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