Expository Preaching | My BCF | Email | WFBU | IT | Search

Virus Protection and Firewall

You should run firewall software on any computer connecting to any network. Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X and iOS both have built-in firewalls. Computers must be running virus protection with a virus pattern that is no more than 30 days old to be reasonably protected from malware. It is best to update the virus pattern or virus definitions every day.
Several anti-virus resources are listed below for your convenience.  The Baptist College of Florida makes no guarantee as to the quality or effectiveness of these products.
No-charge solutions examples:
For Windows & Mac's
Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ 
(Free for home users.)
AVG Anti-Virus http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free 
(There is a "Free Edition".)
Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
(There is a "Free Edition".)
OpenDNS http://www.opendns.com
(A web content filtering and security solution. There is a free version.)
For Android and iOS
Sophos Mobile Security http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-mobile-security-free-edition.aspx
Norton Mobile Security http://us.norton.com/norton-mobile-security/
Subscription-based solutions examples:
ESET (NOD32 antivirus) http://www.eset.com/ 
Trend Micro http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/
McAfee http://mcafee.com/us/
Norton/Symantec http://www.symantec.com/norton/index.jsp

Information about security and online safety: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/default.aspx

System Updates
Regularly install security patches on your computer operating system.
Microsoft Windows
Windows Update Information: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx
To get updates immediately:
Using Internet Explorer, browse to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Mac OS X
Get the Latest Security Updates for Mac OS X: http://www.apple.com/support/
To get updates immediately:
1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. From the View menu, choose Software Update.
3. Click the Check Now button (or Update Now in earlier Mac OS X versions).
4. In the Software Update window, select the items you want to install, then click Install.
5. Enter an administrator account name and password.
6. After the update is complete, restart the computer if required.
7. Repeat these steps to see if more updates are now available. Because some software updates are prerequisites for others, you may need to repeat these steps several times to complete the software update sequence.

Online Safety and Privacy

Please take the time to educate yourself about computer online safety.  There are many excellent resources available to you concerning this topic.  Following is a link to online safety and privacy information on Microsoft’s site: http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx.

Microsoft Security help and support is available for the home user to help you obtain support for security-related issues such as viruses and security updates. http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_virsec_master?ws=support


Other Vendor Support Links
The following hardware and software vendors provide support that may be covered by a warranty, contract, and or on a pay per incident basis.
Apple Support: http://www.apple.com/support/ or 800.275.2273
Dell Support: http://support.dell.com/  or 800.624.9896
HP/Compaq Support: http://www.hp.com/#Support or 800.474.6836
eMachines Support: http://www.emachines.com/support/
Gateway Support: http://support.gateway.com 
Microsoft support phone numbers: http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_selector_telephone