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. 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. 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. Install a firewall. 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. 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 software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. 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 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 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
If you will utilize these tips you can go a long way towards protecting yourself and your family. You may find as you grow in confidence with your computer that you have a need for a special program that will do just what you want and not just what the programmer thought. You may have an idea for the best computer security program but you cannot afford to hire programmers to do it for you. No matter what your idea is there is a solution. A program has been developed that will allow anyone to write their own program that can do just about anything. You will produce instant software. The program is easy to use and very quick. It is literally point and click and you will have your program. You will have your program up and running in just a few minutes. It can be as simple or involved as you want. Then it is your program and you then could sell it to others.
What is this fantastic program called? “Wow-It”.
Wow-It got its name because when people use it they quickly say: Wow it really is easy, Wow it really is quick, Wow it really works. And I did myself!
On top of everything else, it is not expensive!
Visit http://www.kwiksoftware.com and find out just exactly what you have been missing.
Randy Shepperd is an author and computer consultant. Having found a simple and easy to use method for anyone to be able to program a solution to their problems, he wants to share it. More information can be found about Wow-It and many other programs at http://www.kwiksoftware.com
