8 Simple Steps to Secure Your Computer
1. Keep your computer's operating system up to date. All legitimate operating system makers release operating system updates from time to time. Most of them have a means of performing those updates automatically to your computer. Use it! Despite the best efforts of the legions of software developers employed by software makers there are thousands of digital criminals and data thieves out there everyday searching for illicit and unlawful ways to access the computers that run those operating systems. And they often find ways through or around the operating system code. Sometimes it's to steal your data but more often it's to gain control of your system to use as a robot to send spam. To combat this the operating system makers continually upgrade and refine their code to close points of access, increase the efficiency of the operating system and to bring new features to their users.
2. Use a strong password! A password protected computer is your first line of defense in keeping your personal information safe and secure. What do I mean by a strong password? It should be a minimum of 8 characters. Use a combination of letters, numbers, upper and lower case, and special characters. Please don't use your birthday, children's, spouse's, dog's or cat's name! Don't share your password with anyone and don't write it down and leave it where anyone can find it! That means don't tape it to the monitor, under the keyboard or inside your desk drawer. If you share your computer with others then set up a different profile for each user.
3. Install a quality anti-virus software package and keep it up to date! There are literally hundreds of different anti-virus software packages available today. Each developer has different ideas about how to go about defending your computer from the thousands of viruses, worms and trojans swimming around the Internet. Nearly all anti-virus packages include a way to update their virus signatures automatically. Use it! The prices range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. All anti-virus software does basically the same thing...some just do it better than others.
4. Install a firewall and keep it up to date! Even if you only use a dial-up connection and especially if you have an always on Internet connection use a firewall to protect your computer and personal information from outsiders. That's what a firewall does...it keeps digital prying eyes out of your computer and away from your personal information. Firewalls come in 2 distinct types...software and hardware. While each type performs the same basic functions each has their advantages and disadvantages.
5. Backup your important information! Just do it! I can't tell you how many times I've had the phone ring and have a client tell me they've just had a hard drive crash, fire, flood, tornado, power failure, hurricane, theft...pick your favorite disaster...and their information is no longer there! Usually my first question is "Where is your last backup?" And more often than not the response is, "We don't have one." Folks, at that point there isn't usually much that can be done. And it's as frustrating for me as for those who have lost their data cause as bad as I feel about not being able to help it's even worse for the caller because they're going to have to spend hours and hours rebuilding the computer, restoring the operating system and recreating the information. And that can mean hundreds if not thousands of dollars lost if you're a business. Is it possible recover data from damaged drives? Yes, it's possible...but the cost is very high and depends on how the equipment was damaged. In this case an ounce of prevention is worth 10 pounds of cure. Believe me, it's far easier to put a simple backup process in place than it is to try to recover lost data.
6. Email, I love it...and I hate it! Email allows me to have near real-time communication with my family, friends and clients. I can send and receive letters, pictures, music, proposals and other documents easily and inexpensively. No matter where people are in the world if they have a connection to the Internet they can communicate through email relatively easily. But the flip side of that is that the thousands of virus, worm and trojan writers, spammers can send unwanted email, too. So, first...never open email from senders you don't know! Never! Ever! I don't care if it does say you've just won the $1 billion dollar lottery or has the coolest naked picture of your favorite movie star...do not open it! Delete it! Do not send important personal information like social security numbers, credit card numbers or birth dates via email. Turn off the preview window pane in your email client. Email is typically transmitted in plain text language and can be read by anyone who captures it.
7. Just like email instant messaging software is a wonderful tool that allows you instant access to family, friends and business associates. Real-time conversations can occur and you can even send and receive files, talk via voice over IP and send and receive live video cam. On the flip side, so can the low-lifers who want your data or control of your computer. Exercise caution in the use of these tools. The vast majority of people using instant messaging are good people...but until you get to know someone be careful. Don't accept files from someone you don't know...and when you do accept files always, always, always quarantine and scan those files before opening them.
8. Free Software. There is a famous adage that applies here: There ain't no free lunches! While there are some exceptions to this rule they are very few and very far between. And usually they are a tool built for a specific need not generally associated with the general computing public. But all free software has one thing in common...the writer has an expectation of receiving something in return. For the legitimate software developer it may be as simple as sharing a tool they've developed to solve a specific problem...or to display their ability in writing code in hopes of receiving further contract work or a job offer. Others create tools that have some very cool features like add-on browser tool bars that let you search the Internet directly...but what most don't tell you very clearly is that while you're doing that they are collecting information about where you go on the Internet, what you search for, the items you purchase and the files you download. Usually they tell you they're collecting the information but it's buried down in the fine print in that Terms of Use statement that you click "yes" on to install their software. Then there are the toys...free gambling, casino and screen savers! And they are so cool aren't they? Beware the Trojan Horse...the folks who write these more often than not are collecting and sending out your personal information...passwords to websites you visit, credit card information, bank information, your email address book. Some of this software even installs key logging software that records every stroke you make on your computer and sends it out to their servers. What? Yes, it's far easier to steal your identity if they just get the information directly from you, isn't it? Unless you have a specific requirement for a software tool and know exactly the origin of that software don't download and install it!
So there you have it. A very simple plan that's easy to follow, parts of which can be totally automated and others which use common sense to protect you, protect your information, protect your identity and the investment you've made in your computer. Over the years I've helped implement this approach with thousands of users, from the single desktop to enterprises with thousands of computers. And the plan works...if you follow the plan!