The Island of Logic

Here is an article that I recently published in a Florida Newsletter.

With all the recent news about identity theft, and after over 30 million victims in the past five years many people are concerned about their computer’s security (http://www.creditreport.com/identitytheft/info/statistics.asp). Some people are so concerned that they won’t use the Internet to do any online banking or shopping. Here are five steps that you can take to secure your PC and alleviate your fears. These steps will allow you to take advantage of the benefits of the Internet and feel more at ease about its dangers.

1.    Enable the Windows XP or Vista Firewall The Windows XP firewall will block intrusion access attempts to your computer. By utilizing this product, especially if you are connected to a public wireless access point, port scans and login attempts will be foiled. You can access your Windows Firewall settings by going to your Control Panel. Make sure that the firewall is enabled like the following screenshot.  

   2.    Install Windows Defender Windows Defender is a free product from Microsoft. It will protect your computer from spy-ware and pests that are used to steal your identity. If you have Windows Vista you do not need to install Windows Defender. It comes packaged with the operating system. If you have Windows XP go to the following link to download and install (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en). Below is a screenshot of Windows Defender.

  3.    Use Microsoft Update Microsoft Update is a program that will keep your computer up to date with all the latest security updates. You can schedule Microsoft Update, but it is also very important to run Microsoft Update manually in the case that the schedule is not performing correctly. To use Microsoft Update manually, open your Internet Explorer browser and go to Tools>Windows Update.

 To schedule Microsoft Update in Windows Vista, go to Control Panel>Windows Update.

To Schedule Microsoft Update in Windows XP, go to Control Panel>System. 

4.  Install a Anti-Virus product A good Anti-Virus product is a must for anyone that is using the Internet. If you are currently reading this article on your computer and you don’t have an up to date Anti-Virus product. Click on your print icon and then disconnect immediately from the Internet. If you want to make the affect more dramatic acquire a scissors and cut the cable going to your router, if you have wireless access take a hammer immediately and crush your Access Point beyond recognition. Ok, hopefully I have made my point. It is not only imperative that you have an Anti-Virus product, but that you have a current subscription and that it is up to date. One of the best Anti-Virus products on the market today is Eset’s NOD32 product (www.eset.com).

5.  Internet Browsing best practices

      a. Don’t download and install “freeware” or shareware programs unless you 100% positive that it is from a reputable source. If you are unsure, it will not reduce your quality of life to not have it. Identity theft will.

       b. Make sure that all your banking and online shopping locations use encryption to secure transactions. Look for the following.

Observe the lock symbol and the https protocol. If the website URL is preceded by https, the site is encrypted.

      c. Never follow links in emails. If you receive an e-mail with a clickable link. Do not use the link, instead type the address manually in your address bar. Here is an example of why. Click on the following link. You may think that it is going to take you to the Bank of America website; instead it will take you to the Google website. (Example: http://www.bankofamerica.com/) By typing the URL in the address bar yourself, you control where you are going.

      d. If you are unsure of the source of an e-mail don’t even open it, just delete it.

      e. If you are on a website and it prompts you to install a ActiveX control. Look at the following screenshot.

Do not install unless you are 100% positive that it is from a reputable source. If you are unsure, it will not reduce your quality of life to not have it. Once again, identity theft will.