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Computer
Security Part 2.
....So you have
all your Security Programs installed and configured and now you
don't need to worry about it anymore.
Wrong.
Your
Anti-Virus is only as good as the last
update.
Most
Anti-Viruses's these days have an option to check for updates and
install them on a regular basis automatically you have this option,
enable it straight away. If you don't have this option make sure
you check at least once or twice a week for updates.
Scanning for
Nasties
Your computer
should be scanned for viruses at the very least once a week.
Ideally you should scan your computer every day, especially if you
surf or download off the internet on a regular basis.
Most Anti-Virus
programs you can schedule to scan your computer automatically.
Schedule it for a time you are not usually using your computer as
some programs can slow you computer right down.
Always make sure
your Anti-Virus program is up to date and scan your computer
regularly, as this is your main defence to keep the nasties off
your computer.
Never skimp on
your Security Programs and this will lessen the chance of a nasty
infecting your computer and remember to only run one
Anti-Virus program at a time.
Anti-Spyware
Another line of
defence is you
Anti-Spyware Program.
These are many and
varied. Also it is suggested you run with at least two Anti-Spyware
programs.
I personally
suggest Etrust Pest Patrol as one to consider. As recently I found
out how well it works. We had three computers in one week get
infected with a Trojan that the Anti-Virus programs hadn't picked
up. Fortunately for us after a lot of cursing and time , Pest
Patrol eradicated the Trojans off all three.
There are many
others to choose from including many good freebies. The best
freebie in my opinion would have to be Ad-Aware by Lavasoft and
Spybot Search and Destroy is also good.
As with your
Anti-Virus program you should scan your computer at least one a
week or more often ideally. Also make sure you update your program
at least once a week.
Some programs like
Etrust Pest Patrol can be programmed to check for updates and
schedule scans automatically.
Programs like
AD-Aware and Spybot need to be done manually.
Subscription
Due ?
12 Months goes by
quickly and most
Security
Programs
are due for renewal at this
time.
Do not be tempted
to do without. This could be disastrous. The two options you should
be looking at is wether to renew or buy an updated or newer version
of your program.
Renewing your
subscription is usually cheaper and quite easy. My suggestion would
be to renew once and the next time by a newer version of your
program.
Simply because of
the ever increasing more sophisticated Trojans / Viruses etc
constantly coming out trying to infect your computer.
In short always
make sure you take the time to check your Security Programs are up
to date and scans are done frequently. If you do this regularly it
will lessen your chance of being infected by a nasty. And believe
me when one gets onto your computer it is a very long and
frustrating time trying to rid your computer of the
invader.
Worse case
scenario, say good bye to your contents on your hard
drive.
So Update, Scan
and Back up your computer regularly !
Ron.
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