REFRESHER TIPS ON SECURITY

Yep, it's that time of the year again ('bout once a quarter) to remind you of your part in keeping your computer secure and un-infected! Much of this will sound like a broken record, but you would be surprised at the number of people I come across who have let things slip by, put off until a later time (which never comes), and become infected.

So let's run down a quick checklist!

1. Keep your Anti-Virus up-to-date. If it's expired, better to pay and renew than risk losing your photos, documents, and music! If you have a local computer shop you deal will regularly and your A/V is expired or nearing expiration date, call them - when it comes to computer infections, what may have been the No.1 anti-virus software last year, could have dropped a few notches this year. It doesn't hurt to ask.
2. Run Malwarebyte scans twice a month (quick scans). If your Malwarebyte icon is still Maroon and not blue you haven't done an update/scan in some time.
3. Make sure your staple items are updated [Adobe Flash, Reader, and ORACLE'S JAVA].
4. If you get a pop-up about an update what do you do? That's right! Close the box, then go directly to the website and run the update from there.
5. If you get an email from yourself does it mean your email has been hacked? Possibly, but usually the answer is "NO". If you receive an email that appears to confirm a password change, check the email headers to see if this is a trick to get you to click on the link supplied.
6. Don't react in panic - think it through first, and if you have doubts - call your local computer shop.
7. BUY your A/V software - don't try to be clever (and cheap), buy a good anti-virus program. One that will not only protect you by checking your email, but also your google searches, letting you know which link is good, bad, or ugly.
8. If you do get infected what should you do? ANSWER: Turn off your PC and call for help. Don't leave it "ON" for days until help arrives.
9. Have two browsers installed on your PC. You may not be able to get to your usual website(s) due to a problem with your browser. Try the second one to verify the issue.
10. Keep your PC backed up!! Especially in today's world of digital photos and music, keep them backed up, online, using a service like Carbonite.

Okay, take a breather and start going through the checklist as time allows -

'Nuff Said,
Brian