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| Use AntiVirus Software |
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Install and use an antivirus software package.
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Set it to auto-update at least once or twice a week, preferably daily.
If your antivirus is not regularly updated, it would be the same as not
having antivirus software in the first place, leaving your computer
completely exposed.
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Set it to auto-scan for at least once or twice a week. NOTE: this places
an increased load on your computer's resources so choose a time when it
will affect you the least.
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Use the software to scan *Every* new file you receive from friends or
coworkers, including documents and files from sites that you trust,
as well as files handed to you on a physical disk or other means.
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Here are some highly-rated antivirus software to choose from:
- Norton AntiVirus
- McAfee VirusScan
- Panda Antivirus
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| Use AntiSpyware Software |
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Install and use an AntiSpyware software package.
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If it has that feature, set it to auto-update at least once a week.
If it does not, make sure you update it before using it every time.
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If it has that feature, set it to auto-scan on a regular basis.
NOTE: this places an increased load on your computer's resources
so choose a time when it will affect you the least.
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You should use more than one AntiSpyware program to scan your
computer since this is still a relatively new and evolving area,
and none of the AntiSpyware programs in the market will detect
or remove every spyware/malware/program/cookie that's loose in the wild.
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Here are some highly-rated antispyware software to choose from:
- AdAware Personal (Free version available)
- Spyware Doctor
- Spy Sweeper
- Spybot Search & Destroy (Free)
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| Use Firewall Software |
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Install and use a firewall software. The firewall provided with
Windows XP does not have all the features included with some
top-rated 3rd party firewall vendors.
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Update it on a regular basis. Set the software to automatically
check for updates, and if it does not have that feature, check
it manually at least once or twice a month.
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Here are some highly-rated firewall software providers to choose from:
- ZoneAlarm (Free version available)
- Norton Personal Firewall
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| Update your Operating System (OS) and Other Applications |
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Regularly update your Operating System (e.g. Windows is an Operating System).
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If it has that feature, set the Operating System to auto-update.
That way, when any new security patches are released by the OS
vendor (e.g. Microsoft), your computer will be automatically updated and protected.
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Make sure you also update all other programs on your computer,
especially those that you use on a regular basis. If they have an
auto-detect or auto-update feature, use it. If they don't,
regularly check for security patches or updates on the software
vendor's website. Some examples are:
- Web browser
- Office applications
- Any other application you use regularly
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| Practice Safe Web Surfing |
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Avoid using Internet Explorer, the Microsoft browser included
with Windows. Because it's the most commonly used browser,
most viruses and hacks are geared to exploit it.
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Download and use one of the safer - and Free - browser alternatives,
such as Mozilla Firefox
or Opera
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Use one of those alternative browsers when surfing the web, especially
when visiting unknown sites. Make Firefox or Opera your default browser.
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Only use Internet Explorer when absolutely necessary, such as using the
Microsoft Update page. Those sites will usually give you a message
such as "Microsoft Internet Explorer required".
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| Practice Safe e-Communication (Emails and Instant Messages) |
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If you can, avoid using Microsoft's Outlook or Outlook Express email programs.
Most attacks on email clients are geared for Outlook. So if you're not required to use
Outlook, use a web-based email service (such as Yahoo Email or Google Gmail), or install
and use any of the following email clients:
Mozilla Thunderbird or
Eudora by QUALCOMM.
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Do not open emails from strangers!
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Reduce spam by reporting them to your email provider (usually they have a
"Report Spam" button in the email interface).
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Don't click on links in email messages if it's from someone you don't
know or trust. NOTE: financial companies such as your bank, credit
card company, paypal, ebay - will NEVER send you an email asking
you to confirm your username, password, social security, date of
birth, or any other private information. If you do get an email like
that, report it as spam and immediately delete it.
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Don't click on links in Instant Messages (such as AIM, MSN Messenger and
Yahoo! Messenger) if it's from someone you don't know or trust.
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Minimize giving away your email address and IM username. Try not to
post on public forums where your email will be visible to the whole
world. This is the first place that spammers search for potential victims.
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| Use Safe Passwords |
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Use strong, hard-to-guess passwords. Do use a combination of upper
and lower case letters, special characters (e.g. ! or $), acronyms,
etc. Do not use simple common words found in the dictionary, or your
name or the name of a loved one, or birthdays, or your birthplace, etc.
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Don't write down your password. Remember it!
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Change them from time to time. It's good practice to change it every
few months, especially those accounts dealing with money, or any
account with access to personal info you don't want to share.
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Don't use the same password everywhere. At the very least, make sure
the Administrator login on your computer, and your financial institution's
logins, all have different passwords.
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| Use Common Sense |
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Don't download/install files that sound too good to be true,
especially from unknown or untrusted sites.
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Do NOT automatically click OK on all pop-up messages and windows.
Read and understand the message, and if you don't understand - decline!
NOTE: some rogue programs perform some unwanted functions even if you
click on the "No" or "Cancel" button. So if you can, close the window
by clicking on the X at the upper right corner of the pop-up.
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Do not login to your financial institution's account (such as your
bank or credit union) from public internet access areas. That machine
may not have the latest security patches, antivirus and antispyware
programs. And even if it does have the latest security software, some
sensitive data can still remain on the computer long after you logout,
such as your username, saved or cached web pages on disk, cookies, etc.
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When using a website requiring a login for access, remember to log off
when done - especially if there is money or a credit card involved.
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Turn off your home computer at night, and when taking breaks during
the day, use a password-protected screen saver or lock down your computer
before walking away. This will not only keep all your open applications
running, more importantly it will make sure no one accesses your computer
while you're gone. There's usually a shortcut for the password lock
(e.g. in Windows, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL followed by ENTER will lock your PC).
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If your home computer has more than 1 user, setup each user with a
non-administrative account. This way they will not inadvertently introduce
viruses or spyware or malware, or the scope of the damage will be
minimized. While you're at it, create a regular user account for yourself
and use that for surfing and everyday use, and only use the Administrator
login when you have to.
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Make backups of your personal documents and files on a regular basis.
If you take all the precautions listed above, you will minimize your
online risks, but you can never eliminate all risk. That's why backups
are always highly recommended. Look at it as your insurance policy.
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Keep yourself updated: read news articles and magazines about security
and privacy, be on the lookout for security breaches, and always educate yourself.
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