There used to be the belief that if one stays away from “bad” Web sites, then malware is not a problem. That is not true, as a recent example with the New York Times illustrated. The popular news Web site was compromised, and the trusted site was serving up malicious ads:

The malicious ad took over the browsers of many people visiting the site, as their screens filled with an image that seemed to show a scan for computer viruses. The visitors were then told that they needed to buy antivirus software to fix a problem, but the software was more snake oil than a useful program.

Exploiting weaknesses in online ad systems is an increasingly common approach for computer criminals around the globe who hope to make a quick buck from the audiences of the sites they attack. Experts say the problem is likely to get worse as companies scramble to satiate a click-happy online culture.”

This is just one way in which criminals / hackers are becoming exceedingly creative in exploiting site visitors. No reputable software company would market products in this manner, but the criminals are relying on the trust that people have in the site.

There have been malware installations without the site visitors having to do anything. These are the so called ‘drive-by’ downloads, and just visiting the site puts one at risk. No click – or download – is necessary.

It is absolutely essential to be running an anti-virus and anti-spyware program. One of our recommendations is VIPRE from Sunbelt Software. It is effective without draining your computer of resources. VIPRE’s memory footprint is very small, and this has brought a lot of memory back to otherwise bogged-down machines.

Sunbelt Software is offering our readers a 20% saving on VIPRE. This offer is good until November 18, 2009.

VIPRE works with “Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista+ (All flavors) 32 and 64-bit, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP1, SP2, SP3 (Home, Pro, Media Center, Tablet) 32 and 64-bit and Windows 2000 SP4 RollUp 1.” And yes, it works with Windows 7, too.

The Sunbelt people are making a generous offer to protect all the computers in your home. It is a “home site license” which allows using the program on more than one computer. There is a discount for this “home site license,” and it’s just a huge saving for our readers.

We have worked with the people at Sunbelt for years. They work diligently to keep up with what is happening with computer security. It is a ‘cat-and-mouse’ game where criminals are trying to exploit people in creative and innovative ways. The people at Sunbelt keep up with what is happening and this is reflected in their security product. Many Gnomies use this program… and we recommend it.

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It is not good enough simply to say that you have a firewall. Not all firewalls are the same. Qualities – and functions – differ.

In very simple terms, you want a firewall that protects your computer in two directions. You want to stop unwanted traffic from reaching your computer. In addition, you want to stop some traffic leaving your computer if your security has been breached. And a security breach may happen. All it takes is an errant click. Further, there is no security program on the market that gives you a hundred percent protection. It is a cat-and-mouse game with criminals/hackers. Sometimes, the hackers are a step ahead of the security people.

If you stumble upon a malicious Web site, a self-installing malware program might escape detection and install itself. That program could be broadcasting information from your machine. A good software firewall increases your chances of detecting unusual activity on your machine, and lets you know about unusual outgoing traffic.

We have been recommending a firewall that was formerly known as the Kerio Personal Firewall. Now, it is called the Sunbelt Personal Firewall. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall blocks unwanted traffic that is incoming and also monitors what leaves from your machine. That cannot be stressed enough.

Outgoing information may be your confidential data. That might set you up as a victim of identity theft. It could be that your computer has been compromised and is now a part of a bot operation. Your computer could be part of a bot spamming operation. A good firewall, which monitors the outgoing traffic, will give you an additional chance at catching some infection that has occurred on your machine.

This offers expires on November 6, 2009. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall is really a gift at ten dollars. Yes, it is only ten dollars when you use our link, and the coupon code: SPFLOCKERGNOME when you place your order.

At this price, the Sunbelt Personal Firewall is affordable, and a bargain. This firewall supports Windows XP and Vista, and is currently being modified for Windows 7. As soon as it is Windows 7 ready, we will put out an article to that effect.

Sunbelt offers a free version of this firewall. There are some features that are not on the full version. We recommend the full version at this exceptional price. This firewall is one of the best; many ‘gnomes’ have used this program for years. The price is less than a couple of fancy coffee drinks and much better for your peace of mind.

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For some of our readers, the new year starts very soon – it’s school time again. And with school, in spite of the economy, there will be purchases of new laptops and desktops. On those laptops and desktops will go some very important files – like lectures, papers, music, pictures and other personal “stuff” – including financial information. You want to have that personal information protected. Keeping that information secure is paramount, and we’ve been able to come up with a way to help.

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to have a good firewall on your machine. We’ve discussed the Sunbelt Personal Firewall before, and even Kat recommends it highly. We know that many of you in our community will need to protect your new machines once school starts again, and we know that the economy is tough. We’re very happy to be able to facilitate an excellent savings for you on this key type of protection.

Not all firewalls are the same. They differ in efficiency. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall blocks unwanted traffic that is incoming – but it also monitors what leaves from your machine. Protecting yourself from traffic in both directions is critical. That cannot be stressed enough.

If you are a student, you may do a fair amount of downloading. Even if you are super-careful, some malware may infect your machine. Hopefully, you will have some malware security programs for protection. (We try to suggest these programs regularly.) If you have not updated to the latest security definitions, a newer piece of malware garbage may escape detection. If that malware starts sending out information from your machine, you want to know that. For example, what is sent out may be your personal information. Furthermore, it may be that your computer is now part of a bot spamming operation. A good firewall, which monitors the outgoing traffic, will give you an additional chance at catching some infection that has occurred on your machine.

This offers expires on August 6, 2009. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall is really a gift at only ten dollars. Yes, it is only ten dollars when you use this link and the coupon code: SPFLOCKERGNOME when you place your order.

This firewall has been used and tested for years. It is good and can be trusted. At this price, the Sunbelt Personal Firewall is more than affordable protection. Look on your email contact list and see if there is a family member or some newbie who might be just learning about computers. Tell them about this offer. If they are wondering what a “firewall” is, then just buy this for them. The price is comparable to a couple of fancy coffee drinks – and you will be saving the person from a whole load of future problems.

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Some people who spend many hours online fighting malware requested that this top-rated firewall be brought back, as an offer for our readers. It was formerly known as the Kerio Personal Firewall. Now, it is called the Sunbelt Personal Firewall.

This firewall was discussed previously. Not all firewalls are the same. They differ in efficiency. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall blocks unwanted traffic that is incoming but it also monitors what leaves from your machine. That cannot be stressed enough.

Let’s say that for some reason a malware does infect your machine. If that malware starts sending out information from your machine, you want to know that. For example, what is sent out may be your personal information. Furthermore, it may be that your computer is now part of a bot spamming operation. A good firewall, which monitors the outgoing traffic, will give you an additional chance at catching some infection that has occurred on your machine.

This offers expires on May 20, 2009. The Sunbelt Personal Firewall is really a gift at ten dollars. Yes, it is only ten dollars when you use this link and the coupon code SPFLOCKERGNOME when you place your order.

There is one further note from the people who deal with malware, like our very own resident Malware-removal Expert Kat. It is a bit of a shock – but there are still people who do not use a firewall. That may be hard to believe but when these malware fighters inspect logs of what people have on their machines, there isn’t a firewall. At this price, the Sunbelt Personal Firewall is more than affordable protection. Look on your email contact list and see if there is a family member or some newbie who might be just learning about computers. Ask them if they use a firewall. And don’t be surprised if they ask you… “what is that?”. – Then just buy this for them. You’ll be glad you did.

• Free Firewall (or a Bargain) from Sunbelt
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• Special Geek Savings on Sunbelt VIPRE AntiVirus and AntiSpyware
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Sunbelt’s VIPRE program has been receiving excellent press coverage. PC Magazine says that “VIPRE PC Rescue can indeed clean up in a situation where full-scale security software may not be able to install. Keep it in mind if you run into a system so gummed-up with Malware that ordinary solutions won’t work.”

Sunbelt Software has agreed to give our community of Geeks ten dollars off on its AntiVirus and AntiSpyware program called VIPRE. VIPRE combines both AV and AS, along with AntiRootkit, AntiMalware and many other security technologies into one seamless solution. VIPRE delivers comprehensive protection against today’s complex Malware threats.

Sunbelt takes your security seriously. They do extensive testing, using a team of people who have years of experience in Malware research. VIPRE has been tested for many months prior to release, and Sunbelt is confident that they are offering the best protection that you can buy.

To take advantage of the ten dollar savings, please use coupon code SPYINFO during the ordering process. This coupon is good for both VIPRE and VIPRE UHSL (Unlimited Home Site License).

This offer begins today, March 17, 2009 and ends on March 22, 2009.

Thanks to Sunbelt for making this discount available to our readers!

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One of the premier security companies is offering our readers an exceptional savings. Sunbelt Software is giving 10 percent off on its anti-virus (plus anti-spyware) program called VIPRE. This program gives excellent security protection:

VIPRE combines anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, anti-malware and other security technologies into a seamless, tightly-integrated security solution. VIPRE delivers comprehensive protection against today’s highly complex spyware, viruses, and blended malware threats for superior PC and email security.

Sunbelt Software Coupons:

• Sunbelt Personal Firewall - Download Free Trial - Posted on 4/19/09 and Expires on 12/31/15

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What kind of world do we live in when one can’t even visit Russian porn sites without the fear of being slipped a bit of spyware? I tell ya, it’s a crying shame:

The malware… takes advantage of an unpatched flaw in the way IE processes Vector Markup Language (VML) code. VML is a language used to display graphic information on the Web.

VML? Isn’t that short for Vagina Markup Language?

Web Attacker is a software development kit sold for as little as $20 to criminals looking for an easy way to develop malware. Websense posted an informational alert for Web Attacker last April.

Yeah, but Firefox is free.

Microsoft today confirmed the Sunbelt team’s findings, and said it planned to fix the VML bug in its next set of security patches, scheduled to be released on Oct. 10, “or sooner as warranted,” according to a statement from the company’s public relations agency.

So, until then, you’d be wise to stick to Hot Latina Amateurs and Hairy Asians. Not “stick to” in the literal sense, mind you…

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• Top-Rated Firewall Back by Request
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