What is a virus?
A computer virus is a program or programming code that reproduces when it is copied or initiates a replication of another program, boot sector of your computer or document. Viruses can infect your computer through an e-mail attachment, a downloaded file, or from a disk. Generally speaking, victims of viruses don’t realize that they are infected.

What damage can a virus do to my computer?
A computer virus attaches to another program or replaces it by clearing it (or in some other way) so that it can reproduce without you knowing it. It can quickly use up all the available memory on your computer and seriously slow down the system, even stop it completely. Viruses can damage data files, try to destroy files, make disks unreadable and even cause damage they weren’t designed to. Viruses can also delete files, format hard drives and change data on your computer.

What is a firewall?
A firewall is software that authorizes “good” Internet traffic to circulate freely, while blocking “bad” traffic. It protects your computer against hackers and malicious Internet traffic, such as worms and Trojan horses. It also controls traffic coming from and going to the Internet.

What is a firewall used for?
A firewall examines each data packet that enters or leaves your computer. It prevents hackers from accessing your computer, passwords, financial information or any other type of information stored in files. It also blocks malicious traffic, for example, worms, which can slow down or stop your system, and Trojan horses, which attack your hard drive.

Why do I need both anti-virus software and a firewall?
Basically, anti-virus software protects your computer against viruses. A firewall protects your computer against other types of Internet threats, such as hacking, worms and Trojan horses, which cannot be detected by anti-virus software. Firewalls do not necessarily protect your computer against all types of viruses. This is why it is a good idea to install both anti-virus software and a firewall to maximize your protection.

What is spyware?
Spyware is software that can record and transmit keyboard stroke sequences, histories, passwords and other confidential information via the Internet. Spyware is often marketed as software for performing surveillance on spouses, children and employees, or simply as tools to spy on users to access their confidential information.

How do I protect myself against spyware?
Cogeco’s Security Services have real-time scanning functions to detect spyware, combined with anti-virus protection. You can also do monthly scans to detect spyware.

Why is Parental Control (Web Filtering) necessary?
Parents want to protect their children against inappropriate or harmful online content. Employers may do the same for their employees. Parental Control (Web Filtering) blocks access to this inappropriate online content, to better control Internet use.

Why do I need anti-spam software?
Unsolicited commercial e-mail, better known as spam, is a major problem. Unscrupulous people and companies can send millions of e-mails very inexpensively. Aside from being a nuisance, spam increases the number of incoming e-mails in poor taste and the risk of contamination by a virus, in addition to using your computer’s resources unnecessarily.

Why do I need protection against unwanted Internet dial-up?
Online Cogeco customers with a phone line connected to their computer (for example, a fax) need this type of protection. It is a good idea not to use your phone line to access the Internet. Unwanted phone dialing programs make unauthorized long-distance calls that phone companies cannot block and that you will be billed for. Only Cogeco Security Services can protect you against Internet dial-up programs by blocking outgoing Windows phone connections.

Where can I find my subscription number (key)  for Cogeco Security Services?
Go to Selfcare. Enter your Cogeco username (provided to you when you subscribed) and the password.

How do Cogeco Security Services protect me against attempts to access my computer and my personal data by ill-intentioned people?
Cogeco Security Services are equipped with an integrated firewall that protects your computer from people who try to access it by prohibiting  access ports and unauthorized access to your computer. The advantage of the Cogeco Security Services firewall, compared to traditional firewalls that protect networks from outside attacks, is that it protects thecomputer by scanning incoming and outgoing connections, from unknown sources, using an advanced intrusion detection system.

Do the antivirus and firewall services really automatically update so that my computer is always protected against the most recent threats?
Yes. Cogeco Security Services provide you the best antivirus protection, which means that the antivirus and the firewall must be updated regularly. These services look for new updates every hour using an automatic, transparent process. However, you have to be connected to the Internet for Cogeco Security Services to be able to connect to the update server.

What are the minimum computer requirements to use Cogeco Security Services? 

Operating systems supported
The supported operating systems for installing the product are:

• Windows XP 32-bit:- Home, Professional and Media Center editions. Service Pack 2 or newer.
• Windows Vista- 32-bit and 64-bit: All editions, all Service Packs.
• Windows 7 32-bit- and 64-bit: All editions.

System requirements

Microsoft Windows 7 and Vista

• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2GHz or higher
• Memory: 1GB or more
• Disk space: 800 MB free HD space
  

Microsoft Windows XP

• Processor: Intel Pentium III 1Gz or higher
• Memory: 512 MB or more
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or newer
• Disk space: 800MB free HD space
  

Installing Cogeco Security Services on a computer that does not meet minimum requirements will take longer than expected and could result in a reduction in overall performance, occasional system failures and the loss of data. Also, if your computer stops responding during the installation, you will not necessarily be protected during the period required for uninstallation and reinstallation.

How do I install Cogeco Security Services?
Visit our download page and follow the instructions on the screen.

Can I install Cogeco Security Services on several computers?
Yes. Cogeco Security Services can be installed on up to three computers in your home.

Can I install Cogeco Security Services on a server?
No. You cannot install the program on a server. Cogeco Security Services are designed to operate only on a computer.

Do I need an Internet connection to install the software?
Yes. The program and updates are downloaded via a broadband connection. This product is offered exclusively to Cogeco subscribers.

Will the product stop working 12 months after being installed?
No. Cogeco Security Services will work as long as you subscribe to Cogeco High Speed Internet. It’s true that most “ready-to-use” security products on the market are sold only by 12-month subscription. After the 12 months, your subscription expires and you have to resubscribe to the product to have another 12 months of protection; if you don’t resubscribe, you are no longer protected. On the other hand, with Cogeco Security Services your subscription and your protection are valid as long as you are a Cogeco High Speed Internet customer. Just download and install the software by clicking here.

Are Cogeco Security Services compatible with other brands of antivirus software?
No. Generally speaking, antivirus software are not compatible with each other. Before you can install Cogeco Security Services on your computer, you have to uninstall all other Internet security products.

What languages are Cogeco Security Services available in?
Cogeco Security Services are available in French in Quebec and in English in Ontario. See our Ontario site for the English version.

I just subscribed to a security product from another company. Can I cancel it and install Cogeco Security Services instead? Will they give me a refund?
Cogeco cannot refund the cost of software bought from another company. It’s up to you to decide which software you will use. However, you should know that subscriptions from other companies will probably expire after 12 months and you will have to renew your subscription. With Cogeco Security Services, you don’t have to worry about renewing your subscription as long as you are a Cogeco High Speed Internet service customer.

A red “X” appears above the security icon and there is an error message that says, “Spam control: Malfunction.” But I haven’t changed my configuration at all. I also checked the spam setting, and it’s still set at “Optimal.” Is there a problem with my computer or security service?
The “Spam control: Malfunction” error message usually appears when the application called backweb.exe has been removed by an anti-spyware program. Lots of anti-spyware programs identify backweb.exe as spyware and remove it. To correct theproblem, uninstall Cogeco Security Services and reinstall it. If you want to use an anti-spyware program in the future, simply check the list of applications recognized as spyware to ensure that backweb.exe is not among them. If you don’t use an anti-spyware program, you should still uninstall and reinstall the security program. Once you have finished uninstalling it, reconnect to the security section of our Web site, and the installation guide will help you go through the installation again. For more information about backweb.exe, visit http://support.f-secure.fr/fra/home/supportissue/general/general-issue-2004040700.shtml

Do I need to prepare my computer to install Cogeco Security Services?
Before installing Cogeco Security Services, you should do the following.
• Remove any security software (McAfee, Symantec, ZoneAlarm, etc.) that is installed on your computer. Choose the “Add and Remove Programs” option from the Windows Control Panel, which you access by clicking on the “start” button.
• Remove any anti-spyware programs on your computer (Spybot, Microsoft anti-spyware programs, SpyCop, etc.). To do this, choose the “Add and Remove Programs” option from the Windows Control Panel, which you access by clicking on the “Start” button.
• Disable any pop-up control programs that could be operating. MSN, Yahoo! and Google toolbars on Internet Explorer all have pop-up blockers that make it more difficult to download and install Cogeco Security Services. You can reactivate these programs immediately after downloading and installing the software by righ-clicking on the toolbar and choosing the appropriate toolbar from the list.

Are Cogeco Security Services compatible with other anti-spyware products?
No, they’re not. In general, anti-spyware software is not compatible with others. To be able to install Cogeco Security Services on your computer, you have to uninstall any other security programs.

Why have my Cogeco Security Services been updated?
To provide complete protection to your system, Cogeco recently updated Cogeco Security Services to integrate features such as anti-spyware, a pop-up blocker and protection for Internet Explorer settings (Internet Explorer Shield). These new features, combined with antivirus protection, a personal firewall and spam and parental control (content control tools, guarantee you secure online experiences without interfering with the day-to-day use of your computer.