User guide

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6.1.8 Potentially unsafe applications
There are many legitimate programs whose function is to simplify the administration of networked computers.
However, in the wrong hands, they may be misused for malicious purposes. ESET NOD32 Antivirus provides the option
to detect such threats.
Potentially unsafe applications is the classification used for commercial, legitimate software. This classification
includes programs such as remote access tools, password-cracking applications, and keyloggers (a program that
records each keystroke a user types).
If you find that there is a potentially unsafe application present and running on your computer (and you did not install
it), please consult your network administrator or remove the application.
6.1.9 Potentially unwanted applications
Potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) are not necessarily intended to be malicious, but may affect the
performance of your computer in a negative way. Such applications usually require consent before installation. If they
are present on your computer, your system behaves differently (compared to the state before their installation). The
most significant changes are:
New windows you haven’t seen previously (pop-ups, ads),
Activating and running of hidden processes,
Increased usage of system resources,
Changes in search results,
Application communicates with remote servers.
6.2 Email
Email, or electronic mail, is a modern form of communication with many advantages. It is flexible, fast and direct, and
played a crucial role in the proliferation of the Internet in the early 1990‘s.
Unfortunately, with a high level of anonymity, email and the Internet leave room for illegal activities such as spamming.
Spam includes unsolicited advertisements, hoaxes and proliferation of malicious software – malware. The
inconvenience and danger to you is increased by the fact that the cost of sending spam is minimal, and authors of spam
have many tools to acquire new email addresses. In addition, the volume and variety of spam makes it very difficult to
regulate. The longer you use your email address, the more likely it will end up in a spam engine database. Some hints
for prevention:
If possible, don’t publish your email address on the Internet
Only give your email address to trusted individuals
If possible, don’t use common aliases – with more complicated aliases, the probability of tracking is lower
Don’t reply to spam that has already arrived in your inbox
Be careful when filling out Internet forms – be especially cautious of options such as “Yes, I want to receive
information”.
Use “specialized” email addresses – e.g., one for business, one for communication with your friends, etc.
From time to time, change your email address
Use an Antispam solution
6.2.1 Advertisements
Internet advertising is one of the most rapidly growing forms of advertising. Its main marketing advantages are
minimal costs and a high level of directness; what’s more, messages are delivered almost immediately. Many companies
use email marketing tools to effectively communicate with current and prospective customers.
This type of advertising is legitimate, since you may be interested in receiving commercial information about some
products. But many companies send unsolicited bulk commercial messages. In such cases, email advertising crosses the
line and becomes spam.
The amount of unsolicited email has become a problem and it shows no signs of slowing. Authors of unsolicited email
often attempt to disguise spam as legitimate messages.