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Keep Your Computer System Secure

By: Jason Mann

Today, many people are using their computers to connect with friends and family, manage their finances online, and to shop. All of these activities make it increasingly important for users to safeguard their computers, since you could inadvertently be welcoming the schemes of hackers, attackers, and crackers.

Some might be targeting you for identity theft, while others may use your computer to launch attacks on other victims.

There are inexpensive steps that can be taken to make your computer more secure. Here are twelve critical precautions to take now.

1. Important information should always be backed up and kept in a secure location away from the computer.

2. The operating system, web browser and software should be updated and patched regularly.

3. Get a good firewall. Without a good firewall your computer is vulnerable to viruses, worms, and Trojans, malware and adware from the Internet. Both the benefits and differences of hardware and software based firewall programs should be taken into consideration.

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. Install antivirus software and set it for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.

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. If you don't know where a program comes from, don't run it. Another word of advice is to avoid sending programs like this to your colleagues and friends, even though the content might be entertaining. There might be a Trojan horse that wants to infect your computer, and theirs.

8. If you have hidden file name extensions you should disable them. If the default setting has not been changed, then Windows will automatically 'hide file extensions for known file types." To allow Windows to show file extensions, disable this option. Some will stay hidden, but you will also be able to catch some unusual file extensions that don't belong.

9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker cannot attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.

11. You should never allow access to your computer by anyone, unless you okay them to use it first. Letting other people use your computer can result in a breach of your computer's security, so beware if you keep personal information on your computer, and then let family members or coworkers use it. They may accidentally compromise the security of your system.

12. Use strong passwords. Pick passwords that people would have a hard time guessing. Often-used password phrases are names of kids and animals, as well as important dates like anniversaries and birthdays. Since there are passwords required for all you do on the computer, some people generally use the same one over and over. That is not the best move! If you only use one password, a hacker can get into all of your personal information. In the event that you find it absolutely necessary to record your passwords, be sure it is not on a note attached to your monitor! This may seem funny to you, but it is something many people do. And it's a bad idea for obvious reasons!

Article Source: http://articlebob.com

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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