The one year experiment is done! A year of safe thoughtful surfing, no anti-virus and after scanning for malware, spyware and viruses – zero. Its now time for updates and anti-virus. The key to safety on the internet starts at the keyboard.
Is it smart to do? No. No one should ignore updates to any operating system or updates to applications on the operating system regardless of the vendor. Apple, Linux and Microsoft along with any software written will need updates for vulnerabilities. This experiment was checking user safety.
With vulnerabilities of remote access and tons of others that are often found, it is critical that you get your updates.
The laptop was not used for mission critical applications.
Windows
- Keep your computer up-to-date using Windows Update under the control panel
- Use PSI Secunia to get updates to software on your computer
- Use anti-virus software
- Run CCleaner
- Use your firewall
Apple
- Click on the Apple Logo and select Software update
- Use anti-virus software (yes – Apple is a target more than ever)
- Run CCleaner
- Use your firewall
Linux
- Follow your distros recommendation on updating
- Ubuntu users use the update manager
- Use anti-virus software (Linux too is becoming a target)
- Use a firewall (yes – a firewall – see http://www.zone-h.org for Linux defacements)
