aur Computer Service -- Most computer
owners are now using their computers to go online. As
soon as you are connected
to the Internet, you open yourself up to a wide variety
of security issues. Some of these
issues may have the potential to compromise the stability of your computer and/or your
personal information. When you buy a new computer it comes with a
collection of software pre-installed, usually including some kind of anti-virus program. This
software is NOT enough to protect your computer from security issues, because generally all the software on the computer, including the Windows® operating system, can be outdated and is commonly known to have
security holes. In addition, no matter what anti-virus and anti-spyware software
that may be installed on your computer, you can still unknowingly invite virus and
spyware infections onto your computer. If you are unsure which steps to take in
order to keep your computer safe from security issues, you may end up
with an infected computer. Here are some tips for preventing these issues:
If you are using the Windows operating system, always have the
latest security updates from Microsoft on your computer. This is the first priority when you are using the Internet. You
can set your computer to automatically download these security updates or you can
manually install Windows® updates at http://www.windowsupdate.com/. If you choose automatic updates, your computer will notify you when new updates
are available.
Always use the most recent anti-virus software and only use ONE anti-virus program. If you use more than one anti-virus program, your computer can become unstable. Aur Computer Service recommends AVG
Anti-Virus, because it will not slow
down your computer and it is FREE to all home
users. To download AVG Free Edition,
go to: http://www.grisoft.com.
Unlike anti-virus
software, it is okay to have more than one anti-spyware program on your computer.
Always use current, updated anti-spyware programs and make sure to run full-system
scans weekly. Aur Computer Servicerecommends
the following FREE programs:
If you have broadband
Internet (cable, DSL), it is recommended that you run your computer behind a basic firewall
device. A firewall is considered the first line of defense in protecting private
information and can be hardware or software based. The firewall that aur Computer Service recommends is the
Linksys WRT54G Router, which can be found at http://www.linksys.com.
aur Computer Service recommends not opening any emails if you are unsure of their
source. Also be very careful with attachments and links to websites found within
emails. The
source of many infections can be traced back to email.
It is recommended
not to click on any pop-up ads while browsing the Internet. To help minimize the
number of pop-up ads, use a pop-up blocker such as the Google Toolbar (http://toolbar.google.com).
Clicking on “Install”
or “Yes” or “Ok” whenever you are browsing the Internet is not suggested. For example,
if you run into a pop-up screen that says; “do you want to install…?” Always click
“No.”
Avoid browsing
“vice” web sites which tend to be heavily embedded with viruses and spyware. The
content of these web sites include porn, copyrighted material, and illegal activity
sites.
Using “Internet
black market” file sharing software such as Kazaa, Limewire, Bearshare, Ares, etc. is not only illegal, but also likely to infect your computer with viruses and spyware.
All of the above tips and hints are
extremely important in keeping your computer running smoothly. However, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your computer may be infected:
- Computer will not boot-up
- Programs run incorrectly
- Computer is very slow
- Computer crashes
- Tons of pop-ups
- Trouble accessing the Internet
Finally, if your computer does become
infected with a
virus, getting rid of this problem can cost anywhere from $75.00
to $250.00
depending on the severity of infection. This can even result in your
computer’s information permanently being lost. Therefore, you should proactively keep your computer well maintained in order to keep it secure and running at full-speed. -- By Tony Farrell, aur Computer Service co-owner 
