Chapter 2: Basic Security Procedures

Online security is more important today that it has ever been.  Every day there are more and more methods that can be used maliciously to gain access to your system or your data.  A few simple procedures and tools can help to safeguard your information from access by unauthorized users or keep your computer from being used without your knowledge or consent.

Basic security procedures can be divided into two spheres:  one regarding the maintenance of your operating system, and the other that mandates good personal security measures such as adequate password security.

Operating system maintenance is extremely important.  Although Microsoft Windows security took a leap forward with the recent sunsetting of Windows XP, it is still vital to maintain Windows 7 and Windows 8.  This involves making sure that Windows is set to download critical updates at a set time every day, and to ensure that the Windows Firewall is turned on and is set correctly.  Additional procedures involve making sure that the system time and date are set correctly, unnecessary system services are disabled, and that all user accounts are protected by the use of strong passwords.

In addition, it is vital to make sure that a quality antivirus product is installed and set to update its virus definitions automatically without the need for user intervention.  It's not necessary to spend money on antivirus protection, there are several free products that do a very good job of protection.  I prefer Avast, and am presently using their Internet Security product, which retails for about twenty dollars annually.

However, all the hardware security in the world if a user password is weak, or easily guessable.  There are many methods to generate strong passwords that are not readily machine crackable.  A common scheme to ensure a decent level of security is to randomly alternate upper and lower case characters, and to replace letters with "look alike" numbers or other keyboard characters.

With a little effort and constant vigilance, users can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their personal data and computer systems are not at risk of being stolen or used against them.