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Protecting the Computer From Vulnerabilities

This is the age of computers and almost for everything we use computers. Whether it is a communication or online banking or shopping, we use computers and the internet extensively. Due to the extensive use of computers, we are at the risk of parting personal and valuable information to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. You might either be phished or someone can gain physical access to your system and can do the necessary things he wishes to do so.

If proper steps are taken, you definitely can safeguard your system from vulnerabilities. Please do not take things for granted if you have a system with you.

Follow these simple, cost-effective and golden rules to protect your system against vulnerabilities:

(i) You might have stored a lot of vital information in your system. Even though the information is available in the system, please do take a backup of your important information in any removable media like CDs or DVDs and keep them safely, preferably, not near your system.

(ii) Regularly check for updates and security patches available for your operating system, web browser and software. You can download the updates from the website www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com if the operating system that you are using in your system is Windows. For Office programs like MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., you can download the updates by visiting www.officeupdate.microsoft.com

(iii) Firewalls protect you against viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware. Therefore, install a firewall.

(iv) Set the security settings of your web browser and e-mail to optimum. Do you know why you should set the security to optimum? In general, hackers use ActiveX and JavaScript to implant these nasty viruses and worms. You may also set the security settings for “Internet zone” to high and “trusted sites zone” to medium low.

(v) Download and install good and trusted anti-virus software. Installing itself is not enough. Set the settings in such a way that the updates are downloaded automatically.

(vi) If you receive e-mail attachments from unknown persons, do not open it. Immediately delete it. Once you delete it, it will go to the trash can. Delete it from the trash can too.

(vii)Saw amusing or funny stories or jokes in a website, which you are not aware of. Please do not send them to any of your friends or co-workers. It is because they may contain Trojans.

(viii) If you are using Windows Operating System, “hide file extensions for known file types” option is automatically set. Please disable this option to avoid unrecognized file types being stored in your system.

(ix) A hacker can attack your system only when the system is switched on or when you are connected to the Internet. Therefore, disconnect internet connection when you are not using your system. Also, switch off the system.

(x) Create a boot disk using your floppy as soon as you got your system. This is because if a boot disk is created after the infection, then there is no use in creating one. You can use this if your system is infected by malicious programs.

09/07/10 Dell Collaborates with Trend Micro

09/07/10 Apple and Adobe Both Roll Out Large Security Updates

09/07/10 HP to Acquire Fortify

09/07/10 Microsoft Issues Record Breaking Security Update

09/07/10 Microsoft Fixes Most Recent Vulnerability

09/07/10 Google Pushing to Redefine 'Responsible Disclosure'

09/07/10 Mozilla Rolls Out Security Update for Firefox