Computers are omnipresent: they are all seeing and all knowing, and they control our lives in more ways than we would care to admit. Computers are used for everything from communication to online banking; from running large commercial buildings to running our own homes; we use them to shop, work, play and do everything inbetween. The more computers rule our lives the more potential there is for a virus or an attack on a computer – on its software, operating system, or the data contained in it – to have drastic consequences on our day-to-day lives.

Attacks can range from ‘phishing‘ attempts, to infecting your computer with a virus, from using it to attack other unsuspecting users, to simple wanton hacking and vandalism. The motives are irrelevant to the victim. What is important is the damage that it can do to our machines and data, and the disruption and potential financial loss that this can inflict on our lives.

While nothing can eliminate the possibility of an computer related attack, a few simple steps can help to reduce the likelihood, and can also limit the damage inflicted as and when the worst happens. PC security should be a priority in any home or office.