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Saturday, January 21, 2006

New Year computer security tips

Getting back to where I left off before the release of WordPerfect X3, here's another non word processing, but important, article. As Fred Langa reminds everyone, the first of the year is a good time to evaluate and re-check computer security measures. (InformationWeek: Langa Letter: 5 Essential Steps To PC Security.)

Following is a recap of his 5 step program, with commentary by yours truly. I'll try to keep the commentary to a minimum. Just, read the whole article for some rock solid advice.

  • Keep your software updated and fully patched. I have to admit a certain laziness in this department. For example, I have yet to update to the last service pack for WP12. However, one thing I'm never lax about is keeping Windows XP updated. And, as I indicated before, if anyone in the Springfield, Illinois, area needs Service Pack 2 on CD for XP, just drop me an e-mail.
  • The firewall thing. Langa provides several links to sites that rate software firewalls. For my own computer, I use the free version of Zone Alarm.
  • The anti-virus thing. For this, I use Grisoft's AVG free edition. While e-mail attachments aren't the only way to infect a computer, I try never to open a file in e-mail without knowing what it is and who sent it to me. Langa has links to some other utilities that are good for keeping spyware off a computer.
  • Password protection. This is something I previously discussed on this blog, and will continue to discuss in the future.
  • Periodically test your security precautions. As Langa discusses in addition to other steps, I periodically check in at Gibson Research Corporation which has a number of easy to use utilities, including the indispensable ShieldsUP and LeakTest, for checking various security settings.

Even if you didn't get a new computer for Christmas, this is a good time of the year to regularly evaluate your security systems. Alternatively, keeping your mind on top of the matter of computer security all year long is a good thing, too.

• Posted by: Marie Carnes at 11:24 PM
• 339 words in this article
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• Filed in: Security | Tips - Other

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