Is your PC as healthy as you are?

An important part of staying fit and healthy is to have a regular check-up to make sure nothing is amiss. A good doctor can also advise you on diet and exercise, so your body remains strong against infection and the knocks of everyday life.

It’s exactly the same thing with your PC: prevention is better than a cure. Not to mention cheaper and less hassle. That’s why F-Secure, the Internet security company, has come up with a free online Health Check that pinpoints the possible security vulnerabilities on your PC and helps to make sure your system stays in good shape.

Health Check looks at your PC’s security settings and the software vulnerabilities that can leave it open to attack by viruses, spyware and other nasty stuff. After giving your PC a thorough once-over, Health Check provides a report explaining exactly which programs need updating, plus some buttons to press for fixing things. It’s as simple as that.

The human body needs regular doses of vitamins. Similarly, your PC has a bunch of programs installed that need to be regularly updated. This may not sound very exciting but ignoring the security issue means leaving your PC’s health seriously compromised. Let’s face it, the Internet is a great source of joy and wonderment but these days there’s also a high risk of running into trouble. Surfing the net after forgetting to install any security updates since 2006 is a bit like having fifteen cups of coffee wobbling on your laptop while negotiating London rush hour on a three-legged camel.

Microsoft provides automatic updates for its Windows software that makes maintaining some parts of your PC as easy as clicking on those “Updates are ready for your computer” bubbles when they appear. It’s especially important to keep web browsers like Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox up to date and secure. The good news is that most browsers now also have automatic checks for updates that fortify them against the constant barrage of virus attacks looking for ways to get into your PC.

But what about all that other stuff on your computer? Programs like Adobe Acrobat, Quicktime, Real Player, Flash Player, WinZip, Skype, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. And the various plug-ins that you may have installed but no longer remember why? All these need some attention too. It’s just not web-savvy to advertise your PC with neon lights saying “Please turn my computer into a spam-producing monster for an international crime syndicate without me realising.”

Instead, adopt the ‘bubble a day keeps the doctor away’ approach to the health and security of your PC. Click on those blessed security update bubbles. Get Health Check to diagnose what other security measures are required. Minimise the vulnerabilities of your PC and don’t become part of that remotely controlled botnet you read about in the newspaper. Refuse to donate your credit card details to online criminals.
Maintaining a healthy and secure PC gives you better performance and peace of mind. And not only that, you’re also contributing to the online wellbeing of the rest of global Internet population.

F-Secure’s top tips for a healthy and secure PC
• Do the free Health Check at www.f-secure.com/healthcheck/
• Keep all your programs updated
• Keep your anti-virus updated
• Don’t open suspicious emails and attachments
• Watch out for phishing attempts that try to get your personal details
• Don’t ignore unhealthy symptoms on your PC

F-Secure is the global leader in the market of internet and computer security, which is why XLN Telecom have teamed up with them to bring you XLN Secure. This award winning technology brings you peace of mind so you can get on with your business online.