Guide To Computer Security
Russell Card
Since you're reading this article, you're already connected to
the Internet. You've probably already thought about security on
your computer or network. Every day seems to bring new threats
and it can seem pretty daunting, but the key thing is to have a
common sense approach and to take a few basic precautions.
There are lots of great tools available to help and you don't
have to break the bank to get them. Here are some areas to take
a look at:
BACKUPS
Securing your information starts here. You'll need some or all
of the security tools listed below, but even then you can't
guarantee 100% that you won't have a problem. Hardware failures
do occur so backup your data. One easy way to keep your
important files is to burn them onto CD or DVD.
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
An absolute must have. Alright, you already knew that, but I
can't stress too strongly the importance of having good,
up-to-date antivirus software. With new threats and Viruses
arriving every day it's important to maintain update
subscriptions and download virus definition updates as soon as
they become available.
There's a lot of good antivirus software available, both free
and for low cost. I'd recommend going for paid software...you
just never know when you're going to need to call a helpdesk
and that's generally the difference between the free stuff and
the stuff you pay for. Norton, McAfee, AVG and others all sell
antivirus software that's affordable on a low budget.
FIREWALL
A firewall is always recommended to help protect against
unauthorized access to your PC. For a small number of PCs a
software firewall is usually best and is the easiest to work
with if you're not an IT expert. However, don't discount
hardware firewalls, especially if you have a network with a lot
of devices on it.
Whatever you do, don't rely on the Network Address Translation
or packet filter built in to your ADSL or Cable router. It
almost certainly won't be enough.
If you're buying a particular company's Antivirus software it's
worth considering buying their integrated AV and firewall
package if they have one (if they don't then maybe you should
try someone else). It may well save you money and be easier to
configure and maintain.
ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE
If you spend a lot of time browsing the Web (and let's face it,
who doesn't?), then spyware is going to find its way onto your
machine. A lot of it isn't particularly nasty, but the really
bad stuff can send important information like passwords, bank
details or credit card numbers to people you really don't want
to have access to that stuff. At the very least it can slow
down your PC and since you didn't ask for it in the first place
then you should get rid of it.
Some tell-tail signs that you have a Spyware infection are:
- You're getting pop-up ads all the time
- Your default homepage or other settings in your browser
suddenly change (especially if you can't change them back)
- Your computer is slow (there could be other reasons for this,
but it's worth checking for spyware)
There's some good free software available from Lavasoft called
AdAware. Microsoft also have their own free tool for Windows
users called Windows Defender. Among the paid-for Anti-Spyware
software Webroot's
Spy Sweeper regularly picks up awards from computer magazines.
PASSWORDS
More and more people are accessing secure sites for shopping,
banking, etc. Provided you take sensible precautions it's a
great way to shop.
If you've been doing any online shopping you'll be used to
dealing with secure sites. Whatever methods these sites use to
secure their servers or encrypt your traffic, if they're
accessed by passwords then you share some of the responsibility
for the security on your transactions. Here are a few tips on
how to keep unauthorized users from accessing your accounts:
- Be inventive with your passwords. Don't use easy to guess
stuff that a lot of people know about you or can find out. Use
a mixture of uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers and
special characters (again be inventive. Just using a 1 instead
of the letter i is no use if it still spells out an easy to
guess word).
- Use different passwords for different accounts. If you always
use the same one and it's compromised then someone will have
access to everything.
- Don't write passwords down on paper or post-it notes. That's
a hacker's favorite way to find passwords if they have
physical access to your office.
- Don't get Web browsers to remember your passwords on shared
machines or in office areas. If you log into a machine that
other users have access to then never use Windows or Web
browser mechanisms that remember your account details.
Having different passwords to lots of different accounts does
make it more difficult to remember them and it's important that
this doesn't lead you into bad habits. So what do you do?
You could look at getting some password management software.
Naturally, Norton has a password manager, but other good
options include "Web Replay" from Deskperience or "PC Password
Manager XP" from CPLab.
WHERE TO NOW?
You don't have to go out and buy every piece of security
software right away. Prioritize one or two to start with (I'd
suggest Antivirus and Firewall software). Also download trial
versions so you can be sure you're happy with them before you
part with your hard earned cash.
Be careful on the Internet, but don't let it spoil your day.
About The Author: Russell Card has been an IT Consultant for
over 10 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in
Networking, Security, Web Design and a host of other computer
subjects. To find more articles like this, visit
http://www.ukitbits.com
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