Tips for Preventing Cybercrime

October is National Cyber Security Awareness month. Is your computer safe? Ask yourself this - how likely are you to click on a link sent from a friend, or one posted on a social network? You think the link is safe, but do you know for sure? The following tips, provided by PC Tools, will help you keep your computer safe from spyware, malware, hackers and more.

Tips for Preventing Cybercrime:

1. Know your networks – Choose the safest and most appropriate wireless network while you’re checking email, Facebook and other online activities.

2. Be smart when using public computers – Most travelers know they can check emails and say hello to love ones by using public computers at a local hotel or café. But many don't know to check for antivirus software on public computers. Even visiting a secure website (https:) can result in simple keylogger theft of your password, so avoid logging into personal accounts (such as Facebook) and instead limit your use to online research.

3. Scrub your IM chats, keep personal information private – Regularly maintain your computer and keep your registry clean so that cybercriminals can't access your personal data. Software such as PC Tools Performance Toolkit 2011 guarantees your privacy by ensuring that all traces of your online and computer activities are permanently erased and unrecoverable on your PC.

4. Change your password often – Since cybercriminals can potentially crack your password if you are using WiFi or a third-party computer, PC Tools recommends you change it often. PC Tools offers a free password generator at www.pctools.com/guides/password.

5. Turn on the Firewall – A Firewall protects your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. PC Tools offers Firewall Plus for free and comprehensive protection with PC Tools Internet Security 2011 at www.pctools.com/firewall.

6. Don't click and run – If you download a recipe, map or movie ticket, save it on your computer and scan it before opening. Never click on the "run" program option. PC Tools Internet Security 2011 or Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2011 can scan your computer to make sure any file you download is safe.

7. Keep your AntiVirus current – There's nothing worse than finding malware installed in your computer during the holiday shopping season! PC Tools offers products to keep your banking and shopping transactions safe at www.pctools.com.

8. Safeguard your finances – Cybercriminals can snatch your banking information over Wi-Fi or unreliable third party online networks, so don't log onto your finance accounts or enter monetary information online over unsecured networks.

For more information on PC Tools products, go to www.pctools.com.