Keeping your PC Safe

Remember a time when it was safe to surf the net... when viruses were for people and not computers...  well, times have changed.  I recently completed 3 tutorials on internet security. 

My first tutorial was Defining Malware.  I've heard the term malware before but prior to this tutorial all I could tell you, is malware is bad.  This tutorial expanded my knowledge and gave me some interesting tidbit to share.

• It is actually a catch all phrase that includes adware and spyware. Prevention is the key to avoiding malware and there are some useful pieces of software. 

My second tutorial was about Windows Cleanup.  My PC is getting slower so this one was particularly useful. 

• Something fun on this one is if Windows cleanup is working it will make the sound of a flushing toilet.  By freeing up memory my PC it give me more room for important things, like pictures of my 9 month old son. 

The third tutorial was about Firewalls, what they do and don't do.  I thought my firewall did everything, but actually, there are many things it doesn't do. 

• Firewalls don't help if you've already downloaded and installed the virus.  
• There is firewall hardware and software. Firewall hardware is part of the routers and is used to hide your computer from the internet.  Software firewalls must be installed and come with security suites.  We use the Avast suite for everything.