Security Centre
How to Fight Against Spyware Invasion
Before you log on the Internet on your brand new computer, you should arm it against invading spyware.
How to Fight Against Spyware Invasion
Is your computer brand new and you are using it for the very first time? Before you log on the Internet on your brand new computer, you should arm it against invading spyware.
Spyware love brand new computers. That is because new computers often do not have their computer security components installed yet. Thus, malicious software have a small window of opportunity to infiltrate the new computer before its computer security software are put in place. Reports indicate that malware swarm a new machine within 20 minutes upon logging on the Internet.
If you do not install security software in your machine before you go online, there is a high chance that your machine will soon become a haven for malware. Before you know it, your computer will become bogged down by malicious code hampering its operations. Worse, your personal information will become compromised and you will become a candidate for identity theft.
Computer Security Measures You Should Implement
There are a number of tasks that you should do immediately upon returning home with your new computer. Here are the tasks that you must accomplish as soon as you have your computer set up on your desk.
1. Install anti-virus software and anti-spyware. As soon as you turn your computer on, download anti-virus software and anti-spyware. Needless to say, these two pieces of software will shield your computer from incoming malware. You should buy proprietary software if you can afford it, but there are also great computer security software pieces out there that come for free.
2. Run Windows Update. Most computers come pre-installed with the Windows operating system. Unless you bought a Mac or your operating system of choice is Linux or its hybrids, you should run Windows Update after you have installed your anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Windows Update will download all the patches or upgrades Microsoft will have released since the time your computer was assembled. These upgrades will patch up the security issues discovered so far in your Windows OS.
3. Tweak your browser. If you are like most PC users, you would be using Internet Explorer as your Internet browser. One sad fact about Internet Explorer that even Microsoft does not deny is that it is so vulnerable to attempts of identity theft. It simply is not the best Internet browser out there. As thus, you should install a different Internet browser in your computer, such as Mozilla Firefox or Opera.
Whatever Internet browser you are using, make sure that this browser automatically deletes your browsing history and clears the cache whenever you close it. You should also make sure that it does not keep any information about you that spyware may be able to pry out.
Another thing you should take the time to do is to call up your Internet service provider and ask them what security measures they are implementing to keep your web surfing safe. These measures are usually enumerated in the Terms of Service document. You should read your TOS as well.
Careful Browsing Makes a Safe Computer
It is not just the computer security software that will make your computer safe from spyware and any attempts to make you a victim of identity theft. It also depends on your own actions while you are online.
The best thing to do to prevent your computer from being infected by spyware is to exercise caution in your Internet browsing. For one, you should be wary of the websites you visit. Websites leave cookies in your cache to monitor your surfing habits. Some are not just interested in your surfing habits. These are the ones that install malware in your computer to obtain information such as usernames, passwords and account numbers.
For another, you should not click heedlessly at any link that you see in your emails, especially if you do not know who the email came from. More often than not, these links will activate spyware downloads into your system. Say goodbye to the safety of your personal information when you make the click.
Most email clients have a built-in virus scanner. Make sure that this virus scanner is turned on so that you will be alerted if the email and its attachments are infected.
Little things go a long way when it comes to maintaining computer security and fighting spyware. Being vigilant in these little things will prevent you from becoming a victim of identity theft.
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