PC101-Personal Computer 101

What types of security do I need and how do I know its working?

Unfortunately in this day and age, computer security is an important and necessary issue to be addressed on any computer that accesses the internet.  You can technically get a virus without ever going on the internet, as sometimes SW CD's, DVD's or floppies and can viruses and/or spyware on them.  So, better to be prepared and use prevention instead of repair.  I will list some major security concerns and then offer details:

Here's a list of the basic security issues you need to deal with√:

1. You need a good AntiVirus program, configured properly and updated
   
2. You need to have some kind of Internet FireWall program running
3. You need to follow basic common sense virus prevention procedures
4. You need to keep your Windows OS updated via Windows Update
   
5. You need to be aware of what internet security level you are running and what programs are running on your system for security (and are available to be run) and how they are set
   
6. You need to create some kind of partial or full backup of critical data on your system (both system and user data)
   
7. Finally, you need to have a basic understanding of what to do if a problem should arise (use the AntiVirus and Firewall program manuals, MS Windows Help Center, MS Website, browser Help options and various security related websites)

1) and 2) see Virus and Spyware Info

  3)  Here is a list of common sense practices to avoid being infected:

• EMAIL> Unless you know the Sender of email, DO NOT click on active links or download/open attachments in those emails
• 
  
• EMAIL> Careful of phoney emails that pretend to be from your ISP, bank or credit card company requesting information or verification of your financial information.   A legitimate company would NEVER request critical, important information from you via email
• 
  
• Be selective about what you download from the internet, and be aware that they can contain viruses and spyware, so run your antivirus program on any downloaded files BEFORE you use or run them and then after too
  
• 
  
• Even CD, floppies and DVD's can have attached spyware and even viruses, so run your antivirus program on the portable media before using it
• 
  
• Your Antivirus and Spyware programs will do no good if you do not have them configured properly to protect you, and if you do not update their database and programs regularly, and then run them against your whole disk every so often (~once a week)
• 
  
• Create a HouseCleaning/Security day each week, where you houseclean your system (e.g. remove unneeded programs and files, run DiskCleanup, DiskCheck and Defrag, etc.) and update programs and databases and then run your security programs (antivirus, anti-spyware).
  

4)  You need to consider what level of Internet Security your system has.  One thing to consider is your acceptance level for internet cookies.   This is a lengthy subject so it is handled in another question.  For information about setting the security level for your internet connection browser cookie acceptance, then click here.  To see what you look like on the internet, use my Tellme program.

Make sure your AntiVirus and Firewall programs are running and configured properly.  Check the icons in the taskbar and check the Properties / Advanced option for all the internect connections you use, to make sure the XP Firewall box is checked  for On.  XP Firewall Info    Virus and Spyware Info
Got questions you would like answered?  Yes

keoni@isp.com