| Just as we depend on our computers for fun | | | | not safe for most computers. |
| and entertainment, we simultaneously lean on | | | | |
| software installed on that computer to | | | | Having Security Software Doesn't Alleviate |
| protect it against persistent Internet | | | | Risk |
| threats. | | | | |
| | | | Of course if you already have an antivirus |
| Our computers have become indispensable for | | | | program on your system, then chances are good |
| both work and play, and we ought never risk | | | | that little - if any - damage will be |
| the health of our PC's by downloading | | | | incurred. Nevertheless, you should not take |
| programs that could be dangerous to them. | | | | the chance when it just isn't necessary. Too |
| Knowing that, we need to be observant for | | | | much of your valuable data is then put at |
| indicators of potential harm when downloading | | | | risk of loss or permanent damage. |
| files from web sites. | | | | |
| | | | Make sure your antivirus software is set to |
| The Need for Security Software | | | | run every time you boot up your system. That |
| | | | way, you don't need to remember to kick it |
| Using computer security software is the only | | | | off whenever you access the Internet or |
| efficient means of making sure we can | | | | receive emails with attachments. |
| accomplish this. Installing protection for a | | | | |
| computer helps to divert most of the harmful | | | | Be Cautious with Freebies |
| threats while allowing valuable programs to | | | | |
| be used without a looming sense of pending | | | | Lastly, you need to be cautious of offers |
| disaster. That alone is sufficient reason to | | | | that lure you by offering something free as |
| learn to identify signs of a suspicious | | | | the download. We all love good deals, and |
| download. | | | | nothing beats something for free. However, it |
| | | | is not unusual that offers for free downloads |
| To begin, if you use Internet Explorer (IE), | | | | are simply bogus bogus in nature and take |
| your settings must be configured to | | | | advantage of your interest in good deals. |
| automatically detect whether a downloadable | | | | Then you wind up downloading spyware that can |
| program arrives complete with a certificate | | | | negatively affect your computer's speed and |
| of authenticity, which means that it is | | | | overall performance. |
| legitimate. | | | | |
| | | | While you then endure sluggish computer |
| Let Internet Explorer Work for You | | | | performance, the spyware is busy collecting |
| | | | personal information about web sites you |
| When set properly, Internet Explorer will | | | | visit, then enabling others to send you |
| prompt you when a file to be downloaded is | | | | targeted spam (unwanted email) time and |
| missing this certificate or if it can't | | | | again. If a download deal sounds too good to |
| determine the source of the download. Armed | | | | be true, it usually is. |
| with that information, you can then simply | | | | |
| cancel the download prior to starting. | | | | It is normally safe to download files from |
| | | | reputable web sites. However if you are |
| You also want to ensure that IE prompts you | | | | unsure of a site or do not know what you are |
| if a program is missing its end-user license | | | | downloading, you are much better off being |
| agreement. This is particularly important | | | | cautious and avoiding it altogether. |
| since this helps to indicate that the file is | | | | |