Introduction to PC Security

Is your PC secure? This is a short guide to tightening your PC's security reducing the numerous ways that malicious individuals and viruses can target your computer. Individuals can steel sensitive data such as credit card information, record your keystrokes maybe find your online banking password. While viruses can destroy your entire machine.

1. Viruses
These little blighters can make your life misery with their payload. You may lose data or in the worst case scenario your machine. My first tip to you is to get an up to date virus checker. The one which came with your PC five years ago is well past it's sell by date. I recommend the recent versions of Mcafee or Norten Anti virus. Number 2 tip, use non Microsoft products. Microsoft Outlook is the most virus targeted e-mail application in existence. If you use a different e-mail application you avoid the majority of attacks, easy. Tip 3. Ever wondered why your Internet service provider doesn't scan your E-mail before it even gets to you? Well you can set up e-mail accounts which are separate to BT or Tiscali..or whatever ISP you use. If you would like pre-checked email I can do this for £15 per year. If you don't want to pay for the privilege of virus free mail set up a yahoo account.

2. Hackers
Malicious individuals (not all hackers) can target your computer for data theft and attack; maybe your bank details or credit card information. How do you guard against such online assaults? A firewall. There are many firewall applications you can buy these days, but there are some excellent free ones. I recommend "Tiny Personal Firewall" (nothing to do with those excellent computer manufacturers which regularly advertise on BBC Watchdog). If you have a network which shares a single modem or broadband connection or want to build one which does take a look at Linux. Read my free software guide for more details. So now you've got antivirus software and a firewall, what's next?

3. Popups
These are just plain annoying. Almost all large commercial sites use these. If you have modem connection these ads can slowdown you browsing experience. There are number of programs available to stop popups appearing I use the google search bar

There you have it. A very brief intro into Internet security.