Have you ever needed to take a measurement but didn't have a ruler or tape measure handy? Or the object was too big or too far away to measure by hand? Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies . We go online to search for information, shop, bank, do homework, play games, and stay in touch with family and friends. As a result, our computers contain a wealth of personal information about us. This may include banking and other financial records, and medical information - information that we want to protect. If your computer is not protected, identity thieves and other fraudsters may be able to get access and steal your personal information. Spammers could use your computer as a . Malicious viruses or spyware could be deposited on your computer, slowing it down or destroying files. By using safety measures and good practices to protect your home computer, you can protect your privacy and your family. The following tips are offered to help you lower your risk while you're online. ![]() Install a firewall. A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that blocks hackers from entering and using your computer. Hackers search the Internet the way some telemarketers automatically dial random phone numbers. They send out pings (calls) to thousands of computers and wait for responses. As if you needed another reason to grab a cold one, a new study suggests having a few beers relieves your pain better than popping some over the counter painkillers. Firewalls prevent your computer from responding to these random calls. A firewall blocks communications to and from sources you don't permit. This is especially important if you have a high- speed Internet connection, like DSL or cable. ![]() Some operating systems have built- in firewalls that may be shipped in the . Be sure to turn your firewall on. To be effective, your firewall must be set up properly and updated regularly. Check your online . Anti- virus protection scans your computer and your incoming email for viruses, and then deletes them. You must keep your anti- virus software updated to cope with the latest . Most anti- virus software includes a feature to download updates automatically when you are online. In addition, make sure that the software is continually running and checking your system for viruses, especially if you are downloading files from the Web or checking your email. Set your anti- virus software to check for viruses when you first turn on your computer. You should also give your system a thorough scan at least twice a month. Use anti- spyware software. Spyware is software installed without your knowledge or consent that can monitor your online activities and collect personal information while you surf the Web. Some kinds of spyware, called keyloggers, record everything you key in - including your passwords and financial information. Signs that your computer may be infected with spyware include a sudden flurry of pop- up ads, being taken to Web sites you don't want to go to, and generally slowed performance. Spyware protection is included in some anti- virus software programs. Check your anti- virus software documentation for instructions on how to activate the spyware protection features. You can buy separate anti- spyware software programs. Keep your anti- spyware software updated and run it regularly. To avoid spyware in the first place, download software only from sites you know and trust. Piggybacking spyware can be an unseen cost of many . Don't click on links in pop- up windows or in spam email. Manage your system and browser to protect your privacy. Hackers are constantly trying to find flaws or holes in operating systems and browsers. To protect your computer and the information on it, put the security settings in your system and browser at medium or higher. Update your system and browser regularly, taking advantage of automatic updating when it's available. Windows Update is a service offered by Microsoft. It will download and install software updates to the Microsoft Windows Operating System, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and will also deliver security updates to you. Patching can also be run automatically for other systems, such as Macintosh Operating System. Use a strong password - and keep it to yourself. Protect your computer from intruders by choosing passwords that are hard to guess. Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Don't use a word that can easily be found in a dictionary. Some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary. Try using a phrase to help you remember your password, using the first letter of each word in the phrase. For example, Hm. Wc@w. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck. Protect your password the same way you would the key to your home. After all, it is a . Encrypting wireless communications is the first step. Choose a wireless router with an encryption feature and turn it on. WPA encryption is considered stronger than WEP. ![]() Your computer, router, and other equipment must use the same encryption. If your router enables identifier broadcasting, disable it. Note the SSID name so you can connect your computers to the network manually. Hackers know the pre- set passwords of this kind of equipment. Be sure to change the default identifier on your router and the pre- set administrative password. Turn off your wireless network when you're not using it. ![]() Remember that public . It's safest to avoid accessing or sending sensitive personal information over a public wireless network. You may also consider buying a mobile broadband card that will allow you to connect to the Internet without relying on Wi- Fi hot spots. A mobile broadband card is a device that plugs into your computer, laptop, PDA, or cell phone and uses a cell phone signal to provide high- speed Internet access. ![]()
They are sold by cell phone companies and require a monthly service plan. Be careful if you share files. Many consumers enjoy sharing digital files, such as music, movies, photos, and software. File- sharing software that connects your computer to a network of computers is often available for free. File- sharing can pose several risks. When connected to a file- sharing network, you may allow others to copy files you didn't intend to share. You might download a virus or bit of spyware that makes your computer vulnerable to hackers. You might also break the law by downloading material that is copyright protected. Shop safely online. When shopping online, check out the Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. Shop elsewhere.) Learn how to tell when a Web site is secure. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers as it moves across the Internet. Parents, take control. Don't let your children risk your family's privacy. Make sure they know how to use the Internet safely. For younger children, install parental control software that limits the Web sites kids can visit. But remember - no software can substitute for parental supervision. Additional Information. How to Read a Privacy Policy. Protecting Your Child's Privacy Online. Consumer information from the California Department of Justice, available at www. On. Guard Online. Practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. Online Guide to Practical Privacy Tools. Computer security resources from the non- profit Electronic Privacy Information Center. Product Reviews. The independent nonprofit Consumers Union offers strategies for keeping your computer safe and free suggestions online. Security software product ratings and a buying guide for are also available to Consumer Reports subscribers and public libraries. PC Magazine provides product reviews in a February 2. Secure Hard Drives: Lock Down Your Data . You can keep your data safe should your system fail, there's plenty of space to store bulky multimedia files, and all your documents are in one place. There also is one big downside: All your files are in one place. Whether you're concerned about protecting sensitive personal information or trade secrets, the idea that everything is in one easily portable package can be disconcerting. This is where encryption comes in. A new class of secure hard drives is offering encryption- based security that's active from the first backup and is simple enough that you don't have to be a security expert to protect your data. Our favorite new encrypted drive, the Lenovo Think. Pad USB Portable Secure Drive, is the most user- friendly of the bunch. You won't need to install software on your PC or Mac to access the protected data, unlike the other drives here; you just set a code on the numerical keypad on the case, and your data is protected inside and out. The drive is secure enough to earn the government's . Sure, it costs a bit more compared with your average external drive, but an extra 2. Both the Maxtor Black. Armor and Buffalo Mini. Station Data. Vault offer 1. AES encryption. The easy- to- use Black. Armor comes with a utility that must be loaded on your PC, but it's secure right out of the box; all you need to keep your data safe is a password, though if you ever need to change the password, you'll have to load the software onto your Windows system. It's far more reasonably priced than the Lenovo, too. On the down side, the Black. Armor isn't Mac compatible. The Data. Vault is a bit more flexible; its password utility works on both Macs and Windows PCs. It comes in a bulkier case, which allows room for a slew of antishock bumpers and enough float space to protect the drive from a significant fall. Add a three- year warranty to those rugged features, and you have a lasting security solution in the Data. Vault. Unless you're at the highest levels of government, 1. AES encryption should be all the security you'll need. But if your job entails . This ruggedized external drive boasts 2. AES security and Windows- only secure reader software that's required to access your data once it's loaded on the drive. You'll certainly pay a premium—and jump through the hoops of a complicated setup—for this ultra- secure drive, but you won't get protection like this anywhere else. Whether you're hoping to protect your personal data from identity theft or your trade secrets from corporate espionage, these drives offer some of the best security on the market. Check out our full reviews to see how these encrypted drives performed in our testing. Featured in this Roundup. ABS- Secure Encrypted Backup Solution (1. GB)$1. 80 list. Mainly aimed at security geeks and the paranoid, this almost- bulletproof secure backup solution exacts a price for its high level of security. Buffalo Mini. Station Data. Vault $1. 29 direct for 1. GBSecure portable data is what the Buffalo Mini. Station Data. Vault is all about. It improves on the regular Mini. Station with both Mac and Windows- compatible security software. Lenovo Think. Pad USB Portable Secure Drive$2. GBStyled to work with Lenovo's Think. Pads, but works with all PCs and Macs. If you have a need to keep your data secure, it doesn't get simpler than the Lenovo Think. Pad USB Portable Secure Drive. Maxtor Black. Armor$1. GBThe Maxtor Black. Armor is an encrypted, secure external hard drive that protects your data from prying eyes. It is easier to use than products that require security software to be preinstalled on your PC, but outfitting your data in the Black. Armor still takes some setting up.
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November 2017
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