Anti-virus software, a personal firewall, adware and spyware protection, and system patching are all vital parts of ensuring your computer’s security. As the world becomes more and more digital, computer owners should understand these forms of defense and how to use them. Without the necessary protection you can infect your computer with viruses, trojans and worms without even realizing it. This will also help protect you from identity theft, fraud and information loss.

You should be serious about your computer’s security if:

• Your computer is connected to the internet
• Your computer is used for e-mail
• You are accessing someone’s files on discs
• You have multiple computers connected to modem or hub
• You bank or shop on-line
• You have any sensitive information on your computer

Modern computer viruses are more aggressive and insidious than ever and it is critically essential for the protection of all of the valuable programs and information on your computer that you run a good anti-virus protection program behind a good firewall.

These programs also require regular updates as the threats evolve. Luckily the updates are frequent and your software can be set to automatically keep your anti-virus protection up-to-date and your computer safe.

Once you have installed anti-virus protection, take the following additional protective measures:

• Never use external media (floppy disks, CDs, DVDs) that have been on someone else’s computer without first scanning it with your anti-virus program
• Set your program to scan all incoming media, including e-mails and any files from the internet.
• Perform regular updates and “deep” scans of the computer
• If possible, set your program to scan for unknown viruses (many packages offer this option)
• Back up your files regularly on an external hard drive or other secure media
• Install all manufacturers security patches provided for your operating system

Computers that run quality anti-virus programs usually don’t get infected. However, if a virus has infected your system, you can take the following steps:

• Immediately shutdown your computer to prevent the virus from wreaking more damage.
• Boot the computer from some clean external media such as a bootable floppy, CD, DVD, or external disk that has previously been scanned by your anti-virus protection. Check your system on how to create a boot disk.
• Run your anti-virus protection software from the clean boot disk, on the infected hard drive, and if required, fix or delete infected files and replace them on the infected disk.
• If you need help or your anti-virus protection can’t clean the drive, then you should take no chances and physically take your computer to a Computer Trends location near you.

Computers connected to the Internet can be subject to electronic tampering, eavesdropping, and vandalism from malicious people seeking to obtain your personal data (including bank and credit card information). To fortify your computer against assault, a firewall acts as the guarded gate protecting a castle. In order for information to cross the firewall, it must have your permission to do so. If the information is not approved to enter, the firewall blocks it, preventing external attacks. Most firewalls can also be set to check whether information is approved to leave or programs are allowed to access the Internet. This helps indicate if a file or program has become infected and is trying to send attacks out.

Many operating systems, including Windows XP SP2, include a firewall. Alternatively they can be purchased as a package with virus protection or can be installed as separate software.

Most routers used to access the Internet also include a NAT Firewall. This Firewall is able to provide your computer protection without installing any software.

After you have installed a firewall, virus protection and are making recommended system patches, you should consider protecting yourself against adware and spyware. As more people come to rely on the Internet for information, leisure, and business, marketing companies are hungry to find new ways to reach customers. Spyware and adware are growing concerns for Internet users. These programs invade your privacy and gather personal information that can be used against you. They also can be a nuisance when using a computer connected to the Internet, as you are bombarded by unwelcome advertisements.

Like viruses, spyware and adware can be downloaded when visiting websites and downloading files. While you may not realize spyware is running on your computer, there are some signs that it exists on your computer. These include:

• Changes to your Web Browser that you did not make such as extra toolbars or different homepage settings
• Changes to your security settings and favorites list
• Pop-up ads that aren’t related to a web site you’re viewing
• Advertisements are adult in nature
• Advertisements popping up when you’re not browsing the Internet
• Hyperlinks that take you somewhere you didn’t expect
• An increasingly sluggish system
• Computer taking longer to load the Windows desktop

With the onset of viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, and adware comes a plethora of software packages ready to rid your system of these unwanted and malicious programs. It is important to remember that as convenient as the Internet is, it contains many threats to your personal identity and information. You should also become familiar with the use of firewalls, anti-virus programs, anti-spyware and anti-adware software so you may maintain optimal protection and security on your computer and network.

For further assistance with viruses, spyware, and other threats, contact a Computer Trends location near you.

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