Protect yourself from hackers make sure you have the latest
Java and
Adobe
Reader, Flash player versions installed.
Make sure you are using the latest
Internet Explorer (IE8 is the latest), which will provide enhanced
security protection such as DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address
Space Layout
Randomization), and XSS cross scripting protection. Ensure "SmartScreen
Filter" is enabled in the IE Menu bar, Tools and you are running in
"Protected
Mode: On" shown in IE status bar.
If you use
Mozilla Firefox always ensure you have the latest version, for
extra protection you could install add-on
NoScript
which blocks JavaScript and Java which allows you to run for trusted domains of your
choice. Another popular add-on is
Adblock Plus which blocks advertising and tracking.
Protect yourself from hackers make sure
you are using Microsoft's latest desktop operating system which is
currently Windows 7, highly recommended is to install the 64 bit version
as this can make use of 4GB of memory or larger.
XP is very old and vulnerable now to the latest security threats,
especially since Microsoft has now released two major upgrades, first
Windows Vista and now Windows 7, both of which were designed to obsolete
it. Part of the problem now is that XP still ships with wildly outdated
noncore technologies, many of which are becoming favourite targets of
hackers. If
are still using Microsoft XP
make sure you have the latest service pack installed (service pack 3 is
the latest) has been installed and the firewall is enabled in control panel.
To check Microsoft Windows version and
service pack level:
Right click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties.
The Windows version and service pack level will be listed under System:
in the General tab dialog.
If you are still using older
Microsoft windows
operating systems 95, 98 you could download and install
Zonelabs free personal firewall.
Always ensure you have the latest Microsoft
updates installed by enabling windows automatic updates in control panel.
You can also check manually
using URL
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and install all critical
updates as well as
recommended updates.
Make sure
you have installed all the latest Microsoft Office updates
http://office.microsoft.com/.
Check your PC security and look for any missing updates with
Microsoft's Baseline Security Analyzer.
Always ensure you have
a current anti virus product installed.
Ensure you always use strong long passwords that are changed regularly
and include letters, numbers and symbols.
Always ensure you have the latest security patches installed and never open email attachments unless you know the person they are
being sent from and you are expecting them.
Microsoft Security Essentials - Provides free real-time protection for
your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious
software.
Security Tip: Increase Microsoft
Windows 7 default security set the UAC (User Access Control) slider to
the highest security setting!
1. On the Control Panel Under "System and Security" heading, click
"Review Computer Status".
2. Click "Change User Account Control Settings" (second choice on left
pane).
3. Click yes to UAC security warning, enter an administrator password if
prompted.
4. Slide the UAC slider all the way to the top.
5. Click OK. You may be prompted for the admin password again.
Protect yourself from phishing, forged
emails, install
Iconix Email Identification -
http://iconix.com/ - Instantly see
which email messages are legitimate with an icon in your inbox.
Protect your PayPal account login
access, enable
PayPal Security Key in your PayPal account - Double-lock your
account with the SMS-based PayPal Security Key.
