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when combined with other anti-virus programs.

4) PATCH YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM

Hackers always try to find some flaws in your system; it is necessary these patches are updated regularly. You can compare it with some holes which hackers and some viruses try to use to come in your system. You can compare it to leaving the door open on your house and a thief can enter your home easily and steal all they want. If you use of the operating system Windows the automatic update of Windows will patch your computer very quickly.

5) BE CAREFUL WITH ATTACHMENTS IN AN EMAIL

If you don't know the senders don't open the attachment and delete the email because many of them contain viruses. Normally your anti-virus scan program will block the infected files but every day new viruses are created and the possibility exists your software doesn't recognize that virus. Worms and Trojan horses often come in your system this way. If these are settled on the hard disk of your computer you can't fix it anymore with an anti-virus scan.

6) MAKE REGULAR BACK-UPS OR COPIES OF YOUR FILES

If one of your files is damaged you can restore them from your back-up files. Normally you have to do it every time you create or modify a new file but I suggest you to do it once each day you use your computer.

7) USE OF PASSWORDS

Passwords are very important: protect your files with passwords and make a combination of letters and numbers. Use passwords which you can remember or make passwords where you can save on a place where nobody can find them. Don't store them in a document you save on your hard disk. When you register on some Internet sites don't use always the same password.

8) DOWNLOADS

Be careful when you download and install programs from the Internet. Be sure that the software is safe! If you see a certifier's label there is a higher chance the software is safe.

If you pay attention on all these tips you will have a safe home computer system but that doesn't mean that you are totally protected.

Home security is a necessity; and I can't warn you enough it is necessary. If you invest in these security tools you'll feel much safer. Hackers these days are the greatest criminals of the new technology.

Learn more about this author, Erik Van Tongerloo.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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