--- title: Northampton Computer Repair Blog | Computer Protection description: Computer Protection | Our learning center blog is about you the customer. We believe answering questions and helping to educate the consumer about all things IT is what a business should do --- ## [Northampton Computer Repair](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/) 413-341-3571 12 Main St, Northampton, MA 01060 # Our Blog ## [4 Ways to Keep your Computer Safe from Viruses](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/328210/4-Ways-to-Keep-your-Computer-Safe-from-Viruses) Posted by [Henry Dallow](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/author/henry-dallow) on Tue, Dec 10, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **![](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/hubfs/alien-679543_1920.jpg)4 Ways to Keep Your Computer Safe from Viruses** If you are anything like many of our customers at Northampton Computer Repair, you worry a lot about your computer catching a nasty virus. While it’s true that the internet is full of viral menace, it doesn’t have to feel like an overwhelming or unavoidable thing. There *are *things that you as a user should do to reduce your chances of contracting a virus on your home computer or laptop – or rather, things that you should* not* do. [Read More](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/328210/4-Ways-to-Keep-your-Computer-Safe-from-Viruses) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/328210/4-Ways-to-Keep-your-Computer-Safe-from-Viruses#comments-listing) Tags: [Computer Protection](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/computer-protection), [Safe Practices](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/safe-practices), [email](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/email), [Virus](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/virus), [Security](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/security), [Malware Prevention](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/malware-prevention), [Computer](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/computer), [virus alert](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/virus-alert) ## [Do I need a Surge Protector?](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/262658/Do-I-need-a-Surge-Protector) Posted by [Edward Drummond](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/author/edward-drummond) on Mon, Jan 28, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Surge protectors are an often ignored part of keeping your technology safe from [power spikes and surges](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_spike).  When I worked at a big-box store (I won't mention any names, but needles to say, my black and neon green uniform shirt was pretty eye catching) it was my goal to make sure that each person walked out the door with the right technology, every time.  People would come in and drop hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on technology for their homes and businesses, buying anti-virus programs, [backup programs and backup hardware](http://northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/140529/The-Basics-of-Backups) to keep their investment safe.  Surprisingly, many people balked at the idea that they needed anything more to keep their data and digital gadgetry safe.  The lowly surge protector, and it’s bigger cousins the battery backup units are an integral part of keeping your devices and your information safe from harm. When the subject of power protection comes up, many people think of the simple stick-style “power strips” that have been a staples of offices and homes for decades.  Unfortunately, these inexpensive items do not provide much, if any protection from normal surges and power spikes.  Computers, phones, routers and other high-tech digital devices are very susceptible to damage from power surges, and the last thing you want to is get hit with a surge and not have your machine turn on the next time you try to use it.  Protecting your electronics from damage when the power goes out or a circuit breaker trips is now more important than ever with how much we have come to rely on our technology. [Read More](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/262658/Do-I-need-a-Surge-Protector) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/262658/Do-I-need-a-Surge-Protector#comments-listing) Tags: [Computer Protection](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/computer-protection), [Safe Practices](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/safe-practices) ## [The Pitfalls of Passwords](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/140544/The-Pitfalls-of-Passwords) Posted by [Serges LaRiviere](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/author/serges-lariviere) on Wed, Mar 07, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/hs-fs/file-18394618-png/images/password_strength.png) ](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/140544/The-Pitfalls-of-Passwords) Recently the Government of [Syria was hacked](http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/report-assads-office-hacked-password-was-12345) and their emails were leaked to the web.  Of the 78 email inboxes that were hacked, some of them used the default password “12345? which some email servers use for new accounts with an instruction to change the password the first time you log on. [Read More](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/140544/The-Pitfalls-of-Passwords) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/bid/140544/The-Pitfalls-of-Passwords#comments-listing) Tags: [passwords](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/passwords), [cloud](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/cloud), [encrypted passwords](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/encrypted-passwords), [password protection](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/password-protection), [password security](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/password-security), [Computer Protection](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/computer-protection), [PC tips](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/topic/pc-tips) [All posts](https://www.northamptoncomputerrepair.com/noho-pcs-blog/all) Search for More Posts Find it! ### Subscribe to Email Updates *Disclosure: We may include links in our articles for products and services we recommend, in very few cases we may receive an affiliate referral fee if you purchase or subscribe via our link* ## Our Most Popular Posts | **Kaspersky Lab's Award-Winning Software** **_____________________________________** **Data Security Has Never Been So Easy** **[![How Much Is Your Data Worth to You? 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