| As the number of people connecting to the Internet | | | | 3. Install anti-virus software on your computer.Make |
| continues to increase at a rapid pace, more and more | | | | sure it scans the computer for viruses at least once a |
| of us are now creating our own home computer | | | | week. Keep the software up to date and make sure |
| networks. | | | | that the virus definitions are updated every day. Also |
| With these we can enjoy the benefits of having high | | | | make sure that this is monitoring the computer all the |
| bandwidth, instant access to the Internet and make this | | | | time to help prevent it being infected in the first place. |
| connection available to multiple computers in and | | | | 4. Install a personal firewall on your computer.Not only |
| around the home. | | | | should this help limit the damage malware can do to |
| But for those unfamiliar with computer security, they | | | | your computer, but it should also reduce the chances |
| are completely unaware of the risks they may be | | | | of this spreading to other computers. Get in the habit |
| exposing their computer to. | | | | of checking the dialogues that you are prompted with |
| Without implementing a proper computer security | | | | and only allow Internet access to applications that |
| solution, your computer may become infected with | | | | really need it. |
| viruses, spyware, and/or adware. These are all forms | | | | 5. Install anti-spyware software on your |
| of malware than can play a part in rendering a | | | | computer.Make sure it fully scans your computer for |
| computer unusable, destroy valuable information your | | | | spyware at least every week. Keep the software up |
| storing, provide complete control of a computer to | | | | to date and make sure that the definitions are updated |
| another person, allow someone to steal the information | | | | every day. Also make sure that this monitors your |
| on your computer, record your keystrokes and give a | | | | computer all the time. |
| 3rd party access to your online bank account, allow | | | | 6. Keep up to date with the security patches for your |
| someone to use your computer to attack a computer | | | | Operating System.Microsoft release security updates |
| belonging to somebody else, etc. | | | | for Windows every month. However, make sure your |
| And if you opted for a wireless network, you could be | | | | computer is configured to automatically check for |
| sharing out your Internet connection to your neighbors | | | | downloads every day and at a time when your |
| or that person who has been sitting outside your | | | | computer is most likely to be turned on. |
| house in the car for the last few hours. What is more, | | | | 7. Secure your wireless network.Do not broadcast |
| you are increasing the risk of exposing your own | | | | your SSID (Service Set IDentifier). Although it can be |
| computer to hackers as a result. | | | | learned by someone who is determined, there is no |
| So What Are The Basics of Computer Security? | | | | point making things easy. So make sure this is disabled. |
| | | | Restrict access to your wireless network based on |
| 1. Make sure that the link between you and the Internet | | | | the MAC (Media Access Control) address of your |
| is safe.You need to have a hardware firewall installed | | | | computer. Yes, these can be faked, once known, but |
| between you and the Internet. Most recent devices | | | | why make things simple?Implement WPA (Wi-Fi |
| that connect you to the Internet have one built in, but in | | | | Protected Access) or WPA2, if you can, to further |
| any case you need to make sure that what you have | | | | secure your wireless network. And use a pre-shared |
| is a stateful firewall.It should give your computer full | | | | key which is not easy to guess. |
| access to the Internet, but block all traffic trying to | | | | Conclusion |
| access your network when originated from the | | | | Although, you can never make a computer 100% |
| Internet side. | | | | secure, the objective is to put as many obstacles in |
| 2. Secure your Internet router.Change the administrator | | | | the way and put off the casual hacker. So by |
| password and if possible the administrative account | | | | following these 7 basic steps you will have a more |
| name as well. Everyone who has bought that device | | | | secure computing environment. And remember, by |
| will know what the default account and password is, | | | | implementing proper computer security on our own |
| so you must change these and make them difficult to | | | | computer, we are making the Internet a safer place to |
| guess. This is especially important if you have a | | | | surf for everyone. |
| wireless network. | | | | |