Keeping Your Internet Business Safe From Hackers

If you owned a restaurant, you'd lock the doors after
closing, right?

If you owned a nightclub you'd hire bouncers to keep rowdy
people out, right?

You'd be surprised how many Internet business owners fail to
keep the gates closed tight... many are just begging for the
hackers and viruses to strike with an attitude of apathy
about security.

We're talking security in this week's article. I'll share
with you some of the quick and easy strategies I use to keep
hackers and other undesirables away from my precious
computer, which after all is where my business is located.

Gotta keep it safe, sound and secure.

1. Get an anti-virus software. This is an absolute MUST.
With the virtually overnight global spread of computer
viruses due to the ever increasing use of email, viruses are
on the rampant. Arm yourself with an antivirus package that
you can update regularly for new virus definitions, to
remain protected against the latest threats. There's a free
antivirus package called InoculateIt that many people
recommend: http://antivirus.cai.com/

2. Be paranoid of email attachments. Even with a cutting
edge antivirus package, a virus might get through. Do not
open attachments with suspicious looking extensions (no
matter who they're from). Absolutely stay away from .exe and
..vb files, as these can be very malicious. In fact, disable
these files via your email software (check out the help file
if need be).

3. Install a firewall on your computer. A firewall software
is a program that basically blocks outside access to your
computer. Without a firewall you leave your computer wide
open to hacker attacks... who can then gain total control
over your computer and all your files. Could get very nasty.
Do not spend another moment on the Internet without a
firewall. It's easy to install and takes no time to get
running. Here's a good firewall software:
http://www.zonelabs.com/

4. Don't download just any file off the Internet. Be very
careful what you download off the Net, as files might be
laced with viruses (or trojan horses - programs which
maliciously give hackers control over your computer). Only
download files from sites and merchants you have researched
and trust.

5. If you don't want others to have access to your computer
while you're away from it, you can enable your screensaver
password. You've probably seen this in action in computer
stores: you approach this cool computer with a fancy
screensaver dancing across the screen. When you press a key
or move the mouse, you get an input box asking you for a
password. To set the password go to "Display" in the
"Control Panel" if you're on a Windows PC, then click on the
"Screensaver" tab. You'll find a checkbox that says
"Password Protected" - check it and set your password. By
the way, this has nothing to do with the Internet. It's an
"offline" security measure.

6. When you're not using the Internet, just disconnect. This
will definitely stop the hackers... they can't enter through
the powercord ;-)

Put these tips into action and prevent yourself later hassle
and heartache. You'll be pleased to know that these simple
steps can eliminate the majority of security threats you
face as an Internet entrepreneur.

Remember the old business adage: "If you fail to plan, you
plan to fail".

About the Author

Said Rouhani is the editor of the free
All-About-Making-Money-Online Ezine (AAMMO Ezine), revealing
insider money making tactics for the home-business
entrepreneur. Subscribe today and receive 3 high-quality
bonus ebooks... including the CashFlow Reporter revealing
insider marketing tactics of the most successful Internet
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