
PC Security
For The Non-Geek
Protecting You
& Your Family Online
PC security is important in this day and age
of Internet fraud, scams, spyware, and
viruses. Computer usage has increased
dramatically in the past decade, and more and more, people are
using it for confidential things like online
banking. It is
imperative that Internet users become familiar with the basics
of online security so that they do not fall prey to the dangers
that lurk on the web.
There are all sorts of things to watch out for
online. It can be especially overwhelming for a new
computer user, who may not be very familiar with the
Internet. Furthermore, the people who are responsible for
spyware and viruses tend to be very sneaky, meaning that
even a seasoned Internet user is at risk. However, that
risk can be diminished significantly by educating oneself
about what is out there, and learning how to prevent and
treat a computer infection.
You may already have some ideas about
how to maintain the security of your pc. For instance, most
people are aware that it is not a good idea to open spam
emails, as it may contain some form of virus or
malware. However, did you know that
spyware and viruses may be hidden in programs you download
from the Internet?
Sometimes checking the end user agreement may
make you aware of a possible problem but most don't
bother reading the sometimes long and cryptic document
and just go straight ahead and install the software onto
their system.
Viruses and spyware can also take the
form of various Internet applications that you'd never
suspect were malicious. This includes weather
programs, screensavers, and sometimes even those cute
forwarded emails with pictures of kittens that your aunt in
Vermont emails you.
Clearly you need to browse the Internet with
caution, but even then you may still be at
risk. What is especially
frustrating is that hackers are constantly coming up with
new ways to trick you, which makes it difficult to keep
your pc clean.
So how can you maintain pc security? Most experts will
likely recommend that you regularly scan your pc for
signs of infection. There are lots of
different programs that will carry out such a scan for
you, and most are relatively easy to use.
Some are more popular and thorough than
others. That said, the
best pc internet security software does not necessarily
have to cost a fortune. In fact, you can
find plenty of free antivirus software online - but make
sure it's reputable before downloading it!
Although it's true that you need to use
discretion and common sense while surfing the net, you
shouldn't be afraid of it. The Internet is a
wonderful tool, and can provide many useful and
entertaining sources right at your fingertips.
Ensuring that
your PC and personal data is safe for surfing online is
really all about aquiring a little knowledge and
using a lot of common sense. We will supply the
knowledge and leave it up to you to use your common
sense.
The basics of
home pc security start with an anti-virus program and a
firewall. You should also ensure that your operating
system i.e. Windows XP has all the required updates and
is set to update automatically. Scan your PC with your
anti-virus software regularly and be careful of what
websites you visit and of installing free software that
they may offer.
If you keep up this routine, you should not
encounter very many problems, and if you do happen to get
an infection, you will be more likely to notice it and
fix it before it has a chance to cause significant
damage.
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