Protect your computer at home and work
By Jennifer Lim
1. Use up-to-date antivirus software
Antivirus is your first defense against virus attacks in your computer. Just by installing antivirus software will not keep you safe. Make sure your antivirus is updated with latest pattern file or virus signatures. Your antivirus can be set to update itself automatically or manually. Check their website for more information.
2. Activate your personal firewall software
If you are using Windows XP, you already have a personal firewall installed. Just activate it to protect your computer against hackers and attackers that try to access your computer through the Internet.
If you are not using Windows XP, you can install third-party firewall software to do the same job for you. Before you install any free third-party firewall software, make sure you have read through its instruction and conditions of the freeware. DO NOT INSTALL software if you are in doubt of its legitimacy.
3. Update your system
If you are running Microsoft operating system (high chances that you are), it is likely that you have to update your system often. Get latest information from Microsoft Security website (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.mspx). Download the latest service packs or patches from this website to secure your computer.
Important:
a) Read carefully before installing any patches or service packs because some patches and upgrade might not compatible to certain software.
b) Backup your data before installing any patches or service packs. The reason: if you know Microsoft products are not perfect, what make you think the patches will not fail you?
4. Install pop-up blocker to prevent adware and spyware
Most spyware installs after you click a deceptive link in a pop-up browser window. With pop-up blocker installed, you will not even be tempted to click those links.
Recommended pop-up blocker – Google Toolbar
5. Avoid installing or use file-sharing software
File-sharing software (such as Kazaa, Grokster and Bearshare) is opening doors in your computer system to attackers. If your system has not been updated, you have compromised your system even greater.
6. Do not open unsolicited e-mails (esp. with attachments)
Beware of those e-mails that come with attachments. Think twice before opening e-mail with attachment, even though you know the sender. If in doubt, call or e-mail the sender to confirm.
NEVER OPEN attachment until you have confirmed it is safe and from authorized sender. If you cannot confirm with the sender that the e-mail is valid and that an attachment is safe, DELETE the e-mail immediately.
7. Backup your data
Your backup frequency depends on your usage and the importance of the data. If you are:
a) Frequent user/data is extremely important: backup once a week
b) Moderate user/data is important: backup once a month
c) Low user/data is not very important: backup once every six months
Recommended backup method: CD-ROM recordable or rewritable. Do not use floppy diskette for long-term backup because floppy diskette is volatile and data can easily damage.
8. Clean up after you finish browsing the Internet.
Do not leave your trail behind you even if you are the only user of the computer. You will never know who has been accessing your computer without your knowledge whenever you connected to Internet.
It is advisable to clean up every time you finish using the Internet. Follow these steps to clean up:
a) Right-click on your Internet Explorer icon then click Properties.
b) Under the Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Cookies. It will take a while depending on the size of the cookies files.
c) After it finishes, click Delete Files. This will also take a while depending on the size of the temporary files.
Note: These steps will clear all your settings you have with certain websites and your saved passwords. It is not advisable to save your password in your computer.
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About Jennifer Lim
Find out more at http://nextlevel.com.my/tutor/Jennifer.
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