Lelan Callaway's

Computer Security Tips

Following are some tips and tools I have found helpful for safer online experiences.

To ward off ugly creatures I have my AntiVirus and Windows set for AUTO UPDATES but I also do a manual update on my system at least weekly.

Cleaning and Defragmenting your hard drive often is a very good idea and time well spent … I use CCleaner and Defraggler.

When a problem occurs … close all programs and RESTART your computer … more often than not your computer will fix itself.

It is VERY important to have a good ANTI-VIRUS program and UPDATED definitions.
There are “writers” busy creating Malware (see definitions below) around the clock and are floating around cyberspace attacking innocent computers.
So please keep your anti-virus software updated.

For more info on Basic Security Protection check out www.komando.com/securitycenter

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PASSWORDS

is your password strong enough to protect your stuff?

6 rules for safer financial transactions online

www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/finances-rules.aspx

https://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/password-checker.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx

How to Keep Crooks from Cracking Your Password

http://home.mcafee.com/AdviceCenter/Default.aspx?id=rs_na_su11article1

SOME BASIC TIPS

It is ALWAYS a safe practice to NOT open attachments from an unknown source or from a known source if you were not expecting an attachment. You can and will get email notes that appear to come from someone you know and they will have had NOTHING to do with sending it to you.

When you get a note that seems “too good to be true” please take the time to check it out or before you pass it on to your entire address list.

www.truthorfiction.com/search.htm or www.snopes.com - I trust the first one a bit more.
Wonder about some actions in the US Congress, check it out at www.thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas2.html

If you get a note that seems to come from your bank, credit card company, etc do NOT click on the link in the note. DELETE the Note. Go to your bank or credit card company's web site from your browser and check it out or call them.

Before opening a file from a USB Flash Drive, external drive, floppy disk, etc … scan it for viruses … a few seconds can save you hours.

What are the email etiquette rules? http://www.emailreplies.com/#rules

Most Important Rules of Email Netiquette http://email.about.com/od/emailnetiquette/tp/core_netiquette.htm

SOME TOOLS and SITES I USE - MOST ARE FREE FOR PERSONAL USE

Microsoft Security Essentials www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials
CCleaner (freeware system optimization) www.ccleaner.com

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - run this if you think something may have slipped thru

Panda USB Vaccine www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/downloads/usbvaccine/

Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

McAfee SiteAdvisor is free www.siteadvisor.com/download/windows.html

Web Of Trust (WOT) www.mywot.com

Check websites BEFORE opening the link www.urlvoid.com

You can perform a free security check on your computer at http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

The Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Need more memory … check out these sites www.crucial.com or www.memoryten.com

I have Internet Explorer 9 - don’t think you can uninstall this - but prefer Google Chrome for browsing the web. I also have the Firefox browser loaded and use it for some tasks.

I use Google most of the time but there are many good search engines www.thesearchenginelist.com/

TO CLEAN UP A COMPUTER …

Download, Install and Run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware run it a couple times until no bad guys are found. www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Download, Install and Run CCleaner (freeware system optimization) run both modes General Cleanup and System Cleanup www.ccleaner.com

Use Defraggler to defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files - unique in the industry. www.piriform.com/defraggler

Open Control Panel and then Add / Remove Programs to uninstall programs that you do not use be careful because some are support for other software

Download, Install and Run Panda USB Vaccine this will scan any thumb drive you insert and clean it up www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/downloads/usbvaccine/

Download, Install and Run Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) this will scan your software and let you know of any that need to be updated http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Download, Install and Run Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Defrag your hard drive … a couple times

Make sure your antivirus software is updated

A very good free antivirus is Microsoft Security Essentials www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials

Microsoft Fix it Center https://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/ can be helpful in resolving problems.

You can perform a free security check on your computer at http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

FREE SOFTWARE

Antivirus software: Microsoft Security Essentials www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials

Anti-spyware programs: Microsoft Windows Defender www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx or Ad-Aware www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search & Destroy www.safer-networking.org

Firewalls: Zone Alarm www.zonelabs.com

INFO SOURCES

The Kim Komando Show is on the radio in Amarillo 710 AM Saturday afternoon has practical and helpful tips, buying guide and downloads. www.komando.com

Free security software to protect your PC from malware www.komando.com/securitycenter

A comparison of Anti-Virus and Spyware software worth checking out http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com

Good Source for Free Software www.filehippo.com or www.sourceforge.net

Steps you can take to improve your computer's security

www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp www.microsoft.com/security

Some really practical information can be found at

www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity

good sources for computer news www.cnet.com or www.pcworld.com

The Microsoft Support Center http://support.microsoft.com/ - a great place to start software problem solving

A FEW DEFINITIONS

malware http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

adware http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adware