Basic Computer Security

Here at Educational Adventures we get many questions about computer security and so we decided to write this short article regarding keeping your computer safe online

According to leading sources viruses account for only three percent of threats online most of the threats come from phising attempts were people try to steal your details by pretending they are from a certain organisation such as a bank or HM Revenue and Customs.

Also remember the old saying "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!"

Easy PC Security:

• Use an official copy of Microsoft Windows
• Turn on automatic updates. Microsoft Windows will update itself automatically when new security updates are available
• Get some anti virus software.
• Update your anti virus software daily this is a very simple task that can be done automatically
• Make sure the windows firewall is turned on
• Don’t use illegal copies of software, illegal copies can contain spyware and hidden executables that will attempt to log your computer activity, recording keystrokes etc.
• Run Spybot Search and Destroy regularly it’s an excellent piece of software, that is easy to install and use. It is also available for free HERE
• Rootkits and Trojans have surpased the humble virus as the main threat to your computers security try Try Unhack Me.

Shopping Online

Shopping online can be a far more relaxing experience then walking around the shops on a rainy winters day. Who wants to be repeatedly bashed in the back of the legs with a shopping cart or stand in a long checkout line that never seems to shorten?

Shopping online saves you money I regularly save by doing my grocery shop online it is far easier to avoid those stategically placed items that you don't really need. Also you can find all the reduced items and bargains with the click of a search button.

Basic Online Shopping Security

Try to use a credit card or even better a middle agent like PayPal or Google checkout that offers extra protection when shopping online. Using these methods of payment it is possible to get your money back.

Before entering your payment details always check for the padlock shown in Figure 2. Click on this padlock and you will be given more information. Any secure sites address will also start with https in the navigation bar of your web browser. See Figure 1.

When purchasing software online purchasing through an agent like BMT Micro, Swreg, PLIMUS, RegNow, share-it, etc gives you an extra level of protection and it is a very simple process to get a refund.

Email Security

Never click on a link you have received in an email, unless you have been expecting the email as part of a sign up process to a subscription list etc.

Banks don’t send emails asking you to confirm your details.

HM Revenue and Customs (The Taxman) don't email you asking for details or offering refunds.

Remember nobody gives large sums of money away.

Download and use ROBOFORM to securely store your encrypted login data. Roboform offers an extra layer of security by verifying sites as it retrieves the login data required. The free version allows the data for up to 10 logins to be stored.

Please note that Microsoft Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation

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