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Computer
Security
No
one likes to have their privacy invaded. We all value
our personal space, and we use locks, steel bars, and
other devices to ensure that our valuables are kept
safe and secure.
This
desire for security is also just as true for your
computer. Today, computers are becoming modern ‘filing
cabinets’, used for storing important documents,
correspondence, financial information, personal
records, photos, and many other types of sensitive
information. How can we keep this important
information secure?
The
first line of defence in securing your PC is the
humble password. There are several places where you
can password protect your computer. You will notice,
when switching on your PC, that several different
black or coloured screens show before your Windows
logo appears. In the first of these screens, you can
press a key, and access what is called BIOS Setup. You
can then add a password in BIOS Setup, which must be
entered before your PC will start up into Windows.
This is the most secure and effective place to have a
password.
You
can also password protect your Windows operating
system. All versions of Windows, including 98, ME,
2000, and XP, can be password protected; however the
later the version, the better the security. Windows 98
and ME allow for a password to be set just before the
desktop shows; however this is quite easily gotten
around. Windows 2000 and XP have a much better
password security. In both versions, you can set a
password for all or a single user. These passwords,
once set, are very difficult to get around.
Another
resource you may want to secure on your PC is access
to your Internet connection. This is a relatively easy
step, in that when you go to access your Internet,
remove the tick from the “Save Your Password” box.
This way the password must be typed in before access
is gained to your Internet connection.
Your
Internet Connection is on the whole a serious security
threat. It is relatively easy to secure your PC
against local threats. But the Internet is a much
broader threat due to its global and somewhat
mysterious nature. While you cannot obviously control
the Internet, thankfully you can control who and what
has access to your PC.
This
Internet security measure is known as a firewall. As
mentioned in a previous article, this program acts
like a security guard, monitoring what comes in and
goes out of your PC. Once correctly installed, this
simple program will block each and every access
attempt on your PC, unless you allow that attempt to
come in. A firewall will monitor your Web browser,
your emails, your file downloads, your chat programs,
and even your antivirus program.
For more information
on improving or setting up your PC’s security, you
can call us on 0419 790 071 during business hours, or
email us at info@mcsyarraman.com.au.
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