Comcast offers Xfinity branded Internet, Television, and Phone services.

Comcast Internet is available in a number of Packages to appeal to both the average houshold right up to the Power Users.

1. Comcast Performance Starter package is the Entry level offering which gives you 6Mpbs download speeds.

2. Comcast Performance package is Comcast’s standard product with 20Mbps download speeds.

3. Comcast Blast package is for households with Multiple users or for households who stream video signals to a single computer. Download speeds are 30Mbps.

4. Comcast Extreme 50 allows multiple computers to steam Video to computers with a download sped of 50Mbps

5. Comcast Extreme 105 is Comcast’s Elite Package for Gamers and Heavy data users. Download speeds of 105Mbps are one of the highest available anywhere.

Comcast offers cutting edge service and products.

We’ve become a Society of instant answers and when we are stuck with a device or computer that we cannot fix it is instantly frustrating.
There are Two paths to take when you need technical support:

1. Search the Web for Sites and Blogs with Tech Support Articles relevent to our Situation, Device, and problem. Then hope we can implement the fix without further breaking things.

2. Search the Web for a Technical Support company to Hire and hope they really can fix this issues.

You can contact companies like pc-technical-support.hcltouch.com for Personnal Computer Help, just have your Credit Card at the Ready.

If you cannot afford to Purchase Antivirus Software Protection for your Computer then you need to find Free Virus Protection and Removal Software. If you choose to load no Antivirus Protection then it will be only a matter of time before your computer gets ‘Sick’, in other words gets a Virus or other form of MalWare.

For a List of Top Free Antivirus Packages as of 2011 We suggest the following:

Free Antivirus Protection

• AVG’s Free Anti-Virus
• Avast! Free AntiVirus6
• Avira Free AntiVirus
• Trend Micro Free AntiVirus

Malware is a general term that refers to all malicious software. There are several types of malware and each of them can do serious harm to your computer files. Needless to say, malware is a very serious security problem that needs to be given priority.

Types of Malware

As stated, there are different types of malware. Here is a basic run-through of some of them:

Virus

A computer virus is a malicious program that spreads itself by infecting files in a computer. This is fairly similar to what a biological virus can do to a human body. Some viruses may also carry a payload that is capable of deleting files or preventing the operating system from booting up. Viruses can lay dormant until a specified trigger or event happens. For instance, the CIH or Chernobyl virus will only corrupt the entire hard drive when the computer’s date is April 26. Viruses can enter computer systems through a storage device like a diskette, CDROM, or even a hard drive. (Want to know the most destructive viruses, read the Top ten most computer viruses of all time)

Worm

A worm is similar to a computer virus but it has the capability to spread and infect local files in the computer and other networks. Worms are usually spread through the Internet through email attachments or by visiting a customized website that has a known bug that allows a drive-by download. Just like viruses, worms can carry a payload that usually installs a backdoor into a compromised computer, attempting to bypass security software to run other malicious software.

Trojan / Trojan Horse

A trojan is basically a computer virus disguised as a harmless computer application. It can also be a real program bundled or re-compiled to contain a malicious code. When trojans or software bundled with trojans are run, they release their payload containing backdoors or other malware making sure they won’t be detected. Some trojans are even capable of disabling firewall and antivirus software to prevent detection. Trojans may download a program that will allow a user to take partial or full control of a computer. If it is successful in compromising a lot of computers, it can be already considered as a botnet.

Rootkit

A rootkit is a type of malware that attempts to hide its presence along with other malware from the user as well as from security software like antivirus and firewall software. Rootkits usually come as a payload from other malware like trojans and worms. They are capable of hiding files, registry entries, and hardware resources to mask their activities from the user. (Tips on how to detect a rootkit)

Spyware / Adware

This malware monitors a user’s behavior (it spies) and even seizes partial or full control of a computer. It can slow a computer down significantly, slow down Internet access, change browser settings, and collect personal information. Adware is a type of software that often contains spyware. It disguises itself as free software that is advertisement supported, but at the same time, installs spyware.

Security Software Options

Luckily, there are security software programs that will protect you from such malicious programs and other threats to your data and your privacy. Here are the types of security software you must have to fight these types of malware:

• Antivirus – Modern antivirus does not just protect against and detect viruses. The majority of these products are capable of detecting other malware such as trojans, worms, spyware, adware, and even rootkits. There are freeware antivirus software programs such as Avira, AVG, and Avast!. For commercial products, there are Eset NOD32, Norton Antivirus, and McAffee Antivirus.
• Anti-Spyware - Some antivirus programs lack the capability of being able to detect and prevent spyware infection. Sometimes it is not enough to detect and remove all these types of malware. Anti-spyware software is dedicated software that is more effective at removing spyware and adware. Popular titles are Spyware Doctor, Spybot Search and Destroy, Webroot SpySweeper, and CounterSpy.
• Anti-Rootkit / Rootkit Removers / Scanners – Rootkits are very hard to detect. In fact, even some well-known commercial antivirus programs fail to detect all rootkits. Rootkit scanners effectively and extensively scan the computer to search for well-hidden malware. RootkitRevealer, Panda Anti-rootkit, and McAffee Rootkit Detective are some popular examples of rootkit scanners.
• Firewall – This software restricts access of inbound and outbound Internet traffic. In other words, it prevents unauthorized programs and even malware from accessing your computer. Sygate personal firewall, ZoneAlarm Internet Security, and Comodo firewall are some examples of this security software.

Invest in the right Virus Removal software otherwise it is simply a matter of time before your system gets infected. Consider Antivirus Software the same thing as the Doctors give us to protect against various diseases.
There are Free Online Virus Removal Packages as well as Email Virus removal software available, however the best Anti-Virus Software Packages available commercially will give your System Complete Coverage. Constant updates with a system like this means that you are better protected from Viruses and Malware because these programs are constantly being unleashed on the Internet.

The best solution to Catastrophe is to have a Solid Data Backup plan. Automatic Data Backups work fantastic, however the very best Systems use MIRRORed Hard Drives.
What this means is that each computer saves its data to Dual Hard Drives in the background as though you were simply saving to your normal Hard Drive.
The obvious advantage here is that should one Hard Drive fail you have a second.
Be cautious that if you install twin Hard Drives of the same model and Type at the same time, that should one fail you are likely at a higher risk of having the second fail relatively soon.
As soon as one hard drive fails you are best served to backup ALL the data onto a third spot immediately.

Should you find yourself in a position where you have data to recover on a Hard drive or Flash drive, there are some basics to consider:

• Get a Professional Data Recovery Firm to do the work for you
• You will need to send then your computer or hard drives, preferably via Courier
• Check out the company you want to use to ensure there are Good Reviews on them
• Do NOT select a data Recovery company solely on Price
• Make sure you get a Guarantee such as No Data Recovered = No Charge.
• Once you have your data back, Put into place a Backup System !!!

Why Secure your Browser?

The Internet has a good side that you use for getting work or school assignments done, communicating with friends and loved ones. It is also where you download games, music, or videos for entertainment; however, the internet also has its bad side that plays host to viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, spyware, spam, and phishing attacks.

Since your Internet browser is the software application that you use when online, it is the one that is most vulnerable, either by programming flaw or human error through social engineering.

Surely there isn’t a “bullet-proof” Internet browser, but there are steps that you can follow to make sure your browser won’t easily fall victim to Internet scams.

Most browser settings, by default, are not quite secure, or do not provide adequate protection from recent threats on the Internet. There are a lot of ways a hacker can exploit and abuse a browser, and such default settings are just not enough. The problem is that most users never bother changing those default settings, leaving the computer and all the data stored in it at risk.

A hacker can use vulnerabilities or bugs in a browser, or even poorly configured settings to gain limited to full remote access to a compromised computer. Here are some of the common ways:

• Drive-by downloads – Malicious websites, when visited, may automatically download and even install a program without your knowledge. That program may be a keylogger, a trojan, a virus, or any type of malware (malicious software).
• Browser Plug-ins – Most browsers use plug-ins for added functionality and features, but these are also exploited to run malicious HTML code to enable full access to the compromised computer.
• ActiveX, Java, Flash, and Browser Cookies – These browser components allow more functionality in websites, to provide an immersing or multimedia-rich website; however, these add-ons are also used to run customized malicious codes that bypass security measures, making these a serious security problem.

Phishing is a malicious scam attempt that uses social engineering and a little software exploiting, is one of the most recent, yet serious security problems you should be aware of. Phishing aims to lure users into voluntarily providing sensitive information like banking details (bank accounts, credit card numbers), user names and passwords, and other personal information that will be later used for fraudulent or malicious activities. In most cases, phishing makes use of such vulnerabilities in Internet browsers to disguise the attempt in identity theft.

Choosing a Secure Internet Browser

As previously stated, most operating systems come bundled with Internet browsers. This is quite convenient since users don’t need to go through the hassle of installing and configuring a browser to be able to go online.

This setup is being exploited by hackers to easily gain access to computers and computer networks. For example, Windows, the operating system of Microsoft is the most widely used system and it comes with Internet Explorer.

Given that fact, hackers will simply craft tools to automatically exploit Internet Explorer since it holds the largest market share of web browsers.

If you use a popular or widely-used browser, you are at higher risk of getting malware compared to using not-so-popular browsers. This does not imply that Internet Explorer is a very risky Internet browser to use. It is just so common that it is seen as a big target by people with malicious intents. There is no perfect web browser that is immune to such security threats. (Tips on how to get rid of malware.)

Browser Alternatives

If you find the current browser that you use to be unsatisfactory, or you are just worried about the number of security threats out there, there are a lot of alternatives that are relatively safe. To name a few, you can either use Firefox, Opera, or Safari. As with any web browser, you should try to update them whenever prompted to the latest version as bugs and other security holes are typically fixed with each new version.  Using an older version may make you vulnerable to security holes.

• Mozilla Firefox – Firefox is the second most popular browser in the world today, next only to Internet Explorer. It is free to use, cross-platform, and has an open source. Using the default settings, this browser is relatively secure. It comes with a built in pop-up blocker, phishing protection, tabbed browsing, a skinnable interface, and an encrypted password manager. The best part is you can add more features by using add-ons that can be downloaded from the website.
• Opera – It was previously an advertisement-supported free browser but since 2005, this browser has been freely used without advertisements. Though not as popular as Mozilla Firefox, Opera is a feature-rich browser that has similar features as Firefox and more built-in features. It has an IRC, email, a Bittorrent client, and a download manager, aside from tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and phishing and spyware protection.
• Safari – Though it is the official browser of the Mac OS, there is now a version for Windows as well. Those who have tried surfing the Internet on a Mac computer will experience similar features when using this free Internet browser.

Though the browser you use is important in preventing security problems, it is still your duty to make sure your Internet browser, along with your other software, is updated with the latest security patches and upgrades. Without those updates, your computer will be exposed to new threats. If you enjoyed reading this article, you’ll surely be amazed in learning the Top ten Internet scams.

Information, communication, and entertainment can be easily accessed pretty much instantly and used in just a few clicks on the World Wide Web. User’s on the Internet itself are not Security Screened and as a result there are many Computer Viruses and Infections designed to gain access to your personnal information or banking passwords all for Financial Gain. Being online poses a lot of threats to your data and even your privacy if you are surfing unprotected, which is why Internet security is an essential for those who spend any time on the Internet, or those who have an always-on Internet connection. There are many Types of Security Software Packages to choose from, both Free and paid subscription.

• Antivirus Programs protect a computer and Network from viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits, and other forms of malware. Some antivirus software also protect against spyware, though not all of them effectively detect and remove it. Most programs integrate with other software, such as email and instant messaging clients, office application suites, and Internet browsers to effectively protect against virus infection.
• Anti-Spyware protects against infection of spyware and adware. Spyware is a malware that monitors a user’s activity and behavior without their consent. Such information is used either fraudulently or for advertisement purposes. When it is used for ads, then it is called adware (Tips on how to get rid of computer adware.).
• A firewall is computer software that acts as a filter between your computer and the Internet. It only allows authorized computers or software to access the Internet. It means that when a program in your computer is not authorized, it cannot connect to the Internet. Also, computers cannot connect to your computer if they are not allowed. This offers protection from hackers or exploits both in and out of your computer. (Learn how to set up a firewall.)

There are also special software programs known as Internet security suites that are basically a bundle of Internet security software. Sometimes, they come with parental control software to restrict and monitor access to both the computer and the Internet.

Security Hardware and functions

Before going into much detail about these devices, here is a brief description of their basic functions with regard to computer networking and Internet security:

Hardware Firewall

– A hardware firewall is a separate device that has similar functions to a software firewall. A firewall acts as a gate between your computer and the Internet. It monitors and filters both incoming and outgoing network traffic through the use of rules. A program in your computer, like your Internet browser, will only be able to access Internet resources if a firewall allows it, in the same way, computers or programs from the “outside” or the Internet will not be able to access your computer without being allowed by the firewall. The difference and advantages of both the hardware and software firewall is discussed here in this site. (Tips on how to set up a firewall.)

Wired Router

A router is an “intelligent” device that acts as a bridge from one computer network to another that uses network cables as its interface. This is seen when the home network is connected to an Internet connection or an office department network is connected to another network in the same office.

Wireless Router

A wireless router functions the same way as a wired router does, but it does not use network cables to connect computers to computer networks. Instead, it uses special radio frequencies specified in the 802.11x standards, or the wireless local area network standards. (For more information, read how does a wireless router work.)

Most routers, both wired and wireless versions, have built-in firewalls while acting as a networking switch at the same time. Routers that have both wired and wireless connectivity are also starting to become popular for home networks and small businesses.

Security hardware is an important step in securing your computer and Network!

Rising, one of the lesser-known antivirus software creators, released its first free version of its antivirus software at the end of May.

Rising may not be as well known as Norton and McAfee, but more than 40 million users worldwide have their software installed.

So far, more than 23,000 people have downloaded their own free copy from download.com, and the reviews and ratings look pretty good, too.

The marketing blurb for Rising Antivirus says you can install it and forget about it - one of the most important features for any computer user. Who wants to be logging in to a control panel all the time, or adjusting settings? As long as the software protects my computer from viruses, Trojans, and all the rest, I don’t need to be updated on what it’s doing. (Want to know the most destructive computer viruses of all time, read Top ten most destructive computer viruses of all time )

Has anyone tried this software yet, either the paid or unpaid version? Tell us what you think!

Internet security threats can be prevented with a few simple safe surfing tips. Safe surfing prevents viruses and malware from entering your system and corrupting files and operating systems.

What are Viruses and Malware?

Computer viruses and malware work a lot like disease-carrying viruses. Viruses and malware usually attach themselves to innocent-looking files, cookies, and cache files. Unsuspecting computer users may enter an untrusted website or a domain, and unwittingly receive dangerous files and attachments.

Viruses and malware must be taken seriously. Some of these programs may run as background processes and slow down CPU performance and page file usage. Computers plagued with many computer viruses may have issues with hard drive space. Some viruses and malware are so dangerous that they may even destroy all your files and completely wipe out your operating system. Major security threats may lead to long-term problems like cybercrime and cyber-theft.

Safe Browsing Practices

• Visit only trusted sites with valid security certificates.
• As much as possible, try to avoid pornographic websites. Porn sites on the Internet are hotspots for dangerous malware like pop-up ads and security threats.
• Be very careful when asked to fill out personal information, like credit card account numbers. You may be the next victim of Internet scams and cyber-theft.
• Clear your browser cache every now and then to free up precious hard drive space.
• Be very careful when using download managers. They may seem to make downloading files easier and faster, but they can also download malware in the background.
• Peer-to-peer downloaders are convenient ways to exchange files over the Internet, especially music and audio files. Aside from the legal implications of using peer-to-peer file sharing (like piracy and copyright infringement), some shared files may contain dangerous viruses.

Safe Browsing on Public or Shared Computers

• Never disclose your password to important or private Internet accounts to anyone.
• Always remember to log out of important accounts like e-mail, forums, personal blogs, or social network sites. Other users may be able to access your accounts and may alter your passwords or transact business without your permission.
• Be very careful when using a USB-powered thumbdrive, flash drive, or other removable writable media. Viruses and malware may copy themselves into the drive, and affect other computers you insert the drive into. A good, although not foolproof, way to prevent viruses and malware from copying themselves onto your USB removable media is to lock the read-write option.
• If you are not sure of how secure the public computer is, do not use or insert any removable writable media on the computer.

More Computer Safety Tips

• If you can afford it, use a reputable anti-virus software package like McAfee Virus Scan, Norton Anti-Virus, or Sophos Anti-Virus.
• If you cannot afford proprietary anti-virus software packages, freeware packages like AVG, avast! Home, and BitDefender work quite well. Keep in mind that freeware may not work as well as proprietary software packages, and you may run the risk of downloading viruses and malware with the anti-virus program.
• Do not open an e-mail attachment if you are not absolutely sure what it contains. Some of the world’s most dangerous viruses, like the “I Love You” virus and the “Storm Worm” virus, have been spread through innocent-looking e-mail attachments. (See Top ten most destructive computer viruses of all time)
• Run a full system scan and full disk defragmentation every month (Tips on how to get rid of disk fragmentation). If you are permanently connected to the Internet, run a full system scan every week.

You would be surprised at how fast your Internet connection and your processing speed can get with only a few minor changes in the way you browse and surf through the Internet. Have a safe and happy Web surfing experience!

Viruses, worms, trojans, and other forms of malware can make their way into a computer in many ways. It can be through a storage device like another hard disk, a floppy disk, or a USB flash drive. The Internet is also a common source such as when you download an infected file, or browse a malicious website that automatically installs malware.

These malware can also spread through email through email attachments. Sadly, not everyone is aware of this because it is often overlooked. If you remember back in the late 90s up to the early 2000s, viruses or worms spread worldwide, compromising millions of computers. Such viruses spread easily because people at that point in time were not aware that malware can also be delivered through email.

Email Malware - How It Is Harmful

Viruses, worms, and trojans can be sent through email through attachments. Once opened, they can do things like:

• Install keyloggers to monitor the things you do on your computer. (Tips on how to remove a keylogger)
• Remotely control your computer through a backdoor.
• Disable firewall, antivirus, and other security software.
• Steal your personal information such as bank accounts, credit card numbers and user names and passwords.
• Make your computer a drone or a part of a botnet to spam or send malware to other computers.
• Delete or corrupt files, or format hard drives.

These are just some of the things that malware can do to your computer. Virtually, anything can be done to your computer depending on how the cyber-criminal has programmed the malware. Due to this threat, it is very important that you keep yourself protected from threats that may come through email.

Email Scanners - How They Protect You

Email scanners are basically antivirus software that monitor incoming and outgoing emails to check for viruses, trojans, and other malicious software.

If you use web-based email, most popular services come with email scanning. Services like Yahoo! Mail and Google’s Gmail, have their own built-in email scanning engine that automatically scans attachments for viruses before you can download or send the file.

If you use mail clients like Outlook, Eudora, or Thunderbird, you will need an email scanner. Email clients get your email by connecting directly to the email server and then, downloading it into your computer. If you have an email scanner and a virus is sent to you, you will may open that particular attachment and infect your computer.

Email scanners intercept such emails and prevent you from accidentally opening such harmful email messages. Everytime you download email messages or even send one, email scanners check those messages for malware. If it does find one, it often alerts you of it, and in most cases, prevents you from accessing the message.

The Importance of Email Scanners

You may think that email scanners are not necessary because you can simply ignore email messages coming from unknown senders. That is not true, because emails can also be “spoofed” or faked.

A sender can make it appear that your bank or your office have sent you an email with an attachment. Unless you are an expert in examining email headers, it is difficult to say whether a message is authentic or spoofed. The “From:” field of an email can be made into anything like georgebush@usa.gov, or just about any email address.

Though email scanners will not help you identify fake from authentic emails, these will eliminate the risk of your computer getting infected with malware.

Today, most antivirus already come with built-in email scanners. Products like AVG Antivirus (free), Norton Internet Security, and NOD32 Antivirus are just some of the well-known antivirus software that have email scanning built-in.

Choosing Email Scanner Software

Since the majority of antivirus software already come with email scanners, you will simply have to make sure that:

• Your email client is supported. If the email scanner software is not compatible with your email client, it will not be able to scan incoming and outgoing emails. It is as good as having no email scanner.
• Your computer must at least meet the minimum system requirements. Security software use system resources. If your computer is not fast and powerful enough for it to handle, it may not work properly. If it does, your system may hang or be unresponsive. (Learn how to fix a slow computer)

Keeping your email scanner updated is also a must. Since the majority of security software automatically update themselves, you just have to make sure that the scanner has access to the Internet. If ever you use a firewall, you must allow the email scanner to connect to the Internet to download the updates.