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Ten Tips for Safe Secure Computing
The following tips are written in no paticular order, this is not a comprehensive guide to internet security or safetey but following the steps should keep you moderatley safe.
Download a PDF of this article here.
1 - Ensure all security software is regularly updated and used to do a complete system scan.
Antivirus should be updated daily and a scan scheduled to run once a day at a pre set time
Firewall software should be regularly checked (http://www.grc.com/default.htm - shields up) and updated to the latest version.
Anti Ad, Spy and Malware programmes should be updated and used at least once per week
2 - Password protect ALL user accounts on the computer.
User accounts should always be password protected regardless of weather it is a limited account or that of a computer administrator. Passwords can be set in the user accounts section of your control panel
3 - Keep personal details, usernames and passwords private.
Never store your personal details on your computer, or at least, never store your bank details, credit / debit card numbers or any other specifically personal information on your computer. Usernames and passwords used to log into online banking, email accounts, or any online account should be erased automatically when the browser is closed.
4 - Don’t click it if you're not sure what it is or if it's safe.
This could be a whole range of things, but generally "Click for a free system scan" , "You have xx number of virus on your computer - Click now to remove them" . Most are generally not good, give you a list of non existent problems and ask for a fee to remove them.
5 - Read all EULA's fully before proceeding with installation.
Whenever you install a new program it comes with an end user license agreement, be sure to read this carefully to see what the program will do once installed, also check to see if any extras are installed, toolbars etc can be installed with other downloaded programs.
6 - Only log in as an administrator when you absolutely need to.
Most of the time only an administrator can install software and make system changes, this will help to prevent malicious software from installing itself and or making system changes whilst browsing the internet. A limited user account can be set up in the Users option from the control panel.
7 - Use parental controls - all the time.
Even if you don't have kids, use parental controls so other people who may happen to use your computer can only access websites and services which you choose to allow them to. Internet Explorer has a built in content advisor which requires a password for each new site you visit, alternatively look in the links section of this website for some more comprehensive solutions.
8 - Secure your network.
All networks utilising a wireless router (whether using a wireless connection or not) should have security enabled on them. Security can be set from within the routers admin panel. Your documentation should help you locate the admin interface and guide you through setting up wireless security.
9 - You haven't won the lottery, you're not the 1 millionth visitor...
We know this echoes number 4 but - Don't click on links telling you that you have won the lottery, won something as you haven't these adverts are usually a scam to gain you information for marketing purposes, and fill up your email inbox with rubbish. You also do not have 3967 critical system errors, the free scan may install unwanted applications, require you to buy it to remove the non existent threats etc etc...
10 - Use common sense.
This may seem a little obvious but a lot of common errors occur due to the lack of thinking and more of doing or not doing. The above tips coupled together should give you a good head start to staying safe and secure on the internet, there are plenty of other articles that go into each individual subject in greater detail.
Original Author: Mark Byrne
