Tiscali Members: Safety and security - Stop Malware

We've all seen it happen: you or someone you know has downloaded something that seemed harmless enough at the time. Next thing you know, the computer has slowed to a crawl. Pop-up advertising starts to appear out of nowhere. Private information gets sent to some company you've never heard of. And the worst part? Trying to uninstall the software seems to make the problem worse. .

Anti-malware internet security software

Email and spam filter software

Latest security threats

Tiscali Security Centre

There are several commonly recognized terms for specific kinds of malware - spyware, badware and deceptive adware. Malware is malicious software that tracks your moves online and feeds that information back to shady marketing groups so that they can ambush you with targeted ads. If your every move online is checked by a pop-up ad, it's highly likely that you, like 60 million people and rising worldwide, have spyware or other malicious malware on your computer.

What's particularly tricky about malware is that you may not know that you downloaded it. Some malware manufacturers bundle it with other programs without disclosing that it's part of the package. Others put their programs on your PC when you visit certain websites or play online games.

Unfortunately, incessant pop-up ads aren't the only possible side-effect. Sometimes peoples' computers slow down or even crash. Sometimes peoples' personal information is abused, and there have been reported cases of identity theft. What's even more frustrating is that these programs are hidden in your computer, making it difficult to identify and remove them.

Why do malware and badware providers make the effort? Because it is big business, amounting to a $2 billion-a-year industry. It's the Wild West of aggressive, even criminal, activity, shady application vendors, and dodgy website operators.

The best and most important thing is for you to learn how to clean badware off your computer and to share your knowledge with those you know. An important factor when installing any software application is whether you have agreed to its installation and understand what it will do. Certain types of badware and malware not only adversely affect your browsing experience, but how your computer itself functions. Some malware is known to interrupt your internet connection or even cause your computer to crash.

How do I know if my computer has malware?

How do I get rid of malware?

How do I know if an application is malware?

How can I help fight badware and malware?

Complete protection against developing threats including malware, viruses, spam, phishing, online ID theft and more besides. Live updates and upgrades ensure ongoing state-of-the-art protection. Wireless network protection keeps you safe and Windows holes are shielded. Norton anti-virus comes as standard. Parental controls are also available.

Did you know that simply by increasing your screen resolution, you change your entire surfing experience? See more of your favourite websites and cut down on endless scrolling in three easy steps:

1. Go to desktop, right click and select properties.

2. On your settings tab locate the screen area box and pull the arrow to the right to enhance screen resolution.

3. Click apply, then wait. If you dont like what you see, or don't see anything at all, either press escape, or wait 15 seconds and your old setting will take effect. If you like your new setting, click OK to save it.