Easy and Effective Steps Securing Your Home PC
Below are a few easy and cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.
Perform Backups
Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
Update and Patch Your Windows Systems and Software
Regularly update and patch your operating system, web browser and software. If you have a Windows operating system, you can use windows update at Microsoft’s support page, where you’ll find and update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer.
Microsoft Office software can be updated and patched too, and these patches can be located at Microsoft Office product pages.
Install a firewall
In short, a firewall wall is a means of blocking intrusive access into your PC, and without a good one, risks from the Internet such as viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily compromise your computer. There are several popular hardware and software based firewall programs available, more information about some of these can be found at comparison websites such as Top Ten Reviews.
Review the security settings for your browser and email programs
Why is this step important in securing your home PC? Active-X, JavaScript and cookies are some of the most commonly used software components by Internet browser and email programs. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. At a minimum, set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.
Install antivirus software
Set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
Do not open unknown email attachments or run programs from unknown origins
Many viruses originate from email addresses. Given that many of these addresses look very similar to ones that people believe they recognize, it becomes very easy to propagate the virus especially when they are contained or hidden within attachments. Do not send these types of programs to friends and work colleagues. While they might be amusing stories or jokes, these programs may contain Trojans waiting to infect a computer.
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.
Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network
Simply put, a hacker cannot attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
Create a boot disk on a floppy disk
Boot disks help you recover after computer files have become damaged after software installation ‘gone wrong’ or compromised by a malicious program. Evidently, you need to take this precaution before you experience any issues with your computer system. However, there are alternative measures that you can take to get you PC operational again. In the newer operating systems such as Windows XP and Vista, you can use their bootable installation CDs to help you re-instate your computer to its original state. Re-installing your operating system is beyond the scope of this article, but there are many good websites with useful information containing advice on recovering after computer system failures.
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November 10 2009 05:22 am | Other
