Jun 29, 2014

Improve Your Computer's Security

By Frankline Bell


For many of us, our computer is one of our most important possessions. We use it for work. We store family photos on the computer. We have important financial information and other crucial facts stored on this piece of equipment. While no system is ever 100% secure (think Target), there are definitely ways to substantially lower your computer security risk.

Anti-virus software is important to install, but it's more important to actually use the software properly. Often we are annoyed when the software asks permission for certain programs to run or downloads to complete, but it is far more annoying to deal with the repercussions of malware. Don't ignore the software when it asks to complete an update either, as these will lower your risk because the updates improve overall security. When a new type of malware is discovered, anti-virus companies create updates to tackle the problem or to fix other security issues.

A firewall is another important feature that you need, and you a need a firewall for your router as well as your computer. Usually your computer's operating system will have a firewall built in to the system. Your internet provider might provide you with a modem and router when you sign up for service and this should have a firewall, but you can upgrade to a better firewall with stronger security. A firewall basically prevents unauthorized access to your computer or your computer network. When you have a firewall and anti-virus software in place, these are good ways to ensure security.

Generally every day your computer prompts you to make some type of update. Sometimes a browser wants you to make an update or perhaps the operating system needs to make updates. It takes a minute or so, but these updates are essential steps toward tighter security. They also tend to fix little problems or bugs, so it's worth it to allow these updates.

These are three good strategies for better security, but how you surf the net also affects your level of security. For instance, if an email from a contact comes in with an odd subject line or just says for you to click on a "fun" or "interesting" link, trash the email and don't click on the link. It's probably malware, and when you click on it not only will it end up on your computer, it will send out emails with the same dangerous link to all of your contacts. Don't download software off the internet unless you have done some research and are sure it is from a trustworthy source. Be password savvy, which means you need a different password for any company or financial institution that has your information. Keep your passwords complex with characters, capitals and numbers and don't store them on your computer.

Of course, you might already be suffering from the effects of malware or dealing with other difficult computer problems. If the computer is not running properly or you are sure you have a virus or other malware, contact the team at GeeksAKnockin'. They can handle a myriad of serious computer problems, such as spyware and virus removal, hardware repair and information recovery just to name a few. They also can help you prevent security issues in the future. A technician can come to your office or home to fix the issue or many times you can opt to have the problem handled remotely, via GeeksAKnockin's virtual house call technology.




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