The Forbrugerportalen guide to Internet security
This guide consists of 3 parts:
Free software for protecting your PC
when you are online
Backup how to-guide for beginners
Other good advice on
Internet security
Free software for protecting your PC when you are online
A PC connected to the Internet is exposed to attacks from computer vira,
spyware/adware, and hackers.
A number of free solutions to this problem exists, that can secure an online PC
as much as possible. Here is a short overview:
- AVG Antivirus: install it on your PC, and it will check all incoming mails automatically
- Spybot Search & Destroy: removes most spyware and adware (popup ads installed on your computer, toolbars that you haven't asked for, software that changes your start page, etc.)
- Spywarefri onlinescanner (NB! Only for Windows XP, windows 9x and older will crash) - checks your PC for spyware (danish website)
- Windows Update: keep Windows updatet, it improves security a lot. Also update your Microsoft Office-programs.
- Spamfighter: Keeps your Outlook-mailbox free of spam (danish website).
- ZoneAlarm: A firewall - asks for your consent every time a program tries to connect to the internet (works against hackers and spyware). It can be trained to remember the programs that you approve.
- Pretty Good Privacy (PGP): Cryptation of emails, so they cannot be read by outsiders (your maiil host, for instance!mailhotel-udbyder!). Technically a bit complicated.
- Shields UP! Portscanner: Checks if your PC is open to hackers. Also a bit complicated
- Google Toolbar: With a popup-ad-killer.
Backup how to-guide for beginners
If your harddisc stops working, your PC burns or if you have to reinstall your system after a virus attack, it's nice to have a backup of your data. Here is a short list of advice on how to make backups:
- Back up data files often (each week, month or every other month, depending on how active you are :-) . The easiest way is to burn one or more CD-ROM's
- Make a boot disk - read more on computerhope.com (engelsk)
- Put all data files in the same folder (typically "Documents" - that makes it easier to take backup (you only have to copy one folder to the CD-ROM), and you are sure you haven't forgotten to backup anything
- Save at least the two most recent backups.
- If you discard an old backup-CD, then break it, so that no one can find it and access your intimate data
- Besides data files, remember to back up these things
- Bookmarks in Internet Explorer/Netscape: They are in one folder - find it, and copy it - it can be saved on one or two floppy disks
- Outlook - mails, task list, contacts, calendar (if you use it). On Microsofts website you can download a free addon, that makes it easy to backup your material from Outlook. Install this addon, and open "File - > Backup". Change the preferences to back up once a day in a subfolder to your data folder, so it becomes part of your normal backup routine.
- Drivers for monitor, net card, printer etc. Not easy to understand by mere mortals, but you need them when you reinstall Windows, so having them can save you a lot of time. Download WinDriver Expert - a freeware program that can back up all your drivers to a subfolder to your data folder.
- Passwords - of course you should remember them all in your head, but you don't, so just remember to backup the file with all your passwords :-) . Alternatively, check out www.boxknox.com, where you can store all your passwords securily.
- Software - keep all program-CD's together, and write registration
codes on the cover or the CD itself.. It's very annoying to have paid for
some software you can't use because you have lost the registration key.
Also, make a text file with a list of all your programs, including freeware downloaded from the internet, plugins, utilities etc. It's nice to have a checklist when you have to reinstall everything. Put the list in your data folder.
Other advice on internet security and computer security
- If you have a laptop, password-protect it via BIOS.
- Wireless internet connection netværk: A lot of special issues, look some where else for info :-)
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