A Secure Computer System is Essential
Jason Mann
Computers are increasingly used for everything from communication to online banking and even for investing and shopping. The bad news is that we are opening ourselves up to the dangers of hackers, attackers and crackers when we do these things on a regular basis.
Phishing for personal information to steal your identity and hijacking your computer to attack others are daily threats on the internet.
There are inexpensive steps that can be taken to make your computer more secure. Here are twelve critical precautions to take now.
1. Make a backup copy of information that is important to you, and keep it separate from your computer.
2. The operating system, web browser and software should be updated and patched regularly.
3. Make sure a firewall is installed on your computer; this is very important. A good firewall can prevent Trojans, worms, malware, adware, and viruses from accessing your computer via the internet. Research the advantages and disadvantages of software and hardware firewalls, and make an educated decision about what fits your situation best.
4. Check the settings of both your browser and email for optimum security. Why should you do this? Hackers use both Active-X and JavaScript in order to plant malicious programs into your computers. Cookies, though fairly harmless when it comes to security, track your movements on the Internet and build a profile of you. Internet zone settings should be high and trusted sites should be set to medium low in your security settings.
5. Make sure you have antivirus software installed and that it is set to receive automatic updates. Automatic updates insure you are protected from the latest viruses.
6. Don't open email attachments from unknown sources. Knowing the person who sent you the message is not sufficient, as even the account of someone you know may inadvertently pass on a computer virus to you. So be cautious of ANYTHING that you open!
7. Programs should not be run if you do not know the origins. These should not be passed on to friends and coworkers. Along with funny or amusing stories or jokes, they could also contain a Trojan horse waiting to infect your computer.
8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to "hide file extensions for known file types". Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
9. When your computer is not being used you should turn it off and disconnect from the network. This will help to prevent an attack from hackers.
10. To protect your computer from a malicious program, you should think about copying a boot disk on a floppy disc, so you will have it saved. Obviously, this is something you need to do this BEFORE your system is compromised.
11. Don't allow unrestricted physical access to your computer. If you have sensitive or proprietary information on your computer, allowing other employees or family members to use your computer can lead to potential breaches in your computer's security.
12. Don't use weak passwords. Use passwords which are difficult for someone to figure out. People frequently use the names of children, pets, anniversary dates, or birthdays. Because there seems to be a password needed for everything, it is not uncommon to see many people using the same password for everything. Big mistake! The use of only one password provides a hacker with easy access to a smorgasbord of personal information. If you have to write your passwords down, it is best not to leave them on a post-it, attached to the screen of your computer. You may chuckle at the absurdity, but it happens more than you think.
About the Author:
Jason Mann is editor of the Technology Basics Section at i-KnowHow | Information for Life, where you'll also find ideas and tips for hobbies, home and garden, personal finance, family and much more.
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