How To & More: Safe and Secure

Understanding Home Networking Security: Your Risks to Data on Your Wireless Network

Provided by "For Dummies"

Safe and Secure

Keeping data secure and safe from unauthorized access is the raison d'etre for an entire security industry, and the risks increase in the wireless world. Default passwords, lack of security, and many other reasons leave numerous wireless implementations sorely lacking and vulnerable to attack.

Accidental associations

Accidental associations can occur with neighboring networks.

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Ward Off Computer Viruses with Scheduled Scans

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Having your antivirus program scan the entire computer for viruses is a necessity. Even though most antivirus programs have an auto-protect feature that should, theoretically, prevent the insertion of a virus onto your computer, it's still a good idea to scan your computer periodically in the event the automatic protection feature missed something. Scan your computer once per week. But if you're prone to forgetfulness, then you need to have your computer do your remembering for you-and do its weekly scan on its own.

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Why Home Computers Are at Risk

Provided by "For Dummies"

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Not too long ago, when an uncle at a birthday party would ask you how to be safe on the Internet, suggesting a decent anti-virus program was a good answer. Depending on how much you like your uncle, it can still be a sufficient answer, but the truth is that viruses are no longer the only threat to home computers. Hackers have gained interest in your home computer for several reasons. Read on to see why.

Home computers have changed

Your computer has become more powerful over time.

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Teaching Kids About Internet Safety

PC.com

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Kids need our protection everywhere: at the park, crossing the street, in public places, and when dealing with strangers. However, some not-so-obvious places, like the Internet, can be just as dangerous. We'll tell you what you need to watch out for and how to help your child avoid these online dangers so that the Internet remains a safe and fun place to visit. My child is an online chatterer/ multiplayer online gamer/ blogger/ instant messenger (IM)/ Web surfer.

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Protecting Your System from Viral Invasions

Provided by "For Dummies"

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You may not like hearing this statement, but it turns out that Mom was right: When it comes to fighting viruses, it's much better to take the proper precautions to avoid the virus in the first place than it is to be careless and have to fight the cold or virus later on. Someday, you're going to start taking all the proper precautions. Will that day be today, or the day after you lose all your data to a critter?

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Protecting Your Home Network from Electrical Dangers

Provided by "For Dummies"

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You know that electricity is dangerous, so you probably avoid sticking your fingers into live light-bulb sockets and electrical outlets. Your computers may not have fingers, but they're sensitive to electricity, too, and it's up to you to protect them from a variety of electrical dangers.

Protecting against electrical surges

An electrical surge is a sudden spate of very high voltage that travels from the electric lines to your house and ultimately to your computer.

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