Funny Stuff is all around

If we were to take a conversation about security, such as this one, and place in the context of a social setting twenty years ago, people would have thought that you were crazy. The issue of security awareness in our society has, by necessity, reached a higher level than ever.

Everything from credit card fraud to computer spyware has consumers wondering what they need to do to protect themselves. While much of the worry is well founded, the truth about what we need to do protect our assets can be a little cloudy. By utilizing simple tools like computer firewalls, many PC users could completely eliminate the risks that they currently face.

security awareness
Start with the computer firewalls. Your goal is to prevent others from accessing your data remotely. A combination of computer firewalls and antivirus PC security software can take your sensitive information from unprotected to secure with very little effort. A firewall can be considered your first line of defense when connected to the internet.

In order for information that is behind a firewall to be sent or received from your computer, permission must be granted by the firewall. You can set up your firewall to always grant access to programs you trust and always block access to programs you do not trust. You can also set the firewall to ask for your confirmation before granting access to an unknown program.

Antivirus software protects your computer from viruses that are transmitted over the internet and through file exchanges. A good antivirus program will continually monitor all of your file transfers. However, it is still advisable to fully scan your entire system for viruses once a week.

You can schedule this scan to run automatically while you are asleep or away from home. You will also need to sign up for automatic updates to the antivirus program, as new viruses are released daily.

pc security shield
Set an administrative password even if you are the only user of your computer. This will prevent unauthorized parties from opening your desktop and looking through your files. The password should be easy to remember but difficult to guess.

If you want to allow house guests or friends to use your computer, create a separate guest account that does not have administrator access. Check online at Microsoft.com for instructions on setting up accounts or ask a computer-savvy friend for help.

Consider physical changes to make your entire computer less likely to be stolen. Store a laptop in a lockable cabinet or safe when not in use and be sure to actually lock the cabinet. You can also buy computer locks that are designed to lock your laptop or desktop computer to a desk or wall.

Be especially vigilant when traveling with your laptop. Consider installing GPS tracking on your laptop, always use a locking case, and keep the laptop in your hotel safe when not in use. At home, you should have a home security system to protect all of your valuables.

wireless computer security
As you are heightening your security awareness, it is important to remember that you need to back up your data. Security doesn’t just have to be about thieves. It can also be viruses that will cause your system to crash. Your information won’t be stolen, it will just be destroyed. Take the time to back up the files that are vital to your survival and keep them in a secure location.

Vigilance is the key in putting a computer security system to practical use. Developing good habits takes effort, but before you know it your new patterns will be second nature. Do not become paranoid about security, but allow new habits to ease your mind.

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There are two types of software that will be explained underneath:

1. Hard drive software is used for data safety purposes. This means that exact copies of hard drives is produced by disc image files which can be stored in mediums like CD, DVD, etc. This is useful to have if your computer suddenly gets a virus attack or a hardware failure. By having such backup software, you can get the peace of mind that this problem can be restored rapidly. It is also helpful when you want to restore only necessary and important files. It comes in handy even in cases where there is a mass system deployment which involves many identical computers.

The best thing about hard drive backup software is that it secures all your programs, data files, pictures and all the files that are very important to you. What’s nice about hard drive backup software is that it doesn’t interrupt or disturb any functioning of the computer; you can still go on with your work while the system does the backup job. It is always a good idea to have the right Windows registry cleaner to get rid of unwanted viruses. How backup software works- it protects your data by archiving it at scheduled times and what’s nice about this is that you can adjust the timetable settings, especially with the new software backup packages.

Lots of different backup software is readily available on the market today, you just need to choose the one that suits your specific needs. You can also try hard drive backup software websites, but I suggest buying one is much safer. Either choose between software backup systems that are designed for small personal business computers or choose one that is designed for professional use. All these backup software can operate on more than one operating system.
The best advisable thing that you need to take into consideration when it comes to purchasing backup software is to rather invest in one that does bit-level verification. This way you can have the same backup for different operating systems which is very important for all big businesses that make use of computers. It is the only cure to safe important files when the network fails to work or crashes.

2. Internet backup software (also known as online backup software) gives you the opportunity to safe all your important data on a remote server. Only medium and large scale companies like banks make use of this kind of software.

What’s nice about this Internet software is that it normally takes advantage of non-peak times of Internet use while providing unique backup solutions. This backup software is very advanced and large amounts of data measured in gigabytes are usually stored on this software. It is very safe if you want to archive some data.

Internet backup service providers have enough space if you want to store your files and their guarantee to you is that they will restore all your files for you without any data loss. They usually make use of FTP software, which is file transfer protocol and in the case of a network crash, you first have to install the software form a CD and download all the files that you want to keep on the Internet. This can take a lot of your time.
The best thing is that they provide full backup for a hard disc, etc. but due to low Internet transfer speed the backup process of a hard disc can be frustrating so rather choose the most important files that you rather wish to back up.

These Internet backup software offer advantages like a safe and secure place for all your files but don’t stare yourself blind to the disadvantages which they have like high cost and slow restoration.

Either way, it’s up to you in your decision making.

Coming to the realization that you need to invest in computer security is only the beginning. The real challenge can be finding the right pc security software for your applications.

Viruses, spyware and other malware can be transmitted from computer to computer at lightning speed and some malevolent programs, such as Trojan Horses, even have the ability to mutate over time. If your security barriers are not strong enough or are not set up correctly then you are leaving your information wide open for theft.

pc security software
The first step in data computer security should be the installation of basic antivirus and antispyware software. For a large network though, especially one that carries critical data, these basic home system computer security tools are not sufficient. You will need additional protection for business computer security.

There is a process known as security hardening or system hardening that network administrators should strongly consider following. This process attempts to maximize network security by closing back doors and other potential weak spots in the computer’s programming.

Typically, system hardening procedures involve a number of tasks. One is the elimination of all unnecessary programs and files. Every program has a weak spot in its security, meaning that the more programs you have installed the more chances you provide a hacker to find an entry point.

pc security shield
System hardening also changes the default settings provided by the operating system for typical users to more secure settings. System hardening also includes renaming the administrator account, disabling the guest account and creating secure passwords for each account.

You can perform system hardening procedures on your own, and by their nature some tasks must be completed this way. However, unless you are an extremely experienced network administrator, you may find that it is both simpler and more thorough to use a commercial computer security tool to assist you.

A wide variety of business computer security are currently on the market. A simple Google search will reveal hundreds. Which tool you choose will depend on several factors. Which operating system are you using?

Windows is the platform most often hardened, as it is prone to the most security holes. However, Mac and Unix hardeners are also available. How much of the process do you want to control and how much do you want to have automated?

If you are new to the network security field, you may want to purchase a hardening tool that automates the bulk of the process. More experienced network administrators may want more control over the procedure.

system computer security
Remember that system hardening is not sufficient by itself. The number one computer security tool continues to be behavior. You must educate everyone on your network in proper data computer safety procedures.

These procedures should include logging off at the end of each shift or when the computer will be unattended; utilizing strong passwords and changing them frequently; not allowing unauthorized users to access their computers; and not storing passwords or hints near the computer. These simple steps will greatly enhance your network’s data safety.