MTA is committed to providing reliable and secure Internet service to our customers. Computer security attacks against homes and businesses are on the rise. Millions of new viruses, malicious software files and malicious web pages are developed every day. The Internet can be a dangerous place, but there are actions you can take to better protect your computer and data.
Top 5 Computer Security Tips for Home and Small Business Consumers
1. USE STRONG PASSWORDS THAT CAN'T BE EASILY GUESSED.
Make passwords difficult to guess. Don’t use personal information such as names or places. Use a mix of upper and lower case characters as well as numbers and special characters. Change default passwords on your home network equipment such as wireless routers. Longer passwords are harder to break; 8 characters is the recommended minimum length, but 10+ is even more secure.
2. BEWARE OF SCAMS.
Don’t click on email links or attachments that you are not expecting. Don’t respond to emails or calls asking for information such as passwords, Social Security or account numbers. Change your password if you ever suspect you have been targeted by a scam.
3. PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.
Do not store sensitive information on your computer unencrypted. This includes passwords, Social Security numbers, tax or banking information, or intellectual property. Don’t log in to web pages which do not use HTTPS. Use encryption on your wireless router. Make a backup of your data and store backups in a safe place.
4. USE AN ANTIVIRUS, ANTI-SPYWARE, AND A PERSONAL FIREWALL.
Use reliable antivirus software. Make sure it automatically updates daily. Check it often. Update your operating system security patches (Windows Update) at least once each month. Turn on your Windows Firewall or find a reliable alternative. Don’t install software from unreliable sources. Beware of malware on social networking sites such as Facebook. Only use apps from reputable publishers.
Never click on unexpected pop ups which warn of virus infections or offer to “optimize” your computer. Always open your antivirus software directly if you believe it has detected a virus. If your computer has been infected by a virus you should keep your computer turned off, seek professional computer services, and change your passwords from a “clean” computer as soon as possible.
5. PROTECT YOUR PORTABLE DEVICES WITH A PASSWORD.
Most smartphone users carry with them a wealth of personal information including email, text messages, and contacts. This is valuable information to cyber-criminals and nosey strangers alike. Make sure your portable devices are password protected.
Free and Low Cost Computer Security Products
MTA makes no claims or guarantees relating to the following software. Most of them are free; some are free for personal use, not for business use. Please read the licensing restrictions and be aware that some of these applications may try to get you to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free program which offers excellent detection rates, particularly of rootkits. It appears to be a good choice for average users because of the minimal user interaction required. It automatically updates and removes threats. No registration is needed (apart from a quick validating of Windows) and there are no nag screens or advertisements.
Avast! Free Antivirus is a good free antivirus software. Avast appears to have a lot of features for a free antivirus with full real-time capabilities including web, email, IM, P2P and network shields, boot-time scanning, and a behavioral blocker feature.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is also a decent choice for a free antivirus. AVG offers good protection against malware, has behavior blocking feature and also scans emails and network traffic for malware.
Firewall
Windows Firewall is a free built-in, host-based, software that is included in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and later, and Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 and later. Windows Firewall helps provide protection from malicious users and programs that rely on unsolicited incoming traffic to attack computers. The windows firewall is turned on by default in Windows 7 but you should check your settings.
Comodo Free Firewall is a good choice for users seeking a full featured security suite. This latest release is suitable for both lightly-skilled users (still must have knowledge of installed programs) and technically advanced users.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is an excellent inbound/outbound OS firewall solution suited for users of every level of experience. ZoneAlarm protects systems from intrusions as well as program access to the web. ZoneAlarm features an easy-to-understand user interface. Users can adjust security settings to allow for file/printer sharing and public networks, and you can turn off the firewall as needed.
Spyware Removal
MalwareBytes is a free anti-malware scanner with full sets of attributes including high scanning, detection, and removal effectiveness. It is easy to use and fast, however the real-time protection, automated updates, and scheduled scans require an upgrade to the professional paid version.
Security Patch Assessment
Secunia Personal Software Inspector or PSI is software that you run on your personal computer which scans your computer for insecure programs that need updating. It even automates the updating of many common third-party programs.
Remember to check your Windows patches at update.microsoft.com.