Figured posting some security tips might be good to help protect people from hackers, especially since a lot of us probably do things like online banking, bill pay and online stock trading. These things usually require passwords and other types of security information to be transmitted over the Internet and hackers just love to get their hands on this. Most of the below tips are for Windows users as Apple OSX and Linux users have more security than Windows, generally speaking. But first... the obligatory "I am not a professional I.T. Security expert and this info is just my opinion. I can not be held responsible for any advice you take or do not take." So now that's over with, on with the show:
Software Firewalls:
- There is a variety of free and pay software firewalls available. Comodo has a very good firewall and anti virus package available for free download, for example. There are many others to choose from. Beware - some are not real firewalls or anti virus programs, they are in fact traps set by hackers who are after your personal information.
- Here is (in my personal opinion) a good reviews/ratings website of a variety of anti virus programs:
Virus Bulletin : Independent Malware Advice
- Register there for free and then you can gain access to their specific ratings as to which programs passed and failed their tests.
A brief story: My sister had a virus on her computer so I worked on trying to get it out for a while. Spent a total of about 12 hours without success as it turned out to be in her BIOS, a nasty virus. So I ended up completely reinstalling Windows and her other programs. But I also installed a program called NOD32 by a company named ESET. So her computer was up and running like new and she went to check her email. All of a sudden, a virus alert popped up and my heart sank, LoL. But NOD32 immediately removed the virus. I was so happy that I bought NOD32 for her. Note: Some anti virus programs can interfere sometimes with other programs that use Internet access. So if you ever install any security program and something else suddenly starts having problems, you can go to the new program's website and search it to see if their are any known problems with it interfering with other programs. Or you can uninstall the new program and try a different one. Many anti virus programs will offer a free trial period so you can evaluate their product and make sure it works well with your computer's programs.
Windows Update:
- If you use any version of Windows, it is very important to have Windows Update set to automatically update at least once a week. This is because of the fact that new security flaws are being continuously found each month. Apple's OSX is more secure than Windows and Linux is even safer than OSX. Remember to have all your other security programs set to update at least once a week also.
Extra free security programs that I like and use:
- SpyBot: Search & Destroy (free)
The home of Spybot-S&D!
- Spyware Blaster (free)
SpywareBlaster | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.
Internet Explorer:
- The US government has warned people at least twice now, to not use Internet Explorer because it has so many security flaws. I prefer the Firefox browser and the NoScript add on which allows you to manually approve scripts from running or to leave them disabled. Scripts can be used for good things, but hackers can also use scripts for malicious things also. NoScript can make web browsing a bit slower by having to manually approve sites and specific scripts on a web page, but I personally like the extra security. It can be easily uninstalled also.
Histories and Passwords:
- Windows, Internet Explorer and other programs are infamous for keeping various logs of things you do on your computer. A program like SpyBot: Search & Destroy can help delete unnecessary temporary files (such as Cookies) for example, from falling into the wrong hands.
- Windows also has the capability to require a password in order to start Windows and that is another good security measure, just make sure it is a password you won't forget but also is not easy to guess. Any password you create, for whatever purpose/use, should be made up with a combination of letters, numbers and special characters such as: !@#$%^&*()<>{} but beware - certain websites that require you to create a password, may not allow special characters or upper case letters. Never use easy to guess passwords like birth dates, pet names, any types of identification numbers like Social Security numbers and such.
HTTPS:
- The "S" indicates "secure socket layer" (SSL) which means that the information sent to and received from the website you are connected to, is encrypted. This means that if the information is intercepted, they can not see what information you are sending or receiving.
- Depending on which browser you are using, somewhere you may see a small Lock (picture of) icon that also helps indicate a SSL site. This is a good thing, but make sure that you also have the website address showing the 'S' as in:
HTTPS://www.mybank.com, for example.
- Make sure that you have the SSL settings turned on in your browser's settings/options/tools area.
**** and other types of free sites:
- They may say they offer you 'free' stuff, but these sites may have trojans which will install into your computer to try to obtain your personal information, such as bank account numbers, passwords for any and all sites that you visit, etc. Hackers know that people love to get free things and they set up their evil spyware and viruses to be installed at such sites without your knowledge.
Email attachments:
- Make sure you have a good anti virus scanner set to always automatically scan your emails when they arrive. If your anti virus program can also scan your out going emails, that's even better to help protect a virus you may have from being spread to other people.
- If you receive an email from someone you do not know and it has an attachment, it is best to delete the attachment. Basically, if you do not know who the sender is, why should you trust what they are sending you, you know? ;)
- I use Thunderbird which is created by the same people who make FireFox browser.
Your new/current computer or laptop may not come with CD's containing backups of all the programs your new computer already has installed on it. If this is the case, you can probably order them separately for an additional fee. Or, your computer's hard drive may come with 2 partitions on it. One for your regular Windows operating system and other stuff and free space. The second partition should contain the back up files of all the programs installed on your computer. It is Very important that you read the instructions that came with your computer to learn how to burn those back up files/programs to CD's, before you have a problem with your computer. It is also possible that your computer may have a way to automatically restore your computer using those second partition programs automatically, but again you must make sure to save and follow the instruction manual that came with your computer. As an alternative, you can go to the manufacturer's website and check out their Support area for help.
The USA and Canadian Better Business Bureaus:
- These are 2 great sites to check out businesses before you send them any money to buy their products/services. The BBB's information is free. You can not only see if a business is a member of the BBB but also if it has had any complaints filed against it and what types of complaints they are, for the past 3 years. You can also file your own complaint against a company if you believe that you have been wronged somehow. The BBB has their own personal icon that businesses who are members of the BBB can post on their website. However, just because you see the icon, it does not mean it is real. You must go to the BBB's website yourself and do a search for the company to prove to yourself that the business in question did not just copy and paste the icon into their website.
- Other countries have similar bureaus and you can search online for more information about them.
Remember: These days anything that you submit over the Internet can possibly stay in the Internet forever. So it is important to have the best security you can afford to have. Try not to enter your real name, address, phone number and other information, like when filling out online forms for surveys, unless absolutely necessary.
(Please Note: All of the above info is just my opinion. I do not own stock in, have any personal or business ties to any companies mentioned above.)
If you have any tips/suggestions for us, feel free to add them here. Make a post here with any questions or even send me a private message if you want and I'll try to help you with your problem.
Computer and Internet security information/tips
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