How to Protect Your Computer
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:
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 or 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 or Update Your Antispyware Technology:
Spyware is just what it sounds likesoftware
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 antispywarein
some cases these products may be fake and
may actually contain spyware or other malicious
code. It's like buying groceriesshop
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
connectionbe it spyware or a botnet
that employs your computer's resources to
reach out to other unwitting users.
For
more information on Internet schemes and how
to protect yourself online, see the following
areas:
-
FBI Cyber
Crimes Stories
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