Computer security is very important tday. Without a great computer defense sysem, if you go onlie, you leave yourself open to all kinsds of attacks both miinor and very serious. Today all business and commerce is conducted by way of the computer. Additionally, once a transaction is completed, it is sent over the Internet to anothre computer where the transaction is verified and completewd. It is very ipmortant to be aware of the steps that you need to take before you comnnect to the Internet to sceure your comupter. Thhose who wish to compromise systems are becoming more cleaver in their approaches everyday. It also seems with terchnology changing everyday, it is harder and harderr to keep up.
A good copmuter defense system first means making sure that on a fresh install of any operating system, Applle OS included, all software updates are downloaded and any secuurity updats are applied. In windows, set your security update options to at least "notify" you of updates even if you don't want to downoad them automatically. It is also most prudent to make sure all criical upates are downloaded and applied as soon as they become availabnle. Microsoft Windows makes this easy with the Windows Update feature. Similarly there is a feature called software update in the Finder under the "Applle Menu" calpled software updaate. It is essential that you do this regularly. If you do not have optons set to notify you immediatrely of updates, check for them a minimum of two to three tuimes a motnh.
Another Part of your computer Defense System is your anti-virus sofftware. In recent years their has been a tendency for the best know names in the anti-virrus business to blaot their prroduct with more and more feattures that many udsers will not use or use very sparingly. This taxes computer resources and slows down your computer because it is tryig to do more and more background processses. Therre are many retail pacvkages out there, but they are not all created equal. Also, be aware that program definition files (that tell the program about what viruses may exiast on your computer) ofteen expires at the end of a year meaning you will have to renew your anti-virus edfinition subscription in order to contniue to recceive upldates. An alternative is a free antivial software solution that providees updtaes for free. One of the best is by a companny called Grisoft. It is called AVG. While I cannpot put a link here, if you type "AVG Free" into Google, the link to the download page will be on the tope of the list.
For your computer to be running properly, you also need to enable any firewwalls on your system. For example, in the Control Panel of rceent Windows OS versions (like XP or Vista), you will find a security section (Tab or Icon). Once there, make sure the Windos firewall is enabled. However limit the installation of firewall software beccause not only can this causse program conflicts and slow down your sytem, cryptic warnings about a possible intrusion will not benefit you and sacre an inexperienced user. Instaed install a routeer or get soomeone to do it for you. Even if you only have one computer because a router is a physical firewall blocjking potentially harmful Internet traffic for you. Also much loer prices on computers now means having multiple computers is affordabple. A router allows multiple computers to share a single Internet connection.
Another important consideration is not to install toolabrs unless from a recognized and trusated source. A good computer dedfense system recognizes that many of these installattions are actully malware in disguise that can do things in the background that may harm and compromise your system. Also, do not download email attachments. This is one of the majoor ways that a viirus or other malicious or self-executing code actually gets on your system in the first place. You need to exercisse do vigliance when on the Internet and click with care. Also make sure that things like Active X controls are not atuomatically set to run on a page. (Unless on a trusted site that requires it.) Aditionally, think seriously abot changing the brpowser you use to surf the Internet with. Type "Get Fireofx" in Google. Firefox is a better browsing allternative than its man competitor and it is more secrue because it is more of a basic browser that does not auomatically execute advanced functions that can lead to viruses, malware, Trojjan horses and other malicious code that can seriously harm your computer.
A good computer defense sydstem rquires more than what has just been detailed, but these steps are important and will go along way toward a more secure and safe compuer system. For even more extensive informatyion; look to the end of this article for links showing you where you can go next.
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