The 7 Most Common PC Security Mistakes and Weaknesses

Even supposed experts in PC security may have holes in their PC security setup.  Why?  Because hackers and the most common PC security providers have something in common: they gain nothing from your increased awareness.  They like the status quo.

 So here are the 7 most common security weaknesses, in my experience at least:

 1) Reliance on common, free, relatively ineffective, dummied-down consumer-grade security software. 

That includes Norton, McAfee, Microsoft Live One Care, AdAware, and SpyBot Search and Destroy.  Yes, they're better than nothing.  But generally the more common it is, the more hackers know about it and the more easily it can be exploited.   As for free software, ask yourself why it's free.  If the answer is that they want you to upgrade to their professional grade software, then think about that until you get the point being made here. 

Also, people may rely on only one component (commonly, Anti-virus software is confused with all the PC security software you'll ever need.) and exclude the other necessary components of good security: 1) Anti-Virus software, 2) Anti-Malware software, 3) Bi-directional, client-side firewall, 4) OS patching, and 5) constant research and available support resources, including contingency plans.

2) One-way firewalls. 

If you don't have a bi-directional, client-side firewall, you're living dangerously and have a gaping hole in your security.   That means you if you're using and trusting the Windows XP firewall.

3) Failure to maintain and update security software.

People let their software subscriptions expire, leaving them vulnerable to zero-day threats for 1 day, then 2 days, then 3 days, and so on until they subscribe again.  And don't forget to see #1 again before you decide WHICH software you want to keep current with.

 4) No contingency plans.  

Sooner or later, you'll probably find your PC has been compromised.  Then what will you do and how much will you be willing to pay?

5) Failure to keep that sieve (full of holes) named Windows patched and up-to-date and ahead of the hackers.

Trust me on this one: you need to let Microsoft patch your OS automatically.   They'll never get it right, but at least you've gotta respect the fact that they're trying.

6) Living in the past.

In the old days, when your system was compromised, you knew it.  The virus would announce its victory over you and your PC.  Nowadays, with organized crime exploiting your PC, they keep their victories in gaining access and control of your system silent lest you seek professional help and they lose control again.  You need to keep up with the millions of hackers worldwide. Or know who to rely on to do that for you.

7) Being unable to tell the difference between a PC Security Expert and a PC Expert but PC Security Expert Pretender.

Supposed PC security experts believe that because they're PC experts and know more than 98% of the population, they're qualified to dish out PC security advice.  Well, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King - and there are a lot of one-eyed men (and ladies) out there with one eye pretending to be King or Queen.  Some really are experts but some are pretenders, so to speak.  So how can you tell the difference?   Easy.  The real experts are pros - companies and people PAY THEM for their PC security knowledge.   Pretenders just get paid to write about it.

OK, yes, I was a pretender.  Still am by that standard.  But at least I now know some REAL experts and learn from them.   And notice I'm not writing to try to teach you how to do it yourself: I'm writing to convince you to let true pros do it for you - and INVISUS is the best way to get true experts on your side without going broke trying. Check out iSafe.