If you use a ­desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone or a ­portable device to store personal data, you should take steps to protect it.

By ZAM KARIM

YOU could never do enough to secure your computer as there are so many ways to protect your personal data.

You could, for instance, use software built into the operating system such as a firewall, update the OS regularly, invest in a good ­security suite and password protect your devices.

Apart from that, you could also seek ­protection through the use of hardware such as fitting a lock on a notebook or buying a fingerprint scanner.

At home

Your home computer is a popular target for intruders as it houses information such as credit card, bank account and personal data.

If these fall into the wrong hands then they could be exploited, usually for monetary gain.

But it is not always about the money — some intruders are after your hard disk space, processor and Internet connection to launch attacks on other sites.

The intruders could gain access to your system by taking advantage of a flaw or ­weakness in a program or even by exploiting your trust.

For instance, you may receive an e-mail that looks like it’s coming from a trusted source but it could contain a Trojan that is able to create a “backdoor” for accessing your computer remotely.

So, securing your home computer is not a trivial task but luckily there are several ­security programs built into your operating system that you could take advantage of to secure your computer immediately.

A firewall is one such program and Microsoft has included one since Windows XP.

The firewall stands guard between your PC and the Internet as it controls the data traffic that goes in and out of the computer.

The basic firewall that comes with Windows will prompt you whenever a program tries to make a connection to the Net.

If you don’t think that is enough, there are commercial firewall products equipped with more security features that can further protect your computer.

As with any program, updating the firewall on a regular basis is a must as vendors ­regularly introduce new features and issue bug fixes.

Protection against malware

If you have used a computer, you probably have heard of computer viruses and worms.

Installing an antivirus program from Symantec, McAfee, AVG, Trend Micro or Kaspersky Lab is one of the best defences for your PC.

Security suite from these companies ­usually include host intrusion detection and spam filters that are also designed to stop viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware that prey upon desktops and laptops.

We highly recommend AVG 8.5 Free (free.avg.com) if you are looking for a free ­antivirus.

However, be careful when dealing with other “free” security programs. Some of these so called freeware could contain adware or spyware.

Another effective step you can take is not to open any e-mail messages, and particularly e-mail attachments, from sources you do not trust to be legitimate and safe

Also, take extra care when clicking on links when you are surfing online. Don’t click on links that offer you money or prizes when they sound too good to be true.

One of the best ways to protect your critical data is to encrypt it. Some program like Knox (www.knoxformac.com) creates a virtual disk on your hard drive where you can store your important files.

These files will not be accessible once you shutdown the virtual disk and they will be safe from prying eyes.

Finally, once you have protected your data, it’s time to think about a problem you are more likely to face in the future — hard drive failure.

Yes, it will happen and when it does it can be disastrous.

So, frequently back up your precious data if you don’t want to lose anything.

Protection on the go

Most of the preventive measures that were outlined could also be used to protect data on your laptop.

However, unlike a desktop computer, once your laptop leaves the house it faces another problem — it could be easily stolen.

Most laptops go missing in places where you’re most likely to be distracted such as a busy airport or a crowded restaurant.

To prevent this, or at least make it harder for the thief, you could install a lock such as the Kensington MicroSaver Keyed Retractable Notebook Lock which can be secured to a table or your wrist.

It features a 4ft retractable steel cable and a tempered steel security loop with built-in lock. The manufacturer claims it is compatible with 99% of ­notebooks.

Or, you could take a look at the Belkin F5L013 USB Laptop Security Alarm. It works similarly but an alarm will go off if ­someone tempers with it.

Defending your portable devices

Your portable devices such as a smartphone, Blackberry or PDA contains vital information which should also be secured.

Once your connect it to the Internet and do not secure it, you could have created another recipe for disaster.

Thankfully, there are a few steps that you can take to avoid data theft.

Firstly, always enable the PIN security lock on your phone. Most phones can be locked upon start up but many tend not to use the function.

It can be tedious when you need to use the phone in a hurry but it is the first line of defence that users should take note.

You should use a password you’ll easily remember but it shouldn’t be too easy to guess like your birthday or anniversary date.

Instead, you can combine numbers in creative ways such as mixing numbers from your old house and your father’s birthday.

You shouldn’t, of course, write them down but if necessary you could note down a hint and store it safely.

Also, please don’t fall into the trap of saving usernames and passwords in your mobile device’s web browser.

Anyone who finds your device will have access to all of your online accounts.

However, if you are still afraid of forgetting your passwords then you should install a third-party password manager such as KeePass (keepass.info) and Password Keeper (www.gregory braun.com) to store and encrypt the information.

The smartphones also offer several other layers of protection, including autolock which locks up the device after several seconds of inactivity while some models also allow users to restrict access to the SMS or phonebook section.

If your phone has such features, use them.

If you’re really lucky, your smartphone may include a biometric lock like the Acer M900i’s fingerprint sensor.

Otherwise, look for third-party tools to autolock your phone.

Also, exercise caution when downloading shareware and ­freeware for your smartphone and especially be wary of unsigned software.

Unsigned code isn’t necessarily malicious, especially for new programs, but it certainly deserves more scrutiny.

Also, back up your smartphone regularly. Many of us don’t think of doing this until we’ve lost our phone.

Jot down your IMEI code for your phone and your carrier’s customer service number so that it’s easier to lodge a report if you loose your phone.

Also, you could clear the phone’s memory on a regular basis to delete text messages, e-mail messages, usernames and passwords, and personal ­information from the device’s memory.

And if budget permits, you could invest in mobile antivirus programs such as McAfee Mobile Security, Symantec Mobile Security and F-Secure Mobile Security.

Basically, as phones get ­“smarter” you’ll be applying the same principles you use in ­securing computers to keep your phones safe.

Finally, when you get rid of your phone or PDA or sell it, make sure you wipe off the data completely.

Wireless theft

As you’re sipping your coffee at a cafe while surfing the Net using WiFi, you probably don’t realise that someone at the next table could be capturing your personal data wirelessly.

After all, since WiFi signals are wireless, anyone can potentially intercept the raw data packets being transmitted.

Some of the preventive ­measures that you can take to ensure your data is protected is to use a secure connection when making transactions.

Make sure the site uses SSL (secure socket layer) which is usually indicated by a padlock icon on your browser.

Always turn on your firewall and make sure you are not ­sharing any folders or files when accessing the Internet using public WiFi.

Also, hackers wanting to deli­berately break the law can set up a copycat of a real WiFi hotspot.

They would do this in order to get you to connect to their signal and make payment.

This is why connecting using SSL is vital because it will ensure that the information passing between the site and your computer is encrypted.

Also, watch out for SSL ­certificates with errors, which the browser will notify you of, as some sites will even try to spoof them.

Just to be on the safe side, when first signing for a service, do so on a secured wireless network and not a public WiFi.

Another way data thieves could gain access to a phone is via an insecure Bluetooth connection.

Don’t forget to switch off your Bluetooth on your portable device when you are outside and not using it.

When you need to switch it on, set it not to be discoverable, so other devices will not be able to locate it. Also, don’t forget to set the security to high too.

Of course, all these steps are worthless if you don’t keep an eye on your gadgets when in public.

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