Computer security

Protecting your computer and data are more important then ever. There are FIVE primary concerns:

1. Viruses-- keep up to date
2. Upgrades and Patches to your system--- XP is a big concern
3. Data protection and Theft- backup your data daily. Set your XP system to automatically create restore points.
4. Back Up your data if it is important to you
5. Save your program CDs for reloading
While we seldom have a problem with theft or data loss, it is important to develop some good computing habits. Just like a automobile insurance, you should be proactive to protect your computer and data. Here are some steps you should follow:
1. learn how to backup your files to CD
2. Once you burn a data CD, store it in a safe place
3. If your data has your personal information such as SSN you might consider using passwords for important documents.

Anything you do to protect your computer and personal information is better then nothing! So make a start today by backing up your data and installing virus protection.

Virus Protection:
We strongly recommend you purchase Norton or Symantec Virus Protection and keep it up-to-date. There are free virus protection propgrams you can purchase. Check out www.grisoft.com to install AVG on your windows machine.

Upgrades and Window Updates:
If you are running Windows XP please turn on the automatic updates so that critical patches will be installed. This can be done by going to System under Control Panel. Select the tab, Automatic Updates, and check the first box at the top, and then the 3rd box at the bottom, so that the updates will be current.

Data Protection and Theft
You can protect your data by backup up to CD on a frequent basis. In addition you must respect copyright laws and not share your computer on the network, which makes you vulnerable to viruses. We recommend you inscribe or mark your computer with your name. If you have a laptop you need to lock your room when you are away.