SignBurst PCs
New Member
5 easy ways to minimize (or even stop) infections!
A little prevention goes a long ways. I personally have not been infected or compromised in over 5 years. I surf the Internet just like everyone else and read TONS of email every day. I live by the following 5 rules:
#1. Get a good anti-virus/firewall/anti-malware program. There are a lot of good ones out there. Choose one and keep it up to date. Just installing it once and not updating the subscription is not going to cut it. $50-60 per year is a very reasonable price for a more secure computer. Most good software will license up to 3 computers for $50-$60.
#2. Stay updated. Turning off your "Automatic Updates" is CRAZY. Updates are released often and they are released to keep up with new threats and vulnerabilities. Not getting the security updates leaves you at risk. "Windows Update" will keep Windows and IE updated. You can also enable "Microsoft Update". This will keep Windows, IE, and all of your other MS applications up to date (including "Office" apps like Word, Excel, Outlook). "Office" applications all have security vulnerability fixes available quite often and keeping them up to date is key! If you have Java installed, keep it updated too!
#3. Don't open unsolicited attachments. If you don't recognize the person sending it to you, don't open it. Even if you know the person, don't open it unless you are expecting an attachment. Your friend may be infected and his computer may be sending little viruses to everyone in his address book.
#4. Use an updated browser. IE7 on Vista or XP is great IF YOU KEEP YOUR SYSTEM UPDATED. IE7 on Vista is more secure than IE7 on XP, due to "Protected Mode", which is only available on Vista. Firefox is great too if you are into customizing your browser. I personally use both. I like Firefox and use it most often, but there are number of things that I need to do with IE7 once in a while. There are other good browsers out there. Just keep them up-to-date!
#5. If you have a broadband connection, buy (and properly configure) a "router/firewall". There are a number of good brands available. Just be sure to change the default password and encrypt your wireless (if you decide on a wireless router). This is just one more safety layer between your computer and all the evil out there on the Internet.
You can go to more extreme measures, but this is a good start. These 5 steps will keep you out of harms way most of the time. Even careful people get viruses and other malware. But the more you are prepared, the less likely you are to get infected.
A little prevention goes a long ways. I personally have not been infected or compromised in over 5 years. I surf the Internet just like everyone else and read TONS of email every day. I live by the following 5 rules:
#1. Get a good anti-virus/firewall/anti-malware program. There are a lot of good ones out there. Choose one and keep it up to date. Just installing it once and not updating the subscription is not going to cut it. $50-60 per year is a very reasonable price for a more secure computer. Most good software will license up to 3 computers for $50-$60.
#2. Stay updated. Turning off your "Automatic Updates" is CRAZY. Updates are released often and they are released to keep up with new threats and vulnerabilities. Not getting the security updates leaves you at risk. "Windows Update" will keep Windows and IE updated. You can also enable "Microsoft Update". This will keep Windows, IE, and all of your other MS applications up to date (including "Office" apps like Word, Excel, Outlook). "Office" applications all have security vulnerability fixes available quite often and keeping them up to date is key! If you have Java installed, keep it updated too!
#3. Don't open unsolicited attachments. If you don't recognize the person sending it to you, don't open it. Even if you know the person, don't open it unless you are expecting an attachment. Your friend may be infected and his computer may be sending little viruses to everyone in his address book.
#4. Use an updated browser. IE7 on Vista or XP is great IF YOU KEEP YOUR SYSTEM UPDATED. IE7 on Vista is more secure than IE7 on XP, due to "Protected Mode", which is only available on Vista. Firefox is great too if you are into customizing your browser. I personally use both. I like Firefox and use it most often, but there are number of things that I need to do with IE7 once in a while. There are other good browsers out there. Just keep them up-to-date!
#5. If you have a broadband connection, buy (and properly configure) a "router/firewall". There are a number of good brands available. Just be sure to change the default password and encrypt your wireless (if you decide on a wireless router). This is just one more safety layer between your computer and all the evil out there on the Internet.
You can go to more extreme measures, but this is a good start. These 5 steps will keep you out of harms way most of the time. Even careful people get viruses and other malware. But the more you are prepared, the less likely you are to get infected.
