For many people, computers have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. We rely on them for communication, school, office work or for simply getting information from the internet. Your home computer can be vulnerable to damage just like any other machine in your house, especially when you are connected to the internet.[1] Therefore, it is important that you learn and take measures in order to protect your home computer from any potential damage.
Most infections require user interaction in order to be activated.[2] The virus usually requires you download and run an application from a malicious website or as an e-mail attachment. Always ensure that all Windows updates are applied. Before installing a new application, you should consider the potential risks. Do you really need this new application? Do you trust the author?
Spyware and adware can also have an impact on the performance of your computer.[3] A good way to scan your computer for spyware and adware is by using an anti-spyware package, such as Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/). This package is available free of charge.
You should always ensure that you install a personal firewall if your computer is not behind a router. A router bridges devices together with NAT, and usually has a built-in firewall. A firewall is important as it acts as a filter which protects your computer from malicious content from the internet. Some popular software firewalls can be found at the MakeUseOf website (http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-top-firewall-programs-computers-security/).
Another important method for home computer repair is system restore. It is important that you are aware of how to create restore points on your computer. If there is any damage to your computer, you can restore your computer to a previously secure checkpoint. In order to prevent loss of data it is also recommended that you back up your computer’s data on a regular basis.
If you would like to switch to an operating system less frequently targeted by hackers, and have a much more stable computer, it may be worth looking into desktop-friendly Linux distributions. Do not be fooled- switching to Linux or Mac OS does not mean a more secure computer by itself.[4] Steps must be taken to ensure the security of your computer, no matter what operating system is installed.
Please check out our article on “15 Things Every PC User Should Know“.
[1] “Computer virus – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.” 2003. 5 Jul. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus>
[2] “How to Protect Your PC – Rhode Island State Division of Information …” 2010. 5 Jul. 2012 <http://www.doit.ri.gov/security/protect/index.php>
[3] “Spyware Workshop Report.” 2005. 5 Jul. 2012 <http://www.ftc.gov/os/2005/03/050307spywarerpt.pdf>
[4] “Mac OS X Report: Virus Infects 600000 Computers – ABC News.” 2012. 5 Jul. 2012 <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/04/mac-os-x-report-virus-infects-600000-computers/>
