Protecting Data From Digital Dangers

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Protecting Your Data From Digital Dangers (NAPSA)—Viruses, spyware, hackers, data loss or theft—these are a few of the digital dangers a computer faces. Fortunately, there are some easy waysto protect hard- ware and yourirreplaceable files. An important first step in data rae Protection involves aa () updating Windows with the newest secu- oS Pe rity patches and service packs. You can do that by enabling the automatic update ‘== at feature on Windows There are a few quick ways people can protect their computers’ data. downloading the patches from http://windowsupdate.microsoft. com. Protecting Important Files If you don’t want to back up @ ... oe “XP or manually Other ways to safeguard Windows XP are described in easy-tounderstand language in a new book called “Geeks On Call Windows XP: 5-Minute Fixes” (Wiley, $14.95). The book also offers expert your entire hard drive, consider backing up your most important documents (financial information, digital photos, music files, etc.). Popular programs used for docu- ment backups include Nero Burn- ing ROM, Nero Express, NTI CD- ing digital dangers to turbocharging Windows. Here are some additional tips from the book that Maker, and Roxio Easy Media Creator. Also, be sure to protectall your data by using a password on your Windowsaccount. Know The Enemy backing it up on recordable or ves can give out. It pays to be cial software to create a “disc image” of your hard drive. If your lurking on the Internet can destroy certain files on your computer. advice and step-by-step explanations of topics ranging from avoid- can help you protect your data. Backing Up Data Protect hard drive data by rewritable CDs/DVDs or separate hard drives. You can also use spe- hard drive ever crashes, you can simply load the disc image onto your computer, and you will be up and running as if nothing ever happened. Popular disc-imaging programs include Norton Ghost, Acronis True Image, NTI Backup NOW,and Turbo Backup. The most common reasons for data loss include: Dead hard drives—Hard dri- prepared. e Viruses—Somedigital threats Power surges—Anelectrical storm or fluctuation in powerlines can cause a sudden burst of elec- tricity that zaps your hard drive. Theft—Computers, especially laptops, are big targets for thieves. For more information, visit www.geeksoncall.com.