Computer Security - What you can and should do!

Computers arguably have become an important part of our lives (like it or not). As personal computer users, we need to be aware and responsible for our own computer's security. And if we use the Internet, it becomes critical for us to take care of our computer's security because if our security is breached it effects hundreds if not thousands of other computer users.

Computer security does not have to be complicated nor expensive. Today we discussed the major points of personal computer security and what we can and should do about each.

BACKUP

Ask yourself the following question:  If my computer quit running today, what information would I hate to lose? The answer will be documents you've typed, spreadsheets, financial data like Quicken or Quickbooks, genealogy information, pictures, email address book, etc. All of this information should be backed up on an external media (floppy disks, CD's, etc) on a regular basis. Read my tips and articles about proper back up at the links listed below:

• Backing Up Your Important Data

• General Backup Tip

• Should I Backup?

• What should I backup?

• Backup Your Email Address Book

• Save and Backup Files on a Mini-USB Drive

Instituting a regular backup program will eventually pay huge dividends...don't skip this step.

ANTI-VIRUS

Anti-virus creators seem to multiply every year and preventing virus infections on our computers is probably the easiest security measure we can implement and keep running. But it will take intervention and checks and balances from us. THERE IS NO AUTOMATED SOLUTION (yet) THAT TAKES OUR MANUAL INVOLVEMENT OUT OF THE PICTURE.

Follow these steps to insure that you are doing everything you can do to prevent viruses from entering (and thus spreading from) your computer.

• Install a good anti-virus program. I like Norton Anti-Virus, AVG, and Avast

• KEEP YOUR ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE UPDATED (this does NOT mean weekly scans). You must check to make sure that your anti-virus program is updated with the latest virus definitions or profiles so that it can fight the latest viruses.

• DO NOT open attachments from Microsoft or other well known companies, they NEVER send emails with attachments to users

• DO NOT fall for email chain letters that claim to have discovered some new virus...they are never true.

• DO NOT open email with attachments from even your family and friends IF the subject or body of the message look wierd

• ALWAYS be leery of anything out of the ordinary

FIREWALL

Especially important if you have an always-on, broadband connection, a firewall makes your computer invisible to snooping hackers trying to find a weakness in the Internet. Basically, firewalls monitor network (Internet) traffic in and out of your computer. For dial-up users, I feel that a firewall is not completely necessary for the average user, but if you use Windows XP, follow the steps below to enable the built in firewall in Windows XP.

Here are some links to some good downloadable firewalls:

• ZoneAlarm (look for the FREE download, not the Pro version)

• Tiny Firewall

• Tiny Firewall (free edition)

Enabling the Windows XP firewall

1. Click Start --> My Computer (or double-click My Computer from the desktop)

2. Click "My Network Places" in the common task bar on the left

3. Click "View Network Connections" in the common task bar on the left

4. RIGHT Click on your high speed or dial up connection

5. Click Properties

6. Click the Advanced Tab

7. Check the box that says "protect my computer and network by limiting..." (see picture above)

SPYWARE & ADWARE

Over the past two years, this problem has multiplied tremendously and is responsible for most pop-up ads on the Internet. Allowed to progress unchecked on a computer system, this 'malware' as its known, can almost choke a computer's speed and Internet connection. If you follow these steps below, you will almost never receive unwanted pop-up ads...except for the occasional 'legit' advertising pop-up ads from sites like AOL, CNN, USA Today, etc.

Fortunately, the prevention and cure of this problem is easy and FREE!

• Don't visit 'seedy' web sites with a lot of pop-ups

• Don't download hokey software like "smiley central", "My Search Bar", etc.

• Don't participate in online file sharing programs like Kazaa, WinMX, etc.

• DO download, install, and update the FREE AdAware program and run it about once a month or so to rid your system of these parasites

WINDOWS UPDATE

To help control the spread of problems from hackers exploiting Windows weaknesses, make sure to keep up with Windows updates. If you have Windows XP, enable automatic updates by:

1. RIGHT Click on My Computer

2. Click the Automatic Updates tab

3. Check the box next to "keep my computer up to date"

4. Set the style of update you prefer in the options presented (see picture)

5. Click OK

You can order Windows Updates for some versions of 
Windows at the Microsoft web site. 
Click Here for more information on the CD's.

Click Here for a list of all the web pages that I have collected over the years (some of them may be outdated now, so don't be surprised if you get a few "page not found" messages)