Net security

As you can probably see from my last three posts, the main issue to be discussed in Computing lessons today is internet security. Why? Well, because we live around the Internet and it lives thanks to us. Threats are out there, our computers aren't well-protected, and we know nothing about antivirus, passwords or bugs: it all screams "come and get me" as though it would if we shouted this at our neighbors right before going on holiday. Results? Your computer gets infected with virus, you don't safely surf the net, and you're constantly exposed to whatever awaits out there. The easy solution would be to simply ignore this all and ask somebody else to solve it for you, say, call a cousin to install a reliable antivirus, or ask a friend about how to disable cookies; but if you are really concerned about what you are dealing with and how to avoid it, then reading will help. Articles or wikipedia, blogs or books. It doesn't matter as long as you find a source that speaks honest truths. 

First of all, passwords. 

• Don't make them easy to remember, that's the first signal: if you can guess it, others can too. 
• Don't make them short in any way, mix capital letters with numbers and symbols.
• Don't use anything remotely personal as a password, since anybody close enough to you will be able to guess it.
• Don't let your computer save them in a file or in its memory.

This way, anyone wishing to fake your account will find a barrier shielding it, and if you have done this well, they won't get past it.

Another thing to be taken into account is the security around our computers. Antiviruses are paramount, of course, mostly if you use Windows, because it's the more used and most commonly attacked operating system. You can pay for them or download some simpler versions on the Internet that will protect your devices just fine. All in all, if you aren't working in anything too important, then you shouldn't have to pay for an antivirus if you don't want to. But if you're working on some designs for a Formula 1 car, or you're a well-known engineer, then go shopping and bring home the best antivirus you can find out there.

Unprotected computers are bait from the first minute. I had mine like that for some time and got myself infected with adware (advertisements) and God knows what else, so I don't recommend it. You also have available onine all kinds of PC cleaners that delete the information your computer stores that you don't really need, that is, cookies, historials, etc. Needless to say that you shouldn't download anything unless you're positive it's virus-free. But if you're really interested, you can ask around and find something that suits you.

If that's not the case, I can slip something in. For me, CCleaner's been working neatly and efficiently, so I don't see why you shouldn't try. And as to antivirus, my weapon of choice was Norton for a while, then I switched to Avira, and I just find no difference between them. My PC is clean and I'm happy, the result's the same.

Given that I already ranted about WiFi and privacy in previous posts, I'll be brief here. 

• Be careful to which WiFis you connect, specially if they're open. Never trust anything that's not official.
• WPA and WPA2 passwords are the best WiFi protection-codes you can find out there. Make sure you install them correctly, though.
• Don't be too explicit about anything in your social networks of choice (Twitter, Facebook, etc). You never know who's watching and reading.
• Public opinions shouldn't be shouted from the rooftops, specially when they're not precisely nice. The same applies to the media. Don't say anything you know can be used against you.
• Keep your profiles as private as possible.
• Don't contact people you don't know.
• Make a responsible, mature, and professional use of the technology we've been given the privilege to use and life will reward you.

"Better safe than sorry."