| Computers began making their way into North | | | | data to enter your computer. |
| American homes in the late 1970s to early 1980s. I still | | | | 3) Be Careful With Emails |
| remember the first computer I ever saw. It was a | | | | Many viruses enter your computer via your email. |
| Commodore 64. | | | | Make sure you establish some hard, fast rules about |
| I can recall the day in 1982, I believe it was, when my | | | | incoming email. For instance, be extra careful about |
| friend Bob walked through the door with his brand new | | | | opening emails from anyone you do not know, and |
| Commodore 64 tucked under his arm. He was proud | | | | never under any circumstances open any attachments |
| as a peacock. His wife wasn't. We played with that | | | | to those emails. Often an email gives the recipient a |
| gizmo for hours and still hadn't scratched the surface | | | | message of urgency for opening the attachment. Be |
| of what it could do. | | | | wary. |
| Those were the days when computers were toys. | | | | 4) Be Creative With Passwords |
| Very few homes had them and no one had to worry | | | | The passwords you choose, whether for your email, |
| about hackers, viruses, malware, cookies and the like | | | | membership sites, web host Cpanel, etc., need to be |
| as we do today. Heck, we hadn't even heard of such | | | | more than simple. Never use any personal information |
| terms. | | | | like telephone number, street address, banking PIN, etc. |
| In such a short time, computers have evolved from | | | | The reasons are quite obvious. |
| mere toys and sources of entertainment into | | | | Hackers are quite good at breaking passwords so you |
| everyday necessities for most people. In less than 25 | | | | need to be creative and adhere to a few rules when |
| years, computers have become such an integral part | | | | creating them. Think of them as keys that unlock a |
| of today's business world and private life that we | | | | cabinet. Almost any key can be duplicated and used |
| would be hard pressed to survive without them. | | | | for criminal purposes. This is what hackers do. But |
| Of course, anything so vital will always be the target | | | | there are steps you can take to minimize that threat.a) |
| of unscrupulous cyber vandals. Online crimes have | | | | Never share your password with anyone.b) Make all |
| become a major concern for law enforcement and | | | | your passwords at least 8 characters in length.c) |
| the general public needs to give high priority to keeping | | | | Make your passwords meaningless. The crazier, the |
| criminals at bay. Hence the need for various types of | | | | better.d) Use a variety of letters (upper and lower |
| computer security that helps keep our computers safe | | | | case), numbers, symbols, special characters, etc. in |
| from harm. | | | | each password.e) Keep a list of every site on which |
| Every computer owner must adapt some program of | | | | you have a password and record the password for |
| cyber security or they won't be online very long at all. | | | | that site.f) Change your password regularly. It is ideal if |
| And the threat is not limited to viruses and trojans that | | | | you make the password changes all at the same time. |
| infect your system. Online criminals also want access | | | | For example: Change passwords every 3 months, on |
| to your computer. They want any piece of information | | | | the 1st day of the third month. Change every |
| that can help them steal your identity. They look for | | | | password at that time. This way, none are missed. |
| anything that can provide valuable financial information. | | | | Keep a record of every date you changed your |
| You as a computer owner do not have to sit by and | | | | passwords. This keeps you from going too long |
| see these kinds of criminal activities spoil your | | | | without a change. |
| computing experiences. There are many things you | | | | 5) Backup Your Computer Data Regularly |
| can do yourself that will add security to your computer. | | | | This is one cardinal rule all experienced computer |
| Let's summarize just a few of them... | | | | users adhere to. All backups must be done to a CD or |
| 1) Install Good Anti-virus Software. | | | | DVD, or some other external device. The idea here is |
| This is a must today. You should never access the | | | | that if something happens to your system or you lose |
| internet or your email without active, up-to-date | | | | your hard drive, you still have all your data elsewhere |
| anti-virus program. Keep in mind, however, that new | | | | that can be reloaded into your computer. |
| viruses are surfacing daily and it is a huge task for | | | | 6) Never allow file sharing from your computer. |
| anti-virus programs to keep up with it all. It is vital that | | | | This is one of the most dangerous practices you can |
| you keep your anti-virus software updated regularly in | | | | allow. Keep all other parties out of your computer. |
| order for it to recognize any new man-made virus that | | | | 7) Disconnect From The Internet |
| may have been introduced. | | | | By disconnecting from the internet when your |
| Anti-virus programs are relatively inexpensive when | | | | computer is not in use, you make it impossible for |
| you consider the alternative cost of having to clean up | | | | others to gain access to your system. |
| an unnecessary mess or replace a hard drive. There | | | | 8) Keep Abreast Of Security Updates |
| are even free anti-virus programs you can download. | | | | This is easy to do these days. You can do this by |
| Some are just as good as some paid computer | | | | going to the site hosted by your security provider. |
| security products. | | | | They have tons of computer security news regarding |
| 2) Have Proper Firewalls Installed. | | | | current security issues. Many even have computer |
| To understand firewalls, think of your home, especially | | | | security courses you can take. This way you are well |
| if it is fairly new or newly renovated. Building codes | | | | informed of the newest tactics of online criminals and |
| today call for installation of special drywall called a | | | | are provided with ways and means of lessening the |
| firewall. These firewalls are installed in case of fire and | | | | threat to your system. |
| this type of wall board keeps the fire from spreading | | | | Computer security is really up to you. Many take this |
| from one room to another, at least until help arrives. | | | | issue far too lightly until the day all "H...." breaks loose. |
| Firewalls in your computer are much the same. They | | | | Then you are rushing around in confusion looking for |
| are defensive fortifications built into your system to | | | | someone to fix it all. The fact is, most often no one |
| help halt the spread of any virus or trojan that may | | | | needs to be in that kind of situation. With a good |
| have been introduced into your system. These | | | | security system in placed and some personal diligence, |
| firewalls filter unauthorized data from elsewhere, | | | | you can avoid 99.9 per cent of these kinds of |
| mostly the internet, while allowing authorized or 'good' | | | | problems. |