Protecting your computers requires you to be proactive and thorough. In most cases, the regular security problems we encounter could have been avoided with a simple modification or adding critical components to the computer system. Computer Guys understands the necessity of proactive prevention and can help you ensure that your computing experience is safe and worry-free.
Firewalls
Firewalls are an integral part of your computer system. Particularly if you have DSL or cable, you can prevent hackers from infiltrating your system by implementing a hardware firewall. A number of companies offer software firewalls. Software firewalls are installed on your computer and are intended to protect your network connection at the system level. Norton Internet Security, McAfee, Zone Alarm, and others claim that their products will offer you adequate protection. However, these products can interfere with other applications and make them more trouble than the protection they provide. On the other hand, a hardware firewall stands between your computer and your broadband connection. It monitors network activity passing between your computer and the internet to ensure that unauthorized access from the internet is denied. While it adds another component, it does not interfere with the normal operation of your computer. In fact, your computer does not even know a hardware firewall is there. This not only simplifies your configuration, it is actually a more effective way to protect yourself from hackers.
Computer Guys always recommends hardware firewalls that incorporate a technology called stateful packet inspection and are manufactured by a reputable company. We implement firewalls from Check Point and Cisco – using the same technology that used to be available only to large companies. We can ensure safety and reliability for your home computer.
Antivirus
As long as there have been computers, there have been viruses. Viruses range from simple annoyances to devastating problems that erase data and, in some instances, render the computer unusable. These problems are preventable.
Computer Guys recommend antivirus applications that frequently update themselves and can be scheduled to a system scan on a regular basis. We recommend eTrust Antivirus or Symantec Antivirus. These applications can protect you from almost any virus. They are also simple to configure and manage.
Windows Updates
While an adequate firewall will protect you from most of vulnerabilities in Windows software, it is important that you run Windows Updates on a regular basis. If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can set the updates to download and install automatically. However, if you have an earlier operating system, you must run these updates manually. You can go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to download and install critical updates.
If you ever believe your computer’s security has been compromised or you would like to prevent it from happening, call Computer Guys at 212.414.0321.
