Securing Your Computer System
Today, as more people are using their computers for everything from communication to online banking and investing to shopping, we find ourselves potential targets of 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. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.
1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently.
3. Install a firewall, to help prevent viruses, worms, Trojans, etc from gaining access to your computer from the Internet.
4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.
5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. Do not open unknown email attachments, even if it is from a familiar address, as many viruses are spread that way
7. Do not run programs from unknown origins, and do not send them on to friends and coworkers. Those funny stories and amusing jokes may contain a Trojan horse waiting to infect a computer.
8. Disable hidden filename extensions so that file extensions display in Windows. Although some file extensions will continue to remain hidden, you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
9. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off, so make sure you turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when you are not using your computer.
10. Before you experience a hostile breach of your system, consider keeping a backup of your computer’s files, in case it is damaged by a malicious program.
These are examples of some of the many ways you can protect your computer from hackers. You can also learn to protect and repair your own computer with some of the computer training products that are now available for aspiring IT technicians.