Security and Patches

• Information for Your Safety
• The Facts on Internet Security
• What Can You Do?
• Stay Secure and Rest Easy
• More About Spyware
• More About Firewalls

Information for Your Safety

One of the major issues concerning Internet users today is the security of their network and computers.  Viruses and hackers are more common now than they were just a few years ago, but fortunately, there are programs available and ways you can prevent having to worry about being “spied on” or losing valuable information.

The Facts on Internet Security

Computers store a lot of information, both personal (like in your e-mail) and business-related.  When you set your computer up to a network of other computers, those computers have access to most, but not all, of your information.  When one or more of those computers is connected to the Internet, much of that same information is now available to anyone who can hack into your system or find your IP address.

IP stands for Internet Protocol.  With a dial-up connection, a different number (or address) is assigned to your computer every time you sign on the Internet.  With an “always on” connection, like cable and DSL, your computer always has the same IP address - making it easier to single out.

To make matters worse, many broadband providers use well known IP addresses, so if a hacker knows the range of IP addresses your provider uses, it makes it that much easier to find your computer’s information.

What Can You Do?

It sounds scary, because the thought of someone having access to your records is unsettling, but there are ways to prevent this from happening.

We strongly recommend taking these 3 preventative measures (at least!):

1. Make sure all passwords are secure and hard to break, make sure only authorized people have access to them and make sure no one modifies files without notifying you.
   
2. Use some kind of Firewall protection.  This can be in the form of software that runs on your computer and its network or a network device that is hooked up to a network of computers and performs the same function.
   
3. Invest in Antivirus software.  This looks for patterns in files and your computer’s memory that could be indicative of a virus.  Also, it’s important to keep this software up-to-date because new viruses are discovered all the time.

Stay Secure and Rest Easy

Although there are security dangers while you are connected to the Internet, they can be prevented and with the proper precautions, you won’t have to worry about your system being hacked or a virus wiping out all of your important files.  A few more steps you can take include:

• Don’t open unknown e-mail attachments
• Don’t run programs if you are not sure of their origin
• Turn off your computer or disconnect when it is not in use
• Make back up copies of all important information

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• Top Spyware Removers
• Read About Windows AntiSpyware (beta) 
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