Protect Your Computer

 

Threats to Your Computer

Protection from Threats

How do I know if my computer has a threat?

How do threats get on my computer?

What steps can I take to prevent threats? 

 

Threats to Your Computer

There are 3 main threats to the security of your computer: 1) Viruses, 2) Spyware, 3) Malware

 

Protection from Threats

To protect your computer from threats, we recommend you choose one Anti-Virus program and one Spyware/Malware protection program.  We recommend the following readily available programs:

 

After installing any of these programs, be sure to check for update

Protection	Program	Cost	Availability
Anit-Virus	Symantec AntiVirus	around $3	BYU-Idaho Bookstore
Anit-Virus	AVG Anti-Virus Free	free	http://free.grisoft.com
Spyware/Malware Removal	Malware Bytes	free	http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Spyware/Malware Removal	Spybot Search & Destroy	free	http://www.safer-networking.org/

s.  Do a full system scan when done.  We recommend scanning your computer about once a week.

 

How do I know if my computer has a threat?

 

1. Your computer is running slower than usual.
2. You receive errors in your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Firefox) when on the internet.

 

How do threats get on my computer?

 

1. Downloading free software or illegal content (music, videos, programs) from file sharing and bitorrent websites
2. Opening unsafe emails
3. Visiting unsafe websites on the internet

 

What steps can I take to prevent threats? 

1. Use Common Sense.  Most things are not free.  Companies use spyware to pay for the so called free program.  Do not trust people who post free illegal content (do they really have your best interest at heart).  Be wary of emails from people you do not know.
2. Keep your Anti-virus & spyware/malware removal programs up to date.
3. Do weekly scans of your computer.