Before you spend a dime on security, there are
many precautions you can take that will protect you against the most common
threats.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update
regularly (http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD
ready. Windows XP, 7, and 8 users can configure automatic updates, whereas windows 10 set the automatic updates on by default. Click on
the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the
appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate
(www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our
Editors' Choice ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy
(http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting
out tracking cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows
NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated
to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools |
Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up
Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good
firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them
periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and
numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This
will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you're using Outlook or Outlook
Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update
installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to
date. If you're not willing to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc.,
www.grisoft.com). And double check your AV with the free, online-only scanners available
at www.pandasoftware.com/activescan and http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on
the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use
WEP with the biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section
or see the expanded coverage in Your wireless World in our next issue.
9. Be skeptical of things on the Internet.
Don't assume that e-mail "From:" a particular person is actually from
that person until you have further reason to believe it's that person. Don't
assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don't give out your password
to anyone, even if that person claims to be from "support”.
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