Top Ten Tips for Securing Your Home Computer
The need for computer security is not limited to the workplace. Today’s home computer users face a variety of threats including viruses, spyware, spam, data loss, inappropriate content, and identity theft. Properly securing your home computer can dramatically reduce the likelihood of experiencing one of the above attacks.
While there is no guaranteed way to avoid all computer attacks, the good news is that there are several straightforward steps that dramatically help.
- Install and regularly update antivirus software. If possible, configure your antivirus software to automatically update itself on a daily basis.
Northwood University faculty and staff are licensed to use Symantec Antivirus on their home PC free of charge. Please see the antivirus section of the website for further details.
- Install critical security patches on a regular basis.
Microsoft operating systems patches can be updated by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/. Microsoft Office patches are available through http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/. Microsoft releases security patches on a monthly basis on the second Tuesday of each month. Exceptions are made for extremely critical items. We recommend that you setup your computer to automatically install critical security patches using Windows Update. If you are looking for security patches for other, non-Microsoft applications, please visit the manufacturer’s website.
- Backup your data.
Backups are the most important activity you can do to protect your data. Imagine if your computer crashed or was hit with a virus and you didn’t have a backup copy of your doctoral dissertation, income tax files, or digital pictures. Backups can be made by copying your data files to a variety of media including diskettes, CD-ROMs, zip disks, pen drives, or tape.
- Install a personal firewall on your computer.
A personal firewall is a software package that controls incoming and outgoing connections to your computer. Limiting incoming connections helps greatly in deterring or eliminating an attacker’s ability to compromise your computer.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes a personal firewall. Personal firewalls are also available from several vendors including Symantec, Zone Alarm, Sygate, and McAfee.
- Configure all accounts on your computer with a hard to guess password.
You may think setting up your computer accounts with passwords is an annoyance that’s not needed. However, viruses can spread automatically due to weak or blank passwords. Also, setting a strong password helps protect your data from being accessed remotely by someone on another computer or a stranger who sits down at your computer. A weak password is any complete word that can be found in dictionary. Instead of using a single word, add special characters and/or numbers. You can also make your password a phase or an acronym.
- Regularly scan your computer for spyware
Spyware is unwanted software that gets installed on your computer and causes sluggish performance, unwanted ads, pop-up windows, and sometimes collects your personal information. There are both commercial and freeware tools for detecting and removing spyware. Please visit the spyware section of our website for further information.
- Be very suspicious of email attachments
Do not open email attachments from people you do not know, simply delete the message. Be very cautious when opening attachments from people you do know. Attachments often carry viruses or other unwanted programs.
- Turn off your computer when you are not using it.
Leaving your computer on all day leaves your system available for attack. Turning your computer off when not in use minimizes the likelihood someone will be able to access your computer.
- Be very wary of enticing email and pop-up ads.
Generally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are numerous Internet-based scams aimed at doing everything from infecting you with a virus to stealing your identity. Internet users should be very skeptical of unsolicited email and pop-up ads. Please see our section on phishing scams to learn more about one of the most common and troubling attacks aimed at stealing your identity.
- Teach your family members to be safe Internet users.
Share with your family various resources that have helped you to become a safer, more secure, Internet user. Teach your kids safe computing practices such as not communicating with strangers and not clicking on pop-up ads with grandiose promises.
For more information on this and other related topics, including resources for parents on keeping kids safe online, please visit the following websites.
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