6 Aspects of a Secure Computer - Keeping Your Computer Safe

A computer is only as good as it's user, and unfortunately there are many, many, many less savvy computer users out there. For you to keep your computer secure, and therefore fast, there are some basic security practices that you must employ.
Protection from Spyware/Adware
Spyware and Adware are programs that are installed without knowledge on your PC. These programs track your internet activity, for the purpose of targeting you with ads, popups, or obtaining private information from you. They slow down your computer, and can be a security risk. To prevent them, you use a free antispyware program.
Recommended: MalwareBytes AntiMalware or Lavasoft's AdAware
Protection from Viruses
Viruses are more dire than spyware, because they intend direct damage to your system, and may have the intent of stealing identity information. Viruses replicate and spread themselves unlike Spyware. To combat viruses you need a well trusted antivirus.
Recommended: Avira AntiVir and Avast! Home Edition are excellent free solutions
Protection from hackers
Hackers attempt direct access to your computer through security gaps. Antispyware and antivirus programs do not protect from this sort of threat, which is the most dangerous of all. If your internet modem or wireless router does not have a built in firewall, you should get a free firewall of your own.
Recommended: PCTools Firewall Plus or Comodo Internet Security Firewall
Wireless Security
If you use a wireless router in your home, chances are it is very easy for anyone within 200 feet of your home to access your signal. This can be dangerous if someone has bad intentions. Set up a wireless password to access your wireless network. If you don't know how to do this, ask any manual you have for your router, or ask the company.
Good Passwords
Passwords do nothing if they are not chosen well. A secure password should be longer than 7 characters, and contain at least one number/symbol and a mixture of upper and lower case letters. In addition, you should not use the same password everywhere you have an account.
Safe Email
Be weary of what you open. If you do not recognize the sender or subject, do not open it, especially if the email contains an attachment. Common sense is the best medicine here.
If you follow these security practices, you should remain a safe computer user. Rest easy knowing that you won't be one of the many victims of online crime, or have to use your hard-earned money on replacing your computer every few years due to infections.

Nick Dimon writes about computer security and maintenance on his site http://www.crappycomputer.com/ with the purpose of informing and teaching users how to get what they deserve from their machines.

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Remove Viruses From Your Computer - Tips and Tricks

Removing a computer virus in your computer can be a scary task.
Even the most experience computer tech might have a difficult challenges without the right software.
Technology has revolutionized the way we see the world. We are now able to have a conversation virtually face-to-face with someone in the other side of the world via messenger absolutely free.
Personal computers (PCs) since its introduction to the public in the mid 80s have changed our lives. Allowing the public to automate daily task, personal computers (PCs) have become critical tools to our everyday life.
However, since the birth of the internet for public usage back in the mid-late 90s, hackers have found a breeding ground.
Hackers are software developers that create programs to attack computer systems. One the most sophisticated software ever developed focuses on disabling antivirus programs by attacking PC's registry (PC database). Once antivirus software is disabled in a persona computer, it becomes an easy target for any attack. Hijack programs are responsible for scanning your computer for any credit card information stored in your computer or internet browser (including credit card transactions, online banking password and ID, etc).  But, what is spyware and how dangerous is it?  Spyware (hijack programs) are automatically installed in your computer without the users' consent and many times users are deceived to allow the programs to automatically install while surfing the internet.
The source of spyware can be an email, an infected internet page, or even an infected CD that installs information into your computer.
Spyware attacks in your computer can ruin your computer, your financial status, steal your identity, and use your computer as a hijack system to attack other computers.  It's recommended to keep your antivirus up date and never open emails that you might not recognize, since emails with attachments are the easier way for spyware to access your computer.   What are the symptoms?
While accessing the internet do you experience?
- Slow page download - Pop-ups
- Sudden freeze (Computer won't respond)
- Blue Screen with white letters (known as the blue screen of death)
- Computer won't respond after you turn it on.
Any of these symptoms might indicate that your system might be hijacked and it's recommend that you take to any computer repair place (which can be very pricey). Also, not following the correct steps can endanger your personal information such as or credit cards, or online banking login information.   Also, it's recommended that you find a good program that can cure your registry. THE REGISTRY IS THE MOST HEART AND MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR COMPUTER!! Good software will remove the spyware from the registry and remove any threats.
Hope my article provided you with helpful information
Good luck and stay safe.

For free antivirus help visit Help my computer. I'm a computer system analyst always looking out for new technology to be studied and discovered. Pride on providing the community up to date information on the newest gadgets, or internet driving news... Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raul_Guerridos