How to Protect Your PC-Computer and Be Safe Online
Article Source: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/computer_protect
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 and 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 and 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 and 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.
- 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.
Article Source: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/computer_protect
For more information on Internet schemes and how to protect yourself online, see the following areas:
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