Keeping the family safe in cyberspace is no small thing.
I wish I could recommend a single program to install, that would keep you safe. Instead, computer safety comes from a soup made up of a bunch of ingredients that, when combined, provide a healthy dose of security. This soup is brewed from both software and common sense.
The plethora of computer jargon like the so called easy part and here is a typical example. That’s making sure you have secure passwords, a working fire wall and programs that help safeguard you from viruses and malware commonly used to invade your computer. Pah!
Most people create a single password — and often it’s not a good one — to log on to online banking sites, e-mail accounts and sites such as Facebook. If a criminal hacker breaches security at any of those sites, you’ve handed them an easy way to clear out your bank account.
Not only should you use a different password for each site, but you should also change that password at least three times a year. The password needs to be random letters and numbers, not words. Webster Consulting have a simple solution here.
Long before there were computers, there were fire walls. In a building, a fire wall keeps fire from easily invading a space. Fire walls work the same way in the computer world, forming a barrier that makes it difficult for criminals.
The fire wall that comes with Windows is ok but I would go for a complete internet secure solution. Webster Consulting have a simple solution here too.
Routers — the gadgets that let your home computers talk to each other and share a single Internet connection — also create a fire wall of sorts. Webster Consulting have a simple solution here also.
Many breaches come from purpose-built malware (viruses, worms, adware or spyware) Pah! it’s that computer jargon again! The purpose is to part you from your information and money. Much of the malware is created to break into your computer, turn it into a remote emailing device or capture your personal information. That’s why I would always suggest you buy a solution and can help you decide which one is right for you.
Now comes the harder part: using your brain power and good old common sense.
If you follow the news, you know Facebook and its imitators have had serious security problems. To their credit, most are working hard to close those breaches. You also need to do your part.
Be especially cautious, whether it’s on a networking site or a personal website, about posting photos of your family. What seems like a cute photo to you may serve as a lure for some other criminals. You may think you are anonymous on the Internet, but don’t depend on it. Google and other search tools make it relatively easy to take a few clues and find a person’s name and address.
Some cameras and smart phones embed information in the photo that precisely marks the location where the picture was taken. A photo taken in your garden can pinpoint your exact address. Some photo-sharing websites and networking sites remove this information, but others don’t. Cameras and phones that use this technology can be set to remove the location information.
There was a recent news story about a computer technician who found what he believed to be child pornography on a computer he was repairing. He called the police. If the techie was correct, then good for him. But let it be a reminder that when your computer for repair, the information on it — financial and personal — can easily be viewed.
Most organisations are honest, but just as is true with doctors, lawyers and journalists, some are not. If you have information that puts you or your finances at risk, some will allow you to send in the computer without the hard disk. It’s usually easy to pop in a replacement disk and work on the computer.
Some file-sharing websites are illegal, others are sort of shady, and some are legitimate. But even the best can harbor software that can invade your computer. My suggestion is to avoid all of these sites.
Securing your computer is worth the effort. Because when you get right down to it, this isn’t about protecting your computer, it’s about protecting your finances and family. Webster Consulting have a simple solution here call them today for peice of mind.