| The importance of computer security is an issue that | | | | 2. Firewall. Another piece of protective software that |
| many people tend to ignore. But this should not be so. If | | | | you should have to ensure your computer security is a |
| you neglect maintaining your computer's protection, the | | | | firewall. A firewall is supposed to limit access to your |
| very least thing that can happen to you is having your | | | | computer using a network or through the Internet. |
| computer rendered useless because of the spyware | | | | Ideally, outgoing information from your computer will be |
| and malware bogging your system. At the very worst, | | | | encrypted for your safety. In the same light, only safe |
| you may see your finances and your life ruined by | | | | data or data that you permit will be allowed into your |
| identity theft. | | | | system. |
| We all know the old adage: "An ounce of prevention is | | | | Windows users will have Windows Defender as their |
| worth more than a pound of cure." If you want to | | | | built-in firewall. It needs to be updated regularly using |
| save money on possible computer repairs for data | | | | the Windows Update service. But you can buy a |
| loss because of malicious code, or if you want to save | | | | third-party firewall if you want more protection. If you |
| yourself from the tragedy of identity theft, you will take | | | | are the administrator of a network, you can also install |
| the matter of computer security very seriously. It is not | | | | hardware to augment your firewall. |
| that difficult to keep your machine protected. All you | | | | 3. Spyware scanner. The last piece of essential |
| need to do is to install the three pieces of software | | | | software that you should have is a spyware scanner. |
| listed below. | | | | When we surf the Internet, we sometimes visit |
| 1. Anti-virus software. As its name suggests, anti-virus | | | | websites that are not as straightforward and |
| software will keep viruses, computer worms and | | | | trustworthy as we want them to be. A spyware |
| Trojans away from your computer. It is supposed to | | | | scanner will block any malware or spyware that will |
| scan your files or anything being downloaded into your | | | | try to wriggle its way into your computer through the |
| computer for any malicious code in real time. You can | | | | Internet. |
| also use it to deep-scan your computer for any virus | | | | The Internet can be a scary place. If you do not |
| hidden in your computer system. | | | | exercise caution in implementing your computer |
| It is always suggested that you use professional-grade | | | | security, you run the risk of destroying your computer |
| anti-virus software. Norton AntiVirus, McAfee | | | | with malware eroding your system. Data loss can be |
| VirusScan and Trend Micro are just some of the | | | | undone by a successful attempt at data retrieval, but it |
| professional-grade anti-virus software that you can | | | | can be very costly. Nonetheless, this cost is nothing if |
| buy. However, if you cannot afford to buy software, | | | | you become a victim of identity theft and you lose all |
| you can always download reputable freeware like | | | | your money. |
| Avast or AVG. | | | | Property of RecoverMyPc Inc. |