Security Trix

There are two kinds of people:
"Those that make regular backup and those that will"
(does anybody know who made that great quote?)

UPDATE --- 12-21-05: PREVENT SYAMTEC ANTIVIRUS FROM OPENING .RAR FILES

Safe practices

* Update Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Operating System Software
* Set your IE security level to high in order to block Active X controls in order to prevent cross site scripting from taking control of your computer
* Update Microsoft Office Software - You might need the MS Office CD to do this
* Update Virus Deifinitions file
* Backup your computer
* Keep Firefox updated and patched

Firewalls:
Although Windows XP comes with a firewall, I find it practically useles, because it installs services that can make your computer more vunerable to attack. I recomend Zone Alarm available for free from http://www.zonelabs.com I have been using the free version for years and it has proven itself to be very effective. It requires a bit of attention for the first couple of weeks while it prompts you with the question "Do you want "this service" to access the internet?" To which you mostly reply yes. However, you will be surprised to learn that your computer often wants to act as a server and you almost always want to prevent that. Zone Alarm also make your computer invisible to the most hacker scans.

Instructions on how to install Symantec (formerly known as Norton) Antivirus version 9

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Last updated December 21, 2005