How to Protect a Computer From Unauthorized Program Activity
Unauthorized access to your computer can come from a number of sources. Just as your body needs regular maintenance and physical checkups to ensure that everything is in correct working order, so does your computer.
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Instructions
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Scan your system with an anti-virus program to detect any viruses currently infecting your computer. Once the scan is complete, quarantine all threats the program finds. Update the program to ensure that all virus definitions are up-to-date, and run a new virus scan about once a week for ongoing protection. Most anti-virus software programs have a feature that allows you to schedule a virus scan automatically.
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Scan your computer with a spyware removal program to rid your system of spyware and adware that could be slowing it down and allowing unauthorized access. Like your anti-virus scans, this software should be set to automatically update itself with new spyware and adware definitions and to scan on a regular basis to prevent unauthorized access.
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Enable your spam filter for any email programs you use. Set your email software preferences so that email attachments do not open automatically when you open your email. Unauthorized access is often attained through unsolicited email. Do not open any email that comes from an address that you do not recognize, and open only email attachments sent from sources you trust. Don't give any personal information to anyone who asks for it via email.
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Install a firewall. An effective and popular free firewall program is ZoneAlarm (see Resources). A firewall blocks unauthorized access to your system from the Internet. These intrusions can happen from both individuals and software applications that access the Internet.
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Delete your Web browser's cookies, history and cache. Threats of unauthorized access are often embedded in websites. Your computer stores copies of the websites you visit. Cleaning up these files on a regular basis protects against these threats to secure your computer.
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