Tips and Tricks to maintain and protect your computer. 

Strategy 

 Print this page and put it next to your screen until you have completed steps 1 - 6, at least.

What then might be our strategy? We must move as silently and as stealthily as possible to avert this threat. We must close all of the open doors to our systems and simply disable them when possible. We must rapidly "harden" our systems to withstand the onslaught. 

What can you as a concerned user do?  (in order of importance)

1. Get everything updated! Windows, Antivirus, and Blacklists.
2. Use a password on your computer ASAP. Make it a good one!  If you already had passwords, Change them all sometime within this month. Right now would be better. Delete any and all old accounts.
3. Use an Anti-virus Program!
4. Forward this message. Let's react quietly and quickly. We don't want to stir things up even more than M$, we just want the attacks to fall on closed doors...
5. Turn off your computer if it is not in use! I know, it a PITNeck, but it's necessary.
6. Get a firewall. ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, Wingate, WinProxy are all fine. Google them.
   Lo and behold, PC Magazine  reviewed firewalls in the Feb 26 issue. Here's the story ... http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%3D1645%26a%3D21990,00.asp
   The manual for the Norton package has an excellent treatment of firewalls: It starts on page 5,  http://webpages.charter.net/cwind/nis.pdf 
7. Since intrusion may come from E-mail, then let's follow the anti-virus tips listed below. Update your Anti-virus program. If it wasn't bought in this century, Replace it. now, today. Get the newest version. If you have cable/or DSL use (Symantec's) Norton Internet Security. If you have a modem, Norton Antivirus is fine. The reason I mention Norton is that people spend too much time deciding on venders, when they should be updating their programs...Buy whatever you want, just make sure to get the newest version!

The fine print. I don't work for Norton and this is all just my opinion. I'm tightening security at all of my sites. In order to be fair to all of the anti-virus software companies, here's a link to a big list...

Security Alert! - Some security tips for users, from the National Cyber Security Alliance.

"Securing your personal computer plays a crucial role in protecting our nation's Internet infrastructure, It's the responsibility of every American to ensure that these cyber security needs are met."
-National Cyber Security Alliance

DO:
1. Use anti-virus software and keep it updated. Most anti-virus subscriptions last for 1 year. Make sure you stay on top of the updates! If you bought the anti-virus software before 2002, get a new anti-virus program. Upgrades are cheap. 

2. Stay up-to-date with security patches. This is that "Windows Update" button on your start menu. Do this once a month or more.

3. Regularly back up their computers. If you don't have a backup plan then you are not backed up. Backup is what you  rely on to restore your data after an attack wipes you out. 

4. Disconnect their computers from the Internet when not using them. Leaving the Systems on is another controversy. I turn mine off every time I finish using it. The chip heat factor is a fallacy. You don't leave the house with the stove on, so turn off the computer. 

5. Check security settings twice a year. This year the dates recommended are April 7 and Oct. 27, which will be when most U.S. users change their clocks to switch to daylight-saving time and then standard time, respectively. The Alliance is calling these Cyber Security Days. (note from the author of this page: If we all check the settings at the same time then we basically tell the hackers what the best time to attack is, April 6 and Oct 26. I recommend random security checks)

6. Use difficult-to-guess passwords. Do not use the words "love, peace, sex" in your password. Use eight numbers or letters or more, mixing capital and lowercase letters. Change the passwords regularly and always after an employee leaves or quits. 

7. Use firewalls. Mostly for networks, or Cable or DSL connections. I have provided a link to some firewall information here...

8. Make sure users know what to do if a computer becomes infected with a virus. 

Do Not:

1. Do not: Use file sharing programs with strangers. This is referring to services like Gnutella, or Limewire, where other users can actually download files from your computer. If you must use these services, turn them off when you are done. Make sure you know how to turn them off, some "exit" menu's really just minimize the program, it is still running in the "background".

2. Do not: Open suspicious e-mails from known or unknown sources. Yahoo mail can pick up mail from other mail accounts, and Virus-Scan them for you!