Tips to Help You Keep Your Computer Safe

Do you use e-mail?  Do you download and save data on your computer?  Do you make online purchases?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to take steps to protect your computer.  There are many opportunities for malicious software to harm your computer system.

Use the following reminders to protect yourself against these intrusions both at work and at home.

• Don't open attachments from people you don't know or aren't expecting e-mails from.  Also, check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they provide virus or spam protection, personal firewalls, or privacy software as part of their service to you.
• Change your passwords regularly and create passwords that are difficult to guess.  Passwords should be a mix of case with numbers & special symbols.  Industry standards suggest changing passwords every 60-90 days.  Keep your password secure by not writing it down.
• When condusting business through the Internet, make sure the website supports encryption of your personal data.  This may be shown a lock symbol on the bottom of your screen or a notification of a certificate on the site your browsing.
• Create a copy of hte data that you need for day-to-day operations.  This copy should be on media, such as a CD, that can be kept in a secure location, away from your computer.  Test your backup periodically to make sure your data is recoverable.
• Don't give out your or your customers' personal information online, via email, or via text messages simply because someone asks for it.  Verify the source of the request first before responding.  Remember, disclosure of personal data is protected by law.
• Make sure the firewall, anti-virus, and spyware software on your computer is current and active by enabling auto updates from your software provider. 
• Document the steps that you would take to replace or recreate the data on your computer if it were lost or stolen.  Determine if there is any notification that would hve to be done and how you could recover using the latest copy of your data.

Cravens Warren does offer insurance products that can protect your online security.  Call us today to learn more.