Computer Security: What does it mean to you?

Is your computer safe? Computer security is like that of security of a bank or building. At a bank, security is there to make sure that the banks money, employees, and customers are secure. Computer security protects your personal information, protects your kids from seeing inappropriate content, and the overall performance of your computer. For a computer, poor security can be more harmful than people suspect. Did you know that your personal information such as credit card numbers, social security number, email and home addresses can be taken from your computer in under a second?

The three biggest threats to computer users such as yourself are viruses, spyware, and 'hackers'.

1. A virus is a computer program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer. More modern viruses have been able access your mail client's (i.e. Outlook/Eudora) address book and send itself to every one of your contacts.
2. Spyware is any software that secretly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet. It then transmits the information to an individual or company that uses it for marketing or other purposes. Why is this harmful? Identity theft, email spamming, or even mail to your home. Not to mention spyware can be extremely harmful to your computers performance.
3. There are many types of hackers, and not all hackers are bad. The type of hacker I am reffering to is one who breaks into computer systems in order to steal, change, or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism. These are less common for the average home user, but can still effect your system.

There are 3 basic ways to protect your PC and your personal information.

1. Obtain a firewall. Firewalls are useful because they block suspicious activity from occuring until you tell the firewall that the activity is ok or not ok. This will prevent hackers from getting into your system as well as preventing certain viruses and spyware from causing damage to your system. There are many out there, I prefer Kerio Personal Firewall, which can be found for free from www.kerio.com.
2. Obtain antivirus software and keep it up to date. Norton and McAfee are the most popular but many alternatives exist. I use AVG Antivirus made by Grisoft. Also, another way to prevent viruses from infecting your system is to only open email attachments that are from people you know.
3. Finally obtain spyware removal software, keep it up to date, and scan for spyware. The top 2 are Lavasoft Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy. I use adaware, its FREE! www.lavasoftusa.com .

I say to keep your spyware and virus software up to date because they can only find what they know exists. New viruses and spyware is being developed every day, so by not updating the software, you might as well not even have it installed.

If you have any questions, please ask. For know, happy computing!