Monday, June 23, 2014

Helpful Computer Security Tips

By Frankline Bell


It might seem a bit dramatic to state that our computer is our life's blood, but it is a crucial part of the lives of most people. These machines store everything from financial documents and information, details about your company or business, as well as personal information and even precious family photos. Keeping your system secure is a high priority, and the following tips can protect you from many common issues.

Anti-virus software is important to install, but it's more important to actually use the software properly. Often we are annoyed when the software asks permission for certain programs to run or downloads to complete, but it is far more annoying to deal with the repercussions of malware. Don't ignore the software when it asks to complete an update either, as these will lower your risk because the updates improve overall security. When a new type of malware is discovered, anti-virus companies create updates to tackle the problem or to fix other security issues.

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.

Generally every day your computer prompts you to make some type of update. Sometimes a browser wants you to make an update or perhaps the operating system needs to make updates. It takes a minute or so, but these updates are essential steps toward tighter security. They also tend to fix little problems or bugs, so it's worth it to allow these updates.

These are three good strategies for better security, but how you surf the net also affects your level of security. For instance, if an email from a contact comes in with an odd subject line or just says for you to click on a "fun" or "interesting" link, trash the email and don't click on the link. It's probably malware, and when you click on it not only will it end up on your computer, it will send out emails with the same dangerous link to all of your contacts. Don't download software off the internet unless you have done some research and are sure it is from a trustworthy source. Be password savvy, which means you need a different password for any company or financial institution that has your information. Keep your passwords complex with characters, capitals and numbers and don't store them on your computer.

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