Spring is in the air, and there is a little phrase that usually comes along with this long awaited season: spring cleaning! Not all kinds of cleaning require a mop and a bucket though. For example, every now and then, your computer needs a good cleaning.Viruses are like the dust that can gather on you computer if you do not stay aware of the safety of the site that you are visiting or which programs you are choosing to install. The world of cyber stuff can get overwhelming for most of us who are not eligible for the Best Buy's Geek Squad, so here are some very simple tips to help keep your cyber surfing buddy clean and safe!
1. Be Not Afraid
Really. There really is no reason to fear computer viruses as long as you have your files backed up and a basic firewall. A USB drive works fine for backing up (saving) any sensitive files that you might have. If you're using Windows XP or Vista, then you've already got some decent firewall protection. Firewall? Check. Back-up? Check. Not much need to fear.
2. Careful Web Surfing
Make sure that you are not visiting unsafe sites. File sharing sites and illegal software are unsafe sites to visit. Think of it like a real human virus. You don't want someone else's computer to be contagious and give it to your computer! If you are careful about what sites you visit, you are less likely to run into any problems.
