LinkScanner Lite

When you start to install this utility, you have the option to use the full Pro version for 15 days, after this it will revert to the Lite version.

Also on the installation window there is the option to participate in the Community Intelligence Network. This is optional and is explained on the install window.

The installation adds a BHO (Browser Helper Object)which is necessary for the program to function.
After installation it is necessary to reboot your computer.

The Pro version gives you Websearch results inspection, On-demand url scanning, Always-on exploit blocking, Internet connectivity monitor and Real-time site risk analysis. The Lite version will give you Websearch results inspection and On-demand url scanning.

This program analyzes sites in real time to detect a wide range of online threats including malicious content, phishing, social engineering and targeted software exploits.

You have the Link Scanner Console which resides in the Taskbar, simply right click the icon and you can open the Console.

Enter a URL, checkmark the ‘Automatically advance to the page if it is Safe’ and scan.

Exploit Prevention Labs say that LinkScanner Lite and LinkScanner Pro scan individual pages in real time, knowing that malicious hackers can hop from site to site, temporarily infecting them.
LinkScanner integrates with Google, Yahoo and MSN to check the search results and can warn you of exploits, hacked pages, malicious sites and phishing/fraud scams.

Enter a search term into a search engine and the results displayed will have symbols beside them.

Hold your cursor over the icons and a description will appear, click the icon and you will be taken to a definition page giving further information about the site and the reason for the rating.

The simplest method to check any link is to right-click the link and select Quickscan with LinkScanner. You will get a full report as to whether the site is safe or not.

LinkScanner also bolster your Firewall defences.

Download LinkScanner Lite here

Comprehensive User Guide here

© Free PC Security 2008

Technorati Tags: LinkScanner, Browser Exploits, Technology, Hackers, Free PC Security, PC Security

Remove Crapware From Your PC

As many of us are aware, all desktop and laptop computers come with a lot of pre-installed, time limited junk in an attempt to get the user to purchase the full version. This is also commonly known as ‘bloatware’.  This neat little program works not only on new computers but old ones too.

Most systems are now shipped with a desktop littered with links, trialware, adware, and a variety of software that you may find completely useless. Some of the software can be useful, but the bulk of it is unnecessary and can only be referred to as crap, and getting rid of it can also speed up your computer as you will not be using unnecessary resources.

The PC Decrapifier will uninstall the majority of the most common trialware found on most computers. This superb little utility will automatically scan your PC for useless software and startup items, and then lets you choose from a list the ones you want to remove. PC Decrapifier cannot distinguish between trial and paid versions of some software, but anything that you might just need is deselected by default, which you can override so it’s safe even for newbies to use.

Simply download this little zip file, open it up and run the exe. Your antivirus may give you a warning because of the scripting language used, but it it totally safe to ignore this.

Once run you can pick and choose what you want to remove, it will not remove anything anything without prompting you first!

If you still have some junk after running this open Control Panel and select Programs and Features (in Windows Vista) or Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP). Most applications will have an uninstaller entry to remove the program and associated files. Programs like Microsoft Office allow you to remove any components that you don’t need. Also check the folders in Start/All Programs for uninstall utilities that may not appear in the Control Panel list.

Here is a list containing some of the programs it will remove:

AOL Install, AOL UK, AOL US, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, Corel Photo Album 6, Corel Snapfire Plus SE, Corel WordPerfect, Dell Search Assistant, Dell URL Assistant, Desktop Icons, Digital Content Portal, Earthlink Setup Files, ESPN Motion, Get High Speed Internet!, Google Desktop, HP Rhapsody, Internet Service Offers Launcher, McAfee, Microsoft Office Activation Assistant 2007, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003, MS Plus Digital Media Installer, MS Plus Photo Story 2LE, MusicMatch Jukebox, MusicMatch Music Services, muvee autoProducer 5.0, NetZero Installers, Norton AntiSpam, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Norton Ghost 10.0, Norton Internet Security, Norton Protection Center, Norton Security Center, Norton Symantec Live Update, Office 2003 Trial Assistant, Orange Internet, PC-cillin Internet Security 12, QuickBooks Trial, Quicken 2006, Reset IE Home and Search Pages, Roxio Express Labeler, Roxio MyDVD LE, Roxio RecordNow, Sonic DLA, Sonic RecordNow Audio, Sonic RecordNow Copy, Sonic Update Manager, Startup Menu Items, Tiscali Internet, Travelocity Gadget, Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 14, Unnecessary Startup Items, Vongo, Wanadoo Europe Installer, Wild Tangent Games, Yahoo! Music Jukebox, Yahoo! Toolbar for Internet Explorer.

For Norton Please Note

LiveUpdate is the Symantec application used by installed Symantec products to check for program and other updates such as virus definitions and URL lists. When updates are available, it downloads them to your computer and installs them, keeping your Symantec software up to date. If you use are using or intend to use any Norton Symantec application on your system do NOT remove this application.

If you are having difficulty removing Norton Symantec products with the PC Decrapifier tool then try the Norton Removal Tool by clicking here.

When you first run it click the ‘Check for updates’ button, then click ‘Next’, accept the EULA, click ‘Next’ again the program will ask if you are running the program on a brand new out of the box computer or not. Tick the appropriate button and click ‘Next’. You then have the option to create a Restore Point, which is always a good idea. Once the Restore Point has been created click ‘next’ and it will quickly scan your computer and then you have the option to tick or untick the programs you want to remove. Simply click ‘Next’.

Download the PC Decrapifier here

© Free PC Security 2008

Technorati Tags: Free Tools, Trialware Removal, Technology, PC Security, Free PC Security, PC Decrapifier

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1

AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool which is easy to download, install and use and offers protection against viruses and spyware.

AVG v7.5 will no longer be available after 31st May 2008, being replaced with v8. It is important that you update to this new version to maintain your level of protection. AVG 7.5 for Linux will still be available, download details click here.

Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.

Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.

Version 8.0.1 adds integrated spyware protection and a new LinkScanner feature that gives users safety rankings for their Google, Yahoo, and MSN searches.

AVG Free provides the bare necessities, including a real-time shield to prevent infections, antivirus and antimalware wrapped up in one program, Version 8.0.1 adds integrated spyware protection and a new LinkScanner feature that gives users safety rankings for their Google, Yahoo, and MSN searches.

AVG Free is easy to use and has low system resource requirements which will not slow down your computer. Also included is an automatic update function, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.

Free download click here

For installation and setup instructions click here.

Minimum System requirements:
Intel Pentium 300 MHz
30 MB free hard drive space (for installation)
256 MB RAM
Compatible with Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is for private, non-commercial, single computer use only. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product.

© Free PC Security 2008
Technorati Tags: AVG Anti-Virus V.8, Free Tools, AntiVirus, Technology, PC Security, Free PC Security, AVG 7.5 Linux Version, AVG 7.5 To End

Fighting Off Viruses

Protecting your computer from a virus is getting harder
and harder each day. While it may border on the paranoid,
it goes without saying that you can
’t leave your guard down
for one second. Even corporate giant Microsoft has found
its own systems compromised on more than one occasion.

Remember the “good old days”, before the……..

read more | digg story

Beware Internet Explorer Plug-Ins

Just what is Intelligent Explorer? For your safety, you really need to know  

I recently hit, by mistake, what I thought was an Explorer upgrade option.  It turned out to be a pop-up appearing legitimate but really was not. It uploaded a product called Intelligent Explorer on my machine.  What a nightmare!  

I did some research on the web and found messages like this one from a BullGuard Antivirus Forum,  “PLEASE HELP!!!  I HAVE A SPYWARE, TROJAN AND HIJACKER ON MY COMPUTER.  I HAVE RUN BULLGUARD, CWSHREDDER AND AD-AWARE.  ALL HAVE PICKED UP THE VIRUSES AND SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN MOVED/REMOVED BUT WHEN I LOG ONTO THE INTERNET THAT DAMN INTELLIGENT EXPLORER TOOLBAR IS SHOWING” 

Another message from spyware info Forum goes something like this: “Hey I’m having issues with something called Internet explorer toolbar - Intelligent explorer. I can’t find a way to remove it from my comp and I really don’t want to reinstall windows. I’ve used spybot, ad-ware, and cw shredder but nothing seems to work.” It appears that Intelligent Explorer allows other software to be downloaded to your machine and this is where the problem occurs. What is even more remarkable is that by downloading Intelligent Explorer, their license grants them the right to install software add-ins on your computer at their will.  Take a look at what the software license for Intelligent Explore says (go to http://www.ieplugin.com/terms.html to read it all): “You grant to us the right, exercisable by us until you uninstall the Software or this agreement is otherwise terminated, to provide to you the Service of downloading and causing to be displayed advertising material on your computer, through ‘pop-up’ or other display while you use your browser.  You acknowledge and agree that installation of the Software may automatically modify toolbars and other settings of your browser.  By installing the Software you agree to such modifications.” 

The company, IBC incorporated, is incorporated in Belize.  I really can’t believe this license!  

One end user found highly objectionable pop-up advertisements generated by this software bundled with Intelligent Explorer in the form of extreme pornography.  

I have yet to break this.  

Intelligent Explorer is a plug-in, which can create a new home page, as well as start up and endless loop of pop-ups. You can remove the view bar, but then starting up Internet Explorer will cause it to reappear.  I asked some friends to help, and no one could tell me what to do. 

This is what I did: 

I bought a copy of a program called XoftSpy and it removed the software. It took two scans and a reboot to do it.  They advertised it was free, which it was to run, but then I had to buy it to actually fix anything. It was a great purchase, although I am in favour of programs that are freeware such as  Spybot, NoAdware, Spyware Eliminator, and there are many other freeware products out there as well, but that is what ended the nightmare for me.

 http://www.linkbrander.com/go/34613