| The role of the personal computer has taken a whole | | | | However, if your data security needs are critical, then |
| new meaning ever since the introduction of the | | | | you must consider investing in a 100% hack-proof |
| Internet. There are scores of Internet surfers who use | | | | firewall. |
| the Internet from shopping to banking to investing and | | | | 4. Hackers mostly employ Active-X and JavaScript |
| much more and the Internet today, is a buzzing, | | | | for planting malicious programs into computers. Also, |
| throbbing center of activity. But there's some bad | | | | cookies are regularly planted on your computer to |
| news - the Internet is also swarming with quite a few | | | | track your browsing preferences - but cookies are |
| elements from the dark side - and they are called | | | | relatively harmless. To stay away from malicious |
| hackers and phishers. | | | | programs, you need to tweak your web browser's |
| Hackers try to break into your computer to steal or | | | | security settings - Set your security setting for the |
| corrupt your important data, while phishers try to obtain | | | | "Internet zone" to High, and for your "trusted sites |
| your personal identification using dubious methods. You | | | | zone" to Medium-Low. |
| have no choice but to protect your computer from | | | | 5. Now, you need virus protection and therefore, need |
| these elements and here a few, easy, cost-effective | | | | to install anti-virus software. AVG anti-virus is free |
| steps you must take to make your computer almost | | | | software that is updated regularly and you can |
| as secure as Fort Knox: | | | | download a personal edition by visiting its developer's |
| 1. Take a backup of important data regularly - | | | | website |
| preferably, daily. Buy another hard drive for the backup, | | | | 6. Never ever open mail attachments that come from |
| but do not permanently plug it into your computer. The | | | | unknown sources. They are sure to contain a virus or |
| idea is to keep your backups away from your | | | | a Trojan. Also, never run a program located at an |
| computer just in case it is hacked into. | | | | unknown origin, on a website that does not have a |
| 2. Always update your operating system. All | | | | security certificate - such programs will plant a Trojan |
| developers of operating systems (Windows, Apple OS | | | | on your system. |
| and Linux) regularly release patches and updates | | | | 8. The Windows operating system is set to "hide file |
| when they discover holes in their programs. So, | | | | extensions for known file types". Turning off this option |
| remember to keep the "automatic update" feature on | | | | will help you see files with unusual extensions - which, |
| always. Microsoft Tip: Windows users can go to and | | | | in all probability, will be viruses/Trojans/Keyloggers. |
| download the latest updates. | | | | 9. When you are working offline, disconnect your |
| 3. Your web browser (Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla | | | | computer from the local area network. That way, a |
| Firefox, etc.) too must be updated for the same | | | | hacker will not be able to attack your computer. |
| reasons stated above. All you have to do is visit the | | | | 10. Build a boot disk just in case a malicious program |
| browser developer's homepage and download the | | | | crashes your system. |
| latest version or update. If you are using the Microsoft | | | | 11. Finally, you need to install an anti-spyware program. |
| Office Suite, then you must make it a point to visit and | | | | Ad-Aware SE Personal is an award-winning tool that |
| update it, as this software suite is a hacker's favorite. | | | | can help you detect and eliminate spyware effectively. |
| 4. Next, install a firewall on your computer. A firewall | | | | These are the basic steps required to secure your |
| turns your computer invisible on the Internet and | | | | computer. Always remember to keep your anti-virus, |
| hackers, phishers, virus/Trojan developers, malware | | | | anti-spyware and firewall programs up-to-date. So, use |
| and adware cannot break into it. You can visit and | | | | our guide and turn your computer into a virtual Fort |
| download a personal edition, which comes free. | | | | Knox. Good Luck! |