Scam Watch

There are a number of proactive measures you can take to protect the security of your computer. Ensuring the security layers of your computer is a core part of a comprehensive strategy to protect your from online threats and scams. The layers of computer security can be broadly divided into automatic, software-based options to manual steps that you take into your physical handling of the machine to provide further protection.

As a first step to protecting your computer, you’ll want to ensure that you have a fully-functioning software security suite installed on your company. There are a number of options available, and major choices include Norton and MacAfee, which provide comprehensive security suites. Included in these software programs is anti-virus scanning technology, anti-spyware scanning and firewalls – each of these are crucial parts of the solution.

Firstly, anti-virus software helps to ensure that anything you download to (or upload from) your computer is free from viruses. In addition to potentially harming your computer hardware, viruses can also be programmed to implement nefarious programs within your machine. A class of viruses, known as worms, can provide a loophole which allows criminals the ability to access your machine. Similarly, spy ware, often an auxiliary part of free, downloaded software plants hidden pieces of information on your machine that may help criminals take advantage of your system. Even less nefarious spyware that doesn’t directly steal information may provide a privacy breach by allowing ad targeting to a higher level of information sharing than you are comfortable with. Spyware may be difficult to remove, so it is important that you take every measure to avoid installing it in the first place.

Firewall software provides a crucial function by limiting the ability of external computers to gain access to your files and/or operating system. By limiting access to only, known verified external machines on a limited, per-software basis you can prevent hackers from infiltrating your machine. Strong firewall software will constantly monitor your access points to ensure there are no gaps in your security. To be safe, you should always leave your security software on – while some programs may require you to temporarily pause it (such as certain games), you should never leave it off for an extended period of time. One method of ensuring your security is by hiding your true IP from external scans, as this is a way from hackers to track and pinpoint your computer – by using a dynamic (or changing) IP, these programs will help keep you invisible from those who may seek to harm your computer.

A simple way you can ensure your computer security is by selecting difficult to guess passwords and clearing your internet browser’s cookies (or disabling cookies altogether). Cookies are text files which store information about you so websites can remember who you are – while most are used by legitimate companies to help remember your preferences when you login, others may track or target you for less legitimate purposes.

Additionally, there are physical steps you can take by not leaving your computer alone in public places, never logging into important sites from a public computer and keeping close tabs on your notebook when you travel. Taking these series of steps will help ensure your safety, and the protection of your information, online at all times.