How to protect your office from scammers and hackers

In this day and age, the fastest maturing thing on earth is not actually a living creature- it's technology! You do your research and go out and buy a nice, top-of-the-line laptop or desktop computer; you take good care of it, adding new programs when they become available, and the next year your computer is a relic of the Stone Age. And to make matters worse, there are thousands of viruses out there just waiting to attack your computer. You have to guard it not only against the inevitable "out of date" phenomenon, but also against viruses, scammers and hackers. And a place that your computer can be especially vulnerable is at the office where so much information is exchanged between computers and networks. So how can you protect yourself, your computer and your office from scammers and hackers? Is it even possible?

The answer is a resounding, yes it is! You just have to know the right ways to go about protecting yourself. Here are just a few things you can do:

1. Use an internet firewall. An internet firewall helps screen out hackers, scammers, spam, viruses, and worms before they reach your office or network from the internet. If you use Windows XP, you already have a firewall that is turned on by default. If you're not sure if you have one or not, trying searching for the program under the "search" option on the windows bar.
2. Update your software. Regular software updates (whether it is on Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, your virus protection software, or any other type) are crucial to keeping your office computers and office network as secure as possible. A regularly updated program is more difficult for hackers and scammers to access. An old program, however, would be like taking candy from a baby: hackers have no trouble accessing antiquated software.
3. Use anti-virus software. Computer viruses can have a seriously negative effect on your office. Viruses may come on accident or they may be planted by hackers trying to gain access to your system. Viruses can slow down your work, destroy irreplaceable documents and, in extreme circumstances, ruin your computer.
4. Use anti-spyware software. Spyware, as the name suggests, allows others to "spy" on your computer. It allows valuable information to be stolen from your computer, can take control of your internet browser, or interfere with your productivity by sending you large amount of advertising (which is sometimes quite scandalous).
5. Be careful with email and instant messages. One of the easiest ways that hackers or scammers have to get into your computer is through emails. Even if a message appears to come from someone you know, an attached file in an email or instant message could have a virus. Be sure you don't download attachments recklessly. Also, beware of giving out personal information over the internet too liberally. Be especially careful about financial information, no matter who appears to have sent it.
6. Use strong passwords and change them often. Having strong passwords give you a much better security against hackers and scammers. Your password should be a combination of letters, numbers and symbols, and should not be anything obvious like a birthday or anniversary. It should ideally be 14 characters or longer. You should change it every few months. Also, don't write your passwords down. Commit them to memory so that no one will be able to discover your password.

If you are able to follow these simple six suggestions, your computer and office computers should be greatly protected against hackers and scammers. If you still have concerns, be sure to contact a computer professional for more information.

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