How to Protect Your Computer from Hackers

Today we use our computers to do so many things. We go online to search for information, shop, bank, do homework, play games, and stay in touch with family and friends. As a result, our computers contain a wealth of personal information about us. This may include banking and other financial records, and medical information - information that we want to protect. If your computer is not protected, identity thieves and other fraudsters may be able to get access and steal your personal information. Spammers could use your computer as a "zombie drone" to send spam that looks like it came from you. Malicious viruses or spyware could be deposited on your computer, slowing it down or destroying files.

By using safety measures and good practices to protect your home computer, you can protect your privacy and your family. The following tips are offered to help you lower your risk while you're online.

(1) Install a firewall on your computer :

Available in the form of either software or hardware, the purpose of a firewall is to protect your computer from hackers and viruses by filtering the information allowed into your network.

Because you can customize these filters, you can choose to add or remove allowable information as you see fit.

Your computer may have come with a built-in firewall. If not, you can install a hardware firewall such as those that come with many home broadband routers or a software firewall available through security software companies.

 (2) Windows Updates :

Let's face it; the many different iterations of the world's best-selling OS have all been targeted by hackers so often that it's become a given to provide continuous daily, weekly, or monthly updates to your Windows-based computer. It's important for you to keep your OS up to speed in order to minimize the possibility of having worms or viruses compromise your system.

 (3) Install & Update Anti-Virus Software :  

A virus can corrupt or delete data on your computer, erase your hard drive, and use your email and instant messaging to spread problems to other computers. 

Antivirus software programs are used to detect and prevent dangerous viruses from interfering with your computer by searching your computer for signs of virus activity. 

If it finds a virus that it is already able to combat, it will attack it for you... 

If it finds a virus that it cannot fully combat, it will alert you of the virus so that you can look into ways to combat it yourself. 

Because new virus arise all the time, software companies are constantly updating their software to fight new viruses.

As such, it is important that you update your software regularly.

(4) Software Updates:

Installing an anti-virus program by itself is not enough. There are hundreds of new threats that are found daily and the anti-virus programs release updates regularly to combat the new threats. Make sure you anti-virus program is set to update automatically so that you don’t have to rely on your memory to do it. Also, this goes for all the software on your computer. The most important software to keep up to date is your Windows operating system. It is essential to have Automatic Updates turned on and set to download and install updates automatically.

(5) Anti-Spyware Software:

Spyware is software installed without your knowledge or consent that can monitor your online activities and collect personal information while you surf the Web. Some kinds of spyware, called key-loggers, record everything you key in - including your passwords and financial information. Signs that your computer may be infected with spyware include a sudden flurry of pop-up ads, being taken to Web sites you don't want to go to, and generally slowed performance.

Spyware protection is included in some anti-virus software programs. Check your anti-virus software documentation for instructions on how to activate the spyware protection features. You can buy separate anti-spyware software programs. Keep your anti-spyware software updated and run it regularly.

To avoid spyware in the first place, download software only from sites you know and trust. Piggybacking spyware can be an unseen cost of many "free" programs. Don't click on links in pop-up windows or in spam email.

(6) Hacker-Controlled Websites :

Common sense dictates that you should avoid going to bad neighborhoods, especially if you carry a lot of valuables. The same could be said in the wild, wild world of the worldwide web. Avoid getting snared by dubious sites dedicated to porn, free downloads, online games, and so on; this way, there are less chances for you to be hacked.

(7)Avoid P2P File Sharing Software :

If used with great caution, P2P software is quite useful for movies, songs and software, but if you’re not very technically savvy, you might end up downloading a song that has a keystroke logger attached to it that will send anything you type to some other computer over the Internet. It’s almost impossible to tell that this is occurring unless your anti-virus or anti-spyware programs pick it up in their scans.

(8) Data Backup: 

If you have critical data, work-related documents, or personal files, then you must back them up as often as possible, because you never know what will happen to your computer. From viruses to system crashes, these sensitive bits of information can be wiped clean from your hard drive in the blink of an eye, so it's best to always have a backup at hand.

(9) Be careful if you share files

Many consumers enjoy sharing digital files, such as music, movies, photos, and software. File-sharing software that connects your computer to a network of computers is often available for free. File-sharing can pose several risks. When connected to a file-sharing network, you may allow others to copy files you didn't intend to share. You might download a virus or bit of spyware that makes your computer vulnerable to hackers. You might also break the law by downloading material that is copyright protected.

(10) Shop safely online

When shopping online, check out the Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. (If there is no privacy policy posted, beware! Shop elsewhere.) Learn how to tell when a Web site is secure. Look for "https" in the address bar or an unbroken padlock icon at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers as it moves across the Internet.

(11)  Password Policies:

The passwords you pick could mean the difference between a breached computer and a safe computer. At any rate, the most common recommendations when it comes to picking a password includes not using the same password on every one of your accounts, using combinations of letters and numbers, and making sure that your password is as arcane as possible without necessarily making it too difficult for you to remember it.

Protect your computer from intruders by choosing passwords that are hard to guess. Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Don't use a word that can easily be found in a dictionary. Some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary. Try using a phrase to help you remember your password, using the first letter of each word in the phrase. For example, HmWc@w2 - How much wood could a woodchuck chuck. Protect your password the same way you would the key to your home. After all, it is a "key" to your personal information.