Top 10 ways to protect your computer from viruses, worms & more

Conficker is the latest worm or virus you have to worry about and it’s set to hit on April 1. How nice.

What’s it going to do though? Well, nobody really knows yet. It could be nothing or it could be the end of life as we know it, meaning, we may not be able to connect to the Internet for every minute of the day. Gasp!

So, how do you protect yourself from the confounding Conficker worm and other worms, viruses, hackers, spammers, losers and general deadbeats?

I decided it was time to create a list.

The top ten things you can do to protect your computer from viruses, worms & more:

1. Use a Mac – this worm is geared towards PCs, so using a Mac should be one level of protection that would help. I wouldn’t say never because in nature, viruses are known to cross species boundaries, why not operating systems? Hey, it could happen.
2. Windows updates – Make sure all your software is up to date with the latest patches. This will help to minimize the likelihood that worms and viruses will infiltrate your system through its weak points. I know Windows is like Swiss cheese, but you might as well collapse some of those holes.
3. Software updates – All your software should be patched up with the latest updates. Think of the software you use the most that connects to the Internet. Make sure Firefox, Explorer and other web browsers have the latest patches, and make sure to be using the latest versions. Old versions have been around long enough that even Moses could hack them.
4. Anti-virus software – If you’re not running antivirus software, you must be suicidal. Get it, run it, update it and not necessarily in that order. AVG has a free version that is a good start. There are definitely other good antivirus packages out there.
5. Anti-spyware software – It’s a good plan to be running anti-spyware software on an ongoing basis. Spy Sweeper is one that comes to mind.
6. Bad neighbourhoods – You avoid bad neighbourhoods in places where you live and where you visit right? Do the same on the Internet. That’s no guarantee you’re not going to get hit by viruses, worms and spyware, but it’s a start. You know the places I’m talking about: porn sites, download sites, etc. They’re notorious for picking up things that will make you regret going there in the first place.
7. Firewall – You want to make sure your Windows firewall is activated. There are other third-party firewalls that you can use and are worth checking out.
8. Email – if you don’t recognize where that email came from, for God’s sake don’t open the attachment! I prefer to use web-based email like Gmail to keep an extra layer of protection. Those attachments aren’t dangerous if they’re not on your computer (I hope). If in doubt, delete it. Gmail is also very good for detecting and eliminating spam.
9. Back up your data – If you have critical data, and we all do, back it up regularly. Start with work files and make sure your family photos are burned to DVDs (at least two of them) and maybe to an external hard drive as well. There’s no excuse for not backing up. Hard drives fail, not to mention viruses and worms could wipe those files out. Back up regularly, daily if it’s a work related computer.
10. Passwords – There have been books written on this topic. Some basic advice? Don’t use the same password everywhere. I know it’s a pain, but don’t! Also, make combinations of letters and numbers. Hacking is easy when passwords are “password” or something similarly obvious. Pick something like “rt03f68a” or something as arcane. (Don’t use that one.) Work your brain a little. There are password management programs that make life easier. Just make sure you don’t give that program a really easy password. Making the password about 8 characters makes life tough for hackers. Don’t give it out to anyone either. Do I have to be that obvious? Apparently!

Hello to all Chinese spies visiting my site :)

This is a pretty basic list of ideas about how you can go about protecting yourself on the Internet. I’d suggest you get this done today before we find out what Conficker is all about. It’s no guarantee that your computer will be kept free of problems, but it’s a pretty good start. Most people don’t even do the basics well, so if they get this list right they’ll minimize the likelihood of problems.

If you have kids, all bets are off. Ha ha! Seriously. They’ll thwart even the most serious efforts to stop viruses, worms and general Internet detritus. They never seem to believe you until something actually happens. You’re better off getting your kids their own computer. Save the headache.

And what spawned this article? Well, I wrote about how a Canadian group of researchers who discovered that China is spying on the rest of the world through the Internet. Yeah, it’s true. They deny it, of course. No problem right? Well, I didn’t have any problems before then, but since my article was posted on China’s spy activities, my anti-virus software has detected probably about a dozen attempts to infect my computer. So, I’m reviewing all my protection and making sure it’s up to date. Coincidence? I think not.  (Keep trying, bastards, you’re not going to get through.)

I am in need of a new computer. I have had this feeling like my laptop is on its last legs. May be time to get a Mac to replace it. :)

If you’ve got any other suggestions, they are definitely welcome. Am I way off base? Tell me how.

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