Cyber Attacks!

When i first got my Desktop connected to the Internet, i was very hesitant to check my bank accounts online. Was always worried that something inside my PC was wrong, someone might be viewing all that i was doing, someone would hack my password and transfer all my money!!
Hahaha!
But slowly, i came to terms and started my online activities.... and now i am fairly confident that my machine is not compromised.

Some suggestions for you to ensure your PC runs fine and is not compromised:

1) Update your machine whenever an update is available. Be it Microsoft Windows or Linux, no system is perfect. New flaws are constantly detected and then an update is made available for the same. Not updating your machine means those flaws still remain open, unworked upon which could be used by a hacker, sitting in some remote part of the world. Update is a must!!!!
2) Use a good Antivirus! No matter, how good an OS is, antivirus have an added capability of detecting threats lying in your machine! Just keeping an Antivirus would not be sufficient, you must update the virus database and signature and scan your system regularly to detect any intrusive items.
Avast Home Edition is a free AV that you can use! Has worked wonderfully so far, without any issues, on my machine. You might as well give it a shot.
3) One of the best practices is to avoid opening anything that you are not familiar with. (For e.g. an attachment in e-mail). You must avoid it if it has come from an unknown source.

4) Beware of any exe's, msi's that you download. They could install something without your knowledge.

5) Visit sites that are trusted and safe. Use the phishing filter that comes with IE7. Porn sites are something that you must avoid at all costs. Or else, search for some good quality sites that does not install any malicious softwares on your machine. :-) And let me know of that site....

No list can be exhaustive and my blog is no exception!
Probably, the only way to keep a machine safe is to Keep it chained, under strong locks, in a strong room, surrounded by strong Black Cat Commandoes!! But i guess, someone will still find a way to get into it.

Wish you Happy and Safe surfing!