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Journalism of Courage
Everybody knows that Internet Explorer is unsafe. But,trust me,though there are many good options,some corporations and governments still stick to Internet Explorer as their preferred browser and many applications do not work properly on any other. Also keeping in mind that IE is fully integrated into the Windows operating system and you just can’t uninstall it. So,how do you make sure you are secured and have the latest updates to avoid a cyber attack?
Stop piracy
It is important to stick to genuine software. All of us want to run the prohibitively costly Adobe Photoshop to edit our pictures. But it is better to opt for freeware applications that let you do similar functions. The same is the case with operating systems. If you feel you do not want to spend on Windows,go ahead and give Linux a try. Or else,check out cheaper Starter Editions that offer limited functions but are good for home use. Anyway,make sure your OS is genuine and not pirated.
Antivirus
A good antivirus does not mean that you got it from your friend who bought a CD,it just means you paid for the antivirus or got one free from a great company like avg.com. With companies losing revenue to pirated software vendors,more and more companies are dropping prices. So it makes more sense to buy a paid version. Check with your friends and read some reviews if you cant decide which antivirus is better. As we spend more time online and with the threats becoming more potent,it is advisable to get an antivirus with an inbuilt firewall to protect your computer from getting hijacked. While products like Bit Defender and Kaspersky are cheaper,high-end products like McAfee and Norton Antivirus will cost more. The choice is yours; just make sure you are buying a legal version.
Updates
Having a legal version of a software itself removes a lot of bugs,but it is also important to update your system regularly. Though most OS come with a built-in auto update utility,I have seen users disable this to save their bandwidth. If you want to disable the automatic update,it is suggested that you manually check for updates every fortnight. Update your OS every 15 days and your antivirus,antispyware and firewall everyday.
Storage & file transfer
With the floppy drive era over,thumb drives,memory cards and Bluetooth file transfers have become the latest way to get a virus. In case you use memory cards or pen drives it is always suggested that you scan them immediately on connect. It might seem like a waste of time,but the first five minutes is when the virus enters the system. Try not to share thumb drives and memory cards. If your friend wants a file,email it to him.
Stop downloading junk
The one big problem that broadband brings is the fact that people have enough speed to download data. This means computers are downloading files,endless software programs and games without realising that they could be infected. Make sure you set up your antivirus to scan all download folders. If your antivirus prompts you that the said program is a virus or a backdoor,please delete the file immediately. If you have to download,stick to safe sites like download.com.
