9 Easy PC Security Tips for the Novice

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*bangs head*

There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of PC security products available online and off. There is simply no end to the number of softwares that are designed to protect you from viruses, malware, spyware and all sort of meanie-heads. For security conscious user, it’s a nightmare to choose which software to install because each product portrays itself as better than the other.

Find out how you can exponentially increase your computer’s security by following a few simple steps:

Use an updated internet browser The internet is the base of operations for most, if not all, the malware out there. Protect yourself by using an Internet browser that is updated. Dump Internet Explorer 7, move on to 8. Or even better, use Mozilla Firefox, I’d recommend Opera though, as Firefox is sorta slow.

Practical Solution: Go to Mozilla.com or Opera.com

Stop visiting random sites And please, stay away from adult sites. They’re a haven for viruses.

Always scan a Flash Drive before using it Hackers and virus-creators often use removable disks to spread their malicious programs. It’s the most common way of spreading them and as such, you must always scan the flash drive with your Anti-Virus before using it.

Practical Solution: Right-clicking on your flash-drive’s icon and clicking on “Scan”.

Activate Windows Firewall A Firewall is like a sentry guarding the gates to your computer from the Internet, it controls which data comes in and which data comes out. Although many more powerful firewalls are available, it’s best for the everyday user [like you and me] to simply use Windows’ own firewall as it is sufficient for most.
Practical Solution: Access and activate the firewall by going to Control Panel> Windows Firewall

Keep your software updated Developers fix all security issues with the updates. Keeping your installed software up-to-date is of great importance.
Practical Solution: To make it easier for yourself use an Update Checker such as the one from filehippo.com

Regularly scan your computer People stay away from scanning their computer’s hard-driver of viruses by giving lame excuses, “It slows my computer down!” Scan it overnight if you have to! It’s perfectly normal for a cunning virus to evade your Anti-Virus’ prying eyes.
Practical Solution: Eliminate the risk by scanning thoroughly every other week.

Update your Security Software New viruses are released daily. And updating your Anti-Virus is necessary to keep safe.

Look at the size of the file you’re about to download Let’s face it. People do use torrents to illegally download songs, movies and/or install full-price software for free. I can’t stop you if you do as such. I’m here to give you tips. Look at the file’s size before you download it! Adobe Photoshop CS4 can’t be squashed into a meager 25KB file, can it? Nor can an Abida Parveen song be packed into 17.1KBs. These are actual viruses so use your logic!
Practical Solution: *copies and pastes from above paragraph* Look at the file’s size before you download it!

USE AN ANTI-VIRUS Why are you reading this if you have no anti-virus installed!? The first and last step to safety and security is to install an Anti-Virus. Any popular one will do. Key word: popular. Now go! Hurry!
Practical Solution: Visit Download.com to get your anti-virus software: Avast! is highly recommended.
And lastly, make it a habit to back up all your important files to an external hard drive or burning the files onto a blank DVD or CD.
Anti-viruses and firewalls and Anti-spywares can only take you so far. After that ‘far’ point, your computer’s security depends on you and you alone. So stay on your toes while using your computer, that next click may as well spell doom for you if you don’t consider what’s BEYOND that click.

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