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