Hi :

KeyLoggers are a "type" of "malware" ; a good description of WHAT they do is at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystroke_logging . Generally speaking, antiSPYWARE/

antiTROJAN programs are the best defense against them and nowadays the FREE

Version of "SUPERAntiSpyware" from http://www.superantispyware.com/ and the FREE

Version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

are 2 of the Best . We could help better IF you told us the SPECIFIC Name(s), including

Version "Number(s), of the security currently on your computer .

How old are your children who have access to your computer(s) ?

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For the BEST in what COUNTS in LIFE : http://www.tacf.org

Hey Debi!!

I'm sure you will find this community to be responsive to any of your

questions or concerns. Now I can't say that we will be able to solve

ALL of your problems but, in most cases we end up with a favorable

outcome.I'm also sure that Ottawa will try it's best to get back what

was forcibly taken from them on Saturday night. LOL!

OK Debi, on this forum , we do not believe that a Security Suite protects your

PC as well as a Layered system. Meaning multiple security programs that are

the best in there class and often free. I will now enumerate the programs that

we at PCW most often suggest for members requesting this kind of information.

First and foremost , you will need a Good Firewall : REMEMBER only ONE FIREWALL!

Matousec Firewall Challenge . Here you can decide which one you would like

to use. We usually suggest the Comodo Firewall for XP and PCTools Firewall Plus for Vista.

Secondly : a Good AntiVirus: Since you mentioned that you already have Avast then, that one will

do just fine. AGAIN ONLY ONE ANTIVIRUS!

Thirdly : A Good AntiSpyware. Like Spirit mentioned SUPERAntiSpyware is the one that we would suggest.

You can buy it for the Real Time Shields that it provides plus it will update it's definitions on a regular basis.

As a back up scanner or if you prefer, a second opnion, we would suggest MalwareBytes Antimalware .As you might not know the definitions for finding a virus are not the same as the definitions for finding Malware or Spyware.

This is why we have both on a PC or notebook. If you are to change any of your security applications, PLZ ,

download what you will need from the internet and then Disconnect from the internet to replace those security apps.

Another good safety precaution would be to have a good Browser. On this board we advocate using FIREFOX . But that

would be your choice.

Now, to protect against any posiible attacks from a Keylogger we use WinPatrol from BillP Studios . This little

application (Free , Of course) will protect the core of the operating system by asking you if the changes made are from you.

If they are not or If you do not recognize the process that wants to start , you simply deny that process from starting and then

you can Google the name of this process to see if this was a legitimate process. If it was then the next time you can apply the change.

This will only happen when you either install a new program or the core needs to start a process that hasn't yet started. OR if there

is Malware that has installed somehow on your PC or notebook . But with the security Apps. that we suggest, unless you have Bad

Surfing Habits, you should be well protected.

To answer your concern about securing you sensitive files , you can Encrypt these files with a "Encryption Program".

In the past I have used this program :

Ashampoo Magical Security with succes. This is a paid

program but there are others just as good for free. This one for instance: TrueCrypt form TrueCrypt Foundation.

which is a popular FREE program and can safely be downloaded from SnapFiles.

As SpiritWind mentioned , we use the very reliable ATF Cleaner to clean

out the temporary files that accumulate on our PCs or notebooks. This can be used fairly often to keep our PC the cleanest.

Another way to keep our PCs running smoothly is to defrag on a regular basis. I and others believe that once a week would be

a good schedule. This has the effect of having less of an impact on the hard drive not to mention a faster defrag. The one I use

for this task is the JKDefrag from Jeroen Kessels . There are others but, I found this one to

be among the best. This is also a free application.

To sum up all of this , You will need a :

Good Firewall

Good AntiVirus

Good AntiSpyware

Good Antispyware back Up

Good Web Browser

Good Multipurpose and Antikeylogger software (WinPatrol)

Good Encryption Program

Good Temps File Cleaner

Good Defragger.

With these apps. which are all compatible with either Windows XP or Windows Vista you would

probably not have to worry too much about your safety. AS LONG AS YOU HAVE GOOD SURFING HABITS.

I think you have enough here to keep you busy for a while. IF you need any explanations during your information

seeking sessions PLZ , do not hesitate to ask. We will be more than happy to help out.

FLASHORN.

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Patience is Life.

Hey Debi, I don't have a dog in that fight. The Richmond Renegades are in the ECHL ( East Coast Hockey League) although years ago and another league, we had the farn club for the Flyers. . Anyway, you got some information yoy didn't have to work with and that is what we're here for. coastie

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eMachines T5212.... Intel Pentium D 945 3.4Ghz..... evga 9800 GT 512 Mb PCI-E video card..... Realtec HD audio......2 Gb Crucial 667 Mhz DDR2 memory..... Lite on CD RW; DVD RW, DL,& Lightscribe optical drive...... Windows XP MCE 2005....... Antec Basiq 500w PSU......200 Gb Parallel ATA HDD.........Samsung 22" WS SyncMaster 2243BWX Monitor.

I knew you guys celebrated Thanksgiving earlier the we do. We celebrate on the 4th Thursday of November. That is usually the case, everybody gets together and gets stuffed to the brim, then we get to turn around and do it all over again about a month later at Christmas. Sounds like you had a good time. I was being facetious about the lenght of the post as it was informative. coastie

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eMachines T5212.... Intel Pentium D 945 3.4Ghz..... evga 9800 GT 512 Mb PCI-E video card..... Realtec HD audio......2 Gb Crucial 667 Mhz DDR2 memory..... Lite on CD RW; DVD RW, DL,& Lightscribe optical drive...... Windows XP MCE 2005....... Antec Basiq 500w PSU......200 Gb Parallel ATA HDD.........Samsung 22" WS SyncMaster 2243BWX Monitor.