Session VIII - Protecting your computer

This session was dedicated to understanding the icons found on the ribbon of the computer and what each means as well as how to use them.  Discussion was also done on virus prevention and the use of virus software to protect your computer  when surfing the internet.

We talked about the importance of having a virus protection software for your computer and exactly what they are designed to do, how they protect your technology, and what their average cost can be. The top five antivirus software are: Total AV (Ultimate Antivirus 2017, with a 5 star rating) which has a website protection score of 9.9; ScanGuard (Security Suite, 4 ½ star rating) with a score of 9.7; Norton (by Symantec, 3 ½ star rating) score of 8.9; PCProtect (Antivirus Pro 2017, 4 ½ star rating) score of 8.8; KASPERSKY lab, 3 ½ star rating) score of 8.7, all vary in cost and features.

The fact that the resident’s computer center does not have a virus protection actively working is why they are having so many problems with their computer systems.  We plan to make sure the director reinstates their virus protection and that it stays active. With so many residents using the computers and surfing the internet this leaves them open to all kinds of cyber attacks.

We further discussed firewalls and some of the different types of Firewall protection that is available. Also, why large organizations and lending institutions such as credit unions and banks use firewalls. The best top antivirus systems for Windows are:  1.) McAfee 9.8 rating 5 star; 2.) Norton 9.4, 5 star; 3.) Bitdefender 9.1, 4 star; 4.) Kaspersky lab 8.7, 4.5 star; 5.) Trend Micro 8.3, 3.5; ESET 8.3, 3.5 star; 6.)BullGuard 8.1, 4 star; 7.) Avira 7.8, 5 star; 8.) Panda 7.5, 4 star.  All of these are designed to help keep your identity safe and offer the best anti-virus software available in the US. They offer all types of personal firewalls, anti-phishing, anti-Trojan, anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-malware that is available for the private individual.

The instructor gave them a short briefing on how “malware” works and how it protects your computer  from viruses along with other forms of malicious software that can be created by unscrupulous users. We talked on a small scale about what “worms,” “ransomware,”  “trojan horses,” “keyloggers,” “rootkits,” “spyware,” “adware,” malicious “BJOs” (Browser Helper Objects) and other types of infamous malicious software.  Also, how in recent years these systems have invaded large company systems and stolen or corrupted their operating systems. This discussion was not meant to frightened, but inform so that they will be aware of  what’s out there that could cause them financial lost, invade their personal life or cause an inability to use their devices.

References:
BullGuard. (2017, April 17). Retrieved from BullGuard.com: A Definition of Malware 

Top 10 AntiVirsus Software.com. (2017, April 18). Retrieved from Top 10 Antivirus Software of 2017: http://www.top10antivirussoftware.com

Top Business Compare. (2017, April 17). Top Five Antivirus Businesses. Retrieved from Top Business Compare