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Think about this: Is a simple antivirus application enough to protect your
PC against all threats?
No longer are viruses the only threat on the internet. In recent years other
threats have evolved which include spyware, adware, hacking, identity theft,
information theft, pop-ups and the loss of information.
Let’s begin with the basics. We all need to protect our PC in the same
way we protect our home, car and bank account. We wouldn’t give a stranger
the keys to our car, home or bank account now would we. If you don’t protect
your PC it is like giving the keys to a stranger and letting him/her have full
access to your PC. Once the stranger has the keys they can snoop around and
take whatever they want. I know, your thinking how can they do this, my computer
is in my house and my doors are locked. Well, today you can be anywhere in the
world and access someone’s computer via the internet. Since the introduction
of cable modems and DSL everyone’s PC is online all the time and accessible.
Why do I need to protect my PC, I don’t keep any important information
on it? Ask yourself a couple of questions.
1.Do I bank online?
2.Do I shop online?
3.Do I create documents, spreadsheets?
4.Do I let other people use my PC?
5.Do I download music, files onto my PC?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then your PC is vulnerable. If
you bank online then you are sending personal confidential information to your
bank via the Internet. For Example: Let’s say you are infected with spyware
and you are typing in your account number plus password. A spyware installation
can record key strokes and then send them off to a site on the internet. Now
the person who setup the site has your account number and password to your bank.
Here is one more example, if you answered yes to I let other people use my pc,
here is what happens. The other person decides that they like this new cool
piece of software. They download and double click on the exe, msi or whatever
installs the software. The adware, spyware or virus installs. Now the infection
is installed and now it can start stealing confidential information or cause
havoc on your PC. You get onto the PC as always, since you don’t know this
has happened and start doing what you always do, type documents, go to chat
rooms, do your banking online, reconcile your banking with quicken and all this
time your confidential information is stolen and you are completely unaware
that this occurred.
The million dollar question, what do I do? Well, you can follow this approach.
1.Install a Spyware application and install and configure correctly. If you
already have spyware application installed make sure it is up to date and make
sure that is configured properly.
2.Install an Adware application and install and configure properly. If you already
have adware application installed make sure it is up to date and make sure that
is configured properly.
3.Install an AntiVirus application and install and configure properly. If you
already have antivirus application installed make sure it is up to date and
make sure that is configured properly.
4.Install backup software, why because if something does get through your defenses
or delete something by accident you always have a way of retrieving the information.
You should try to backup your system at least every other day.
5.Install Encryption software. This software will encrypt files like word docs,
spreadsheets, banking file on quicken. This way if someone does steal your information
they will not be able to read it.
6.Install a Firewall. The Firewall can either be software or hardware based.
I would install both especially if you bring your laptop with you and connect
to the internet at different locations. The Firewall will block hackers trying
to scan your system while you are on the Internet.
Many people have these applications installed but they do not configure them
correctly. Just installing the application does not mean that the application
is working properly to stop the threat/infection. On some applications you need
to configure the setting to make the application work the way it was designed
to. Find out how to configure and install the software properly either by reading
a how to book or getting someone to help. If you already have the application
installed make sure it is up to date and make sure that is configured properly.
All of the software needs to be up to date and kept current. As new threats
are release on the internet, all applications will need the current updates
to fight these threats.
If you would like to find out if you’re PC is protected you can take the
test. This will not harm your PC it just checks for vulnerabilities and lets
you know if you passed or failed. The application is a single exe and DOES NOT
NEED TO BE INSTALLED. All you need to do is run the test application and follow
the instructions. http://www.mweffa.com/urltrak/control/redirect.php?id=273
All articles are written by HowtoPCGuru!
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About the Author:
David Fishman has worked with computer, software for 15 years with major corporations.
He has helped people with their home PC to secure, maintain, update. |
