Friday, June 13, 2014

Filled Under:

Helpful Computer Security Tips

By Frankline Bell


For many of us, our computer is one of our most important possessions. We use it for work. We store family photos on the computer. We have important financial information and other crucial facts stored on this piece of equipment. While no system is ever 100% secure (think Target), there are definitely ways to substantially lower your computer security risk.

One essential item is anti-virus software, and sometimes your operating system will have software built in. You also can purchase anti-virus software and update to that instead. You only need one type of anti-virus software running at any one time, though, as more isn't better, it's just more hassles for you. It can be irritating to have the program ask you to make updates or to approve a source, but it's far worse to deal with a virus so those two or three minutes a day you might spend dealing with anti-virus software are definitely worth the time. Be sure to make all the updates, as these do improve security.

You might think that anti-virus software and firewalls are the same, but you need both. A firewall protects your network or your personal computer from being accessed by an outside source. Anti-virus software scans for malware and viruses. Your router and computer both need a firewall, and your operating system probably already has a firewall. Often, the router and modem come equipped with a firewall from your internet service provider, but you can update to a stronger firewall if you like.

Updates for your computer, browsers and even your Smartphone might seem like a big pain, but you really need to complete these updates. Not only do they fix tiny problems or bugs in the system, they also include essential security updates. New types of viruses and Trojans pop up every day, and these updates can provide you with a good defense. So when Firefox or Java asks if it can update, let it, even if it interrupts your work for a bit. Some updates take time, so make time for them to improve your security.

Many times, however, it's the computer user that unknowingly places a virus or worm or other type of malware on their computer. You can do this by simple clicking on a strange link in an email or by downloading something to your computer from an un-trusted site. It's also not wise to store your passwords on your computer, especially for any site where you give out banking or financial information. It's also wise to have a different password for every site that you use and make sure you have decent passwords that include a combination of letters, numbers, symbols and capitalization. This might seem like a pain, but imagine how difficult life will be if someone hacks into your system, steals your information and uses it for fraudulent purposes.

What do you do if your computer already has fallen victim to a virus or spyware? Call in an expert to come and fix the problem. At GeeksAKnockin', for example, an expert computer tech can locate malware, remove the program and get your computer working properly again. They also can help you prevent such attacks in the future, no matter what type of operating system you are using. Some computer problems even can be solved remotely, but if not, a tech will come out to you, so you never have to haul your computer in for repairs. GeeksAKnockin' also offers many other services, including help with setting up networks, installing hardware and with backup and information recovery.




About the Author:







0 comments:

Post a Comment