Home Computer Security: Is Your Computer Safe?
In this computerized age, home computer security should be one of your top priorities. Burglars and intruders who enter your home often target your home computer because most home computers are not secure and therefore are easy to raid. There are methods available for protecting your home computer.
Always install a reliable anti-virus program and then use it. These programs offer quite a few options on how to answer, such as removing the offending file or destroying it. It is advisable to keep your anti-virus program up-to-date and your computer system patched.

There is an ever present danger of viruses and worms travelling through your email. So caution should be used when reading email especially unrecognized emails.
A firewall program is a necessity in home computer security it acts as a protection against unwanted sites and allows the authorized sites entrance. Back up your important files and folders to a CD or an external hard drive so that you always have a copy.

Strong passwords that are unique and different from all your other passwords should be used to lock your computer, as well as, for services you access from the internet such as on-line banking. Home computer security is especially important now that identity theft is so prominent. For files that are sensitive use a file encryption program to access. Commercial file encryption programs are ideal for your laptop.

To protect home computers using wireless connections from hackers, always ensure that your wireless security key is enabled. Hackers have been known to roam neighborhoods searching for unsecured wireless from which they could steal personal information.

For physical home computer security, computer security cables are an option, as well as, the less attractive option of casing your computer. An audible alarm attached either on the inside or outside of your computer can produce a shrill siren to sound when it is disturbed. You can also block the use of your disk drives with a disk drive lock.

Mark your computer and its equipment in a prominent place with your driver’s license number or other identifying information by etching or attaching tabs with epoxy. This will deter most thieves and help the police identify your property if it is stolen.

Following these recommendations for your home computer security will not guarantee that your computer will always be safe but it will greatly reduce your risk.