Work files, various documents, photos, videos, passwords, account details, and a lot more information, they are all stored in our personal computers. How do we keep our files intact? How do we keep our personal computers running safely? How do we stay away from computer virus can probably retrieve or in worst cases ruin our files? Here are a few tips:

• Use a username and password. Creating user accounts for your PC allows you to monitor who users your computer. This assures you that only users who are granted access to your user account can access the files on your PC. Choose a username and password that is known only to you. Never use the same password for all accounts as this becomes an easy prey for hackers.
• Install spyware remover software in your PC. Spyware is an application that secretly gathers information sent by a user through the internet. This is often done without the knowledge of the user. If spyware is installed in the PC, this software gathers the information and transmits it to another user. Important or confidential information keyed in the PC such as email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and other information will not be safe. The more you use the internet the more information gets transmitted. Weekly scanning of spyware must be performed in to make sure that this application does not ride in your PC.
• It is a must to put anti-virus in your PC, more especially if your PC is connected to the internet. Anti-virus comes with firewall that protects your files from authorized access via your modem.
• Avoid using file sharing programs. When using file sharing the only facts that are given when downloading are the file names and the size of the file. Names of viruses can easily be replaced with other file names. Sometimes you may not be aware that you’ve already downloaded a keystroke recorder or other types of malware. In cases wherein you simply could not avoid using fire sharing then make sure that you have an antivirus software up and running.
• Include email protection. Get an antivirus application that has email scanning. This will allow you to scan all email transactions, both outgoing and incoming, it also makes sure that the recipient of your emails is safe from viruses. These email viruses are lethal to a PC, it scan your address book and automatically sends viruses to contact list. As added protection, avoid reading suspicious email messages from unknown sources.
• One way for viruses to spread is through networks. Make your PC network safe through a network security application. This application scans all file transactions within your network. Accept only files coming from your network to be placed on PC if it passed network scanning. Configure your network in such a way that the main server is the only user allowed to enable file sharing.
• Perform maintenance check weekly. This allows you to scan and rid of potential threats such as spyware and virus. Remember to defragment your PC regularly to improve performance.

The above listed items are but a few simple steps, but making sure you these items or perform these items regularly allows you to use your PC safely.

By following these ten guide lines, you will greatly improve the performance of your computer. You will also generate peace of mind as you gain a new sense of security.

Tags: antivirus, Computer, computers, firewall, PC, security, spyware, viruses