Computer Safety

For many the Internet can be a very confusing and frightening place. The main concerns are viruses and hacking. The best way to protect yourself is to be prepared and to know the truth from the rumors. Hopefully I can clear up many of your concerns and give you some tools to protect yourself while online.

WebTV
For some reason many think that WebTV can not get viruses on line. This becomes a major problem and in the end they don’t worry when they should. The number one family of viruses used to attack WebTV will kick you off line and prevent you from signing back on. This is easily fixed by calling WebTV and requesting they reset your account.

Chat rooms; email; etc.
Many are under the impression that if they don’t download they are safe. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can get attacked in chat rooms; instant message programs; email; visiting websites; and especially if you use DCC in chat rooms to send or receive files or private messages.

With all these ways into your computer it might seem overwhelming and hopeless. There are always things you can do. By simply following the steps below you can protect yourself.

1) Use a virus protection program such as Norton’s, McAfee, or any number of others on the market. If you can’t afford one then visit TheFreeSite.com and download one of their free programs. They also offer other free utilities to check your system and how vulnerable you are. http://www.thefreesite.com/cgi-bin/search/hyperseek.cgi You should run your virus scan at least once a week.
2) Run a firewall. The number one reason firewalls fail are because computer operators turn them off. There is no reason to ever turn your firewall off. If you find you are having problems with an internet program or game connecting to the internet then all you have to do is go into your firewall program and allow that particular program access. If you are running Windows XP your computer has a built in firewall. You will find it in your connect to file on your start menu. Need a free firewall? Visit TheFreeSite.com http://www.thefreesite.com/cgi-bin/search/hyperseek.cgi
3) Popup programs run very much like a virus. They can be prevented easily using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Click on tools and go to your privacy tab. You will find your popup blocker there. You should never have to turn the program off. If your favorite site needs to use popups then add them to your allow list. If you still need or want a popup blocker then just type free popup blocker into your search engine and go crazy.
4) Always scan your email. Some email services provide their own scans as do many virus protection programs. Another way to protect yourself is to restrict your email to only people listed in your address book. This will also cut down on email spamming. You can do this easily by clicking on your email providers options.
5) When it comes to chat rooms your virus protection program should protect you most of the time. You should turn your DCC off or just refuse any connections. DCC connects your computer directly to another computer and is used mostly to send files during chat.
6) Be careful of what you download; try to avoid file sharing programs; and do not visit questionable websites. Many porn sites, music sites, SN or crack sites, etc. carry viruses that are deposited onto your computer. For the most part if the site is conducting illegal activities you should seriously consider avoiding it.
7) Never answer an instant message from someone you don’t know. You should also be careful of accepting files. Your friends might not know if their files are corrupt so accept at your own risk. Many IM programs will warn you of suspect files but don’t rely on that.
8) Make sure your computer is updated. Just click on Windows Update and follow the prompts.
9) Monitor your children. You can be doing everything right but if they aren’t then your hard work means nothing.

Michael Horowitz offers a wonderful online class that you can visit at: http://www.michaelhorowitz.com/protecting.html This site is totally free and packed full of information to help you when traveling down the internet highway.

The University of Washington offers a website that goes over viruses and even covers how to set your virus protection software. http://www.washington.edu/computing/virus.html

Gibson Research Corporation offers several wonderful programs to test your computer as well as many for protection. They also have some wonderful and informative articles on the weaknesses and dangers written into the Microsoft OS and how to deal with them. http://www.grc.com/default.htm

Hopefully this article helps you to see the dangers of the internet and offers you some help in navigating through them. The number one way to protect yourself on line is to educate yourself.