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A computer is only as good as it's user, and unfortunately there are many, many, many less savvy computer users out there. For you to keep your computer secure, and therefore fast, there are some basic security practices that you must employ.
Protection from Spyware/Adware
Spyware and Adware are programs that are installed without knowledge on your PC. These programs track your internet activity, for the purpose of targeting you with ads, popups, or obtaining private information from you. They slow down your computer, and can be a security risk. To prevent them, you use a free antispyware program.
Recommended: MalwareBytes AntiMalware or Lavasoft's AdAware
Protection from Viruses
Viruses are more dire than spyware, because they intend direct damage to your system, and may have the intent of stealing identity information. Viruses replicate and spread themselves unlike Spyware. To combat viruses you need a well trusted antivirus.
Recommended: Avira AntiVir and Avast! Home Edition are excellent free solutions
Protection from hackers
Hackers attempt direct access to your computer through security gaps. Antispyware and antivirus programs do not protect from this sort of threat, which is the most dangerous of all. If your internet modem or wireless router does not have a built in firewall, you should get a free firewall of your own.
Recommended: PCTools Firewall Plus or Comodo Internet Security Firewall
Wireless Security
If you use a wireless router in your home, chances are it is very easy for anyone within 200 feet of your home to access your signal. This can be dangerous if someone has bad intentions. Set up a wireless password to access your wireless network. If you don't know how to do this, ask any manual you have for your router, or ask the company.
Good Passwords
Passwords do nothing if they are not chosen well. A secure password should be longer than 7 characters, and contain at least one number/symbol and a mixture of upper and lower case letters. In addition, you should not use the same password everywhere you have an account.
Safe Email
Be weary of what you open. If you do not recognize the sender or subject, do not open it, especially if the email contains an attachment. Common sense is the best medicine here.
If you follow these security practices, you should remain a safe computer user. Rest easy knowing that you won't be one of the many victims of online crime, or have to use your hard-earned money on replacing your computer every few years due to infections.
Nick Dimon writes about computer security and maintenance on his site http://www.crappycomputer.com/ with the purpose of informing and teaching users how to get what they deserve from their machines.
We are all aware of the predators that stalk unsuspecting men, women and children on the internet today. There are people who use their technical abilities to send viruses, worms, trojans and who knows what else to make internet users lives miserable. What about the criminal minds who are trying to steal peoples identity? If you have children, it gets even scarier because their innocence makes them such an easy target. In this article I will give some tips on precautions that may be used to protect your love ones and keep them safe online.
1. Purchase a good filter for your children. This will help you to screen out websites with inappropiate content. Utilize parental controls for email programs as well. Limit the amount of time children are allowed online.
2. Check the history on your computer regularly. Ignorance is not bliss in the case of the internet. Know what sites your family is visiting.
3. Social Networking. Make sure that if someone in your family is on a social networking site, be sure to add yourself as a friend or contact so that you can see who is communicating with your loved ones. Monitor their activities both online and off.
4. No computer in the kid's rooms. It isn't a good idea to allow children to be left alone with the internet. Keep their computer in a centralized part of the home.
5. Change your passwords every now and then and never share it with anyone else. Be sure that you purchase products only from secure websites. You will see a small pad lock icon on sites that are secure.
6. Purchase a good anti-virus program. A good program will take care of spyware, viruses, malware and some have anti-phishing capabilities also.
7. Be aware of " Cyber Bullying". There are very cruel and vicious people who bully kids on the internet. Just like there are bullies in the real world, There are even more on the internet.
Hopefully some of these tips will be a start for you and your family to enjoy the internet, and have some piece of mind.
Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats. When a child is using your computer, normal safeguards and security practices may not be sufficient. Children present additional challenges because of their natural characteristics: innocence, curiosity, desire for independence, and fear of punishment. You need to consider these characteristics when determining how to protect your data and the child.
You may think that because the child is only playing a game, or researching a term paper, or typing a homework assignment, he or she can't cause any harm. But what if, when saving her paper, the child deletes a necessary program file? Or what if she unintentionally visits a malicious web page that infects your computer with a virus? These are just two possible scenarios. Mistakes happen, but the child may not realize what she's done or may not tell you what happened because she's afraid of getting punished.
Online predators present another significant threat, particularly to children. Because the nature of the internet is so anonymous, it is easy for people to misrepresent themselves and manipulate or trick other users (see Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for some examples). Adults often fall victim to these ploys, and children, who are usually much more open and trusting, are even easier targets. Another growing problem is cyberbullying. These threats are even greater if a child has access to email or instant messaging programs, visits chat rooms, and/or uses social networking sites.
The following websites offer additional information about protecting children online:
Authors: Mindi McDowell, Allen Householder Copyright 2005, 2011 Carnegie Mellon University. Terms of use
