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Computer Security

Your computer's security is in your hands. Following are some computer security tips for the home user.

Computer Security Tips

Here we look at ways of protecting your computer, and the various dangers to avoid. The techniques in the following pages will not protect you 100%, but certainly improves your chances in protecting your PC.

Windows Updates

Ensure Windows is set to update automatically. In XP, click Start | Control Panel | System | Automatic Updates, and select "Download updates automatically...". In Windows 2000, click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Automatic Updates. In Windows 98 and ME, the steps are slightly different. You can also update Windows manually, but ensure that you do it on a regular basis.

Windows updates become available when a known vulnerability in any Windows operating system becomes known to Microsoft. Hackers play upon vulnerabilities in your software - so it is important to update regularly. Scan for Windows updates here : Microsoft Updates.

The famous Blaster worm in 2003 played upon many users not updating Windows, and as a result, the worm infected many PC's.

Make File Extensions Visible

To make all file extensions visible, click Tools | Folder Options | View. Uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types". Some viruses have double extensions, such as "picture.jpg.exe". But if your system is set to hide file extensions, you will only see "picture.jpg", and unknowingly click on it thinking it's a picture. If you see a double extension, you can be sure it is a virus. .Exe files are short for "executables".

Make Internet Explorer Safer

ActiveX controls and Javascript enable useful web features such as security scans, but may also run malicious code and allow attackers to access your system.

To make IE safer go to Tools | Internet Options | Security | Custom Level and reset to high in the drop-down menu. Click the Reset button and then OK and OK again. However, this setting leads to an onslaught of permission pop-ups and warnings each time a site is visited. A way around this is to add the sites you visit often to the Trusted Sites in IE. This can be done by clicking on Tools | Internet Options | Security tab, click on the Trusted Sites icon and add the sites you likely visit often.

Secure Firefox

Block Javascripts in Firefox by downloading and installing the NoScript add-in. This can be found here: Firefox Extensions. When installed, NoScript shows a warning at the bottom of all web pages that use Javascript.

Close Preview in Outlook/Outlook Express

Some malicious messages can infect your computer just by being viewed in the preview pane of your email client. In Outlook, click View | Reading Pane | Off. In Outlook Express, click View | Layout and uncheck "show preview pane". In Mozilla Thunderbird, click View | Layout and uncheck "Message pane".

Downloading from the Web

One critical thing to remember when downloading from the Web, especially freeware, is to first scan the file with your antivirus scanner. If it is software, once you have installed it, ensure to run your anti-spyware applications. If there is any spyware, your anti-spyware should pick it up. However, some applications may not run once you have removed the spyware. Also remember to read the EULA (End User Licence Agreement) carefully.

Scan email attachments

Scan email attachments for viruses with your anti-virus program before you open them. You would need to save the attachment to your hard drive first, and then perform the scan. Also ensure that your anti-virus program is set to scan incoming and outgoing emails in real time.

Other tips for computer security