Well what about computers? Everyone has one. Many of today’s computers are connected to the internet via high-speed broadband connections that are on all the time. This increases the risk of attack and data theft, but most homes and small businesses do little or nothing to protect the personal data on the computer or the equipment but they should. Computer thieves are stealing more and more personal information and data from home and business computers than ever before. Why you ask? Home and small business computers are less protected than larger company and government systems. For home users, the threat is banking and credit card information. For businesses, it is their customer’s personal information and business sensitive data that could be stolen and present a liability to the business.
What is your personal or business security worth? If your identity was stolen, how much could the thief steal from you? Business owners, if your company’s customer data was stolen or corrupted so it could not be used, how much would your business lose in recovery, down time and possible law suits?
It is more important than ever to secure your computers and your network from these costly problems. Begin by inspecting your computer system to ensure your operating system (i.e. Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista) is up to date with the latest patches (patches are updates that fix security holes and other software issues). Second make sure you are running a good Anti-virus program, and that you keep it up to date and scan you computer weekly. Third put a firewall on your connection to the internet. This can be done by installing a router between your computer and dsl/cable modem or by installing a software firewall on you computer. There are very good free anti-virus and firewall programs available so cost should not be an issue. If you do these three things you will be much safer and secure. There are still other things you can do to improve your security such as having a good password on your computer (yes even your home computer). But the three I have mention will provide 90% of the security you need.
Another very easy and free way to keep your computer safe is to use a safe web browser. Most people use the default Internet Explorer browser but I recommend they use FIREFOX instead of Internet Explorer. Firefox is free and is considered the best free, safe web browser available today. So get it now and be safe!!
Big W Consulting
Have a Virus? Here's how you fix it.
Many PC users come to my site already having computer problems due to a computer virus. We will use the word “virus” to refer to any of the following (worm, Trojan, virus, mass emailer etc.). How do you rid your computer of this problem? Well it is not as difficult as you might think.
- First if you don’t have an anti virus program running on your PC get one. You can get many for free. I have some listed on this site for your convenience. If the virus will not allow you to install the anti virus program (some viruses do block use of anti virus programs). Then use the online virus scanning tools that are available at the anti virus program sites.
- Second make sure the anti virus program has the latest virus definitions by using the update feature in the anti virus program.
- Third run a full system scan of your computer. Make sure all hard drives are selected and if asked also scan archives.
- During or after the scan the anti virus program will advise you as to what files are infected and with what type and name of infection. It may also ask you if want it to clean the infection. Select yes and the program will attempt the fix. In many cases this will work and you will be done. In some cases it will not. In these rare cases select that you want the file or files quarantined. This will prevent the infection from spreading and stop the virus from doing damage to your computer.
- Now type the virus name into Google and look to see if there is a removal tool available from one of the anti virus companies to rid it from your machine. If there is then download the tool and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removal.
One more thing, if you have system restore turned on after you clean your computer and everything is working well turn system restore off then back on. This will delete any restore points that were saved that may contain a copy of the virus so you don’t re-infect your computer. That’s it you just saved yourself $100.
Here are some links to great computer related sites. All have free information and most have free software. The first box for Secunia will scan your computer for out of date software this is a must to close security holes. Give it a try.
Symantec Security page
AVG AntiVirusFree Anti-Virus Software
AVAST!Free Anti-Virus Software
Comodo Firewall Pro Has free firewall software for home and business users
Frontier broadband speed test page Test you internet connection speed
Home of Spybot SD spyware removal software Free anti spyware software
The Register - Science & tech news
Tom's hardware Guide - Great hardware review site
Castlecops Security forum site
MORE HERE! Click a page.
