You’ve
invested hundreds of dollars just to buy one, why not keep
it protected? By following these simple computer security
guidelines, you can protect your investment and make sure it
remains fully functional for many years to come.
The most
common threat to your computer’s health comes in the form of
computer viruses.
When viruses
first started appearing many years ago, they were usually
spread when an infected file was transferred from one
computer to another, usually via a floppy disk. Nowadays,
with the advent of e-mail, the internet, and new programming
languages, viruses have become smarter and more capable of
spreading themselves. By installing an anti-virus program,
you can make sure your computer is protected from these
damaging viruses at all times. Anti-virus programs run
silently in the background while you use your computer,
scanning new files and e-mails for potentially dangerous
viruses. You can also scan your computer regularly to make
sure there are no viruses still hanging around from before
the anti-virus software was installed. Symantec and Norton
are two of the most commonly used pieces of software,
although they do cost money. Several free anti-virus
programs can be found quite easily on the internet with a
simple search. Anti-virus software is a must-have for anyone
serious about protecting their computer.
Another
important aspect of maintaining security is making sure your
computer is constantly up to date with the latest
security patches.
Most popular
operating systems such as Windows will automatically
download these updates for you. Hackers and other people
looking to exploit security holes are constantly devising
new ways to get around security features. By downloading
these patches, you can make sure that any holes that have
been exposed are closed up and inaccessible. Aside from
providing additional security measures, patches may also
make your system run smoother and you will encounter fewer
errors and software crashes. By staying up to date with
patches, your computer will remain secure and run smoother
than ever.
Aside from
software and security patches, there are many other ways to
prevent malicious programs and intruders from invading your
system.
Simple common
sense can help you avoid many problems. When checking your
e-mail, never download an attachment from a sender you do
not know. Make sure you trust the source of every e-mail,
and only open attachments that seem legitimate based on the
context in which they were sent. If you’re ever unsure of a
files authenticity, you can always open up your anti-virus
software to run an exclusive scan of that particular file.
If the anti-virus software says its clean, you’re good to
go. If the results of the scan are inconclusive, you’re
better off safe than sorry. Delete the attachment and don’t
take any unnecessary risks. This same common sense policy
applies to any file you want to download off the internet.
Often times it is difficult to determine the legitimacy of a
file. By exercising common sense, knowing reputable sources,
and using anti-virus software, you can make sure you’ll
never download an infected file.
Another
threat comes in the form of the computer hacker. Hackers
gain access to your computer in a variety of ways
... many
involving unsecured ports which are intended to be used for
valid purposes. Hackers exploit open ports and use them to
connect to your PC, where they basically have access to
every file on your computer. Hackers invade your computers
to steal documents, information, or to cause unnecessary
damage to your files. Blocking these hackers is as simple as
installing a firewall on your computer. Firewalls are pieces
of software that will allow you to control every connection
made to your computer. You can therefore prevent hackers
from connecting to you, while allowing legitimate programs
to use the ports they need. There are hundreds of different
kinds of firewall programs that you can choose from, and
many are free. A simple search on the internet should
provide you with a popular and functioning piece of software
that will keep unwanted intruders from ever being able to
connect to your system.
Mistakes
and lapses in security can and do happen. No anti-virus
software is going to find every single virus, and no
firewall is going to be able to stop every single intruder.
While these
programs will increase the security of your computer
exponentially, just as fast as security technology is
improved, the intelligence of computer virus programmers and
hackers improves as well. For this reason, it is important
that you constantly back up your system. Any important
files, e-mails, or folders should be backed up regularly.
Whether this simply means burning these files to a CD so you
can access them again in case they are compromised, or
whether it means you search the software market for
comprehensive system backup and recovery software, it’s very
important that you make some effort to secure important
data. This way, in case any one of your security measures
fails, you will always have a healthy source of the files
you need to restore your system.
Many
websites and computer software have built-in security
features, the most common of which is a simple password.
A strong
password will prevent a hacker from accessing your system or
any accounts you access regularly on the internet. A strong
password consists of both numbers and letters, and should
not be anything that anyone could guess just by knowing
basic facts about you. For example, if your hobby is playing
sports, any password which involves sports terms would not
be a wise decision. Instead, something completely unrelated
that would not be able to be guessed is advisable. Remember,
use both numbers and letters when picking a password.
By
following these simple computer security guidelines
...
you can rest knowing that your
computer is safe from viruses, hackers, and many other
threats to your important data. By keeping your layers of
protection up to date, you can stay one step ahead of the
consistent threats to your PC.
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