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Internet Security

Even though all incoming CTESC Internet Services e-mail messages are scanned for Viruses all your other web traffic is not. Proper security on your computer and network is very important to prevent damage to your computer and stored data. Please review the steps below to ensure your system is protected.

1. Install Anti-Virus Security software. While Microsoft Windows 10 has the comprehensive, built-in protection of Windows Defender Antivirus several programs can be purchased from Symantec, McAffee, Trend Micro, and others. Several FREE, fully functional, Anti-Virus programs are available for download and installation on your system. Links are provided to the right.

WARNING: DO NOT install more then one Anti-Virus program on a computer. Also, some viruses and worms can disable your anti-virus and firewall software without your knowledge. In these situations you will want to fully uninstall, and then reinstall anti-virus and firewall software.

2. Update virus definitions on a regular basis and run a full virus scan on all systems at least monthly. Most Anti-Virus programs allow automatic updates and scheduled scans. Review the “Help” of the Anti-Virus program your using for more details.

3. Implement a hardware and/or software based firewall solution. A router is a hardware solution and the best firewall solution, but free software firewalls are also available. Finally, Windows has a basic firewall which should be enabled if no other firewall is installed.

4. Install all critical operating system updates and patches. Official Microsoft updates can be downloaded from “Windows Update” in “Control Panel” of your Microsoft Windows PC.

Microsoft provides good information on all of these subjects. You can view their recommendations at Microsoft's Safety And Security Center.

OnGuard Online provides excellent computer safety tips and online security information.

Using a WIRELESS ROUTER can create a new set of security issues. Various security settings are available in all consumer wireless router but may not be enabled by default and configuring these settings requires some additional knowledge. For more recommendations contact a computer network professional.

The Viasat WiFi Gateway (VWG) provides a Wireless Router with a randomly assigned Wi-Fi network name and secure password. This information is printed on a sticker on the side, as well as on the bottom of the device. For more advanced setting information download:

Configuring your new Viasat WIFI Gateway

Additional Helpful Programs:

Net Nanny and CYBERsitter are "paid" applications that help parents control what their children view while surfing the Web. They do this by matching text on Web Sites, Chat rooms, newsgroups, FTP Sites, and E-mail address to unacceptable word lists, and matching URLs (website addresses) to lists of forbidden sites.

CCleaner is a tool to clean your system from temporary and unnecessary files that accumulate over time. This also includes thorough cleaning of Internet and PC usage tracks like browser cache, recently used files, web sites visited and more.

Firefox and Chrome are award winning Internet browsers that operate much like Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Thunderbird is an e-mail client much like Microsoft Mail. All three programs can offer improved security and can be customized with add-on software.

Adobe Reader software is the global standard for electronic document sharing. It is the only PDF file viewer that can open and interact with all PDF documents. Use Adobe Reader to view, search, digitally sign, verify, print, and collaborate on Adobe PDF files.

FreeOffice is a FULL office suite with a word processing (TextMaker), spreadsheet (PlanMaker), presentation graphics (SoftMaker Presentations), and database (DataMaker) application. FreeOffice is seamlessly compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats and is FREE for home users.

Free Anti-Virus Software

Parental Control Software

Other Free Software