Free Security Enhancements For Your PC

Here are some of the Simple Security Measures for Your PC

1. Check Windows Update and Office Update frequently (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows allows users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and pick the options that are proper.

2. Keep a watch on the cookies entering your system. Don’t permit any unknown sites writing cookie information. SpyBot can be in hunting outside tracking cookies paranoid and callous.

3. Block pop up spam messages in Windows by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel Administrative Programs | You’ll and services see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Establish Start-up Type the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.

4. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security attributes: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, as well as use WEP with the largest key you are able to get. Check out our wireless section for more or see the increased coverage in our next problem in Your Unwired World.

5. Join a commendable e-mail security list, so that you learn about emerging risks quickly and can take appropriate precautions.

6. Be distrustful of stuff online. Do not assume that e mail “From:” a particular person is actually from that man until you have further reason to believe it is that individual. Don’t suppose that an attachment is what it says it’s. Do not give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from “support.”

7. Use strong passwords and change them occasionally. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. This will help it become much harder for anyone to obtain access to your accounts.

8. If you’re using Outlook Express or Outlook, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update. Present variations and the update patch vulnerabilities that are numerous.

10. Purchase antivirus software and make sure that it stays up to date. If you’re not willing to pay, most of the providers offers an evaluation copy which you can test it and pay only when you are completely satisfied with its performance.