Ten Simple Steps to Making your Computer More Secure

<h1>Ten Simple Steps to Making your Computer More Secure</h1>Author: <a title="Larry Cockerham" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/larry-cockerham/39736.htm">Larry Cockerham</a> 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 possible hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others merely just want to use your computer as a platform from which to assault other unknowing targets. Below are straightforward, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Do make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.

2. Do update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to Windows Update at Microsoft and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also, go to Office Update at Microsoft to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

3. Do install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should also be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

4. Do 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. Do install anti-virus 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. Do 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. Do turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker cannot attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

10. Do 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.

These are just some of the simple steps to make your computer a more secure system and reduce the risk of inviting an unwelcome intruder into your home computing system. The more knowledge you obtain about PC protection, the better you will be able to prevent these malicious programs.

About the Author: Larry Cockerham is the owner of <a href="http://www.registrymend.com">RegistryMend.com</a>, the complete guide to buying a <a href="http://www.registrymend.com">registry cleaner</a> and restoring your computer's registry.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/ten-simple-steps-to-making-your-computer-more-secure-272322.html" title="Ten Simple Steps to Making your Computer More Secure">Ten Simple Steps to Making your Computer More Secure</a>

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 possible hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others merely just want to use your computer as a platform from which to assault other unknowing targets. Below are straightforward, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

1. Do make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.

2. Do update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to Windows Update at Microsoft and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also, go to Office Update at Microsoft to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

3. Do install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should also be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

4. Do 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. Do install anti-virus 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. Do 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. Do turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker cannot attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

10. Do 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.

These are just some of the simple steps to make your computer a more secure system and reduce the risk of inviting an unwelcome intruder into your home computing system. The more knowledge you obtain about PC protection, the better you will be able to prevent these malicious programs.

Larry Cockerham is the owner of RegistryMend.com, the complete guide to buying a registry cleaner and restoring your computer's registry.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/ten-simple-steps-to-making-your-computer-more-secure-272322.html

Article Tags: Security, Computers, Phishing, Hackers, Firewalls

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Latest Security Articles
More from Larry Cockerham

Researchers believe quantum cryptology will lead the industry in coding in the future

By: Paul Ingersole | 09/12/2009
Researchers believe quantum cryptology will lead the industry in coding in the future. It is also believed it will make computers operate much faster than they already do. It may also make all sites 100% secure. That is good news for the world of e-commerce. Experiments with quantum cryptology continue to take place among researchers and scholars.

The process of creating database cryptography can be very difficult

By: Paul Ingersole | 09/12/2009
The process of creating database cryptography can be very difficult unless you have expert computer programming knowledge. You will have to know how to eliminate pitfalls and weaknesses in the system as well as know how to set up a quality line of defense against possible intruders. You will likely want this to be done by a computer programmer or by a web hosting service.

Cryptology involves using math skills and linguistics to break a given code

By: Paul Ingersole | 09/12/2009
Cryptology is very common among gang members. They use it to keep their dealing secret from other gangs and from the police. This is a very common tool used in letters sent in and out of correctional facilities. There are special officers in these facilities that specialize in cracking the codes used.

Cryptographic service offers you many other important services

By: Paul Ingersole | 09/12/2009
You may require the services of a computer programmer or specialist to resolve the issue. There are some steps you can take to resolve the issue on your own first. Perform the disk clean up option. Select all the options except the choice to compress all old files. You can try to download kellys korner from kellys-korner-xp.com. This is a free service, simply follow the step by step prompts you are given.

Cryptogram solving also pertains to computer software

By: Paul Ingersole | 09/12/2009
Ciphers are commonly used to solve cryptograms. They are basic code combinations that can be used. However, in the computer world, there are literally millions of possible code combinations so ciphers do not work well. Most ciphers only work on small pieces of information.

Need of PCI Audit while Penetration Testing

By: Jeff | 09/12/2009
PCI (Payment Card Industry) audit is needed if your internet business accepts credit cards directly through your website. For this you will also need of facing penetration tests.

Does LiveProtection Protect Your PC?

By: Carl Haugen | 09/12/2009
LiveProtection is another fake application that claims to remove spyware. This rogue security program advertises aggressively toward the user, using fake system notifications that alert you to supposed threats that are on your PC. This rogue states that infections and threats exist on your computer in an effort to get you to download the scan they offer to detect these parasites.

Does LiveProtection Protect Your PC?

By: Carl Atkinson | 09/12/2009
LiveProtection is another fake application that claims to remove spyware. This rogue security program advertises aggressively toward the user, using fake system notifications that alert you to supposed threats that are on your PC. This rogue states that infections and threats exist on your computer in an effort to get you to download the scan they offer to detect these parasites.

Ten Simple Rules Before Making an Online Purchase

By: Larry Cockerham | 27/11/2007 | Security
It's that time again to pay your credit card bill, so you head over to your company's website and as you begin scanning your credit card statement, you are shocked to see three unauthorized charges.