Protect Your PC

Top Tips for safer surfing

• Install decent antivirus software, keep it up to date and scan regularly… say once a week.
• Install a firewall. Windows does come with one as standard but the general consensus is it’s not very good. One of the best firewalls to get (if it isn’t included within your antivirus software) is Zone Alarm. See our page on this software here.
• Try to not to stray off the beaten track – if you have to visit sites you are unsure of be careful. If your anti-virus software is any good it should have a link scanner. This works by following links before you click on them and checks for malicious code. It’s a very effective way of keeping you safe. We use the one which comes with AVG.
• If you go to dodgy sites then there is a much higher chance of encountering a site with malicious code. Anti-virus software can only protect you from known threats and one of the quickest ways to spread a new threat is via a website. You’ll never be 100% secure… ever… so if you put your PC in an environment which increases the risk then make sure you scan your computer more often.
• One thing many people fail to do is set a password on their windows account. Most people don’t realize their account has administration rights. This means your account has unrestricted access to the whole of the PC. If someone manages to remotely access your account with these ‘rights’ then they can go anywhere on your computer. There are two things to do to help:
  • Set a password on your account! If you’re not sure how to do this search our site for the answer.
  • You can set up another account with less rights than an administrator such as a standard user. A standard user has less ability to install/uninstall programs or browse other user accounts. It can be a pain (which is why most people don’t use it but it will severely restrict the movements of malicious software should you get infected.
• If you’re in any doubt about the security on your PC don’t do online shopping or log into your bank account until you’ve scanned your system. Typical signs of infection are your computer is slower than normal to start up, have problems logging into your account, slow internet connection or windows appears unresponsive once the desktop is loaded.