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We know what to do to protect our bodies from
viruses. There are some simple strategies, and even free precautions we can take
to protect our businesses by keeping our PCs virus free.
Adopting the following six checkpoints will
help keep your computer healthy and your business uninterrupted.
Use a Firewall
At its most basic level a firewall is a
software security system that acts as a barrier between your computer and the
outside world (the internet) by monitoring all incoming network traffic. A more
advanced firewall will also monitor outgoing traffic. How you use your computer
will determine whether basic or advanced firewall protection is needed.
What a firewall does is make your computer
invisible while on the Internet. If hackers can't see you, they cannot attack
you.
Windows XP has this software installed;
however, it may need to be enabled. If you have XP and would like to enable the
firewall, directions are on the Microsoft website.
For non XP users, firewall software can be
purchased. McAfee and Zone Alarm are two very popular products. Zone Alarm has a
free downloadable firewall, basic version, available on their website.
Before installing a firewall, you may be
interested in learning your computer’s vulnerability. This is something that can
be checked for free and in just a few minutes. Visit the website of Gibson
Research Corporation, www.grc.com, and under Hot Spots, click on Shields UP. It
takes a little bit of scrolling to get to but is well worth the extra seconds.
In minutes your PC is scanned and its vulnerability rated.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is the "shot" after the
epidemic. This software protects your computer from known threats. Many PCs come
with antivirus software already installed. Some of the more popular versions are
AVG, Kaspersky, Norton, PCCillin and McAfee.
If you have it pre installed or have purchased
it, great. Please be sure to keep it constantly updated with the latest virus
definitions. This is important because these definitions are formed in response
to the latest viruses. If you don't have this protection, please consider
getting it.
Once this software is installed on your
computer, you will be automatically notified when new virus definitions are
available. Then it is just a matter of a few clicks to download the new
definitions.
Likewise you will be notified when your
antivirus software is about to expire. The software needs to be updated
annually. The initial purchase, renewal, updates and installation can all be
done online.
Spyware Eliminator
Why am I getting all of these pop ups? Certain
websites that you visit or free software (shareware) that you download, and, in
some cases, hardware purchased from major manufacturers will also install
tracking devices on your computer (spyware). Spyware is annoying but not
illegal.
An internet search will reveal the many choices
available for spyware elimination software. The important thing is to get one
and use it consistently. Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices.
I really like Spybot Search and Destroy.
Besides the fact that it is free, once spyware is identified, the software will
provide a detailed description of just what it is. This is helpful just in case
it identifies something that you don't want to get rid of.
Backup, Backup, Backup
How often do you backup? What files/programs do
you backup? What media do you backup to?
We all know the importance of backing up our
information yet so many of us don’t do it. There may be a ton of reasons why
it's not done but the one reason it should be done on a regular basis is that it
can be a timesaver, possibly a business saver if your computer system is
corrupted for any reason.
If you happen to be using Windows XP
Professional, the backup procedure is quite simple. For users of XP Home
Edition, it is a bit more involved. Complete instructions, however, are on the
Microsoft website.
Typically, data files are what most people need
to back up and having well organized files will certainly simplify the process.
Whether you backup to disk, zip disk, DVD,
writeable CDs, external file drive or utilize one of the online services, it is
important to get into the habit of backing up on a regular basis.
Weekly Updates of Windows
Windows users are automatically notified of
current updates for the Windows operating system when your computer is turned
on. With just a few clicks your operating system is updated.
However, when certain patches become available
for your particular applications software (XP, 2000, NT, etc), as was/is the
case with the recent worm viruses, a visit to Microsoft's website is necessary.
Once there, Microsoft will scan your computer,
tell you what updates are available, and you then have the option of installing
them on your system. In some cases, you will need your installation CDs to
complete the download.
With the recent run of viruses and with more
expected, it is imperative to check for these updates weekly on the Microsoft
website as well as do the automatic updates.
Be Careful of Email Attachments
Email is such a widely accepted method of
communication, and this has not gone unnoticed by hackers who use email as a
means of mass virus spread.
For this final checkpoint, your due diligence
is the only software required.
Always delete any email from unknown senders
and be very careful of any attachments you are not expecting from any known
senders. As we have seen, hackers can quite easily access Outlook address books
to spread viruses.
By the way, including a fake email address in
your address book will not prevent your PC from spreading viruses. This is an
urban legend.
When it comes to the health of our computers,
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Effective prevention software
along with plain old common sense, used consistently, can keep you protected.
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