i have a $30 budget

I just built a new PC with the latest AMD 6-core processor, ASUS motherboard, 16 GB of DDR 3 RAM, solid state hard drives, top end power supply, and a 2GB 256 Bit PCI-X video card. I loaded Windows 8.1 professional on the system. Everything is working very fast and running smoothly. We will assume that at this point, your personal router is top of them line or at least in the top 10 of recommended networking routers for home use. Also, you will need to ensure the router is locked down with long passwords, which contain (at least two uppercase letters, two lowercase letters, two symbols, and two numbers). If the router is a wireless type (used more properly these days), please ensure WPA2 is being used. Now the important part of the setup needs to take place. First step is to ensuring your new system is secured is updating all the operating systems security updates. You cannot have system that is used to link into your personal banking website that is unsecured. Another setting that needs to be disabled in Windows 8 is universal plug and play service. You can access this services within Computer Management-> services. The universal plug and play service is one of the biggest vulnerabilities that hackers use to gain access into computer systems. Once the Windows 8.1 is done installing all the security updates and universal plug and play is disabled, now you will need to buy some firewall and anti-virus software. I recommend purchasing Comodo Firewall Pro Software (only $40 a year), if you are unable to purchase then just download the free version of Comodo Firewall program. The free version does not give you the amount of details as the pro would but it does a great job securing your system. Install the software, and then apply any updates available for it (there is an update option when looking into the menu of the software). First action needed is to block all incoming traffic within the Comodo Firewall program, this will not allow people to scan your system when you’re surfing the web. Now all you will need to do is monitor your firewall logs and ensure no attempts on your system have been made.

The operating system and firewall software is updated and installed on your system. The next step is to purchase and install Anti-Virus software. I recommend Norton Anti-virus software. Norton has been around before the first copy of Windows was created. They are a trusted company and always have great Anti-Virus software. The software will cost $40 for the current 2014 version. Once you purchase the software, then install & update. After the updates are complete no further actions are needed. You will need to choose a web browser to use for your online banking needs. I encourage you to use Mozilla Firefox Web Browser. Firefox is quite secured and easy to setup, one major step to do is to make certain you do not accept third party cookies, do not save passwords from websites, and do not keep your history for very long. A week of history is more than enough information to keep at one time. One important note to research is the SSL security of the Bank’s website. Small banks may have weak security or websites that can be hacked a lot easier. I encourage doing online banking with only the major banks of the world (Wells Fargo, USAA, Bank of America, etc.). And never click on an email link to login to your bank, phishing emails could be sent to your email box portraying an email that came from an official bank. Do not ever click on these types of emails because the site may look like your bank site but it could be a hacker’s version of the site just to gain your credentials. Please do research and never be complacent.

Once your browser’s security settings are complete, the only thing that needs to happen is to contain to update your Windows, Firewall, and Anti-virus software from here on out.

Now the computer setup is complete, my 13-year-old son asks if he could join Facebook to connect with his friends. I first have a discussion of issues to look for and layout some ground rules for his account. The first thing topic discussion is on friends, and instructing him to never add anyone on your page unless they are a known relative or a close friend of his. Also, if he has a question about a random friend request, then he needs to bring it to my attention so I can review the situation. The second guideline would be to not chat or message someone that is not added as a friend, if you cannot add this person then chatting with them should not be allowed. Being aware of potential security issues with picture posts needs to be discussed; do not take pictures of things we own in the house and ensure no geo-tagging is active when taking any pictures (you do not need to show the world where you are when taking pictures, close friends and family would know about the event or can call/message about it). Status posts needs to be kept to a minimum. Never put out such status post as “Cant wait for our family vacation away from home next week,” information like that in the wrong hands will give a thief Intel that the house will be empty next week and could be a potential target. Once the guidelines are set, we will divulge into setting up the account. I will have him do the clicking while I walk him through all the important settings.

Any social network’s security and privacy settings are very important. Facebook has a few settings that needs close attention. First, the General area, ensure information such as phone number or email address isn’t posted for everyone to see. Those private pieces of information could allow a hacker or a predator to get closer access to you or this family. Next, computer security settings, the trusted contacts should have only a parent in this situation listed, but once you’re an adult then I encourage you not to have anyone listed on there. No one needs potential access to your account except for you as an Adult. Timeline and tagging settings, ensure only your friends can see your information, none of the security settings should have friend of friends or everyone listed. We will review privacy section and check to see if anything else needs to be locked down. Once all those steps are complete, we will review General area (ensuring not too much personal information is listed), then privacy, then timeline and tagging, mobile, notifications, and talk a bit about blocking section. Now the site is setup and secured for his use. The biggest thing that must be clear to the teenage is that he must come to you if issues arise and to abide by all the guidelines given. If those guidelines are not followed then the account will be deactivated. He must understand the Internet can be a dangerous place and to respect it because it could harm you if you misuse it.

We have built a new PC from scratch and loaded Windows 8.1 software on it. We have updated the Windows software and disabled universal plug and play. Firewall and Anti-virus software was installed and configured. Online banking needs to be done with trusted major banks, small banks could have weak security on their domain. We have learned to never click on an email for your bank and login that way, this practice is dangerous and could be a fake email from hacker who built a website that looks like the one your bank uses. My 13-year-old son received a lesson and guidelines when requesting his first Facebook account. He was taught about security measures that need to be taken as well as rules that must not be broken. He also understands that these rules being broken could hurt him or our family in certain ways and will not be tolerated. If he does not follow proper guidelines then his account will be deactivated.

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