Bits'n'Bytes

As heard on CJCD

Episode 10

Good morning, and welcome to this week's installment of Bits 'n' Bytes - brought to you by Bowco Computer Services.

Surfing the internet can be a dangerous practice for your computer. Viruses, spyware, and hackers all hang out on the internet, waiting to pounce on a computer that's not properly protected. Surfing the net without a few basic safety precautions is like driving your car without your seat belt on - you may be fine for a long time, but if something does happen, it's gonna be really bad.

For starters, make sure you have an up to date antivirus program. When you open your antivirus program, look for the date your virus definitions were automatically downloaded. It should be in the first window that opens when your program opens. If that date is more than two weeks old, you have a problem with your antivirus and should update it or get it checked out.

Second, if you're on cable or any other type of high speed internet, get a router and have it configured properly. A router acts as a kind of decoy. It has an address that hackers can see, but gives your computer a completely different address.

If you can't get a router, then use a software firewall. Windows XP comes with it's own firewall, so make sure it's turned on. If you don't have Windows XP, you can buy a version from Norton or McAfee or you can download a free, personal use firewall from Zone Labs, called ZoneAlarm. Their website is www.zonelabs.com. Firewalls are another way of blocking access to your computer from people and programs out on the internet. They can be a bit of a pain to configure in the beginning, but they are definitely worth the effort.

Next, customize the security settings on your internet browser. Microsoft's Internet Explorer tends to be a little lax in the default security department, and should be modified. Even Mozilla Firefox has a default setting or two that should be changed before venturing out on the net. Give us a call and we can help you with either one of them.

Stay tuned next week for some tips on using Windows XP.

I’m Computer Dave, thanks for your time.