How to Protect Your Computer
The same advice parents might deliver to young drivers on their first
solo journey applies to everyone who wants to navigate safely online. A
special agent in our Cyber Division offered the following:
- "Don't drive in bad neighborhoods."
- "If you don't lock your car, it's vulnerable; if you don't secure
your computer, it's vulnerable."- "Reduce your vulnerability and you
reduce the threat."
Below are some key steps to protecting your computer from intrusion:
- Keep Your Firewall Turned On:
A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to
gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or
other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended
for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating
systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple
networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall
protection.
- Install or Update Your Antivirus Software:
Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs
from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a
virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect
computers without users' knowledge. Most types of antivirus software
can be set up to update automatically.
- Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology:
Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously
installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on
the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your
consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some
operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive
software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your
local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering
downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and
may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It's like buying
groceries—shop where you trust.
- Keep Your Operating System Up to Date:
Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune
with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to
install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.
- Be Careful What You Download:
Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most
vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from
someone you don't know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from
people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
- Turn Off Your Computer:
With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave
their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being
"always on" renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall
protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the
computer off effectively severs an attacker's connection—be it spyware
or a botnet that employs your computer's resources to reach out to
other unwitting users.
solo journey applies to everyone who wants to navigate safely online. A
special agent in our Cyber Division offered the following:
- "Don't drive in bad neighborhoods."
- "If you don't lock your car, it's vulnerable; if you don't secure
your computer, it's vulnerable."- "Reduce your vulnerability and you
reduce the threat."
Below are some key steps to protecting your computer from intrusion:
- Keep Your Firewall Turned On:
A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to
gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or
other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended
for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating
systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple
networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall
protection.
- Install or Update Your Antivirus Software:
Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs
from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a
virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect
computers without users' knowledge. Most types of antivirus software
can be set up to update automatically.
- Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology:
Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously
installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on
the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your
consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some
operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive
software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your
local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering
downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and
may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It's like buying
groceries—shop where you trust.
- Keep Your Operating System Up to Date:
Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune
with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to
install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.
- Be Careful What You Download:
Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most
vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from
someone you don't know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from
people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
- Turn Off Your Computer:
With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave
their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being
"always on" renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall
protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the
computer off effectively severs an attacker's connection—be it spyware
or a botnet that employs your computer's resources to reach out to
other unwitting users.
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