By Christopher Walsh
Steps to making your computer secure and healthy
We have devised this important list of steps for Internet users in an attempt at keeping unwanted elements off of your computer. As a user of the Internet, your computer becomes an open door to spyware, virii, hacks and even backdoor trojans.
This guide will ensure that your computer is safe from these harmful components.
Spyware:
As a rule, spyware is defined as software which is usually installed on your computer without your knowledge which collects all kinds of information from your computer and sends it back to a third party. Common occurances of spyware can happen when you install "adware" programs such as Kazaa which install another application which embeds its-self in your computers file system. The motives to including spyware in software is simply monitary. Many software developers which use this form of trickery make the bulk of their profit from third parties which pay for each installation.
Here are some excellent tips on completely removing spyware from your system:
- Download Ad-Aware. This is probably the most useful utility on the market. A personal version is available as freeware and free to install on any system. Ad-Aware is available directly from Canadian Content.
- Check other spyware utilities. To each his own, there are alternatives available to the most popular on the market. Be sure to check these if you believe there's something left on your system.
The best tip to avoiding spyware all together is downloading only the programs you trust. Never click "YES" when requested to install software from a web site unless you trust the source and you are expecting to receive the message.
Firewalls:
One of the most important steps on preventing attacks and PC hacking is installing a firewall. You could never imagine how much time and hassle may be saved by installing this simple utility.
A firewall is a small utility installed on your system which prevents unauthorised programs from accessing your Internet connection. They are also useful for filtering out unwanted port-scans which test your computer for vulnerabilities. If an unwanted visitor want to do harm to your computer, a firewall is the most effective way in preventing it.
We've compiled a list of firewalls available directly from Canadian Content. You are free to download and test them depending on your taste and level of computing:
- Norton Personal Firewall. A commercial solution available to end-users. Effective and user-friendly.
- Sygate Personal Firewall. A safe, yet advanced firewall solution. Sygate filters out most everything by default.
- Download other firewalls. Canadian Content has compiled a comprehensive list of other firewalls available free for download.
We'd also suggest keeping your personal computer up-to-date. Microsoft Windows incorporates a more advanced Windows Firewall in it's lastest Service Packs, eliminating the requirement for other third party software.
Anti-Virus:
Virii have plagued the Internet for years and this year is no different. Each month, we witness an increased number of virii floating around email address lists and what was a growing trend in unwanted rubbish being installed from web sites profiting off of it. Thanks to the latest Windows Service Pack (2), the web site virii have been eliminated for a large part, but that doesn't stop the spread of virus-email and other forms of attack.
With that, we'd suggest keeping up-to-date software on hand to detect, combat and prevent these outbreaks in exposing your computer to the insecurities of the Internet and the new-age script-kiddies.
Be sure to look at the following solutions:
- AVG Anti-Virus. A free, personal anti-virus program which makes available all of the features of a full commercial anti-virus program available to everyone.
- Norton Anti-Virus. A commercial solution with access to daily updates; automatically!
- PC-Cillin House-call. A free online virus scanner which wipes your system clean of known virii and possible threats. Highly recommended.
- Other Anti-Virus programs. Canadian Content has compiled a list of useful anti-virus utilities free for download.
Whatever you choose to protect yourself from virii, make sure they are all up-to-date and competent at detecting the most modern forms of virii.
Update Windows:
If you're a Windows XP user, you a most surely aware of the new capabilities offered which automatically keep your system like new. Unfortunately, some guides and web sites suggest turning off the default updates which supposedly slow-down your system. They actually don't, and use only a certain amount of bandwidth when updates do take place. If you're using a broadband connection, you'll surely never notice automatic updates.
Make sure your Windows stays updated, follow these steps: Goto your control panel through the start menu, select "System". From the box listing general details about your computer, hit the "Automatic Updates" tab. Make sure the automatic setting is setup for daily. This will ensure that each day your startup your computer, you'll have peice of mind.
If you're not using the latest version of Windows XP, goto the Windows Update web site available at Windowsupdate.Microsoft.com.
Secure Browsers:
As my colleagues will often mention, Internet Explorer is not the safest nor the best browser currently available. Every week, there are more holes found in the software and while windows update will also keep Internet Explorer up-to-date, Microsoft does not document nor does it make public all security glitches. It's main rivals will often remind users that it's not safe to use Internet Explorer anymore.
Please, take a look around at other browsers. You might warm up to having the option of tabbed-browsing. Additional peice-of-mind is always refreshing. We've reviewed a couple, too:
- Opera. Fast, free, handy. Three words describe Opera. Other nice features include the quick options of built-in popup blocking and also the option of remaining anonymous. It's also able to prevent ad publishers from getting surfing and browsing habits sent through http headers in Internet Explorer.
- Mozilla Firefox. Open-source community-driven browser with tons of options, open secuirty features and the ability to filter out pretty much anything.
In any event, keep your chosen browser clean from malware and make sure you upgrade to the newest stable versions when they become available.
Conclusion:
By following the preceeding steps and choosing the best software available to you, you'll give yourself peice of mind in your daily online activities. The most important factor in making yourself secure is keeping up-to-date and surpassing the status quo. Make your life easier and less stressful by keeping your computer clean.
Article provided by:
Canadian Content Staff
Email: technology @ canadiancontent.net
http://www.canadiancontent.net/tech/
