subject: Firewalls And Active Software Is Your Online Safety Net [print this page] It is too easy to forget to check on important safety issues when focusing attention on work and other activities associated with using the computer. Waiting until you have a problem is the wrong time to try to correct any safety and security issues. Computer hackers and scammers are just waiting to find firewall opening where ever they can and will not wait for your invitation to come in.
They send out programs and viruses looking for cracks in your armor. What are they looking for? They want your information of course. They want you personal numbers and codes and access to your most important files. There is a new kind of thief. He doesn't break into your house to steal your television or VCR; he wants something way more important than that. He wants the prize that keeps giving, long before anyone knows that it is gone.
He wants your personal information and he is going to use it to ruin your life. Your bank information and your credit card information is way more valuable than the stuff you have in your house. And what's more, is it is easier to take than your physical possessions. That is, if you are not careful. If you protect yourself, you can avoid most of the worst of it and keep your sanity and finances in one piece.
A resident theft is usually recoverable by informing the police and the insurance company. However, identity theft is a far more complicated crime and usually leaves victims dealing with the problems it creates for years. Some people never recover from this type of theft. Never doing any financial transactions on line might be considered a little extreme and over cautious, but most well known companies and banks continually make sure any transactions with them are very safe. The fly by nights, that operate in scam and spam-ville is reason to be cautious all the time.
You have to have some security in place, otherwise it is like performing a trapeze act without a net and eventually something is going to go wrong. You have to keep the security software up to date. What is the point of having something in place if you are just going to let it expire? There is no point, and you will be in the same situation again if you let that happen. Keep it up to date and keep it current.
