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DO NOT open any e-mail attachments or files if you're unsure
or suspicious about who sent them
BE VERY CAREFUL about downloading files from the Internet.
If you're unsure about the source - don't do it
Do not “unsubscribe” or reply to spam, it just confirms your
address and adds you to a database and you will end up with even more.
Do NOT download programs that claim to make your PC run
faster, improve internet speed, clean out problems or check for problems. They
are usually malicious and will make the situation worse, not better.
If you see a program that looks useful, get confirmation
from someone with experience first, to make sure it is a legitimate safe
program.
Do NOT respond to emails asking you to enter passwords –
such as Trademe, bank websites or similar. These places do NOT ask you for this
information and will be a scam to get your passwords or credit card details
etc.
Do not respond to emails directing you to a website with
offers of products and services, unless you have specifically asked for this
information. They will be a scam to get credit card numbers or similar.
Use common sense, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is.
If you do not have anti-virus AND antispyware software, it
is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you obtain and install some on your computer and set it to check all files
as they come into your computer.
UPDATE
your anti-virus and anti-spyware software, every week at a minimum,
according to instructions from the vendor. It's important to do this
because the vendor's master malware databases are frequently updated to
include the unique "signatures" of new malware.
"All-in-one"
security packages that claim to incorporate anti-virus, anti-spyware
and a firewall are not the best solution. They may have one part that
works well but often the other parts do not.
You should have one firewall, one antivirus and at least two anti-spyware programs.
Which ones are the best is not a static thing, programs do change and what was once the best may not be in it's next iteration.
Check with your tech which ones are currently recommended, they spend a lot of time testing them thoroughly.
FIREWALLS
A
firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to
block unauthorized access while permitting outward communication.
Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both.
Windows XP and Vista have a basic firewall built in, don't bother, it's not much use at all.
Comodo,
Online Armor and Zone Alarm all make good firewalls. None of them are
perfect. Comodo is the least user friendly of them all but has
excellent security; it's bundled antivirus isn't worth installing
however.
Online Armor is a good but can occasionally stop for no reason and require a restart.
Zone Alarm is the easiest for new users to configure, however the paid version is far more secure and stable than the free one.
Unless you are experienced you should use a firewall as your first line of defense.
All
firewalls will take care of incoming intrusions without your input but
they will also ask whether or not outgoing programs are to be allowed
internet access. This is where training the firewall comes in and it
does require your input.
Mostly
it is commonsense, email programs, browsers and anti-malware programs
to get their updates all need to access the internet. So they are
"Allowed". Dont allow ANY program to connect if you are not
ABSOLUTELY sure its a safe program and it really needs to connect to
net. Dont "believe" or "think" some program is OK to be allowed to
connect...you MUST BE SURE that it is absolutely safe to allow it to
connect!
If
you allow anything and everything to connect, you have defeated the
purpose of the firewall. It can be your first warning that some virus
or spyware has infected your system, as one of the first things it will
try to do is "phone home".
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