Ways to Protect Yourself from Online Threats

If you use the Internet you have a significant chance of suffering computer damage, financial loss, or both because of a computer virus or spyware that gets onto your computer without your knowing it. In recent years, the Internet has become a place where anything goes and there is hardly any regulatory oversight. You now face assaults through e-mail, Web sites, messaging services, and downloads. Americans invested more than $1 billion in protection software over the past year, and they still spent more than $4 billion for computer repairs, parts, and replacement to solve problems caused by viruses and spyware. These problems are so extensive and serious that they prompt over 7 percent of all computer purchases.

A disturbing fact is major, well-known companies have supported spyware by using it as an advertising medium. We have had spyware infections so bad that we have had to erase the hard drive to get it off. There is a 40% chance that you have spyware on your system and not even know it. Another 40% of you know you have spyware, but cannot get it off your system. A good source of information on spyware is Computer Associate's Spyware Information Center.

There are also risks of spam and the scams known as phishing--sending fraudulent e-mail that solicits confidential information by impersonating a reputable institution. Approximately 80% of total email delivered is SPAM.

Through good practices and the use of protection software, you can greatly reduce your exposure online.

Because you are constantly exposed to different sources of viruses (for example, the Internet and email), MedTech recommends regularly scanning your computer for viruses.
Be careful about what free programs you install. Often the software is free because it contains a spyware payload funded by advertising money.
Use a spam filter. A great free one is SpamBayes, but you must train it. Consider an ISP or e-mail provider that offers security. AOL, EarthLink, MSN, and Yahoo offer spam filtering and virus scanning for e-mail at no extra charge for users. Use them as one layer of a multilayer defense. Check other ISPs’ sites to find out what they provide. MedTech can provide spam and virus filtering for you on your own domain.
Use one e-mail address for family and friends, another for everyone else. You can get a free address from Hotmail, Yahoo, or a disposable-forwarding-address service such as SpamMotel. When an address attracts too much spam, drop it.
Do no send personal information because of an e-mail request.
Never respond to e-mail asking for personal information.
Never open links in e-mail to access personal accounts.
Don’t reply to spam or click on its “unsubscribe” link. That tells the sender that your e-mail address is valid.
Never open an attachment that you weren’t expecting, even from someone you know.
Do not keep spammers in business by purchasing a product or service advertised through spam. Even if the offer isn’t a scam, you are helping to finance and encourage spam. If you receive spam that promotes a brand, complain to the company behind the brand. The truth of the matter is if spam didn’t work, there would be no spam.
Don’t post your e-mail address in its normal form on a publicly accessible Web page. Otherwise, spammers’ address-harvesting software can easily read your e-mail address and you will start getting spam.
Enable the automatic Windows Update feature if you haven’t already done so. Go to www.microsoft.com/protect and download and install service packs, which offers enhanced security. For earlier versions of Windows, run Windows Update from the Start menu. The vast majority of viruses and spyware programs have targeted Windows-based PCs, which far outnumber Macintosh computers. So using a Mac can minimize your risk. Even so, keep your Mac up to date via the Software Update Control Panel. Also regularly update your Web browser and other major software, using the manufacturers’ update instructions or features.
Use antispyware program. If you are looking for a free solution, download and install the free Microsoft Windows Defender from www.microsoft.com/protect, but avoid other free antispyware, because often spyware masquerades as antispyware. Keep your subscription to new spyware definitions current and regularly update the definitions or use the automatic update feature.
Use antivirus software. You can obtain additional virus protection from ISPs, directly from a manufacturer’s site, or at a retail store. Enable the auto-protect and automatic update features and keep your subscription current. http://www.free-av.com is a good free antivirus software for home and non-commercial use only.
Use a firewall. We highly recommend a hardware firewall, which costs $30 to $40. Your router most likely has a built-in firewall. Change its default password and disable “remote administration” to prevent hackers from seizing control of the router. A firewall router can limit the access of PCs within the network by blocking specific ports.
If you use Internet Explorer, keep its security level at medium or higher to block Web sites from downloading programs without your authorization or automatically running Windows active scripts.
Regularly back up personal files. This safeguards your data in case of a security problem. Consider using a plug-in external hard drive as your main or backup storage, so that if the computer becomes disabled, you’ll already have your files off the machine. MedTech offers a service called HIPAA Backups that will automatically do this for you.
Download only from online sources you trust. Be wary of ad-sponsored or “free” screen savers, games, videos, toolbars, music and movie file-sharing programs, and other giveaways; they probably include spyware that may damage your PC if it gets through your security.
Children who share and download files should do so on a PC that doesn’t contain confidential information or valuable data, such as financial records.
Avoid short passwords. To foil password-cracking software, use passwords that are at least eight characters long, including at least a numeral and a symbol, such as #. Avoid common words, and never disclose a password online. Not only is this wisdom, if you are dealing with data that falls under HIPAA regulations, this type of password will meet HIPAA requirements.

To receive more information about protecting your computer,
give us a call at 866-890-6777.