{"product_id":"2940013996885","title":"Protect Your Computer System","description":"Today, more and more people are using their computers for everything from\u003cbr\u003ecommunication to online banking and investing to shopping.\u003cbr\u003eAs we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential\u003cbr\u003ehackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal\u003cbr\u003einformation and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a\u003cbr\u003eplatform from which to attack other unknowing targets.\u003cbr\u003eBelow are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more\u003cbr\u003esecure to begin with:\u003cbr\u003e1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place\u003cbr\u003eseparate from your computer.\u003cbr\u003e2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software\u003cbr\u003efrequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eand enter “update wizard” in the search box. This program will help you find\u003cbr\u003ethe latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eand locate possible patches for your Office programs.\u003cbr\u003e3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware\u003cbr\u003eand adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet.\u003cbr\u003eConsideration should be given to the benefits and differences between\u003cbr\u003ehardware and software based firewall programs.\u003cbr\u003eProtect Your Computer System - 5 -\u003cbr\u003e4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why\u003cbr\u003eshould you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to\u003cbr\u003eplant malicious programs into your computers. While cookies are relatively\u003cbr\u003eharmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on\u003cbr\u003ethe Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for\u003cbr\u003ethe “Internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.\u003cbr\u003e5. Install anti-virus software and set for automatic updates so that you\u003cbr\u003ereceive the most current versions.\u003cbr\u003e6. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you\u003cbr\u003emay recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses\u003cbr\u003ecan spread from a familiar address.\u003cbr\u003e7. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these\u003cbr\u003etypes of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or\u003cbr\u003eamusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect\u003cbr\u003ea computer.\u003cbr\u003e8. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating\u003cbr\u003esystem is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option\u003cbr\u003eso that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by\u003cbr\u003edefault, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual\u003cbr\u003efile extensions that do not belong.\u003cbr\u003e9. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not\u003cbr\u003eusing the computer. A hacker cannot attack your computer when you are\u003cbr\u003edisconnected from the network or the computer is off.\u003cbr\u003e10. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is\u003cbr\u003edamaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need\u003cbr\u003eto take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.\u003cbr\u003eFighting Spam\u003cbr\u003eHow prevalent is Spam? According to Scott McAdams, OMA Public Affairs and\u003cbr\u003eCommunications Department (www.oma.org):\u003cbr\u003e“Studies show unsolicited or “junk” e-mail, known as spam, accounts for roughly\u003cbr\u003ehalf of all e-mail messages received. Although once regarded as little more than\u003cbr\u003ea nuisance, the prevalence of spam has increased to the point where many users\u003cbr\u003ehave begun to express a general lack of confidence in the effectiveness of e-mail\u003cbr\u003eProtect Your Computer System - 6 -\u003cbr\u003etransmissions, and increased concern over the spread of computer viruses via\u003cbr\u003eunsolicited messages.”\u003cbr\u003eIn 2003, President Bush signed the “Can Spam” bill, in December of 2003 which is the\u003cbr\u003efirst national standards around bulk unsolicited commercial e-mail. The bill, approved by\u003cbr\u003ethe Senate by a vote of 97 to 0, prohibits senders of unsolicited commercial e-mail from\u003cbr\u003eusing false return addresses to disguise their identity (spoofing) and the use of\u003cbr\u003edictionaries to generate such mailers.\u003cbr\u003eIn addition, it prohibits the use of misleading subject lines and requires that emails\u003cbr\u003einclude and opt-out mechanism. The legislation also prohibits senders from harvesting\u003cbr\u003eaddresses off Web sites.\u003cbr\u003eViolations constitute a misdemeanor crime subject to up to one year in jail.\u003cbr\u003eOne major point that needs to be discussed about this: spam is now coming from other\u003cbr\u003ecountries in ever-greater numbers. These emails are harder to fight, because they come\u003cbr\u003efrom outside our country’s laws and regulations. Because the Internet opens borders\u003cbr\u003eand thinks globally, these la","brand":"Altantic eBooks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47083343315184,"sku":"2940013996885","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013996885_p0.jpg?v=1763598630","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013996885","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}