Before you spend a dime on security, there are numerous safety measures you can take that will safeguard you against the most well-known dangers.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update routinely (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office Cd prepared. Windows Me, 2000, and XP clients can design programmed refreshes. Click on the Programmed Updates tab in the Framework control board and pick the suitable choices.
2. Introduce an individual firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free adaptations.
3. Introduce a free spyware blocker. Our Editors' Decision ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search and Obliterate (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is likewise distrustful and merciless in hunting out following treats.
4. Obstruct pop spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by impairing the Windows Courier administration (this is irrelevant to the texting program). Open Control Board | Authoritative Devices | Administrations and you'll see Courier. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Impaired and press the Stop button. Bye, spam pop-ups! Any great firewall will likewise stop them.
5. Utilize solid passwords and change them occasionally. Passwords ought to have somewhere around seven characters; use letters and numbers and have something like one image. A respectable model would be f8izKro@l. This will make it a lot harder for anybody to get close enough to your records.
6. Assuming you're utilizing Viewpoint or Standpoint Express, utilize the ongoing adaptation or one with the Standpoint Security Update introduced. The update and current variants fix various weaknesses.
7. Purchase antivirus programming and stay up with the latest. In the event that you're not ready to pay, attempt Grisoft AVG Free Version (Grisoft Inc., w*w.grisoft.com). What's more, doublecheck your AV with the free, online-just scanners accessible at w*w.pandasoftware.com/activescan and _http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8. On the off chance that you have a remote organization, turn on the security highlights: Use Macintosh separating, switch off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the greatest key you can get. For more, look at our remote segment or see the extended inclusion in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9. Have doubts of things on the Web. Try not to accept that email "From:" a specific individual is really from that individual until you have further motivation to trust it's that individual. Try not to expect that a connection is what it says it is. Try not to give out your secret word to anybody, regardless of whether that individual professes to be from "support."