Steps on how to check

computer system and

network to ensure safe
operation.
A REPORT BY: HALLIE ERISPE
Let's face it, the Internet is not a very safe
place. There are hackers trying to access your
computer, worms trying to infect you, malicious
Trojans disguised as helpful programs, and
spyware that reports your activities back to
their makers. In many cases those who
become infected unknowingly become a
breeding ground for unwanted programs and
criminal activity. It does not have to be this
way. With proper education and smart
computing the Internet can be a safe, useful,
and fun place to visit without having to worry
about what is lurking around the corner.
Tip 1: Always install Operating
System updates
The most important steps for any
computer user is to always install
updates, especially security
updates, when they become
available for your operating
system. When operating systems
are developed, bugs, or
programming errors, are
unfortunately created that could
cause security vulnerabilities or
make your computer act
unexpectedly
Tip 2: Keep your installed applications up-to-
date
A common method that computer infections
use to infect your computer are security
vulnerabilities in your installed programs.
Common programs that are targeted due to
their large install base are web browsers,
Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash,
Adobe Shockwave, and Oracle Java. In order
to make your computer as secure as possible,
you need to make sure these programs are
updated when new security fixes are released.
The problem is that many people just ignore
alerts about new updates, even though these
updates fix security problems that could allow
hackers into your computer.
Tip 3: Do not use the same password at
every site
It has now become common to hear
about a company who was hacked
and the hacker was able to access the
company members email addresses
and passwords. If you use the same
password at every site, and one of
those sites was hacked, the hacker now
has your account information
everywhere that you have an account.
They can now login to your email, see
what other accounts you have, banks
that you use, etc and gather even
more private information about you.
Tip 4: Install and be sure to
update your anti-virus software
It is very important that your
computer has antivirus software
running on your machine. By
having an antivirus program
running, files and emails will be
scanned as you use them,
download them, or open them. If
a virus is found in one of the items
you are about to use, the antivirus
program will stop you from being
able to run that program and
infect yourself.
Tip 5: Use a firewall
The importance of using a
Firewall on your computer or
on your network cannot be
stressed enough. Just
because you have all the
latest security updates, you
are still susceptible to
unreported, unpatched, or
unknown vulnerabilities that a
hacker may know about.
Tip 6: Backup your data!
Backing up your data is
not necessarily a way of
keeping your computer
safe, but it is a way of
keeping your data safe.
As you use your computer
there may come a time
that you cannot find a
document or your hard
drive fails.
Tip 7: Enable the display of file extensions
It is important to enable file
extensions so you can see the
complete file name. A file
extension, or file name extension,
is the letters immediately shown
after the last period in a file
name. Many viruses that are sent
via email as attachments contain
two periods.
Tip 8: Do not open attachments
from people you do not know
Don't open an attachment from
someone you do not know.
Simple as that. If someone you do
not know sends you something,
just delete it. If you receive an
attachment from someone you
know well, then you should still
never open attachments that
end with the following extensions:
.exe, .pif, .com, or .bat.