| Simple Steps to Protect Your PC | PRODUCT REVIEWS aNTIVIRUS |
Viruses, hackers, and cyberstalkers each pose potential threats to your PC, your personal information, and your family. But with the right equipment, and the proper precautions, you can protect your PC and everyone who uses it. 1. Don't Open Unknown Files or Attachments One of the most common ways of obtaining a virus is through infected e-mail attachments. No matter how enticing the attachment seems-don't open it unless you know exactly what it is. |
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2. Don't Open E-mails with Questionable or Unexpected Subject Lines Unless you typically receive e-mails from your boss or neighbour with subjects such as "I Love You," you should be wary. Strange subject lines usually indicate something suspicious, such as a virus. Keep in mind that virus-writers like to play Internet and e-mail mind games. They use clever titles to mass market their destructive viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Delete suspicious e-mails immediately, and be sure to delete chain e-mails and junk e-mail (known as Spam) as well. 3. Take the Same Precautions Online as You Do Offline Just as you wouldn't normally give your name and number to strangers on the street, don't give out your personal information to strangers online. If a Web site looks suspicious, avoid it and go elsewhere. If purchasing online, take the same precautions as you would in a department store. Being online doesn't mean common sense takes a vacation. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before you type personal information such as your address or credit card number unto a Web site, make sure the site is secure, noted by "https://" in your browser url window, or a locked key on the bottom of your browser screen. 4. Use Hard to Guess Passwords Password protecting your computer is the simplest and most common way to ensure that only those with permission can use your computer or certain parts of your computer network. Just be sure to choose a hard-to-guess password. The golden rules for passwords protection: • Make passwords as meaningless as possible • Change passwords regularly • Never divulge passwords to anyone • Never share files with strangers (doing so opens your computer up to potential hacker attacks). 5. Disconnect From the Internet When Not Actively using it Always remember that the Internet is a two-way street. You can access other people's computers and Web sites, and they, in turn, can access yours. Turning off your Internet connection when not actively using it can reduce your chance of having a stranger send you malicious files or folders. 6. Back up Files on a Regular Basis If a virus destroys your files, you can replace them with back-up copies. Store backup copies in a separate location from any work files, and keep your backup files on a disk or CD separate from your computer. 7. Make Sure You Have the Latest Security Patches Manufacturers create patches to fix security flaws and problems as their software and operating systems are enhanced and improved. Security flaws may also allow viruses to act faster and spread to people you know (through your address book, for example). Microsoft has a security centre on their website that lists patches that apply to Windows Operating Systems and software such as Outlook. 8. Beware of Hoaxes Virus Hoaxes are false announcements about viruses. Virus Hoaxes occasionally obtain instructions for "cleaning" or deleting a virus from a computer, but the instructions may involve deleting essential Windows files, and have nothing to do with viruses at all. 9. Keep Your Private Information Private Don't allow strangers to walk into your PC and send you unknown files and folders, or snoop through your private information. And don't send personal data to people you don't know. You might consider a personal firewall to protect against hackers who attempt to get into your PC and retrieve sensitive information such as your credit card number, passwords, bank account information, and employment information. Don't think you're protected because you use the computer at home, on a dial-up connection. Hackers attack home PCs as practice grounds, or use home computers as a base for larger attacks. 10. Get the Right Protection Having the right products installed, running, and updated on your computer helps keep it safe and secure. Do consider an Internet Security Suite that comes with anti-virus, firewall protection, privacy service, anti-spam, and parental controls. |
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