Introduction to Operating System Security

Flaws in the operating systems of computers are discovered almost daily. The majority of viruses take advantage of these flaws to infect your computer. Once a virus enters your system, it can potentially cause devastating damage. To avoid contracting a virus, you should take the following basic precautions:

Software Updates - Make sure that the software on your computer is regularly updated. By doing so, most viruses can be avoided. We recommend setting your computer to check for software updates automatically.

Firewall - Run a firewall program on your computer. A firewall is a device or program that blocks undesired Internet traffic, including viruses, from accessing your computer. Both Windows and Mac OS X have built-in firewall programs that are easy to set up. By blocking unwanted Internet traffic, a lot of viruses and bugs can be stopped dead in their tracks!

Account Management - Manage the user accounts on your computer, so you can control exactly who can log into your machine. Especially on Windows XP machines, it is easy to accidentally leave your computer wide open to unauthorized users.

Antivirus Software - Use your antivirus software to scan for viruses as files are being launched.