I know lots of folks who get the flu shot every year, tank up on vitamin C, eat right and exercise, and also fanatically use that anti-bacterial hand goo whenever they can - all in a diligent effort to stave off illness during the winter months.
Yet many of these virus-hating people are usually the ones who also do next to nothing to prevent their computers from getting infected with the cyber equivalent.
Considering the biggest tech news of 2011 - other than the passing of Apple guru Steve Jobs - centred on the numerous corporate, military and celebrity "hacks," I still can't believe people don't take Internet security more seriously.
Over the course of the past year, we've seen Sony's online gaming network broken into followed closely by a class-action lawsuit from affected gamers angry about lax security. Sony responded by changing its End User Agreement to include a clause preventing people from suing it for security breaches.
They're now being sued for that, too.
But it wasn't just Sony that got hit by evil techies bent on stealing digital information.
Banks got hacked, U.S. military drones were infected, security firms ransacked of client info, and even politicians and Hollywood celebrities had their cell phones broken into so we could see their private texts and topless photos (the celebrities, not the politicians).
Geez, even Sesame Street's YouTube channel was hacked in 2011, replacing the usual colourful felt- and googly-eyed antics and education with porn.
In today's digital age, you can't just live "off the grid" and never interact with the Internet or any of the great emerging technologies.
But just like you wouldn't go around licking the doorknobs down at the local Dollar Store, you shouldn't hit the Internet without a little common sense.
So, here's some computer common sense, in hopes of a more secure 2012.
First off, make sure you are using a firewall. This is a piece of software or hardware that sits between your computer and the network and only allows certain types of data to cross. Windows has a built-in firewall, as do many routers.
Make sure you have an up-to-date anti-virus program on your computer, and more importantly - scan your computer frequently with it.
Sometimes, usually through emails, viruses are able to cross the firewall and end up on your computer anyway.
You should also have an anti-spyware or malware program.
Make sure your computer is up-to-date as well, and if it isn't, make sure to install any security patches ASAP.
Educate yourself and be smart about where you surf on the Web. That means no porn, cracked games or illegal-type sites. This is where a majority of viruses and intrusions come from.
Understanding how you can get infected and what to avoid when using the Internet will be the most important step in keeping your computer clean and secure.
Never open email attachments from people you don't know, or send passwords or account information to customer service people requesting it by email.
Most companies never ask for such things, so be wary.
Also, on things like Facebook, make sure your security settings only allow friends to see your information, and avoid putting things like birthdates or other data that could be used for identity theft.
These are by no means foolproof methods for keeping your computer or digital identity safe, but like getting the flu shot, they're preventative measures to keep your computer at minimal risk.
Happy New Year and safe surfing in 2012!
