Few security tips on computer systems.
Well, most of us rely on our computers to make money.
We trade all the time and I think it is important to remember about few important security issues:
1) It is a good idea to get a power backup to avoid power interruptions.
A simple UPS for ~$50 bucks will save you thousands in case of a sudden power failure.
You must remember the DSL is active no matter the power in the house. Telephone companies and DSL providers have their own separate power, so if you can power your DSL modem â you can stay on line for long enough to close all your positions before the UPS goes down. (which varies between 0.5 hour and 8 hours)
2) Remember to have at least one separately powered telephone or a unit that doesnât need any power (Yes an older one would be fine). A cell phone is also a good idea.
3) Make sure you have your brokerâs telephone number right in front of you all the time glued to a monitor. Closing your positions is way easier having their number handy in case lights go out in your area.
4) Make sure you have a good quality surge protector. Usually they go for about $10 bucks to $25 bucks. Fight your laziness and buy one. This will save you if the lightening strikes one of the power lines within 25 miles around your home. It doesnât need to be close! It might hit a transformer many miles away to burst the PC.
5) Never ever use your PC without the firewall!
6) If using a DSL â make sure you connect via a router. Buy one. A good router with a built in firewall will cost you maybe $30 bucks and will put your PC behind something that is called NAT. This is more secure. Trust me on this. The amount of hacker activities drops by ¾ with a router. Power the router along with the DSL and a PC with your UPS installed after a surge protector. The router will help you connect another PC if you get rich enough after gambling the FX.
7) NEVER EVER WORK ON YOUR PC in so called administrator account!!! NEVER!!! If you have administrative privileges then create another âuserâ account for trading. This helps you prevent any hacker activity and malicious software installation. Serious traders NEVER work under any account with administrator privileges. It is simply crazy. Itâs calling for trouble.
8) Install a good ad aware program. It is even more important than antivirus software. (Currently I do not have any antivirus software and I survived for the last 6 months).
9) Do not use your âinboxâ email program. Use Yahoo! This way you will never allow any malicious codes in your system and Yahoo will check all attachments for viruses.
10) If you have an account with FXCM â you will definitely experience problems after installing their platform and trying to connect within âuserâ account (No admin privileges). Some of their platforms work fine and some donât. Check it out. But still it is so important, that Iâd prefer dumping FXCM than exposing my system to hackers. This is probably the most important advice about the security of Windows.
11) Finally: Enable CTRL-ALT-DELETE login protection!!!
Good luck and happy trading!
Well, most of us rely on our computers to make money.
We trade all the time and I think it is important to remember about few important security issues:
1) It is a good idea to get a power backup to avoid power interruptions.
A simple UPS for ~$50 bucks will save you thousands in case of a sudden power failure.
You must remember the DSL is active no matter the power in the house. Telephone companies and DSL providers have their own separate power, so if you can power your DSL modem â you can stay on line for long enough to close all your positions before the UPS goes down. (which varies between 0.5 hour and 8 hours)
2) Remember to have at least one separately powered telephone or a unit that doesnât need any power (Yes an older one would be fine). A cell phone is also a good idea.
3) Make sure you have your brokerâs telephone number right in front of you all the time glued to a monitor. Closing your positions is way easier having their number handy in case lights go out in your area.
4) Make sure you have a good quality surge protector. Usually they go for about $10 bucks to $25 bucks. Fight your laziness and buy one. This will save you if the lightening strikes one of the power lines within 25 miles around your home. It doesnât need to be close! It might hit a transformer many miles away to burst the PC.
5) Never ever use your PC without the firewall!
6) If using a DSL â make sure you connect via a router. Buy one. A good router with a built in firewall will cost you maybe $30 bucks and will put your PC behind something that is called NAT. This is more secure. Trust me on this. The amount of hacker activities drops by ¾ with a router. Power the router along with the DSL and a PC with your UPS installed after a surge protector. The router will help you connect another PC if you get rich enough after gambling the FX.
7) NEVER EVER WORK ON YOUR PC in so called administrator account!!! NEVER!!! If you have administrative privileges then create another âuserâ account for trading. This helps you prevent any hacker activity and malicious software installation. Serious traders NEVER work under any account with administrator privileges. It is simply crazy. Itâs calling for trouble.
8) Install a good ad aware program. It is even more important than antivirus software. (Currently I do not have any antivirus software and I survived for the last 6 months).
9) Do not use your âinboxâ email program. Use Yahoo! This way you will never allow any malicious codes in your system and Yahoo will check all attachments for viruses.
10) If you have an account with FXCM â you will definitely experience problems after installing their platform and trying to connect within âuserâ account (No admin privileges). Some of their platforms work fine and some donât. Check it out. But still it is so important, that Iâd prefer dumping FXCM than exposing my system to hackers. This is probably the most important advice about the security of Windows.
11) Finally: Enable CTRL-ALT-DELETE login protection!!!
Good luck and happy trading!