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Computer Protection. Quote: "This ia all you need"
I attended a talk given by a professional computer consultant of many years standing. He said that what you need to protect your computer (Windows 10):
1. Antivirus:
Rely on Windows Defender, which is updated frequently. Add a free anti-virus utility if you want but it's not necessary. Virus's nowadays are not nearly as common as people think when their computer misbehaves. No other protective software of any type is needed.
2. Phishing:
(a)If you come across a web address somewhere that seems to come from someone reputable like Paypal, Adobe etc., look at the address. If "Paypal" or "Adobe" etc. does not appear immediately after "www.", treat it as fake. Fakes will often address you as "Computer user" and the English used will be rather unusual.
(b) If Paypal, ebay or Amazon do really send you an email it will look genuine because it will have been sent following a transaction etc. which you had with them recently and which the communication will refer to. Open the email to check.
(c) It is safe to merely open an email (that is, to look at its message area). However, my Canon printer allows me to look, in the Canon window, at the message of an email before printing it, which gives you an opportunity to decide whether it is genuine.
(d) If an email (whether you open it or not) comes from a source you don't recognise, never reply to it.
(e) NEVER visit a web address contained within the message area of an email or in it's attachment unless you are certain that it is safe. If you can't be certain, do nothing.
3. NEVER, under any circumstances, give out your IP address or computer password, on the phone or otherwise. The same applies to your postal address or any other personal info unless you are sure it is safe.
4. NEVER, under any circumstances, agree to let anyone access your computer remotely, even if they tell you that "Microsoft have issued a global warning about something and you must take action now which I will help you with on the phone". He will find your bank and PayPal details.
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On 2: unfortunately Microsoft write some of their (legitimate) web address where "microsoft" appears a word or two later in the address.
The expert did not mention making a regular backup of your hard drive, which was outside the subject of his talk. But do it.
Comments please. Thanks.