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The Six Pillars of Computer Software Maintenance.

Article Excerpt
While I'm re-organizing and cleaning up my computer preparatory to downloading Microsoft SP2 (Service Pack 2) for the computers using the Windows XP operating system, I thought I'd do a roundup of very minimal protections that ought to be applied to any Windows-based computer connected to the Internet, these days, particularly on some sort of high speed Internet connection.

Big or medium firm lawyers undoubtedly have network "gurus" who make certain that your computer is properly protected. Lawyers without such luxuries, or who maintain their own computer systems at home, must fend for themselves, but that isn't very difficult or expensive.

[Firewall]

First, we need a Firewall, software or hardware (or a software / hardware combination) that permits data to travel to and from your computer only when you approve. If a potential intruder can "see" your computer from outside your system, he can figure out a way to infiltrate and either pull information from your system, or plant small programs that can do damage later. A hardware device that installs between your router and your Internet port can do an excellent job, but they are expensive.

You can purchase software-only firewalls for Symantec and others, but I have had good luck with ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs. The program is easy to install, easy to set up (including determining which programs should...

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