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The Computer Guy Sales - Service - Supplies Call: 434-223-2976 |
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Computer Security
Not to long ago anyone could hook a computer up to the internet and blissfully click on links, open email attachments and play games without worrying to much. Computer security was something that businesses and computer professionals had to worry about. NOT ANY MORE! Everyday I see computers that either have viruses, spyware and other malicious software on them or are not protected against them. Do not let your kids, parents, grandparents or yourself use a computer unless it has 1. Up-to-date Antivirus Software 2. All the Critical Updates and Patches installed 3. A Software or Hardware Firewall 4. Software to remove and block Spyware/Adware I will discuss each section in detail below.
This term has become a catch-all
term for software that secretly gathers your information through your Internet
connection without your knowledge. Spyware applications are typically bundled
as a hidden component of software programs that can be downloaded from the
Internet. Once installed, the Spyware monitors your activity on the Internet
and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can
also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit
card numbers. Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly
install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a
victim of Spyware is to download certain programs that are used to trade
music, movies, etcetera on the Internet. A firewall is a program or
piece of hardware that blocks network traffic to your computer. This will keep
other people from accessing your computer through the Internet and also advise
you of programs that are sending information out. You have control over what
information comes in and what programs you allow Internet access. A simple
easy to use software firewall is ZoneAlarm.
Download it and try it out. Windows XP has a built-in desktop firewall,
but it's turned off by default. To turn it on: Go to Control Panel, click
Network Connections, right click on your connection (e.g. Local Area
Connection), select Properties, then Advanced, and then click the box
for Protect My Computer. If you are using a version of
Microsoft Windows you need to install the Critical Updates and Patches. Click
here to go to the Windows Update Site. Be sure to check back on a regular
schedule because new updates are added frequently. If you have a slow internet
connection Microsoft will provide a free CD with most of the updates included. Antivirus Software I have provided a separate page
with all the information you need to know about stopping Computer Viruses. Please
click here to learn more.
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