Make computer safety second nature
At Nybble we always discuss computer safety on line with our customers and provide help or advice if needed, so security has become as second nature to them as slipping on a seat-belt. It makes good sense to take a few simple precautions to protect yourself as a home user from the most common sorts of threats. So here is our guide: Computer safety for the personal user.
Simple computer safety
Basic, essential computer security is provided by an antivirus. You have probably heard of the main players such as McAfee, Norton and Kaspersky, but there are free antivirus programs you can download such as AVG, AVAST and Microsoft offer their security essentials for free, providing real time computer safety protection.
Viruses are varied, some attack the antivirus software some completely wipe your hard drive clean and some will render your computer unusable. Malware is malicious, designed to cause problems within your system and security. Spyware is very common, it spies on your system and activity. Indications of spyware may be your computer running more slowly than usual. There are programmes specifically designed for computer safety, to remove malware and spyware, you can read reviews here: http://www.cnet.com/uk/
Another thing you need to have running on your computer is a firewall. A firewall checks all traffic to and from your computer. Microsoft have one built into windows but you can download a standalone firewall if you prefer.
How do you get infected?
Downloading software that hasn’t been verified or checked. Without an antivirus looking after your system, you may land on a website designed to install spyware. The way a lot of people are fooled is when an attachment is sent by email, or a toxic link on Facebook sent as a private message which is then clicked. Malware can also be downloaded in the same way as spyware and can be transferred via mobile devices. Downloading or streaming needs to be done with caution to preserve computer safety.
What can you do?
- Make sure you have an antivirus and scan at regular intervals
- Download updates
- Make sure you have a firewall.
- Make sure any software you download is verified and checked
- Be very wary of streaming sites put computer safety first
- Do not click email attachments unless you know and trust the sender
- Scan any mobile devices
- Make sure you have strong passwords, if there is a facility to use a phone security text system then use it to add another layer of security
- Make sure your router has protection.
- Don’t leave devices logged in and switched on
- Clear history and cache regularly.
- Close your browser especially after financial transactions
Surfing safely
If you would like any further computer safety advice don’t hesitate to call us at Nybble, we really are here to help and enjoy doing so.
Posted by Jill Wells 20/10/2015
Further reading:
Google have produced an easy to follow guide to privacy
Cnet have also produced a computer safety checklist and are a source for lots of very good articles and guides: http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/cnet-security-how-to/
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