Six Tips for Staying Healthy in a Computer Virus World

To stay healthy in a computer virus world, there are several steps to take. First, be careful with all email. If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, turn off the scripting feature. Make sure that anti virus software checks all of you incoming and outgoing email, and don’t open an email with attachments unless you know for sure who sent it to you and why. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so if in doubt, don’t open the attachment. Viruses and worms will attach themselves to your address book and replicate themselves by sending copies of themselves to everyone you know and commonly email, and they won’t know not to open it because it will look as though it comes from you.

Next, keep the anti virus software up to date. There are many good programs out there to stop viruses. McAfee’s, Norton, AVG and others work well. But, you need to keep them up to date. Most anti virus programs allow you to go to their web site and download updates on a regular basis. Some of them in fact can even be set to do the downloading and updating for you automatically on a regular basis. Viruses change all the time and the updates are set for the new viruses to keep you safe so be sure to update.

Use a router for safety’s sake. A router will block your IP address and prevent many viruses from reaching you or any other computers on your network. This will work very well if you are on a cable modem or DSL, but is also useful for those who are on dial up. Routers are low in price, ranging from $25 for a cable modem or DSL router to $100 for a dial up router.

Switch to software that is not as commonly used. Microsoft makes great products and is in common use, but Microsoft is also the biggest target out there for hackers. Also, if you switch to another browser, Netscape Navigator or Firefox for example, you will avoid some virus problems. Switching from Outlook to something like Thunderbird or Calypso for your email or using web based email like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail from Microsoft, which keeps the email storage away from your computer and also includes virus checking software is worth considering. There are many good email programs out there and many good browsers. Try several and see which you are most comfortable with.

Next use a firewall. There are many good firewalls out there. Windows XP comes with a built in firewall. Zone Alarm has a free version. Other good firewalls are available at reasonable costs and many have thirty day free trials so you can check one out and see if it works well for you. A firewall can be your first line of defense against computer viruses. Install one, especially if you have broadband, like T1, cable or DSL access to the Internet. Going on the Internet without a firewall is like walking into combat without a Kevlar helmet and a flak vest to protect your self.

Next, backup everything you do. Get yourself a CD or DVD burner if you don’t have one already, or a portable external hard drive. Get in the habit of backing your system up on a regular basis so that, if you are hit by a virus, your data is not permanently lost. You’ll have a good backup copy of it handy and ready to reinstall. At the very least, email files that you cannot replace, to a friend to keep for you or to a free web based email account for storage.

Finally, here’s the bonus tip of the day. Use common sense. Think when you surf. If you don’t know someone, be leery of accepting the files they might want to transfer to you. If you want to download software from a site make sure that the site has proper security protocol. Read the instructions. Don’t just automatically click from reflex. The brain you have is much smarter than your computer, but you have to use it properly. Use your brain, use your common sense and think.

Top Five Reasons to Install a Firewall

Many professional PC owners agree that connecting to the internet without a firewall is like leaving your house unlocked when you leave for work. Eventually someone will find your open door and wander in to snoop through your house and leave with all your valuables. Why take these risks when there is a large quantity of free firewall software available for immediate installation? Even experienced PC users find it very difficult to configure and understand Firewall’s. So, if you’re one of those procrastinators who keep putting off downloading this valuable free software, STOP. It’s time to protect your PC like you protect your home. Take a few minutes and find the firewall for you.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the original meaning of firewall as “a wall constructed to prevent the spread of fire.” PC firewalls are made to prevent any unwanted intrusions from anywhere on the internet and into your PC. Unlike an actual fire, internet threats don’t jump out at you through simple proximity. These internet threats develop when a user imposes a combination of your computers Internet Protocol (IP) address and one or more of the hundreds of thousands Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Universal Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports that is utilized as the door to your system.

1. Firewall’s secure PC’s and their networks and protect them from viruses, spy ware, hackers, worms, website and email threats, along with a wide variety of other threats out there lying in wait for their next victim. Without an installed firewall on your PC, your chances of becoming their next victim increases every day.

2. If the first reason wasn’t enough to convince you to install a firewall, maybe this one will. Most of them are FREE. That’s right, free to download and free to install. Some free firewall’s are: Zone Labs Zone Alarm, Agnitum Limited, Outpost Firewall Free and Sygate Personal Firewall. Some of these programs may require a brief training period while the firewall is downloading.

3. When viruses and worms attack a PC, the whole computer can crash, costing you money to repair and time without your computer. This can be extremely harmful if you run an online business. Labor costs and replacements parts for computers can cost a pretty penny. And that’s if the computer is able to be fixed. Are you still willing to take that risk?

4. Firewall’s protect you from these threats to prevent your personal information from being stolen. Having a firewall can prevent hackers from getting in and stealing your account information. Whether it’s an account you hold with an online merchant, or you do your banking, bill payments or investing on line, if the money is there, there will be someone trying to get to it. Not having a firewall would be like leaving your house unlocked and your wallet on the kitchen table.

5. Along with blocking these unwanted intruders, firewall’s can prevent unwanted programs from running on your PC and will block these programs from sending data to outside servers and also from accepting data to an incoming connection.

Did you know that every time you use a web browser, email, or some other software to retrieve information, whether it’s from an ISP, website or other outside server, data courses through these ports? Regardless of whether the transgressor is a twelve year old hacker trying to gain access to your PC, a pop up spam Messenger, or spy ware trying to communicate with an outside server, the strategy is still the same. Someone or something is trying to find an open port to your PC or trying to trick your PC into opening one.

Firewall’s are installed to watch these hundreds of thousands of ports, whether it’s connection is through broadband or dial up, the firewall is there to deny access to all unwanted and unauthorized traffic. Most unwanted traffic that can be very harmful to your PC can appear very innocent and safe sounding, but beware and avoid temptation. Always deny access to any program you are not sure about. You will always have more chances to change your mind about them later. Anyone can install a firewall with just a few clicks of their mouse, isn’t it worth it?