1 hour for security

Spending about 1 hour, you can eliminate most of the threats in the process of using the computer and browsing the web. Here are 10 quick tips to help you create protection for hardware, software and computer data.

1. Install the patch automatically. Make sure Windows is configured to automatically upgrade. In Win XP, click Start / Control Panel / Security Settings and select Automatic Updates. In Win 2000, select Start / Settings / Control Panel / Automatic Updates. You can also choose to have Windows upgrade only after warning you or upgrading manually.

2. Don't wait for the operating system. If your computer is already in a state of "hibernation" for a few days, don't wait for Windows to automatically upgrade, but must actively find it right after it boots up. Microsoft introduced updates on the second Tuesday of each month.

3. Use the security of Win XP. One of the most prominent features of Windows XP Service Pack 2 is Windows SecurityCenter - an application that warns you when you remove a firewall or old antivirus applications. However, the Windows XP firewall only works for viruses that enter from outside. For a comprehensive security solution, you should remove the Windows XP firewall and use third-party firewall software (eg Zone Lab's ZoneAlarm).

4. Make sure to display the file extension. Many types of viruses disguise as "gentle" files by inserting other file formats at the end of each file (eg funnycartoon.jpg.exe). Usually in the default machines hide the file extension, you only see '.jpg' but not '.exe'. To deal with these types of viruses, open Windows Explorer, select Tools / Folder Options / View and click to uncheck Hide files extensions for known file types.

5. Safe with the browser. The latest version of IE supports quite well ActiveX controls and code that creates 'effects' like JavaScript. Therefore, you should use IE more safely by selecting high security features for the browser. To do so, select Tools / Internet Options / Security / Custom Level / High. For Firefox users, the best way to remove harmful scripts is to install Giorgio Maone's NoScript addin). This software is completely free, you can download it from www.noscript.net.

6. Be cautious when using email. If your computer is infected or becomes a source of virus, the main route is via email. Please follow the privacy rules when using email: do not click on the questionable links, scan the attachments before downloading the device .

An important note is that you should turn off preview mode in email browsers. Many messages spread viruses even when they appear in preview mode. In Microsoft Outlook 2003, select View / Reading pane Off. In Outlook Express 6, select View / Layout and remove the Show Preview Pane option. Similarly, in Mozilla Thunderbird, choose View / Layout and uncheck Message pane '(or press the key).

Read the email in plain text. The reason is that malicious code is often intentionally inserted into the HTML code by hackers. In Outlook 2003, select Tools / Options / Preferences / E-mail Options and select Read all standard mail in plain text. In Outlook Express 6, select Tools / Options / Read and select Read all messages in plain text. For Mozilla Thunderbird, select View / Message Body As / Plain Text.