Using Technology

to Keep You Safer

Y

our computer contains software and files

that can be damaged in several different

ways. One major source of damage is from

malicious attacks that are delivered via the

Internet.

➟ Some people create damaging programs

called virusesspecifically designed to get

into your computer hard drive and

destroy or scramble data.

➟ Companies might download adwareon

your computer, which causes pop-up ads

to appear, slowing down your computer’s

performance.

➟ Spyware is another form of malicious

software that you might download by

clicking a link or opening a file attach-

ment. Spywaresits on your computer and

tracks your activities, whether for use by a

legitimate company in selling you prod-

ucts or by a criminal element to steal

your identity.

Microsoft provides security features within
Windows Vista that help to keep your com-
puter and information safe, whether you’re at
home or traveling with a laptop computer.

15

In this chapter...

➟Understand Computer

Security ............................302

➟Understand Windows

Update Options ................305

➟Run Windows Update ........307

➟Enable the Windows

Firewall ............................309

➟Turn On a Firewall

On a Mac ........................312

➟Run a Windows Defender

Scan ................................313

➟Set Up Windows Defender

to Run Automatically ..........316

➟Set Up Trusted and

Restricted Web Sites ..........318

➟Change Privacy Settings

in Internet Explorer ............320

➟Change Privacy Settings

in Firefox ..........................322

➟Enable Content Advisor ......323

➟Protect Your Wireless

Network ..........................326

➟Protect Yourself on the Go:

Cell Phone Safety ..............328

➟

Chapter