Northstateweb - Virus Information

Are you concerned about your computer security? You should be. Every computer owner should take some steps for computer security. You need anti-virus software running and kept up to date. Next you need anti-spyware software. Then you need to keep Windows up to date. A firewall is a good idea also. Windows Vista has a firewall already enabled. Windows XP with service pack 2 has one built in, turn it on. XP service pack 3 is a good security update. Make sure you also have Internet Explorer 7 or, better yet IE 8.

Glenn Hale
Triple H Computers
If you don't have an anti-virus program running on your system you should have.

Here is a link to free anti-virus that works great
Free AVG Anti-Virus
(about a 45minute download on dialup)
Spybot Search and destroy
Finds and disables spyware
There are some things that you do not want on your computer. Kazaa, Limewire, etc. are peer to peer programs for downloading music. Many teenagers use it to share music. It is very dangerous to use it. It bypasses most of your security and is a major source of virus and trojan horse infections.

Many search assistant programs are spyware. Google toolbar is a safe one. Anything that mentions save.now, when-u, new.net should be avoided. Be careful when you install free software. Some of it is wonderful and some is a pipeline for infections. Read the license agreement before you continue installing.
Think about what your computer does for you. If you have your business and livelihood in your computer you might not want your teenagers downloading with it. You might think twice about letting your employees or brother-in-law surf porn sites. I suggest that some people need a computer for business and another one for play.
And the most important thing to remember is BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.
Most computers now have a CD or DVD Writer. Use it! Or buy a USB thumb drive and use that.
I use the MyDocuments folder for everything of value to me. If you use Quicken or Quickbooks make a folder in MyDocuments then when you use Quicken backup to that folder. Now when you use the CD writer save the entire MyDocuments folder. Now if something bad happens to your Computer you at least have your important Data saved.

Views expressed here are only my opinions. Use your own judgement.

Page last updated July 19, 2010

Are you concerned about your computer security? You should be. Every computer owner should take some steps for computer security. You need anti-virus software running and kept up to date. Next you need anti-spyware software. Then you need to keep Windows up to date. A firewall is a good idea also. Windows Vista has a firewall already enabled. Windows XP with service pack 2 has one built in, turn it on. XP service pack 3 is a good security update. Make sure you also have Internet Explorer 7 or, better yet IE 8.	Glenn Hale Triple H Computers
If you don't have an anti-virus program running on your system you should have. Here is a link to free anti-virus that works great Free AVG Anti-Virus (about a 45minute download on dialup) Spybot Search and destroy Finds and disables spyware
There are some things that you do not want on your computer. Kazaa, Limewire, etc. are peer to peer programs for downloading music. Many teenagers use it to share music. It is very dangerous to use it. It bypasses most of your security and is a major source of virus and trojan horse infections.
Many search assistant programs are spyware. Google toolbar is a safe one. Anything that mentions save.now, when-u, new.net should be avoided. Be careful when you install free software. Some of it is wonderful and some is a pipeline for infections. Read the license agreement before you continue installing.
Think about what your computer does for you. If you have your business and livelihood in your computer you might not want your teenagers downloading with it. You might think twice about letting your employees or brother-in-law surf porn sites. I suggest that some people need a computer for business and another one for play.
And the most important thing to remember is BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP. Most computers now have a CD or DVD Writer. Use it! Or buy a USB thumb drive and use that. I use the MyDocuments folder for everything of value to me. If you use Quicken or Quickbooks make a folder in MyDocuments then when you use Quicken backup to that folder. Now when you use the CD writer save the entire MyDocuments folder. Now if something bad happens to your Computer you at least have your important Data saved.
Views expressed here are only my opinions. Use your own judgement.