by Jennifer Marsh

Created on: November 09, 2009

Basic computer security protects private information, secures data integrity, and prevents identity theft. Even with the substantial amount of personal computer owners, many of them are unaware of the risk factors of poor computer security. You don't need to be a computer engineer to implement just a few basic security features that protect the machine from being compromised.

Physical Security

Computer security is more than protection from hackers online. A computer with sensitive information should be protected from physical damage. Never plug electronic devices directly into a wall outlet. Instead, purchase a surge protector to protect the computer from electrical damage. For an added benefit, purchase a standby uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A standby UPS gives power to the computer even when the home's power is lost. This allows the computer user to turn off the machine, protecting it from hardware failures and software corruption.

Software Security

Hackers are always a concern for people who venture online. There are two points of security with which a computer user should be concerned. The first point of entry into a private network is the router. Routers can be wireless or hardwired connections. Routers usually have firewall capabilities, blocking entrance into the private area of the network. Most home routers like Linksys and Netgear come with port-blocking capabilities and limit incoming traffic. These ports can be opened for gaming or remote access from the Internet, but these configurations should be implemented with caution.

The second point of entry is the computer's shared resources. Once a hacker gets through the router, the machines on the network are vulnerable. The best way to avoid entry into the machine is by password protecting shared drives. Some computer users choose to add a personal firewall to the computer as well. Encrypting sensitive information is an added layer of protection. It creates gibberish characters unreadable without the encryption key. If a hacker is able to steal data from the computer, he is unable to read it. This type of computer security is used by corporations and government entities.

Backup Data

Computer security isn't only about stopping thieves. Computer security also involves protecting data from corruption. If a hard drive crashes or the computer fails to boot, the best way to secure the data and protect from loss is copying it to another location. This location may be another hard drive, a CDROM or DVD, or a flash drive. Software like Norton Ghost takes a complete backup of the hard drive called an "image." When your hard drive crashes, use the image to restore all documents, installed applications and drivers to the computer. This saves you from reinstalling applications and documents after a hard drive crash.

Computer security is an important part of corporate networks and home users. It protects from identity theft and avoids data loss. Keep your computer safe from hackers and limit the chance of identity theft. By securing data, you avoid the loss of important applications and documents. These measures will save time in the event of computer failure.

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