With good network security, you don’t have to worry about viruses or compromising sensitive personal data. Poor security leaves you vulnerable to identity theft or malware that can ruin your data. Consider the following tips for protecting your computer network security:
Use a good anti-virus program. Norton, McAfee and AVG all provide excellent anti-virus programs. Installing one of them should be your first priority.
Make sure your virus definitions are up-to-date. An anti-virus program is only as good as its virus definitions. Set your anti-virus program to check for updates at least once a week, or daily if you want to be extra cautious.
Run regular virus scans. Anti-virus programs are good at catching viruses that try to sneak through, but one occasionally gets by. It’s important to run regular virus scans to ensure your computer isn’t infected. Set your anti-virus software to scan weekly.
Update your operating system regularly. Software developers are constantly updating operating systems. Some of these updates address bugs and potential exploits in your system, so you should keep your operating system up-to-date to ensure you’re protected against the latest threats.
Configure and use a firewall. Firewalls require some advanced configuration to work properly with some games and software, but it’s worth your time to configure and use them. Firewalls help protect against malicious software and prevent people from traveling through your network connection to compromise your computer.
Use your Web browser’s security features. All Web browsers come with security features. Set your security to medium, at least, and high if you can tolerate it. Changing your browser’s security settings helps protect you against the most common threats, and it can alert you if your system is compromised.
Enable your router’s security features. Good routers incorporate security features into their firmware. Enable password protection and encryption so people can’t get into your network or steal data as it’s transmitted.
Install an anti-spyware program. Viruses aren’t the only threat to network security; spyware can present a major problem, especially in the form of keyloggers that steal passwords. Install an anti-spyware program to sniff out and protect your PC from this malicious software.
Use strong, varied passwords. Using strong passwords is one of the easiest ways to improve security. Use long passwords that are a combination of both letters and numbers. Use different passwords for different applications, so if one password is compromised, it doesn’t affect all your accounts.
Consider a computer network security suite. Both Norton and McAfee offer computer network security suites with a variety of software, including anti-virus, firewall, identity protection and even backup features. These suites work together seamlessly to address a variety of threats, providing stronger protection than you’d get from a patchwork of different programs.
When it comes to finding an IT consultant for your business, it’s important to ensure you have a good rapport with the person you hire. “You should feel completely comfortable with your IT person,” confirms Paul Hermann, owner of Five Star Networking, Inc. in Livermore. “If you don’t feel he’s technical enough or if he can’t explain things to you in layman’s terms, then he’s probably not the right person for you to be working with.”
Mr. Hermann also recommends keeping old IT systems for possible future use, even when replacement systems have been installed. “Most IT people just cart them away, but they can still be used in most cases,” he explains. “They can be very useful, even if they don’t have much resale value.”
Mr. Hermann cautions against placing too much emphasis on cost savings when it comes to IT systems. “In tough economic times, people try to squeeze as much as they can from their old systems. But you can only push systems so far, and if a production system goes down, you can easily spend more getting it repaired than if it was replaced when it was recommended.”
