The most frequent request I get is to make sure a computer is secure, and won't get (or isn't already) "infected". Everyone has heard of "viruses" and "trojans" and other scary words, but how do you keep them off your computer?Viruses, spyware and other malicious software are constantly evolving and adapting, and there is no absolute way to make sure your computer is safe (except for unplugging it from the internet and never plugging it back in) but there are a number of things you can do to be safer.
Here is my three pronged approach to computer security. (If you are a Mac user skip to the bottom).
1. Firewall
The first step to a secure computer is having a firewall running. Microsoft Windows XP and Vista have a built in firewall that works fine. There is no need to pay for a firewall product, no matter what special bells and whistles are promised. And there is no reason to use more then one firewall. To make sure your firewall is turned on follow these instructions:
1.Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
2.On the General tab, click On (recommended), and then click OK.
2. Anti-Virus Software
The second step is an up-to-date anti-virus program. Most new computers come with an anti-virus program installed, and a free trial period, such as Symantec's Norton Antivirus or McAfee. Once this trial period has ended you are required to purchase a yearly subscription for updates. Without these updates the anti-virus program is useless. Each update contains information regarding new viruses, and there are new ones every day. If you do not have these updates, you are in danger of being infected. The anti-virus program also needs to run periodic scans of your computer. Make sure you have a scheduled scan, and you are receiving updates. There are also some free alternatives out there. If you are having trouble with Norton, or Mcafee (these two programs will often slow down a computer) give me a call and we can find an alternative for you.
3. Malware scanner
What is malware? Any software you don't want on your computer. These can include:
Spyware - Spys on your actions, like entering your passwords or credit card number
Adware - pop-up advertisments (even when you're not on the internet!)
Trojans - programs hidden in other downloaded files
I use two free programs to scan for and remove malware - Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware. These both need to be manually ran (there is no automating or scheduling) and they should be ran about every one to two months (or any time you think there is a problem).
Mac Users - (If you use Windows don't read any further. Seriously. You won't like this)
If you are running a mac with OS X (any mac sold after 2001) you don't need to worry about security. Mac OS X is very secure out of the box. Mac OS X has a firewall turned on by default. There are currently no viruses for the Mac OS, and I don't see any coming for a while*. Every once in a while you will see an alarming headline claiming the "first" Mac virus has been created, but these turn out to be false alarms or "proof of concepts" that pose no threat at all. Because Mac OS is secure there is no reason to run anti-virus software, or anti-malware software*. All you need to worry about is keeping your software up to date. Go to the Apple menu and select "Software Update". Install any and all updates. That's it.
*This may change in the future, but I just don't see it coming. Any security holes that have come up (and there have been some) have been quickly fixed by Apple. And there are just not the same type of vulnerabilities that are found in the Windows architecture. I've heard the theory that there are no Mac viruses because there are so few Mac users, but this rings hollow to me. There are something like 25 million or more installed Macs being used, and that sounds like a huge untapped resource to me, not a small number of computers that aren't worth aiming for. I'm sure if virus and malware writers could get their wares running on all those computers they would, but it isn't happening.
