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Home > Resources > Computer Help > Secure Computing > Additional Tips for Preventing Viruses and... |
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Additional Tips for Preventing Viruses and Spyware Below are some tips to help keep your computer free of viruses and spyware.
Click on the step for additional information and/or directions. 1. Keep your Windows operating system up-to-date.You should scan your computer for Windows updates periodically (i.e., at least once a month) or whenever you hear of a new Windows vulnerability. (For more information, see Scan Your Computer for Windows Updates.) To ensure that your computer is always up-to-date with the latest security patches, we recommend that you turn on Automatic Updates so that all critical Windows updates will automatically be downloaded and installed on your computer. (For more information, see Turn On Automatic Updates.) 2. Use up-to-date virus and spyware protection.Using up-to-date virus and spyware protection means that you are using the latest definition files for your anti-virus and anti-spyware softwares. (Definition files are databases of known viruses and spyware that your software uses when it examines your computer for viruses and spyware. If your definition files are not up-to-date, then the scans that you perform will not be able to detect new viruses and spyware.) You should scan your computer for viruses and spyware at least once a week. If you do not have virus or spyware protection on your computer, then see Recommended Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall Software for a list of free and for-purchase anti-virus programs that we recommend. 3. Use a personal firewall.The residence hall network has a firewall that prevents outside attacks, but it does not help unprotected computers if there is a virus outbreak inside the firewall. Because of this, it is very important that you use some type of firewall protection on your personal computer. If you have Windows XP, then you can use the built-in firewall. If you have Service Pack 2, then the built-in firewall is on by default. If you have Service Pack 1, then you'll need to turn on the firewall. (For more information, see Turn On the Windows Built-In Firewall.) If you don't have Windows XP, then see Recommended Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall Software for a list of free and for-purchase firewall programs that we recommend. 4. If you have Windows XP, then install Service Pack 2.Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides better protection against
viruses and other Internet security threats. 5. Don’t 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. 6. Turn off file 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. 7. 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. 8. Don't open unknown 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. 9.Don't click on or open unknown links or files in instant messages.To help keep your personal computer protected against instant message
viruses (which can be some of the toughest viruses
to remove), you should NEVER open an unknown file sent to
you in an instant message, even it it's from someone you know. 10. Educate yourself about the risks of using peer-to-peer (P2P) software.Many P2P file-sharing programs will change your computer’s security
configuration, which can make it easier for a hacker to access your
computer. Also, many viruses search file sharing programs on infected
computers. The viruses then write copies of themselves to the file
sharing network with enticing names so that other users will download
them. 11. Don’t close a pop-up window by clicking on a button inside the window.Clicking on any type of button in a pop-up window (e.g., an OK or Cancel button) may cause spyware to install on your computer. Always close pop-up windows 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. 12. Educate yourself about a program before downloading it.Before you download a program, research it. For example, conduct a
Google search on the program to try to find out if any other programs,
such as spyware, come bundled with it. |
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