Privacy And Security On The Internet

Computer viruses are programs that can copy themselves to spread from one computer to another. They are usually destructive, although their effects vary widely. They can infect a computer through downloaded files, internet pages, emails or email attachments, floppy disks or CDs. Once they are on your computer, if not detected and removed, they will use your computer to infect others (e.g. by automatically sending an email to everyone in your email address book) and then go ahead and do whatever it is they were programmed to do to your computer, which can be anything from displaying annoying advertisements or graffiti-type messages, to destroying all of the data on your hard drive.

Here are 10 safety tips for avoiding computer viruses.

1. Use an anti virus program at all times. Make sure that it automatically starts up when you start your computer.
2. Use a firewall. This will prevent many programs from automatically downloading to your computer from the internet without your knowledge, besides giving you some protection from hackers and ID thieves.
3. Use an anti spyware program.
4. Make sure that both your anti virus software and your firewall are updated at all times. This will involve an annual fee, but it is a very small price to pay for the protection that you get. Remember that new viruses are being developed by internet criminals and ‘jokers’ every day. The top anti virus software providers have staff constantly working to develop ways to remove the new viruses as they appear. Your software should be set to automatically check for updates whenever you are online, and you will find that there are almost daily updates.
5. Keep your browser’s security settings at maximum or high.
6. When your browser asks you if you want to install or open something coming from an organization that you do not know and trust, or did not intend to download, click on ‘No’. If you later find it was something genuine that you wanted, you can come back to it.
7. Never install a browser toolbar unless you are sure that it comes from a reliable source.
8. Never click on email attachments that are files ending in .exe, even if they come from someone you know. A virus may have accessed your friend’s email address book. First email the person back to check if they intended to send you that file, and what it contains.
9. If you receive a spam email with an attachment or an email from someone that you do not know, never click on the attachment, whatever type of file it is.
10. If anyone else uses your computer, especially your kids, make sure they understand all of the above tips and have them always check with you before they download anything from the internet.

There are several good anti virus products on the market but the one that I use myself and recommend is McAfee. The updates are phenomenal and in over 7 years of subscribing to McAfee VirusScan I have never had a problem with any virus, spyware or other malicious programs. Also, I have never had compatibility issues with any other program that I run, which some other anti virus products can cause. With McAfee you get three-in-one protection against computer viruses: anti virus, firewall and anti spyware.

Get 3-in-1 Protection for only $39.99 with the McAfee VirusScan Plus

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