Thursday, January 7, 2010

Passwords



Computer security is as serious for most home computer users as it once was for businesses. Now with more and more comfort with using computers for banking, buying online etc, It is important to keep your PCs secure. One thing I have come across too often is a lack of a login password. Even though cyberspace is full of threats, some of the biggest threats are users in the home going to sites that the computer owner doesn't know about untill they have a virus. It is also an extra level of security for your home network. The short and simple of security and password protection is this...


  • Make sure all PCs and Macs in your network have their own login passwords

  • Make sure you are using some measure of wireless encryption (WEP, WPA, etc.

  • Make sure your router (if you have one) has a password you chose

  • Make sure to use all available protections provided by your router (mac address filtering, wireless security, password protection etc.)

  • Also it is always a good idea (for home network users) to change your home network name to something other than MSHOME or WORKGROUP which are windows defaults.

I just had to share this post because I have had too many customers have to call me out more than neccesary because they would not password protect their computer from their children. Children aren't always to blame, but for my customers their problem was teenager related. Multiple tech calls can get costly no matter how fair your tech's prices may be, so protect yourself and your computer from all threats external, and internal.