Salem Hassan is a business marketing director for http://BreezeGoSEO.com, an Internet Marketing Agency. Salem writes on a wide spectrum of topics related to family, business, consumer best interests, marketing, and other related topics.
Tips and Tricks to Keep your Laptop Secure and Safe
Introduction
The sure to way to make your laptop secure is to never
use them, never bring them with you, never open them nor install software on
your laptop. Just locked them down in a fireproof safe place and they will be protected
and out of harm's way forever. However, laptops were made for us to use, to
help us more productive in our work and make our lives easy.
Keeping your laptop secure and protected is of course is
still possible with some efforts on your part and with the use of existing security
tools and software, learn and do good practices and most of the time using
common sense.
From basics to the extreme, these are the tips and trick
that will keep your laptop secure and safe.
Install
Antivirus. Keep it up to date, regularly scan your computer and let
it check your email. Without it, your laptop will surely get infected.
Install
Anti-Spyware. Some Antivirus have bundled anti-spyware.
Use them along with the antivirus and always get them updated. Regularly
schedule scanning of laptop for spywares, Trojans, adware and other malwares to
make them secure.
Keep
Your System Updated. Let Windows constantly apply updates and
patch security holes in your system. However, it is a good practice to always
create a System Restore Pointand backup your important files prior to applying updates on your
system.You can use them to undo changes
if problems occur or in case of update failure.
Set
a System Password. Most computers have a built in CMOS
setup password in its BIOS.
This require that a password by typed in before it will boot the Operating System. It
will prohibit any access to the computer at all. This is definitely not a
password that you want to forget!
Password
Protect Your Windows User Account.Windows user accounts can be assigned a
password. This means that for a user to log on using an account, she must know
the password.
Keep
Your Firewall Turned On. A firewall helps protect your computer
from hackers who might try to steal information, crash your computer or use it
to attack other computers.Even if you
know that your company is using corporate firewall to protect the computer
inside their network, it is a good practice to always make sure that Windows
firewall or third-party firewall is turned on specially when you
are working on the road.
Beware
of Pop-up Security Fakes. There will be occasions wherein while
surfing or browsing some websites, you will be presented with a security
warning that you computer could be infected with a virus or malware.This fake security software will entice you
to scan or disinfect your computer by offering you a handy product to do the
job for you. Beware of this – it could be rouge security software.
Encrypt
Sensitive Data. Consider data encryption if you have
sensitive information on your computer. Encryption will protect your business
secrets.
Back
Up Important Data. You don’t have to back up everything on the
laptop. Just copy the important files you will need to the server. This will
ensure that you will have something to look for when your laptop gets stolen on
your trip. You just need to download your important files from the server to
get the information you need.
Kid’s
Computing. If you let your children use your laptop occasionally,
always make sure that you keep an eye on them. Even if you are extra careful
when using your laptop, this could be put at risk by a simple click of your
kids especially when you let them browse or surf the internet. You can use
parental-control software to prevent internet or computer use during off hours.
Vista user accounts have this feature built-in.
Consider
Insuring Your Laptop.If
you laptop is expensive, it’s worth considering getting your laptop insured.
Look for insurance providers such as Safeware
that offers this type of service
Physical
Security
Don’t
be too obvious that you have them. Some fashionable people
carry their laptops in expensive cases and this spell trouble for them. Those
cases are hot in the prying eyes of thieves. There are available backpacks that
are not too obvious that you are carrying a laptop with you and they’re also
slash-proof and shock-proof as well.
Bio-metrics. The
future of passwords is in your bio-metrics. The most common nowadays is
fingerprints, retinas and even the shape of your face.
Lock
the Laptop. Most notebook computers have a Kensington
Security Slot which is a hole for attaching a lock. That was made for the
purpose of securing your laptop – use it.
