1. Always have an up-to-date antivirus software installed on your personal computer(s).
2. Update ALL of the software you use regularly. This is important because vulnerabilities in software are always being discovered and they don't discriminate by platform or vendor.
3. Use a firewall. No connection is safe without one.
4. Be smart with your email. Don't open suspicious or sketchy emails and their attachments. Open and read your emails in plain text format, this offers important security benefits...unless you really must see the pretty looking colors and fonts.
5. Avoid all anonymous file-sharing sites like the plague. These sites are packed with worms, trojans, viruses, adware, and spware. (ex. Torrent, Kazaa)
One of my favorite things to do on my PC is to download and watch movies. I bet many of you reading this do the same. Just know that many of those streaming websites where users can upload copies of movies are most likely riddled with different forms of viruses and spyware, and are therefore one of the more dangerous things you can do on the internet.
With all of that said, it is important to remember that there is more good than bad out there on the internet. The goal is not to be paranoid, it is to be informed, aware, and cautious.
After reading this list of tips, how well have you been protecting yourself recently?
Sources:
http://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/safetytip.htm
I'm not sure if this qualifies as cyber terrorism but it certainly felt like it to me. I recently noticed that one of my kids had downloaded a software called 'Optimizer Pro' on my laptop. Having no need for it, I decided to uninstall it and that's when the nightmare started. For a layperson like me, I went through the standard methods to uninstall the program to no avail. I finally decided to call the support # listed on their site and the technical support rep requested a remote connection to my laptop to assist in uninstalling the program. He downloaded another program called 'Revo' which successfully uninstalled the first program but now has the same problem of not wanting to come off my laptop. Having some sales experience, I can smell a marketing strategy a mile away. I'm guessing this company believes that if these programs stay on my equipment long enough, eventually I will make use of them. Unfortunately this is not going to happen but I guess they don't know that. What troubles me at this point is the time and effort I will have to invest in contacting them again and what new surprises they have in store for me.
ReplyDeleteDownloading an anti-virus software has always been one of the first things I do when I purchase a new computer or laptop. The risk of not securing myself scares me thinking I will get a virus they could potentially harm my computer and steal my information. Although an anti-virus is basically the only extent I take in securing myself I feel like it's needed for sure. I should probably take more caution and delete cookies and pay more attention to websites gathering my information but it's definitely a lot of work. However, I do take the basic steps and have an automatic updater on my anti-virus and not download or view sketchy emails.
ReplyDeleteI am a very paranoid person when it come to updating my computer. I find myself checking for updates every single day because I am not only worried, but it has become a habit. I want to feel like I at least took the initiative to protect myself and my information as best as possible. I am however, very guilty of watching movies and television shows online. No matter what I can not stay away from watching those things on my computer because of the convince factor. I have a mac so I sometime play up the whole idea that "macs don't get viruses and such" which is not true.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading these tips I can honestly say that I have been protecting myself very thoroughly, especially in today's society where people can launch viruses on your computer of hack your computer to gain information on you. I myself am a very paranoid person when it comes to my computer and the internet as well. When you are on your computer you should always use common sense, if an email or link is sketchy delete it, never give the opportunity for yourself to be affected. Always update your computer because it will ease your mind and give you one less thing to worry about.
ReplyDelete