Attacks over the Internet are becoming more frequent and in some cases more damaging. Learn how to keep your home PC protected in a simple way.
I have an antivirus software, that’s all I need to have a clean computer. That is one of the most common phrases that are often heard among Internet users.
But nothing further from reality. As with technology, hackers perfect their worms and other threats to make soft on unsuspecting or overconfident users day by day.
In this way, Symantec, one of the leading companies in computer security, developed a list of 10 simple tips to implement to keep the home computer safe.
1 – Install reliable antivirus software:
Analyzes files periodically for unusual changes in file sizes, programs that correspond to the database of known software viruses, suspicious e-mail attachments and other warning signs. Installing a reliable antivirus software is the most important step you can take to keep your computer virus free. Do you know what is the best antivirus?
2 – Do not open attachments automatically:
Make sure your email program does not automatically download attachments to ensure that you can examine and analyze them before running them. Refer to the security options of your mail programs or the preferences menu to receive instructions.
3 – Analyze all the attachments that enter by e-mail:
Be sure to run every attachment that you plan to open through the antivirus scan. Do it even if you recognize and trust the sender. Malicious codes such as Trojans can slip into your system, even when they appear to be from a friendly source.
4 – Get immediate protection:
Configure your antivirus software to start automatically at startup and run at all times in order to provide backup protection in case you forget to analyze an electronic attachment or if you decide not to analyze it. And in case you forget to start your antivirus software, if you configure it to start on its own, it will guarantee immediate protection.
5 – Update your antivirus software frequently:
An antivirus program is only good if it is updated frequently. New viruses, worms and Trojan horses are created daily and their variations can be entered by software that is not up to date. Most products have an option to update automatically.
6 – Do not download programs from the web:
Unreliable sources such as Internet newsgroups or websites that you have never heard of can be virus providers. Avoid download files about which you do not know if they are safe. This includes freeware, screen savers, games and other executable programs, files with the extension “.exe” or “.com” as “coolgame.exe”. If you have to download from the Internet, be sure to analyze each program before executing it. Save all the downloads in an easy to find folder and then run the virus scan on all the files in the folder before using them.
7 – Do not boot from a floppy disk:
They are one of the most common methods of transmitting viruses. If you are using a floppy disk while working on your computer, remove it when you turn off the computer or else the computer will automatically try to boot from the floppy disk perhaps running the viruses on the disk.
8 – Do not share floppy disks:
Even a well-meaning friend may unknowingly spread it with a virus, a Trojan or a worm. Label your flexible discs clearly to distinguish yours and do not lend them. If a friend gives you a flexible disk that is not yours, suggest an alternative method of file sharing.
9 – Analyze the floppy disks before using them:
It is always important to analyze floppy disks before using them, especially if you are using the disk to carry information between one computer and another. You can easily pick up a virus from an insecure network and enter it into your system. Run a virus scan before running any of the programs on the disk to avoid infection.
10 – Use common sense:
It is always better not to make mistakes with safety. If you are unsure about an attachment sent by email, delete it, especially if it comes from a source that you do not recognize. If there is animated material in a site that seems not to be professional, do not download it.
It is worth mentioning that today there are very good free antivirus programs for those who can not or do not want to access the payment protection systems.