Today, further and extra individuals are using their computers for every thing from communication to online banking and investing to shopping.  As we do these things on a much more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers.  While some may be looking to phish your personal data and identity for resale, others simply simply want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack different unknowing targets.  Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer extra secure.

Always make backups of necessary information and store in a safe place separate from your personal computer.
Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently.  If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard.  This program will help you locate the latest patches for your Windows personal computer.  Additionally go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

Install a firewall.  Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your personal computer from the Internet.  Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

Look at your browser and email settings for optimum security.  Why should you do this?  Active-X and JavaScript are generally used by hackers to plant malicious programs into your computers.  While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the internet to build a profile of you.  At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.
Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive more current versions.

Do not open unfamiliar email attachments.  It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates due to the fact many viruses can spread from a familiar address.  

 
Do not run programs from unknown origins.  Likewise, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers due to the fact they consists of funny or amusing stories or jokes.  They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a personal computer.

Disable hidden filename extensions.  By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”.  Disable this alternative so that file extensions display in Windows.  Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are extra very likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.  
Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer.  A hacker can not assault your personal computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

Think about making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your personal computer is impaired or compromised by a malicious program.  Obviously, you need to take this step before you encounter a hostile breach of your system. Its always superior to have a plan in case of any problem even if the chances are minimal.

Also run a registry cleaner regularly.

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