10 Tips to Fixes the Worst Security Problems on PC

A lot off target from security attacks is a few weak points on your PC that aren’t that hard to protect. So, a few tips to reduce that problem :

1: Patch Over the Software Bull’s-Eye
The modern cybercriminal prefers to invisibly take control of your PC, and unpatched software gives them the perfect opportunity to do so. A hijacked Web page will launch a bevy of probes against your PC in search of just one unpatched vulnerability that a probe can exploit. If it finds one, better hope your antivirus program catches the ensuing attack. You can completely block the majority of Web-based exploits by keeping all your programs up-to-date.

2: Find the Other Holes
If every program used easy automatic updates–and we were all smart enough to use them–the thriving malware business would take a serious hit. Until then, a free and easy security app can help save the day.

3: Let the Latest Browsers Fight for You
Trying to avoid such pages on your own is asking for trouble, especially since crooks like to hack popular sites. But new site-blocking features in the just-released Firefox 3 and Opera 9.5 browsers provide some shielding. Both browsers expand on the previous version’s antiphishing features to block known malware sites as well. Microsoft plans to add a similar feature to Internet Explorer 8, but this version won’t be ready for prime time for a good while.

4: Sidestep Social Engineering
Lots of social engineering attacks are laughably crude, with misspelled words and clumsy grammar, but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss the danger. Every now and then, a well-crafted attack can slip past your defenses and lure you into opening a poisonous e-mail attachment or downloaded file. A targeted attack might even use your correct name and business title.

5: Get the Jump on Fast-Moving Malware
Traditional, signature-based antivirus software is getting snowed under by a blizzard of malware. Attackers try to evade detection by churning out more variants than security labs can analyze. Use behavioral analysis to identify malicious software based solely on how it acts on your PC.

6: Rescue Your Inbox From Spam
Spam filters are getting better, but some junk still makes it through even the best of them. Instead of resigning yourself to hitting delete for all those hot-stock, try disposable e-mail addresses. When you create an addreses every time you encounter an online shopping site, forum, or other service that requires you to enter an e-mail address. If that address gets flooded with spam, you can terminate it. That’s a better system than the alternative, creating a free Web mail account that you use only for purchases and Web signups.

7: Develop an Antiphishing Habit
The best approach, and the most straightforward, is never to click a link in any e-mail message to access your financial accounts. Instead, always type the URL or use a bookmark. Becouse the dastardly practice of phishing for personal information is still alive and well, and many fake sites can be hard to distinguish from the real ones.
If you can’t make that change, then at least use the latest version of Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Opera to browse the Web. All have built-in features to block known phishing sites. Avoid Safari, which lacks any built-in antiphishing protection.

8: Keep Your Own Site Safe
Crooks use automated tools to search sites for the most common vulnerabilities. If they find one, they blow the hole wide open to plant harmful code that will attack your loyal visitors. To help keep your site safe, start with some quick, free scans that ferret out the most obvious problems. First, fill out a form at Qualys.com to request a free scan of one IP address. Next, download the also-free Scrawlr tool from HP. After a quick install, use Scrawlr to scan your site for SQL injection vulnerabilities

9: Make Your Passwords Secure–And Easy to Remember
The supply of stolen logins is now so huge that crooks can hardly make any money selling them unless they add other ripped-off data, like addresses or Social Security numbers, according to security researchers.

10: Get Extra Cleaning Help for Stubborn Infections
If you suspect some nasty got past your defenses, then it’s time to bring in extra help. Many antivirus makers offer free and easy online scans through your Web browser. The scan will take time, as the scanning service will need to download large Java or ActiveX components before it can get started. You can run them in addition to your already-installed antivirus application for a second (or third, or fourth) opinion. Here is a few online antivirus.

Trend Micro HouseCall: Will detect and remove malware; works with both IE and Firefox.

BitDefender Online Scanner: Detects and removes malware; requires IE.

Kaspersky Online Scanner: Detects malware, but doesn’t remove it; works with IE and Firefox.

F-Secure Online Virus Scanner: Detects and removes malware; requires IE.

ESET Online Scanner: Detects and removes malware; requires IE.