| Even though firewalls and many other computer | | | | computer down, consider leaving as little room for |
| security applications are meant to protect your | | | | storage as possible - if there isn't space, the malicious |
| personal information, they are anything but foolproof. | | | | software files won't be downloaded. |
| Among other things, bugs in programs can be | | | | Mal-Ware and Ad-Ware |
| exploited by hackers, as can incomplete software | | | | While most of these programs don't do more than |
| programs that don't protect every area of your | | | | record the URL of websites that you visit for |
| computer. In some cases, operator error also makes it | | | | advertising purposes, there are other programs - called |
| very easy for hackers to get into a computer. It's | | | | keyloggers - that log every keystroke that you make. |
| nearly impossible to be 100% protected, but you can | | | | As a result, if you type in credit card numbers, bank |
| still do some things to protect your computerized | | | | account numbers or even a private letter to a friend, |
| information from identity theft. | | | | someone at a remote computer may be able to gain |
| Download Attacks That Target Security Software | | | | access to this information. Unfortunately, these types |
| One of the easiest ways to circumvent a firewall or | | | | of attacks are becoming more common every day. |
| other security software is to slip dangerous code in | | | | If you absolutely must keep sensitive information on |
| with something that you want to download. For | | | | your computer, it might be a good idea to keep all of it |
| example, if you visit a website and choose to | | | | on a password-protected USB drive or flash drive. |
| download a file, it may also come with a virus or | | | | Then, whenever you need to work with this |
| malware program - unbeknownst to you. In some | | | | information, you can access it remotely - just make |
| cases, the sole objective of the malicious content may | | | | sure that you aren't connected to the internet. Also, |
| be to replace legitimate files associated with your | | | | perform the appropriate security scans and |
| firewall with ones that will render it useless. Once the | | | | maintenance updates to be sure your information isn't |
| security software has been neutralized, a hacker can | | | | still being housed somewhere on the hard drive. |
| prowl around your computer at will and gain access to | | | | Computer security software is designed to be your |
| anything that you have. | | | | front line of defense against online information thieves. |
| As you might expect, the best thing you can do is to | | | | Unfortunately, hackers often target the more popular |
| refrain from downloading materials from sites that you | | | | programs and find ways to get into these systems |
| don't trust. Because your computer stores cookies and | | | | with ease. As a result, you'll need to take extra |
| files related to websites that you visit, your browser | | | | precautions to limit the amount of personal information |
| may actually store malicious software that you never | | | | that's actually stored on your computer. You should |
| intended to download. Therefore, it's also important to | | | | also adjust the settings on your browser to make sure |
| clear your cookies, browser history, and cached files | | | | that it doesn't unintentionally harbor snippets of |
| on a regular basis. And while it may slow your | | | | software that may put your information at risk. |