Securing Your Computer
10 Easy Steps for
Securing Your Computer System
Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything
from communication to online banking and investing to shopping. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we
open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal
information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to
attack other unknowing targets.
Whatever the threat, it pays well to immediately take steps and
protect your computer from these attacks. We provide you here with some basic information on you can do that on
your home computer. For the enterprise computer system protection, check our Intrusion Detection
Systems article.
 |
It's important that you take all necessary steps to secure your computer and
mobile
devices from various online threats that can steal your data and personal information. |
Ten Easy Steps to Secure Your ComputerBelow are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more
secure.
1. Back-up important information
Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate
from your computer. Update your back up periodically, depending on how often you add new stuff on your
computer.
2. Update operating system
Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If
you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update
wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go
to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.
3. Get a firewall installed
Install a firewall on your computer. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms,
Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet.
Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall
programs.
4. Check browser and email settings
Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do
this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While
cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet
to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the "internet zone" to High, and your
"trusted sites zone" to Medium Low.
5. Install antivirus program
It goes without saying that you should install good antivirus software and set for
automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions. This should be one of the most essential,
always-active features of your computer security.
6. Do not open email attachments
Unless you 100% trust the sender, do not open unknown email attachments. It is
simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from
a familiar address.
7. Do not run unknown programs
Do not run on your computer system programs from unknown origins. Also, do not
send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They
may contain a Trojans horse or other viruses, waiting to infect a computer.
8. 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 in
there.
9. Do not leave your computer on if not being
used
Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the
computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
This is especially important now that we all use 'always-on' option or chips.
10. Make a boot disk
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. Or, if you no longer have floppy disk option (or even don't know what it is), back up your most
important files on thumb drives.
|