It is not difficult to keep your home computer secure, but it requires a little knowledge and good usage practices. Here are some basic tips you can follow to keep your computer virus free.1. Solo User
Do not let others use or borrow your computer you
don’t know. Even if you practice safe use of the computer, there is no way for
you to protect your computer against unknown user. So keep your computer under
your control. Make sure your computer is protected by a password so that someone
cannot jump onto your computer without your knowledge. Log off your computer when
you leave so that a password is needed again. Even if a friend or family member
wants the computer is used, remind them to be safe when they surf on your
machine. Politely ask them not to download anything.
2. Anti-Virus Software
There are many different good antivirus you can buy
to keep your computer safe from spyware, viruses or other malware. If you have antivirus
in place, make sure you regularly scan your computer and that you pay attention
to all warnings on your software. Make sure your software is up to date with all
current patches installed and running at all times.
3. Don't Download Everything
Never download software or files from unknown origin. If you are not sure of the website or sender of e-mail, do not download
software or open a file. Often viruses arrive in your inbox e-mail disguised as
attachments labeled "very important" for you to watch. Prevention is
better than cure. Enter all unknown files through a filter to ensure that they
are safe for your machine.
4. Make Your Wireless Router Secure
Let the neighbors or other free anonymous surfing on
your wireless router Internet is not secure. Make sure your wireless router has
a secure password that contains alphabetic and numeric characters along with
special characters.
5. Don't Use Pirate Software
Do not use pirate software or computer games for
free, it is also very risky. Many viruses and worms are provided along with the
software or illegal pirated games. Buy software and games legally, so your machine
is safe. Remember: good software worth the cost.
6. Surf Safely
By visiting the website wrong sometimes you can get a
computer virus. Some porn sites are known to distribute viruses and worms, as
well as naughty photos. Take proactive measures and be picky about where you
surf. If your computer warns you about malicious software, remove it quickly.
7. Password Protocol
Make sure that you have a hack proof password for
your computer. This means that choosing meaningful letters and numbers,
combined with special characters, so your password is not obvious. Many have
been hacked by laziness choosing "password" as your password, or
using a birth date or the obvious home. Keep your password to yourself, or stored
on a personal Rolodex for safe keeping.
8. Back Up Regularly
Regularly backup your information, software, music and
photos on an external hard drive. If your computer is damaged or destroyed by hackers,
viruses or worms, at least you can replace what you've lost. Keep all copies of
the software on the hard drive with serial numbers and activation codes.
9. Safe Disposal
If at some point, you must have a bitter parting on your
computer, make sure you have disposed it safely and correctly. Wipe the hard
drive and uninstall unneeded software before wreck or recycling your computer.
10. Personal Information Security
Never give out personal
information such as your social security number by e-mail. Also, when you send personal
information over the Internet, take a look at the URL window to verify that the
URL has prefix "https", meaning that the site is secure.
