You probably wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked when you leave the house. Many of us not only lock our doors, but install alarms, motion-sensitive lights, and other measures to deter a break-in. But intruders don’t just come in through doors and windows; they can also enter your personal computer through your Internet connection. If you’re not protecting your home computer, it’s like leaving your front door open to criminals. Here are a few ways you can keep your computer and home network safe and secure.
Use strong passwords. Hackers will sometimes go through every word in the dictionary when trying to access a victim’s information. In addition, someone who knows you—or an identity thief who’s been targeting you and knows personal details about you—might be clever enough to guess a password based on your birthday or anniversary date.
The passwords you use to access your accounts should be long and complex, not based on a word found in a dictionary or something obvious from your life, and include variations such as numbers, capital and lowercase letters, and even punctuation marks. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and don’t write your passwords down.
Use an anti-virus program. A virus is a program that makes copies of itself and damages the files on its host computer. A virus can enter your computer via an email attachment or downloaded file, programs that activate the virus when launched, or a disc from another infected computer.
Anti-virus programs scan the files in your computer, email, and discs to ensure they are clean and virus-free. The programs can also remove a virus and protect your computer from extensive damage. Two of the most popular anti-virus programs on the market are Norton Antivirus and McAfee; if you choose to use either of these, make sure to go to the website and download the most current version.
Be cautious about downloads. Never download anything sent as an email attachment from someone you don’t know. Even if the email is from someone you know, it’s best to be careful. Some viruses can take residence in your computer, access your email address book, and send emails to all the addresses there without your knowledge. If you get a strange, unexpected or out-of-character email from someone you know including a download, check back with the person first to make sure they intended to send it to you.
Update your applications regularly. No computer operating system is without its flaws. No matter what type of operating system you use, chances are that the manufacturer will regularly create updates and patches that fix known bugs in the software. Some computers will notify you of updates automatically, while others may require that you check the company website.
Either way, hackers and identity thieves have access to the same information and updates about flaws in operating systems, and if you get behind on your updates, you leave your computer open to attack. Download updates for your operating system and other programs regularly.
Use a firewall program. Firewall programs are designed to block programs from entering your computer without your knowledge. Hackers routinely create programs designed to search out vulnerable computers online. Firewalls block these programs while allowing certain programs you control, such as your email, to access the Internet. Without these programs, hackers can enter your system, damage your files, install malicious code on your computer, and gain access to personal information,
Never give out personal information in an email. Scammers often send emails designed to look exactly like messages from your bank, credit card company, or another institution you do business with. The emails will tell you that there has been a problem with your account or that they’re updating their files, and they’ll ask you to re-send your username and password. Sometimes they’ll simply provide a link to an official-looking page where you can enter your information in.
This is called “phishing,” and it’s a common ploy to gain access to victims’ accounts online. If there really is a problem with one of your accounts, the company or institution should call you—and if you think the email might be legit, call them to confirm. Go to their official site and get the number—don’t use a phone number provided in the email.
Your computer could be vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves, even if you think it’s safe. Give your computer a strong firewall and anti-virus program, use strong passwords, and never download unfamiliar documents, programs, or applications, and you can keep your information safe and secure
Network Security At Home: Protecting Your Information from Online Intruders