More Web security info

Keeping Your Computer Secure

In addition to selecting and securing your web browser, you can take measures to increase protection to your computer in general. The following are steps and links to information resources that will help you secure your computer.

1. Read the Home Network Security document

2. Enable automatic software updates if available

   Vendors will usually release patches for their software when a vulnerability has been discovered. Most product documentation offers a method to get updates and patches. You should be able to obtain updates from the vendor's website. Read the manuals or browse the vendor's website for more information.
   Some applications will automatically check for available updates, and many vendors offer automatic notification of updates via a mailing list. Look on your vendor's website for information about automatic notification. If no mailing list or other automated notification mechanism is offered, you may need to check the vendor's website periodically for updates.

3. Install and use antivirus software

   While an up-to-date antivirus software package cannot protect against all malicious code, for most users it remains the best first-line of defense against malicious code attacks. Many antivirus packages support automatic updates of virus definitions. We recommend using these automatic updates when available. A list of virus basics is available on the CERT/CC website.

4. Avoid unsafe behavior

   Additional information on this topic can be found in the Home Network Security document.
   • Use caution when opening email attachments or when using peer-to-peerfile sharing, instant messaging, or chat rooms.
   • Don't enable file sharing on network interfaces exposed directly to the Internet.

5. Follow the principle of least privilege — don't enable it if you don't need it

   Consider creating and using an account with limited privileges instead of an 'administrator' or 'root' level account for everyday tasks. Depending on the operating system, you only need to use administrator level access when installing new software, changing system configurations, etc. Many vulnerability exploits (e.g., viruses, Trojan horses) are executed with the privileges of the user that runs them — making it far more risky to be logged in as an administrator all the time.

Some of the above might seem a bit tough to understand but what I have learned is always have a virus protection program installed and working. I always ty to run a virus scan once a week or twice a month. Try to use a product like Malware Bytes to get those hidden little buggers out of your system. I also recommend using Carbonite back up or something like it just in case your computer gets shut down by a virus, you might be able to have a service rep restore everything you lost.. Do not click on a link that is suspect, I know it can be tempting but do not.

Ok more to come soon.

Joe