MC Home - ISC Home - Securing Computing - Additional Steps for Protecting Your Personal PC

Additional Steps for Protecting Your Personal PC

Below are additional steps that you can take to help keep your personal computer protected against viruses, spyware, and other Internet security threats. (Click on the step for additional information and/or directions.)

• Don't open unknown e-mail attachments.
• Don't click on or open an unknown link or file in an instant message.
• Don't click on buttons or links in pop-up windows.
• Only visit reputable, known web sites.
• Be wary of popular "free" music and movie file-sharing programs.
• Educate yourself about a program before downloading it.
• Turn off third-party browser extensions in Internet Explorer.
• Don't run your computer as Administrator.
• Turn off file and print sharing.

Don't open unknown e-mail attachments.

Many viruses spread through infected e-mail attachments. If you receive an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, then DON'T open it. The best thing to do is to just delete it.

If you receive an attachment from someone you do know and you are not certain what the attachment is, then contact the person before opening it. It’s much better to be safe than sorry!

Don't click on or open an unknown link or file in an instant message.

Viruses can spread through infected links and files sent in instant messages. If you're not sure what the link or file is (even if it's from someone you know), then DON'T click on it or open it.

Don’t click on buttons or links in pop-up windows.

Spyware programs can install on your computer when you click on buttons or links in pop-up windows. Always close a pop-up window by clicking on the Close (X) button in the upper-right corner of the window or by clicking on its taskbar button and selecting Close.

Only visit reputable, known web sites.

Spyware can hide in web page code and secretly install itself on your computer. You're most likely to encounter spyware when you visit shady sites like online gambling and illegal software sites.

Be wary of popular "free" music and movie file-sharing programs.

Many of "free" music and move file-sharing programs have spyware bundled with them. They also can be breeding grounds for viruses and can change your computer's configuration so that hackers and access it.

Educate yourself about a program before downloading it.

Before you download a program, conduct a Google search on it to see if any other programs, such as spyware, come bundled with it.

Also, read the program’s licensing agreement or Read Me files before downloading it. (The licensing agreement or Read Me files often contain information about other programs that may be bundled with the software. Be aware, however, that not all software provides information regarding bundled programs!)

Turn off third-party browser extensions in Internet Explorer.

Turning off third-party browser extensions in Internet Explorer will prevent some spyware programs from installing on your computer. (For more information, see Turn Off Third-Party Browser Extensions in Internet Explorer.)

Note: Some legitimate toolbars (e.g., the Google, eBay, and Yahoo toolbars) may be disabled by this step.

Do not run your computer as Administrator.

Running your computer as Administrator is risky because important areas of the file system and registry database are left unprotected and vulnerable to damage from viruses.

You should only use the Administrator account to perform special tasks that require you to do so (e.g., installing software).

For everyday use, create a non-administrator account. (For more information, see Create a Non-Administrator User Account.)

Turn off file and print sharing.

Your computer may be set to allow other computers to access your hard drive in order to share files. This can put you at risk for becoming infected or hacked. For improved security, you should turn off file and print sharing. (For more information, see Turn Off File Sharing.)