Software Updates
Keep all software up to date. This includes your operating system, anti-virus, applications, browsers and plug-ins. If you can set them up to be updated automatically, do so. Be sure to remove older versions of Java and Flash Player left uninstalled by their updates. If you have old or forgotten software on your computer that you don't use, especially those that are no longer maintained by their manufacturers, remove them. Outdated software is a common target for malware that takes advantage of inherent weaknesses in program code to install themselves. Outdated browsers are also more susceptible to pop-ups.
Software updates, especially operating system updates, are vital regardless of a computer's age or its intended use. Certain types of computer hardware such as network cards and wireless routers should also be equipped with the latest version of drivers and firmware as soon as updates are made available by their manufacturers or OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Although perhaps not as popularized by tech bloggers and the media as a means of securing computers and personal information as the latest browser security plug-ins and anti-virus software, updates can often mean the difference between a computer that is susceptible to hackers and malware and one that would otherwise be immune. For example, malware that exploits a newly discovered vulnerability in an unpatched email application could potentially slip through anti-virus scans and install itself whenever a user opens their email, without ever clicking on any of the provided links; installing the application's latest security patch should remove this threat at the source. Similarly, an outdated wireless router that uses the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) standard of encryption exposes a user's network to the threat of eavesdropping due to the insufficient encryption method it employs; by installing the latest firmware update, more secure encryption protocols such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2 and additional options may be made available and the security of the network can be subsequently improved.
In many online tech forums, questions such as "Can I get a virus from just opening an email?" or "Can my computer get a virus if I plug in an infected thumb drive?" are often answered incorrectly because software updates are not factored into the equation. Depending on the device's configuration (for example, whether the Autorun or email preview pane features are active) and the potential vulnerability associated with a particular software code or hardware design, any consequence is possible when a hacker knows how to manipulate crucial data or when malware is written cleverly enough to exploit it. For this reason, absolutes such as "never" or "always" are seldom the case when it comes to IT security because computers, applications, the web and other practical cyber solutions are ever evolving and are not the static objects people tend to regard them as. Updates help to mitigate the problem of occasional holes cropping up in software and hardware design, and they happen frequently enough to warrant keeping your system up to date.
Software updates, especially operating system updates, are vital regardless of a computer's age or its intended use. Certain types of computer hardware such as network cards and wireless routers should also be equipped with the latest version of drivers and firmware as soon as updates are made available by their manufacturers or OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Although perhaps not as popularized by tech bloggers and the media as a means of securing computers and personal information as the latest browser security plug-ins and anti-virus software, updates can often mean the difference between a computer that is susceptible to hackers and malware and one that would otherwise be immune. For example, malware that exploits a newly discovered vulnerability in an unpatched email application could potentially slip through anti-virus scans and install itself whenever a user opens their email, without ever clicking on any of the provided links; installing the application's latest security patch should remove this threat at the source. Similarly, an outdated wireless router that uses the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) standard of encryption exposes a user's network to the threat of eavesdropping due to the insufficient encryption method it employs; by installing the latest firmware update, more secure encryption protocols such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2 and additional options may be made available and the security of the network can be subsequently improved.
In many online tech forums, questions such as "Can I get a virus from just opening an email?" or "Can my computer get a virus if I plug in an infected thumb drive?" are often answered incorrectly because software updates are not factored into the equation. Depending on the device's configuration (for example, whether the Autorun or email preview pane features are active) and the potential vulnerability associated with a particular software code or hardware design, any consequence is possible when a hacker knows how to manipulate crucial data or when malware is written cleverly enough to exploit it. For this reason, absolutes such as "never" or "always" are seldom the case when it comes to IT security because computers, applications, the web and other practical cyber solutions are ever evolving and are not the static objects people tend to regard them as. Updates help to mitigate the problem of occasional holes cropping up in software and hardware design, and they happen frequently enough to warrant keeping your system up to date.
Installing Software
Remember that whenever you install new software, you increase your computer's processing workload and decrease its already limited available memory and storage space. Furthermore, system stability becomes less easy to maintain the more programs are loaded at startup, and installing too many of them can destabilize your computer with program conflicts and system errors, or at the very least slow it down. Installing disreputable or poorly written software can also compromise both system stability and security. Be selective with the software you install, and try to limit them to those that you really want or need. Incidentally, pay attention when installing new software, especially free software, as they often include the option to install unwanted third-party toolbars and add-ons preselected during the installation process.
Java
Consider uninstalling Java if you already have it since it has a history of serious security vulnerabilities. It is required, however, by some interactive websites and applications to function optimally, like Apache OpenOffice. If you decide to keep it, make sure you have the latest version installed and that all previous versions have been removed. Until needed, you can disable Java content in all browsers from the security tab in the Java control panel, or disable the plug-in within individual browsers. At the very least, you can configure its security to maximum so that only applications with valid certificates will be allowed to run.