| Since you're reading this article, you're already | | | | - You're getting pop-up ads all the time |
| connected to the Internet. You've probably already | | | | - Your default homepage or other settings in your |
| thought about security on your computer or network. | | | | browser suddenly change (especially if you can't |
| Every day seems to bring new threats and it can | | | | change them back) |
| seem pretty daunting, but the key thing is to have a | | | | - Your computer is slow (there could be other reasons |
| common sense approach and to take a few basic | | | | for this, but it's worth checking for spyware) |
| precautions. | | | | There's some good free software available from |
| There are lots of great tools available to help and you | | | | Lavasoft called AdAware. Microsoft also have their |
| don't have to break the bank to get them. Here are | | | | own free tool for Windows users called Windows |
| some areas to take a look at: | | | | Defender. Among the paid-for Anti-Spyware software |
| BACKUPS | | | | Webroot's |
| Securing your information starts here. You'll need some | | | | Spy Sweeper regularly picks up awards from |
| or all of the security tools listed below, but even then | | | | computer magazines. |
| you can't guarantee 100% that you won't have a | | | | PASSWORDS |
| problem. Hardware failures do occur so backup your | | | | More and more people are accessing secure sites for |
| data. One easy way to keep your important files is to | | | | shopping, banking, etc. Provided you take sensible |
| burn them onto CD or DVD. | | | | precautions it's a great way to shop. |
| ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE | | | | If you've been doing any online shopping you'll be used |
| An absolute must have. Alright, you already knew that, | | | | to dealing with secure sites. Whatever methods these |
| but I can't stress too strongly the importance of having | | | | sites use to secure their servers or encrypt your |
| good, up-to-date antivirus software. With new threats | | | | traffic, if they're accessed by passwords then you |
| and Viruses arriving every day it's important to | | | | share some of the responsibility for the security on |
| maintain update subscriptions and download virus | | | | your transactions. Here are a few tips on how to keep |
| definition updates as soon as they become available. | | | | unauthorised users from accessing your accounts: |
| There's a lot of good antivirus software available, both | | | | - Be inventive with your passwords. Don't use easy to |
| free and for low cost. I'd recommend going for paid | | | | guess stuff that a lot of people know about you or |
| software...you just never know when you're going to | | | | can find out. Use a mixture of uppercase and |
| need to call a helpdesk and that's generally the | | | | lowercase characters, numbers and special characters |
| difference between the free stuff and the stuff you | | | | (again be inventive. Just using a 1 instead of the letter i |
| pay for. Norton, McAfee, AVG and others all sell | | | | is no use if it still spells out an easy to guess word). |
| antivirus software that's affordable on a low budget. | | | | - Use different passwords for different accounts. If |
| FIREWALL | | | | you always use the same one and it's compromised |
| A firewall is always recommended to help protect | | | | then someone will have access to everything. |
| against unauthorized access to your PC. For a small | | | | - Don't write passwords down on paper or post-it |
| number of PCs a software firewall is usually best and | | | | notes. That's a hacker's favourite way to find |
| is the easiest to work with if you're not an IT expert. | | | | passwords if they have physical access to your |
| However, don't discount hardware firewalls, especially | | | | office. |
| if you have a network with a lot of devices on it. | | | | - Don't get Web browsers to remember your |
| Whatever you do, don't rely on the Network Address | | | | passwords on shared machines or in office areas. If |
| Translation or packet filter built in to your ADSL or | | | | you log into a machine that other users have access |
| Cable router. It almost certainly won't be enough. | | | | to then never use Windows or Web browser |
| If you're buying a particular company's Antivirus | | | | mechanisms that remember your account details. |
| software it's worth considering buying their integrated | | | | Having different passwords to lots of different |
| AV and firewall package if they have one (if they | | | | accounts does make it more difficult to remember |
| don't then maybe you should try someone else). It may | | | | them and it's important that this doesn't lead you into |
| well save you money and be easier to configure and | | | | bad habits. So what do you do? |
| maintain. | | | | You could look at getting some password |
| ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE | | | | management software. Naturally, Norton has a |
| If you spend a lot of time browsing the Web (and let's | | | | password manager, but other good options include |
| face it, who doesn't?), then spyware is going to find its | | | | "Web Replay" from Deskperience or "PC Password |
| way onto your machine. A lot of it isn't particularly | | | | Manager XP" from CPLab. |
| nasty, but the really bad stuff can send important | | | | WHERE TO NOW? |
| information like passwords, bank details or credit card | | | | You don't have to go out and buy every piece of |
| numbers to people you really don't want to have | | | | security software right away. Prioritise one or two to |
| access to that stuff. At the very least it can slow | | | | start with (I'd suggest Antivirus and Firewall software). |
| down your PC and since you didn't ask for it in the first | | | | Also download trial versions so you can be sure you're |
| place then you should get rid of it. | | | | happy with them before you part with your hard |
| Some tell-tail signs that you have a Spyware infection | | | | earned cash. |
| are: | | | | Be careful on the Internet, but don't let it spoil your day. |