These days you really need to use and understand the need for protection from viruses if you want to use computers for any purpose, business or play. Read on for a few tips on how to use your business computer safely and stay safe from nasty viruses.
Every day security updating
Keeping your office computer safe is an every day job. Let me repeat that again: Every. Day. It is not something you do when the computer is purchased first and then ‘you’re done’ so to speak. Computer viruses are updated every day of the week, and as such new ways for your computer to be attacked are created every day. What are known as ‘fixes’ for these attacks are also updated pretty much every day as well. So, what does this mean for you? It means you need to update your computer every day to ensure you are safe form viruses. You should download updates for your security software regularly, and if possible every day. This means that there will be constant protection for your computer from new risks that are created out there in cyberspace, every other day, if not every other hour!
Click here for further information on security software, and IT facilities that you can use to ensure your computer is free from viruses and malware. You can also get information on the latest techie gadgets on the market.
Firewall settings
Your settings are very important and these need to be set up in a particular way to ensure your safety while your are online at work. You should ensure your computer ‘firewall’ is switched to ‘on’. Some viruses attack this safety device and automatically switch it off, when you think it is on, so you should regularly check that this is switched on and functioning normally.
Ask your IT tech guy to check and double-check the settings.
Download settings
Additionally, with email download settings and document download settings, you can ensure that your computer warns you when you are about to download any item that may pose a risk to your computer. Some of the nastiest computer viruses need to actually be installed on your computer to cause havoc. Ironically, though many users have their download functions set to automatic download so a virus can sneak in undetected, along with a few hundred welcome downloads. To counter this threat, make sure your download settings notify you to new downloads so you can check the authenticity of each and every download. Some systems even require you to enter your password every time a new download comes along.
Additionally, as a business owner you need to set a ground rule on what not to download and install in office computers. If you can’t add it into the company policy, it’s only natural to write-protect your office computers’ drive – just in case.
Web links
Often when you click on a link in a suspicious email, you usher in a nasty virus or bug that can destroy your computer, or cause damage in some way or another. To counter this threat you should be suspicious of clicking on links that are sent by unrecognised users. If the email is not personal to you, and not sent by a recognised source, don’t click on it. Instead, transfer it to your spam folder and just ignore it.
Takewaway
The best way to protect your business computers and mobile devices from malicious attacks is to educate your staffs on what to do or what not to do with their computers.
