If you run a computer then you should be taking precautions against the threat posed by virus writers. The level of precautions you should take depend on many factors, such as what you use the computer for and the operationg system you use. The good news is that taking anti-virus precautions is simple.

As with all areas of computer security, anti-virus precautions are generally a matter of following a few simple rules and running updated anti-virus software. We can help you put in place the rules and procedures to protect your computer, and we can help you install and configure anti-virus software. For many users (Windows) there are free anti-virus packages which will provide you with all the protection you need and which can be configured so that you do not need to remember to carry out the routine tasks.

While we can offer advice and education as to how you can avoid virus infection, you would do well to start by reading and following our Factsheet on Anti-Virus Precautions. It is free, and provides you with the basic information you need. If you need Adobe Reader you can download it free - the link to do so is on our Links page.

  Top of page

Phishing includes various ways that scammers try and get you to reveal personal or account information, including bank and credit card details. Unfortunately it is becoming more and more common to receive phishing emails, but fortunately it is fairly straightforward to avoid falling into the scammer's trap.

While we can offer advice and education as to how you can avoid phishing scams, you would do well to start by reading our Factsheet on Phishing. It is free, and provides you with the information you will need. If you need Adobe Reader you can download it free - the link to do so is on our Links page.

  Top of page

If you are connected to the internet then you need to ensure that you protect yourself from unwanted visitors. Many operating systems come with a built-in firewall, but many people don't use it. Or don't use it correctly.

In order to connect to the internet your computer needs to open ports (think of them as doors). A firewall allows you to control who or what gets through those ports. This includes both stopping intruders from outside getting access to your computer and data, but also helps stop Spyware passing details outwards.

If you are accessing the internet using a router, that will have firewall capabilities and will protect your network, but we do recommend that every computer also runs a software firewall. As with other security applications, there are good, free firewall applications available for most users.

  Top of page

Spyware is software that has, through one means or another, managed to install itself on your computer. It sits there, quietly gathering information such as your login details to banking sites, and then passes that information outwards, using your internet or phone connection, to someone who does not have your best interest in mind. Sometimes the purpose is relatively benign, such as gathering information for marketing purposes, but in general we recommend that if there is something running on your computer that you do not know about then it should be treated with, at least, suspicion.

As with anti-virus and firewall applications many users can use free anti-spyware software. As with anti-virus software it should be kept up to date and full scans run regularly.

Spyware, or adware, is not necessarily malicious, but everyone should run anti-spyware software.

  Top of page

Data security isn't just about keeping prying eyes away from your data, it is also about insuring that you can access your data.

Keeping other people away from your data can be achieved by a combination of good security practices as outlined on this page, but insuring you do not lose your data is something that many people do not think about. What would happen if your computer disc failed? How can you share a document between people in your household?

We can help you identify your data security needs and can advise you of options to enable those needs to be met, ensuring that you understand the pros and cons of each option. We can also help you implement a chosen solution so that, if the worst happens, it is an inconvenience rather than a disater.

  Top of page

If you have an email address you will probably receive spam. It is a nuisance, but it can be reduced to a very minimal nuisance with a small effort.

Many Internet Service Providers (ISP) will run anti-spam measures on their servers, stopping spam before it even reaches your mailbox. Most email clients (such as Outlook Express) come with functions that allow you to identify spam, and some of them have quite elaborate anti-spam options that can be configured to learn what is and isn't spam. We can help you configure the combination of ISP and email client software to keep spam to a minimum.

More importantly, we can help you understand what to do with spam that does make it through to your inbox. That bit is simple. Delete it. Do not click on any links in the email. Do not respond, even if they promise to take you off their lists. Simply delete it.

We respect your privacy, and we will help you defend yourself from all those that won't.

  Top of page