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[S1026]Stop Computer From Restarting

by Robert Ing, Rob

Hardly a day goes by when you don't hear about a computer virus in the news or from someone you know. As a matter of fact, there are well over 8,000 active computer viruses in the world in any given twenty-four period and 5 new viruses are introduced daily. The majority of computers will catch a virus through an e-mail attachment or link. Most viruses will use an infected computers address book to distribute themselves, so you are much more likely to receive a virus from someone you know rather than a total stranger.

However, the best way to identify whether or not any attachment could be a potential virus hazard is by looking at the extension (suffix) of the attached file. Hazardous file attachments are .pif, .exe, .com, .vbs, .bat, .bin, .dot, .reg, .js, .scr, .xlm and .dll. While this list is by no means exhaustive these are the definite ones to be on-guard for. In case you're wondering, catching a virus by file sharing is the second most popular way to get infected. File sharing whether you use removable disks, CDs, DVDs, memory cards/sticks or even synch cables can make your “never connected to the Internet” computer, vulnerable to catching a virus.

Protecting your computer from a computer virus infection is relatively easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Put anti-virus software on all your computers whether they are Internet connected or not.

2. Don't open or download file attachments (attached files) in your e-mails. Especially the ones with the extensions .pif, .exe, .com, .vbs, .bat, .bin, .dot, .reg, .js, .scr, .xlm and .dll.

3. Don't click on links in the body of your e-mails.

4. Don't download software from web sites that you do not know.

5. Never install software on your computer unless you know where it came from.

6. Run a manual anti-virus scan for every 24 hours you use your computer.

7. Be sure that your anti-virus software is up-to-date. All anti-virus software products usually provide updates every 2 – 4 weeks and this service is free of charge to registered users for up to a year.

8. Received an e-mail from someone you know but didn't expect them to send you a file attachment? Call the person first, before downloading or opening the file attachment to confirm that it really came from them. Some virus programs are very good at making it look like they are just files sent to you from someone in yours or your friends e-mail address book.

9. Put firewall software on all your computers that are temporarily or permanently connected to the Internet.

If you follow these simple steps you should be able to stop a virus before it infects your computer.

The only problem is computer theft, with all of us doing more online shopping, our banking details are on there, so should anyone pinch your computer, they will have access to your bank account!

A sure way to prevent this is to house the computer, monitor and keyboard in a computer enclosure, this protects the computer hardware from dust, fluid and physical attacks (theft!)

The enclosure is a special steel case that is fully welded for maximum strength, with key bolt down locations, preventing the unit being picked up and taken away6 to be accessed at leisure.

The unit is split into 2 sections; the top unit stores the monitor and computer whilst the keyboard and mouse is in a rollout drawer below. This prevents unauthorized access to the computer without the key. They units are keyed different, meaning it is difficult accessing the keyboard without the key!

The computer and monitor is cooled by a special filtered fan unit and dependant on the application such as a frozen food factory, the unit can be heated or cooled by air conditioning.

Cable access is via rear IP68 cable grommets these are waterproof, these are ideal preventative measure to any fluid leak in to the enclosure. You can even wash the units down with high pressure water jets.

Computer enclosures are called all sorts of weird names, such as computer garages, PC enclosures and industrial computer enclosures, at the end of the day they all do the same job, protect computer hardware from potential hazardous areas or abuse.

In this day and age of computer crime, we all need to protect our identity, if we do not, someone will take care of it for us. Internet fraud hits 1 in 10 people in the UK every day, so this is huge! You need to do everything in your power to protect your personal details and any device that submits these details.

Visa International reported in 2008, that 8% of all transactions were internet frauds, this is why the major credit card dispute sections have tripled in size, as they have to pick up the pieces when something goes wrong. But you have to deal with the fallout too, this could mean you being kicked out of your rented flat or even your home or car repossessed.

You are not safe when you are in public areas, there have been cases were people have used computers in libraries any to have the account hacked, this is with the use of key stroke loggers, they just plug into the computer then plug the keyboard into the back of this device and when anyone uses the keyboard it remembers every key stroke! So you need to protect your computer and one of the easiest ways is to put the computer in a PC enclosure.

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About Author

Both Robert Ing & Sharadbhai Jain are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Robert Ing has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Computer Virus and Computers and The Internet. . Robert Ing's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.

Sharadbhai Jain has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business and Finance, Flirting Tips and Games. Computer Security & Solutions are a UK specialist manufacturer of , for protecting computers from dust and fluids to NEMA4x and IP65. Their range of. Sharadbhai Jain's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.