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Guard
the Security of Your Computer
You
may think that computer security doesn't matter too much but hey!
it's a pain when something goes wrong, and could be expensive
Maybe you've used your computer for some time without trouble;
a year? two years? You've been lucky; internal and external forces
are combining to give you a bad time! Internal forces are such
things as bugs in software and hardware problems; external forces
include viruses, worms, trojans, spam, spyware and hackers.......
and the situation is getting worse.
You're
more at risk if you use Microsoft products such
as Windows, Internet Explorer and Outlook
Express simply because they're so popular and offer a bigger target
for low-life..... and the use of Broadband means that you're in
the firing line longer.
You
owe it to yourself to protect yourself against these hazards.
Find out all you need to know about Internet Explorer here
Computer
security is paramount. I want to tell you how to keep your computer
safe without spending a fortune.
"Backing
up"
Most people ignore this precaution until it's too
late and their computer has crashed. It may be that the hard drive
has ceased to function, they don't last for ever, or maybe your
computer has been infected by one of the more virulent viruses
that we are hearing about so much lately. Backing-up doesn't have
to be pain. Find out more here
"Viruses"
You probably already know what viruses and their
close relations, worms and trojan horses are. But here is useful
and interesting information about viruses and how to combat them.
"Stay
Ahead of Hackers"
You are threatened from time to time by 'hackers'
trying to gain access to your computer for a variety of reasons.
Maybe they simply want to find out about your surfing habits,
the contents of your address book or something equally sinister.
The answer is a "firewall"
Don't
confuse this with the action of "Cookies" , which are tiny bits
of text left on your machine when you visit some websites. They
are harmless, reactive and are helpful when you return to the
site. It's like returning to a shop and being remembered by the
shop assistant.
Unfortunately
more threatening text files may also be
deposited. These differ from cookies in that they
are pro-active; they actively pass out information about your
computer. Most are harmless but still a nuisance. Carrying on
the analogy about shopping, it's like going into a strange shop
wearing a notice "I'm a mug"
Read
about firewalls here
"Intrusions
into Privacy"
Sometimes, when you're surfing, small windows
(and some not so small) appear on screen. They're called pop-ups.
Others cannot be seen until you log off, but lurk under your main
window waiting to be seen. These are pop-unders. If these are
used sparingly they can add a useful dimension to surfing. Unfortunately
some sites overdo the practice and it becomes a nuisance. As you
surf you leave a trail of the sites you've visited so if other
people use the same computer as yourself and are feeling nosy,
they can see where you've been. I've written
a page on privacy here
"Summing
up"
Dangers and annoyances; software or hardware problems,
viruses, spyware, hackers. Our computers are at constant risk.
Most of the time we're OK but sooner or later disaster will strike
unless we do something about it. I have learned the hard way,
by experiencing all these problems at first hand. Breakdowns and
viruses were something that happened to other people.
As I didn't use my computer for business purposes the cost was
in frustration and time, but now I protect my computer to keep
ahead of the game. And it works very well.
Here are my 7 steps towards a safe'n'easy computing environment
1)
Back up regularly
2) Virus killers
3) Email monitoring
4) Spam spikers
5) Hacker frustrators
6) Spyware eliminators
7) Pop-up controllers
This
page is not intended to be alarmist- take heed and your computing
will be trouble-free and give good service. It doesn't take a
lot of cash.
So
make sure you keep the baddies from spoiling your day Some of
the products that are mentioned on this website can only be bought
online and downloaded. Find out how to buy on line with safety
and confidence on the "Buying Online"
page. That's about all for now, folks. Keeping your computer
and data alive and well is necessary for carefree computing. If
you've any comments please let us know
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