Create Your Own Computer Virus Protection System
Here are some simple ways to set up your very own computer virus protection system. By doing these things you will protect yourself from the nightmare scenario of losing all your data because of a virus.
1. Do not run unfamiliar programs on your computer.
It sounds like common sense, but many of the most famous attacks were linked to spyware and mail attachment worms such as Bagle and Netsky. If you do not recognize the sender of a particular email, do not download their attachments.
2. Do not allow unrestricted physical access to a computer.
If you have sensitive or proprietary information on your computer, allowing other staff members or family members to use your computer can lead to potential breaches in your computer security. You can use passwords to protect access to your machine.
3. Do not use weak passwords.
Use passwords that are difficult for someone to find out. People often use the names of children, pets, anniversary dates or their date of birth. These are usually very easy to guess. Because it sometimes feels like a password is required for everything, it is not uncommon to see many people using the same password for all of their secure access. Big mistake! Using only one password provides a hacker with easy access to a mass of personal information.
If you need to write down your passwords, it is best not to leave them on a post-it attached to the computer screen. You can chuckle at the absurdity, but it happens in offices across the country.
4. Do not forget to regularly patch your operating system and other applications.
Many experts believe that the majority of network attacks will be halted if the computer users will simply keep their computers updated with patches and security fixes. If you are prompted to download an internet Explorer patch, then do it. Too often we forget to do so on a regular basis. Remember that every day, new viruses, worms and Trojan horses are being created and distributed. They look for weaknesses in your computer system. The existence of outdated programs, is largely the same as holding open doors and inviting them to visit.
5. Do not forget to regularly back up your important data
Always keep copies of important files on removable media such as Zip drives or recordable CD-ROM drives or on a DVD. Keep archives in place separate from your computer.
Getting into the habit of doing these things will ensure your computer virus protection system works.