Security
If you don't understand anything else up to this point, get this sorted at least. If you haven't had a virus attack so far, trust me, you will. It's inevitable. But it needn't be a disaster.
Do whatever you can to avert the problem, and also back up your data, preferably to a separate (external) hard drive, or to disks. Then, when your computer's feeling better, you will have your stuff there to put back where it was before. |
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Windows Updates
Keep your computer updated to keep it as secure as possible.
Go to the Windows update site to download updates. Because it's a Microsoft Update service, you have to be running a genuine version of Windows (as opposed to a copy), which the site will check for, and only if it's genuine will you be able to download and benefit from the updates. Also, with it being from Microsoft, this is one thing you'll have to use Internet Explorer for (if you use Firefox or another browser, keep IE available for 'emergencies', such as this). If you use Firefox (or any other browser) the Microsoft site will tell you that you have to use IE.
The updates are mostly security fixes, which gives you an idea how vulnerable Windows generally is. Once you've updated your computer the first time, you should be able to set it to update automatically from then on, so you needn't worry about doing it again. It will let you know periodically that there are updates available, and once you click on the icon and follow the instructions they will download and install themselves.
Go to the Windows update site to download updates. Because it's a Microsoft Update service, you have to be running a genuine version of Windows (as opposed to a copy), which the site will check for, and only if it's genuine will you be able to download and benefit from the updates. Also, with it being from Microsoft, this is one thing you'll have to use Internet Explorer for (if you use Firefox or another browser, keep IE available for 'emergencies', such as this). If you use Firefox (or any other browser) the Microsoft site will tell you that you have to use IE.
The updates are mostly security fixes, which gives you an idea how vulnerable Windows generally is. Once you've updated your computer the first time, you should be able to set it to update automatically from then on, so you needn't worry about doing it again. It will let you know periodically that there are updates available, and once you click on the icon and follow the instructions they will download and install themselves.
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft finally has its own anti-virus program
While you absolutely need protection, you don't necessarily need to pay for anti-virus software. There are plenty of free anti-virus programs, some of them every bit as good as the paid-for variety, but recently (the last year or two, maybe three) Microsoft have introduced their own version (finally!), and with it being Microsoft they cannot allow it to fall short of being virtually faultless. It's called Microsoft Security Essentials, and you can download it (free) from here.
Again, your computer must be running a genuine Windows product, not a copy, otherwise it won't download. But once installed (and configured to run, every day preferably) it will run in the background all the time and protect your system in various ways, and once a day it will do a full scan. Brilliant cover, well worth having. If you haven't suffered a virus attack yet, trust me, you will. Get some security installed immediately – and this can't be beat. If you can't get MSE, get a good free anti-virus, like the ones over there on the right. >>
When everything's running right, the little castle in the system tray (bottom right of your screen) will be green, and when the program is telling you it needs updating, or there is some kind of problem, the castle will be red.
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Free anti-virus protection
There are some very good free anti-virus programs, and I've seen them regularly rated in the top three AV programs, paid-for or otherwise.
AVG is one of the best available, and it's been around forever. I used it for years, and never had cause to doubt its effectiveness. Very stable, absolutely dependable. In fact, I still have it as a backup to MSE.
You can download AVG from here. Malwarebytes
Download the free version of Malwarebytes here.
From a review on File Forum: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a high performance anti-malware application that thoroughly removes even the most advanced malware and spyware. With one of the fastest, most effective quick scans and malware removal capabilities on the market, this program is the perfect addition to your PC's defenses. Avast!
Avast is another highly respected program, available from here.
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Is it okay to have MSE and another anti-virus program as well?
Some people are convinced it's not a good idea. Personally, I don't see a problem.
It's not a good idea to have both programs operating at the same time - that would probably cause a conflict between the programs, since they would sometimes be trying to access the same files at the same time.
However, there's nothing wrong with having MSE operating in the background, and doing its daily scan (or as often as you decide to scan), and also having a free program doing an additional scan say once a week. Okay, it's a bit belt-and-braces, but it's quite conceivable that one program could find something the other one has missed, right?
It's not a good idea to have both programs operating at the same time - that would probably cause a conflict between the programs, since they would sometimes be trying to access the same files at the same time.
However, there's nothing wrong with having MSE operating in the background, and doing its daily scan (or as often as you decide to scan), and also having a free program doing an additional scan say once a week. Okay, it's a bit belt-and-braces, but it's quite conceivable that one program could find something the other one has missed, right?
LastPass
LastPass - the last password you'll ever need
This is the program for you if you want to use strong passwords with the minimum effort. It's a very powerful and secure password manager program, and you can get it, free, from here. It's a simple and safe way of keeping all your passwords in one place online, and the idea is you'll only ever really need to remember one password, and that's the password to access your LastPass data. You sign up to LastPass (using a duff name and email if you like as added security) and you can then enter password information for each site you use. The program then recognises when you are about to enter a site and (if you choose to do it this way) it will enter your username and password for you. You can also keep secure notes on LastPass, for any purpose you have in mind. As it says on the site, “all your data is encrypted locally, on your PC – only YOU can unlock it”. It's top rated by the computer press, which says a lot – their reputation depends on giving their readers good, reliable advice. One of the other advantages of LastPass is that it will generate a strong password for you at a moment's notice. Personally, I don't use that option - I'd prefer to make up a password according to my own guidelines. There's a better chance to remember passwords you've created yourself (although if you're using LastPass you don't actually need to remember them!). |
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