1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.
3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.
4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.
5. Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.
6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address.
7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.
8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.
9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.
10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.

There are some people out there who are phishing for your personal information and identity to use against you. While others just want to use your computer to attack other unknown targets. You need to protect yourself as much as possible from these types of characters. Here are just a few easy and cost-effective ways to secure you computer.

Make backup disks and store them in a safe place away from your computer. update and patch the operating system, web browser and the software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

If your computer does have a firewall, install one. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet.
Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.

You need to install an antivirus software and make sure you set it for automatic updates to assure that you get the most recent versions. There are many different programs out there to choose from.

Don’t ever open any attachments from sources that your not familiar with. If you don’t trust the source, delete it. It not enough to recognize the address because many virus can spread from familiar addresses.

Never run a program that originates from an unknown source. You will see one the claim to be from legitimate companies like Microsoft, but you will see in the box that it’s from an unknown origin.

Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.

Don’t leave your computer on and connected to the internet. I know some of my friends that never turn off their computer as well as the internet, they’re just waiting for a problem to happen. A hacker can’t get into your computer if you’re not connected.

Don’t wait until something bad happens to your computer. Do it now and save yourself a lot of headaches.