Treat The Internet Like Your Home Part 1 of 3

Published On March 7, 2014 | By Tom Huskerson | Security

Treat the Internet Like Your Home

Part 1 of 3

 I want to make this simple for black people who don’t understand the Internet. Computer security means that you treat your Internet like you treat you home. I promise, if you do, you will be a lot safer.

 Let’s start with a simple example. Whether you’re home or not you keep your house secure. You keep the doors and windows locked or at least closed. The Internet and your computer is the same way. You have an Internet connection and you have a computer. Secure the openings to your computer like you do doors and windows. Make sure you understand that most routers and computers come with a firewall, basically a barrier to outside intrusions. Just like locking the doors and windows in your home, setting a firewall is designed to let in only what you want and nothing more.  The focus in this blog is more on knowledge than technology so I won’t bore you with too much techno talk. Call your internet provider and ask them about your firewall settings. They will be happy to help you. Or check out this information from the University of Delaware that shows you how to get the most out of Windows 7 security settings.

Now I know I promised not to get too techy. So I recommend that you call your internet provider for help setting your firewall but for those of you who want to get your hands a little dirty visit Microsoft SecurityTech Center for step by step instructions for setting your firewall.

It’s all about security. So securing your computer also includes learning to recognize things that indicate your computer may have a virus. Have you suddenly noticed a new toolbar on your browser? Or maybe you have a new icon on your desktop and you don’t know where it came from. Is your computer slow and freezes frequently? Does it have trouble starting when you turn it on? Will it refuse to turn off? If you have one or all of these symptoms then I’m willing to bet you have some form of malware, an old computer with out of date software, a virus or maybe your computer is somebody’s zombie. All these conditions results from poor upkeep, poor security and clutter.

 

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About The Author

Tom Huskerson Bio Born in Richmond Virginia Tom Huskerson is a military veteran who settled in California after his discharge. Tom attended Santa Barbara City College where he began his writing career as a campus reporter. He worked as an intern news reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press writing feature stories before moving on to San Francisco. At San Francisco State University Tom studied broadcast communications and began to focus on the Internet. He completed his graduate thesis on Internet advertising. Tom was the first student to ever focus on the Internet as a graduate student at San Francisco State University. After graduation he went to work for Zona Research in California’s Silicone Valley. As a research associate Tom supported senior analyst writing on the latest developments in the Internet industry. During the dot com boom Tom worked for several web businesses as a market researcher and analyst. As a writer and researcher Tom has authored various technical works including a training program for Charles Schwab security. Other projects included professional presentations on workplace violence and hiring security contractors. Tom has also written both fiction and non-fiction works and blogging for a travel website. He has published two books of short stories and completed two novels. Tom is the owner of Scribe of Life Literature and EbonyCandle.com. Tom is not the chief editor for the OnTechStreet. com. A news and information blog that focuses on tech news for African-Americans. The blog is the result of his desire to inform the African American community of the dangers and benefits of the cyber age. In his blog Tom reports on information security, new and analysis, scams and hoaxes, legal happenings and various topics that arise from the age of information. Tom believes that technology is a necessary tool for black people and they should know what is happening. Tom writes believing that techno speak is for the professional and that valuable information can be communicated using plain language. As a result he has embraced the motto, Less Tech, More Knowledge.

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