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Computers - Security |
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Computer Security
Now that a large majority of computer users are connected to the Internet, security has become a major priority. Computers have become part of everyday life and it is vital to protect them against invasive attacks, so that any personal data you have saved remains precisely that.
Keeping your computer safe is not as difficult or time consuming as you may think. By implementing a few simple procedures into the time you spend on your computer, you can save a lot of heartache and hassle in the future.
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Antivirus and Spyware
One of the first things you should do when you get a new computer is install an antivirus and spyware program ? this is especially important if you are online. Without one, every time you connect to the Internet, your computer is vulnerable to all kinds of viruses and malware that can stop your computer working, steal information and use your computer to perform illegal activities.
There are many different antivirus and spyware programs around, so it can be quite confusing when trying to choose the right software. The best advice is to try before you buy and most providers will have a trial download or CD you can order. Some computers may even come with software pre-installed, which removes the task of having to find one yourself.
You can also find many free antivirus and spyware programs, but it is always advisable to do a bit of research before you download them. There are usually many forums that discuss the merits of each program and can be found by performing a simple search using the names of the software packages.
Once you have an antivirus and spyware program installed, you should scan your system periodically. How often you do this will depend on how much you use your computer, but once a week should be enough. To stop you forgetting, you can schedule the software to scan your system automatically. This is done in the background, so it shouldn't affect the performance of your computer too much.
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Updates and Patches
In the Windows security settings, you can set your computer to automatically download and install updates to your system. These updates are released by Microsoft to fix security issues that can affect your computer. This means that your computer will be constantly renewing its defences as you continue to work.
Hackers try to find ways to get into your system and make changes to your computer or steal your data. Hackers will take advantage of security vulnerabilities in programs, but by regularly updating your system you can stop unwanted access to your computer and keep it secure. Like antivirus programs, these updates run in the background and won't really affect your computer?s performance.
Other programs you use should have the option to check for updates and patches. These patches are used to fix known bugs in the software and should be free to download. If you can't automatically check for updates, a quick visit to the software company's website should tell you if there are patches and updates available. Making sure that the software you use is up to date will help you protect your computer and keep it running smoothly.
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Emails, Attachments, and Phishing
Inevitably, if you use email you will be inundated with what is referred to as 'spam', the junk mail of the Internet. It is possible that spam emails from an unknown address could contain an attachment with a virus. Spam is usually just an annoyance and doesn't affect the security of your system. However, attachments from unknown senders can contain viruses that will attack your systems and try to steal your data.
To protect against this threat, you need to be careful when opening attachments and make sure you have an antivirus program installed that integrates with your email. This will scan all your incoming mail for potential threats and highlight any that the program deems as malicious.
Another email security threat to look out for is 'phishing' scams. Phishing is a type of deception that tries to steal valuable personal data, such as bank details or passwords. These emails usually look like an email from a company you trust, like your bank, and will contain logos taken directly from legitimate sites. However, any email that asks you to enter your personal account information or access your account is probably fraudulent.
Advanced forms of phishing include a technique which is also referred to as 'pharming', where hackers use JavaScript to write codes which hide in the background of certain websites. When a host site is visited by a user, the code will then attempt to gain access to the router, in order to reconfigure its server settings. Once this is done, it will then point the user in the direction of hoax websites that are designed to mirror legitimate ones, such as Paypal, Nochex, eBay, etc. Users thinking they are accessing a secure site will then enter security information such as passwords and credit card numbers which are then sent back to the author of the code.
All routers are protected by a password and (sometimes) a username. The password is usually set to a default setting (something along the lines of 'admin' or 'password'), which is easy to bypass ? you can make life difficult for hackers by changing the password to something obscure and unique to yourself; combinations of letters and numbers is a good idea. Refer to the owner?s manual for your machine for information on how to change your router's default password. Other examples of phishing can be found by performing a simple web search.
The most obvious way to avoid email viruses is to only open mail from email addresses and people you recognise. Check to see if you have received an email from the sender before and ask yourself if you were expecting an email from them. Lastly, you should make sure the email makes sense. It can be easy to spot hackers who are operating from abroad, the email text may be full of obvious spelling and grammar mistakes or the attachment name might not relate to the subject or email text. If in doubt, email the sender from your contacts list or their website to check if they sent you an email.
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Firewalls
A firewall program is a barrier that protects your computer against unwanted programs accessing your computer through a network, such the Internet. The firewall determines what traffic is allowed to access and leave your computer. Firewalls come in hardware (routers) and software form, and they examine every piece of information that enters or leaves through it.
The majority of us will be using the Windows firewall or a firewall that comes with an antivirus program. If you are connected to the Internet it is vital that you have a firewall running. You can check your firewall settings by viewing the Windows security settings through the control panel.
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