Disable Remote Registry Editing
Only you should be
editing your Windows registry, so make sure this service is disabled by
clicking Start, Run, and then typing "services.msc." Scroll down to
Remote Registry and make sure the service is stopped, and then set it to
either manual or disable.
Lock It Down
It's always a
good idea to lock your PC if strangers are nearby and you step away for
a few minutes. Just press Windows key+L to lock your PC. Alternatively,
you can set your screensaver (via the Screensaver tab in Display
Settings under Control Panel) to require a password if it's deactivated
by checking the box in "Settings" that says "On resume, password
protect."
Prevent Phishing Attacks
Protect yourself from identity theft and phishing attacks by using the the latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera.
These browsers include protection that double-checks URLs against a
blacklist, and will notify you if you're about to visit a known phishing
site.
Keep Your Software Up to Date
Hackers and
crackers love to take advantage of exploits found in software, which
causes the developers to release a patch to plug up the holes.
Therefore, it's imperative you not only enable Windows Update but also
download the latest version of any software on your system, especially
your Web browser and antivirus program.
Be Wary of P2P Files
Virus makers love peer-to-peer file-sharing services. They name their
virus "Angelina Jolie Wallpapers" or something similar and upload it.
Then millions of people download it, launch it, and wonder why their
computers are infested with viruses. Download with caution, and always
use antivirus software. If you need an effective, free antivirus
solution, we recommend AVG Free.
Wipe the Drive Before Donating Your Old Computer
If you are getting rid of a hard drive and want to render all or some
of its data unrecoverable, you have two options. You can download Eraser to securely wipe any file or folder, and you can use Darik's Boot and Nuke SE (DBAN)
to write over the entire drive. To use DBAN, download it and burn it as
an ISO disc, then boot from it. It will provide you with instructions
on the welcome screen.
Encrypt Sensitive Files
If you want to encrypt sensitive data, you can buy a portable USB drive with built-in encryption like the CMS ABS-Secure Encrypted Backup System, but if you just want to protect a specific folder or group of files, we recommend Truecrypt, which is free. It encrypts a custom-sized volume with 256-bit AES encryption, so it's extremely secure.
Verify Your Backups
Many people have a "set it and forget it" mindset when it comes to
backups. Even after you establish a regimen, however, it's critical that
you check the target folders periodically to ensure the proper files
are being backed up. If not, re-configure your backup routine to make
sure it's working properly.
Back Up Your Data
You must back up your data, period. If you have the means, we highly recommend an external USB drive like the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus. If you already have an extra drive in your system—but just need some good backup software—try the free version of 2BrightSpark's Syncback, which is sublimely easy to configure.
Turn Off Your PC During Lightning Storms
Even surge protectors can be overwhelmed during electrical storms, and
we've seen the results first-hand—fried motherboards, processors, hard
drives and power supplies. If you're experiencing a heavy-duty
electrical storm, take our advice and unplug your computer from the wall
socket—just in case. And buy a laptop to use until the crisis passes.
Enable S.M.A.R.T for Your Hard Drives
S.M.A.R.T (self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology) allows
your drive to report whether it's about to fail, which can give you a
heads-up to replace it. All the modern hard drives have it—go into your
PC's BIOS (press Del or F2/F10 during bootup) and enable it.
Enable Extension Viewing
By default, Windows hides file extensions, and virus-makers exploit
this feature by giving their executable program names like
Popularsong.exe, which appears as a harmless audio file if you have
extensions hidden. To enable extension viewing, open any folder and
click Tools, Folder Options, and uncheck "Hide extensions for known file
types."