We have prepared the following guides in direct demand to our customers who regularly ask us for information on these subjects. These guides are written to the best of our current knowledge with our customers in mind and should be viewed as such. Further guides will follow shortly, please keep on checking for updates.

Spyware, Viruses and Malware

We are noticing a huge increase in the number of spyware and malware contaminated computers coming into Grapevine for repair.

These uninvited downloads are potentially destructive and will slow down the performance of your computer often causing critical errors and sometimes stopping your computer from accessing the internet.

In the majority of cases, when infected by spyware, your computer will be active on the internet without your knowledge, downloading more and more programmes that will further damage your PCs performance.

At Grapevine, we are able to clean your PC and return it to you free of spyware.
However, we are unable to prevent you from becoming contaminated again!

You must be aware that all activity on the internet can potentially cause problems but by following a 'safe surfing' policy you will greatly reduce this risk.

Keep your antivirus software up to date. Regularly check your antivirus programme to ensure that its virus definitions are up to date and perform a weekly scan for viruses.
Keep your Windows Updates up to date-there are more and more security measures built into these to further protect your PC.
When we clean up your PC, we will leave 2 new icons on your desktop adaware and spybot. These are free downloads from the internet and will work in the same way as your antivirus software. They require their definitions to be kept up to date and you will need to perform a full system scan once a week. On computers running Windows XP and Windows 2000 we will also install Windows Defender which will provide some real time protection. Windows Defender will not work with Windows '95, '98 or ME.
Be very wary of peer-to-peer networking (file swapping) programmes. In our experience the worst offenders are Kazaa, Imesh and Limewire. While hugely attractive with the promise of "free" music and video downloads, these programmes, and others like them, come with 'built-in' adaware and spyware and by installing them you are automatically infecting your PC. While this may not cause any immediate problems with your PCs performance, over time it will clog up your system and slow you down as the adaware and spyware replicate themselves and download more and more Trojans and pop ups without your knowledge. Deleting these programmes will not delete the associated malware.
If other people are using your computer, be aware of what they are using it for. You may be a safe-surfer but is everyone else? Spyware will not just infect an individual user account but will bury itself in the registry and attack the entire PC.
Be net-aware! Before installing anything on your PC do a Google search and check it out! Be particularly wary of installing any executable files. They possibly can install Trojans and spyware on your machine without your knowledge. Read the end user license agreement (EULA) - don't just double click to accept. The EULA will tell you what is also being installed along with the programme.

To download adaware and spybot yourself, please try the links detailed below: -

www.lavasoft.com (navigate to adaware personal)

www.safer-networking.org (navigate to English then download Spybot Search and Destroy)

www.housecall.antivirus.com For a free on line virus and spyware scan

For free antivirus software try http://free.grisoft.com

Sadly, there are no magic programmes that can offer you total protection from viruses or spyware. However, by following the above guidelines and using common sense you should be able to surf the internet relatively risk free.

Children and the Internet

Computers and the internet now form a normal part of school life, and most schoolchildren rely heavily on the family PC in order to complete their homework and finalise coursework.

With no universal or government body policing the internet, it does leave it up to parents to ensure that their children are operating a safe surfing policy. This is not just to protect the family PC from viruses and malware but more importantly to protect children from unsuitable websites and chat rooms.

However by following these simple guidelines and using a little common sense you should be able to minimise the risks.

It is always advisable to place the home computer in a family area - the kitchen or sitting room perhaps. Allowing children internet access in the privacy of their own rooms means that parents will be unaware of what web sites their children are accessing, and actually what they are using the computer for! Get your children used to Mum and Dad walking past when they are on line - it can help to stop any secrecy.

Monitor what your children are doing on line - are they accessing chat rooms, chatting with their friends on msn messenger, or actually doing their homework? A quick look at the latest downloads on your PC, a brief check on internet favourites, and a quick look at the internet history may help put your mind at rest.

If you want to ensure that your computer prohibits the access of certain websites, try internet filtering software. For a breakdown of what is currently on offer, try the following website - http://child-internet-safety.com.
As a company, we can recommend Netnanny, however there are many more packages on offer. Most software manufacturers will offer you a free trial period, so take advantage of this and see which one is the best for you and your family.

Be wary of your children downloading 'free' music, games and dvds. The lure of the latest music video free is very tempting to most teens! However, these 'file swapping' or 'peer to peer networking' wesbites are rife with viruses and spyware. In our experience Limewire, Kazaa and Imesh are the worst offenders. With spyware already built-in, once they are installed on your PC, these programmes will be accessing the internet independently, downloading more and more pop ups, Trojans and malware onto your computer. Deleting the programme will unfortunately not delete the associated spyware. Most reputable web sites will charge you for your music and video downloads.

Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. With children now commonly owning a mobile flash drive it is easy for them to swap information, homework and music with other children. Scan all external disks and flash drives before opening any files on your PC.

The internet offers children a world of information. We hope the above helps you to create an open and safe internet surfing policy in your home.