Security Part I: Your home computer

Keeping your home computer secure can be a daunting premise to a lot of users. These days it can be very easy though and there are lots of solutions available at different price ranges, and to fill different needs. It might seem confusing with so many options but it doesn’t have to be. Lets take a quick look at some possibilities and the basics of getting your home computer secure.

Passwords

This is your basic first line of defense when looking at home computer security. It may seem like a hassle to password protect your computer but its important. It can discourage unauthorized access to your data and give you much more peace of mind. You want to try to use different passwords whenever possible. Using the same password for everything is the security equivalent of keeping all your eggs in one basket.

You’ll also want to try to avoid using words or phrases with personal significance, as these can be guessed by people with a little research. Adding numbers, letters, uppercase and lowercase letters helps create a very strong password. The longer it is the better too. You’ll want to make sure its something you can remember though, since writing your password down is another bad idea. Many people keep their passwords on a sticky note next to their computer, at which point you have to wonder, why have a password at all?

Updates

You also want to make sure to keep up to date with software patches and updates. Often when security vulnerabilities are discovered, a software update is released to patch that hole. It only helps if you make sure to install that patch. Making sure to always install updates when your computer notifies you that one is available will help keep you more secure overall.

Locks

If at all possible you should physically lock down your computer too. If you can secure your computer to your desk or something else relatively immobile it will be much more difficult to steal in the event of a robbery. Remember, if your computer is stolen it’s not just some electronics, it is also all the information you had on there.

Online Gaming Secutiry

With the rise of people turning to the internet for their online gaming needs, the rise of security also becomes extremely important. Online Fraud cost internet users in 2012 a huge £3.5bn loss, with 11% of the online public, becoming a casualty of fraud. Online casinos are a huge example of how the public can be targeted as personal details such as bank information and home address details can be hit. Spin Palace Canada is an online casino which abides by the high security practices; with its great reliable software you will be sure to feel safe playing a game of roulette.

Software

There are a lot of different security software packages available for your home computer, and many do a lot more than basic security functions, going beyond to help you maintain your computer in general. The better software packages automate as much as possible and can be fairly user friendly, so you won’t need to have any technical insight. Just install the software and for the most part, it will take care of everything for you so long as you don’t ignore it when it has something to say. A good software package will stop viruses, spam, help protect you from identity theft, malware, and spyware.

Yes, you need to worry about this stuff on a Mac too.

Overall with strong passwords, up-to-date software, physical locks, and modern security software, you’ll be in pretty good shape. Once its all set up it doesn’t take much maintenance on  your part to keep it secure over time either. Its worth spending a little time now taking care of it just for that piece of mind since otherwise by the time you realize you need better security it will be too late.