Protecting your savings

KNOW ABOUT TROJANS AND SPYWARE

Trojans.

A Trojan is a hidden program that contains malicious code designed to either give control of your computer to a hacker or record activity.They can also be used to delete files or even view the contents of your screen.

They can be used to record keystrokes with the aim of capturing User ID's and passwords which are then passed on to the person controlling the Trojan. Many Trojans can be detected and removed using up to date anti-virus software and there are also a number of specialist software programs that claim to detect and remove Trojans.

Advice on Trojans and the software tools is available at www.antitrojan.net

---

Spyware

A type of Trojan that is placed on your computer to secretly gather information about the user, and their browsing habits which is then passed on to advertisers or other interested parties.These programs are often installed without the user's consent as a result of visiting a website or through clicking on an option in a deceptive pop-up window. Spyware can also be carried in viruses or installed alongside other free software downloaded from the internet.

You should read the licence agreements for such software very carefully before you agree to install it. Spyware can slow down your computer, alter your homepage, produce lots of adverts or links to websites and even include keystroke loggers to record details such as passwords and user names. There are a number of free software tools and commercial products that claim to be able to remove Spyware from your computer.

These should be regularly updated with the latest definition files from the vendor.Two such free products are Ad-aware and Spybot, which are available at www.lavasoft.de & www.safer-networking.org

---

Bank Safe Online

For more advice and a step by step guide to staying safe online visit www.banksafeonline.org.uk a website launched by APACS the UK payment association working on behalf of the banking industry.

Calls may be monitored and recorded for security and training purposes. 0845 numbers may not be available outside the UK. Calls to 0845 numbers from BT landlines will cost a maximum of 4p per minute, plus a 6p call set up fee. The price of calls from other telephone companies will vary. The call price is correct at today's date. Lines are open between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.