft Knowledge base and other online information resources, and dealing with help desks and technical support centers.  By: Andy Walker List Price: $26.99 Amazon Price: $20.51 Editorial Review: Batten down the hatches! Hackers, spammers and thieves (oh my!) are after you! The mere act of turning on an Internet-connected computer can put you, your family, and your personal finances at risk by exposing you to viruses, scam artists, hackers, identity thieves, and spammers. How do you fight back? Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses is your first line of defense.
Clear, easy-to-understand definitions of viruses, spyware, and hackers will help you understand what you're up against everytime you go online. Then, you'll learn about other threats, such as identity theft, phishing, and other potential dangers you'll face in your everyday computing. Find out how to search out and destroy spyware, malware and other viscious programs that could potentially harm your computer. Then find out how to lock out hackers, spammers, and theives for good.
We'll tell you how to immediately cut the risk of being attacked in half ? in less than 10 minutes! Protect your bank accounts, digital photos, digital music collection, masters thesis, and everything you hold near and dear on your computer with the help of the Absolute Beginner's Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses. |
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