The data on your computer systems and networks can be harmed by a technology (lets say a hard drive crashes, or a virus attack) or human intervention (accidental data deletion or a hacking attack), but a reliable back up and recovery system can resolve this problem. Viruses are malicious computer programs often designed to harm the data on your computer. Some viruses may do nothing but annoy you with messages, while other viruses steal data from your computer.

A virus can invade your computer via email, a web site, shared diskettes or other media and that's why it is very important to be very careful what you allow inside of your computer and networks.

To protect your PC from viruses and hackers install an anti-virus program and firewall on your computer system.

An anti-virus program will scan files and programs on your computer for viruses and prevent any found viruses from infecting your computer. A firewall will ensure only authorized data enters and leaves your computer.

Ensure these programs are frequently (at least once per week or more often) updated. There are software firewalls that should be installed on each computer and your network server should be protected by a firewall appliance, a physical device, which will provide more robust protection than a software firewall.

Other solutions you may wish to implement to enhance your data security could include:

• Using hard to guess passwords (combine numbers and letters)
• Biometric devices (such as finger print or iris scanners)
• Physical locks to prevent unauthorized physical movement of your computer
• Encrypt important data to ensure that even if an un-authorized user gets your data they can't use it.

Adware and spyware - You may be browsing a web site and see an advertisement pop-up asking you if you want to download a free international clock or some other neat utility. After you download the utility you might notice that new web sites have been added to your "favorites" links or when you visit a web site to buy something you get a small ad letting you know you can buy the product cheaper. These are just a few of the symptoms of a computer that has been invaded by spyware or adware.

While ad/spyware programs might not harm your computer, they could be a security loophole and at the very least display annoying advertising that you don't want. Protect your computer from ad/spyware by installing an anti-ad/spyware program.