PCstar Communications
P O Box 26141
Salt Lake City, Ut 84126

Voice 801-613-5040

E-Mail Fraud Alerts

The United States Department of Treasury has issued a press release regarding recent fraudulent e-mail schemes designed to deceive consumers into surrendering sensitive personal information which could lead to identity theft. In an ongoing effort to combat this, several tips have been developed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and may help you protect yourself from becoming a victim of e-mail scams. The press release on this subject can be found on the United States Department of Treasury's web site at www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/js1130.htm.

Spyware Alerts

We are seeing a major out break of Spyware it is also known as "adware".

Spyware invades your systems surreptitiously monitors your actions. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote control program used by a hacker, software companies have been known to use spyware to gather data about customers. A technology that assists in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet, "spyware" is sotware that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties.

You can download the following scanners that will detect Spyware or adware and delete it.

Spybot

Adware from Lavasoft

Be sure to update the software to find the latest threats.

Pcstar Computer Services will clean and repair your system or systems on-site, in the Salt Lake City,Utah and surrounding area. Just call us 801-613-5040 for an appointment today.

Virus Alerts

Please make sure you have the latest virus protection on your systems and it is current!

Free Virus software and on-line Scanners

	AVG Antivirus from Grisoft Download link
	This antivirus program not only protects your computer against viruses, worms and malicious code - it's free! AVG AntiVirus allows you to scan on demand or at scheduled times. It also features an e-mail scanner that supports most e-mail programs such as Outlook Express and Eudora. Cost: Free

Firewalls

ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs, Inc. Download link

This is my favorite firewall. Made by Zone Labs, it will render your computer invisible to hackers’ probes. Hackers run scanning programs over the Internet, looking for computers with electronic openings, called ports. A good firewall such as ZoneAlarm makes your computer invisible to the scanners. The goal of these intruders is to place a Trojan horse on your computer. The rogue program uses the open port previously identified by a scanner. However, ZoneAlarm blocks those transmissions. They can only go through if you agree. Always say no, unless you recognize the program. Cost: Free for personal use