General+Maintenance

= =

= Maintenance Check List = > > >  **Make sure your Firewall is turned on**
 * Turn on Windows automatic updating and make sure that updates are automatically installed on your computer. For more information, see Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.
 * Get a good antivirus program and keep it up to date by regularly downloading updates from the program manufacturer's website. Many antivirus programs update automatically.
 * Use Microsoft Windows Defender or another antispyware program. These programs can help protect your computer from spyware and malicious software.

A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network, and then either blocks it or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings. Even if you think there's nothing on your computer that would interest anyone, a worm could completely disable your computer, or someone could use your computer to help spread worms or viruses to other computers without your knowledge

Passwords

 * Protect your email password and don't use that password to log into other sites . Email password should be changed regularly.**

**E‑mail viruses **
E‑mail viruses are attached to e‑mail messages. Your firewall can't determine the contents of e‑mail messages, so it can't protect you from these types of viruses. You should use an antivirus program to scan and delete suspicious attachments from an e‑mail message before you open it. Even when you have an antivirus program, you should not open an e‑mail attachment if you're not positive it's safe.

**Phishing scams**
Phishing is a technique used to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information, such as a bank account password. A common online phishing scam starts with an e‑mail message that appears to come from a trusted source, but actually directs recipients to provide information to a fraudulent website. Firewalls can't determine the contents of e‑mail messages, so they can't protect you from this type of attack.