Four Simple Ways to Defend Your Computer - Set Up Antivirus and Antispyware
By: Jay Stamford
Submitted: 2010-09-02 10:05:07 | Word Count: 513
What is the best way to keep your computer safe?You might be one of the educated minority and actually have a clue as how to use the internet safely. If so, congratulations and well done to you! But, if you are like the vast majority of internet surfers and answered no, not knowing how to keep your computer secure can be an irritating episode to deal with. An infected computer is a potential security risk to your sensitive data as well as a potential shortcut to the computer graveyard.
My partner contracted a certain virus on her laptop and it essentially killed the operating system. It no longer works. Regardless of how hard I tried, even if it was in safe mode, or after preforming ATX resets, the classy peice of machinery just wouldn't work. The most awful thing about it was that the workstation was more than a year old and the warranty had expired.
Prevention is better than cure. The actions of today can truly affect the outcomes of tomorrow. So it makes sense to secure your PC when using the internet. What I am telling you is based upon me learing the hard way , yes, from my wifes computer breaking down and losing lot's of important files and documents. The malware program entered the computer without my knowledge and made a complete mess. I spent a lot of time trying to fix the notebook and even though I didn't quite manage to salvage the computer in my efforts I was able to ascertain some major ground rules concerning how to safeguard a computer operating system. I just wish I had downloaded an antivirus program but I decided at the time that it wasn't that important.
I accidentally found some evidence that not all of the antivirus computer programs offer an uniform standard of defense and that a number of of the services you would expect to clean your PC basically infect it with viruses and spyware.
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There are four straightforward ways to defend your machine and maintain your sanity.
1. Set up automatic updates. This will help to ensure that your PC is upto speed with the goings on within the world of viruses and malicious software.
2. Use an anti-virus security program. Be sure that your Computer has the latest version of some trustworthy antivirus/antispyware software set up. Make certain to carry out a background check for testimonials on the actual program that you may use.
3. Use caution prior to opening your emails, particularly attachments
4. Steer clear of Peer to Peer networks, where music and sometimes software is downloaded. These network infrastructures are notorious breeding grounds for malicious software.
Applying these guidelines above together with a small portion of common sense should make certain that your PC and your financial information remain safe!
