December 11, 2008
0
Internet Security
Use Antivirus, Anti Spyware, and a Personal Firewall Internet Security
• The first thing you should do to protect yourself from online security threats is to get a good antivirus program, as well as anti spyware software, and a personal firewall. These products act as your personal watchdog; constantly scanning your system for known patterns of suspicious file activity and stopping the “bad stuff” before it has a chance to do any damage. The easiest and most affordable thing to do is to purchase an internet security suite. This is a “bundled” package of specialized computer security software that is designed to work together to provide a “blanket of protection”.
Keep Your Operating System and all Applications Up to Date
• Use Microsoft Windows "Automatic Update Service" to ensure you have the latest hot fixes, security patches, and service packs. These updates are designed to counter the effects of the latest security threats by closing newly discovered security "holes" and adding protective enhancements to your operating system. Windows Update will also keep your Internet Explorer web browser up to date.
• It's important to keep all program applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Real Player, Flash Player, iTunes, etc... up to date as well. Hackers and cyber-criminals often find and exploit security holes in applications, and use this as a way to get into your computer. Go to the developers website on a regular basis and download the latest updates to the software you are running. Most new versions of software include an "auto update" feature that you can turn on to make this an automatic process.
Never Download Free Screensavers, Games, or Other "Freeware" Applications
• Free software is notorious for carrying invasive adware and dangerous spyware that can cripple your system or steal personal information. If you must download free software, be sure to read the EULA (user license agreement) carefully. This will often tell you that by installing the software, you are agreeing to install other applications that deliver advertising (this is adware). If you don't want this additional advertising software installed, don't install the software. Adware and spyware is often difficult to remove, so be careful what you download and install.
Never Open Email From People You Don't Know
• Un-requested, unsolicited bulk email is called Spam, and usually contains advertisements for illegal or unsavory products/services. A lot of spam now contains dangerous phishing scams, which tricks you into going to fraudulent websites where spyware might be installed without your knowledge. Many links in phishing emails also take you to fraudulent sites that are "carbon copies" of legitimate financial institutions. Attempting to log on to these sites will send your credentials to the spammer, who will quickly wipe out your account.
Backup Your Data on a Regular Basis
• Hard drives crash every day, with little warning. A computer virus can quickly corrupt your operating system or damage all your files. Spyware can cripple a computer so badly that the only way to restore functionality is to reformat the hard drive. Important files can accidentally be deleted. These are all good reasons to keep a current backup copy of all your files. When disaster strikes (and it will eventually), you can still have access to family photos, term papers, and other work if you have a copy on CD or a second hard disk. An easy, inexpensive way to ensure you never lost your files is to use an online backup service.
• The first thing you should do to protect yourself from online security threats is to get a good antivirus program, as well as anti spyware software, and a personal firewall. These products act as your personal watchdog; constantly scanning your system for known patterns of suspicious file activity and stopping the “bad stuff” before it has a chance to do any damage. The easiest and most affordable thing to do is to purchase an internet security suite. This is a “bundled” package of specialized computer security software that is designed to work together to provide a “blanket of protection”.
Keep Your Operating System and all Applications Up to Date
• Use Microsoft Windows "Automatic Update Service" to ensure you have the latest hot fixes, security patches, and service packs. These updates are designed to counter the effects of the latest security threats by closing newly discovered security "holes" and adding protective enhancements to your operating system. Windows Update will also keep your Internet Explorer web browser up to date.
• It's important to keep all program applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Real Player, Flash Player, iTunes, etc... up to date as well. Hackers and cyber-criminals often find and exploit security holes in applications, and use this as a way to get into your computer. Go to the developers website on a regular basis and download the latest updates to the software you are running. Most new versions of software include an "auto update" feature that you can turn on to make this an automatic process.
Never Download Free Screensavers, Games, or Other "Freeware" Applications
• Free software is notorious for carrying invasive adware and dangerous spyware that can cripple your system or steal personal information. If you must download free software, be sure to read the EULA (user license agreement) carefully. This will often tell you that by installing the software, you are agreeing to install other applications that deliver advertising (this is adware). If you don't want this additional advertising software installed, don't install the software. Adware and spyware is often difficult to remove, so be careful what you download and install.
Never Open Email From People You Don't Know
• Un-requested, unsolicited bulk email is called Spam, and usually contains advertisements for illegal or unsavory products/services. A lot of spam now contains dangerous phishing scams, which tricks you into going to fraudulent websites where spyware might be installed without your knowledge. Many links in phishing emails also take you to fraudulent sites that are "carbon copies" of legitimate financial institutions. Attempting to log on to these sites will send your credentials to the spammer, who will quickly wipe out your account.
Backup Your Data on a Regular Basis
• Hard drives crash every day, with little warning. A computer virus can quickly corrupt your operating system or damage all your files. Spyware can cripple a computer so badly that the only way to restore functionality is to reformat the hard drive. Important files can accidentally be deleted. These are all good reasons to keep a current backup copy of all your files. When disaster strikes (and it will eventually), you can still have access to family photos, term papers, and other work if you have a copy on CD or a second hard disk. An easy, inexpensive way to ensure you never lost your files is to use an online backup service.
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