|
Home / Computers
Computer Security – It’s Bigger than Spyware and Viruses
By:D. David Dugan
Computer security, in basic terms means keeping your computer and the data that’s in it safe and secure. More of our personal data is stored in or accessed from our computer, now more than ever before. Yet most people lack even the basic understanding of how to keep their computers safe and secure. By following just a few simple rules you can dramatically improve the overall security of your computer.
The first thing to understand is what exactly it means to be connected to the internet. Your computer connected to the internet is similar to your house in many ways. There are many ways into your house. Windows, doors, etc. The more windows and doors you have, the more ways someone has into your house. An open door doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to be robbed, but it does improve the chances. Complicating matters, the ones that you think are locked, may not be because the lock is faulty or even the door itself may have an as of yet undiscovered flaw that would allow an intruder easy access to your home.
Your computer has many windows and doors, not all of which are locked. New flaws are being found everyday, often with the fix not coming until days after. Just like you wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked, you shouldn’t leave your computer wide open either. The first two things we will discuss to help with this task are installation of a quality firewall and regularly updating your installed software.
Updating your software is becoming easier these days, especially your Operating System. We don’t have the time here to go into detail about the many ways to update the many software packages you may have or use, but generally speaking the software manufacturer will provide you a way to do this automatically via the internet. A good example of this is the Microsoft Windows Update feature. Be sure to get the updates for everything installed on your computer, nothing is too trivial.
There are two basic types of firewalls and both perform the same functions. One is hardware the other is software. A hardware firewall is probably included in your router if you are using one, while you may or may not have a software firewall installed. To continue our house analogy, a firewall is like building a wall and gate around your home and giving the guard at the gate instructions on who to let in and out. While this does give a great deal of protection, it is not all that is required. Someone may know a way around or under your wall, or even be able to coerce the guard into letting them in.
You yourself may unwittingly allow someone in. This could happen by simply opening an email or even simply surfing the net. Spyware, viruses, trojans and the like are ever more adept in their methods of fooling you and your guards. Emails may come from a trusted friend containing a dangerous virus without them even knowing it. This is where the next layer of protection comes in, anti-virus software.
Anti-virus software is a large category these days. Often these packages come as “suites” including a firewall and Spyware scanner. While most of these programs are very effective in their promised tasks, it is not wise to be lulled into a false sense of security by them. They are simply one layer in what should be a multi tiered protection plan for you and your computer. One last important note about anti virus software is to be sure that it updates on a regular basis. New threats come out daily so check its updates manually to be sure they have happened.
Back to our house analogy, we now have all of our windows, doors and other entry ways locked and fully updated. We have a wall around our house with a guard at the gate and we have software scanning everything that comes in past the gate. Sounds pretty good, but there’s one last security hole we need to address, you.
A large percentage of infections are caused by the computer user themselves. The internet is an ever changing place that requires it’s users to be educated about its use. I’m not suggesting that you need to be a computer expert to simply read your email. I am however suggesting that you take some time to educate yourself on some of the dangers that pop up everyday, and the precautions to take in order to avoid them.
In summary, your computer is a powerful machine connected to one of the greatest things ever invented, the internet. This vast resource can be a dangerous place if you are not properly prepared and informed. Regular software updates, a good firewall, anti virus software and a little education are the basics in computer security. Having and understanding these basics will make your computer safer, more secure and more enjoyable.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: spyware, adware, spyware & adware, spyware prevention, computer security, firewall, software update
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
D. David Dugan is the president of DD&C (www.dugancom.com) and personally helps to maintain their computer support forum at forum.dugancom.com as well as their Spyware Information site spyware.dugancom.com.
|
|
| Top Computers Articles |
- 1). The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing By : Migz Mon
File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us don’t know the risks involved when using them.
Questionable reliability of files – Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy.
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). Is The Internet Censored? By : J Schipper
When most people think about Internet censorship, the usual suspects immediately come to mind : Communist China and repressive Islamic countries. Unfortunately, Westerners have an embarrassment all their own : Australia's net censorship law, established in 2000.
Freedom House, a non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to spreading human rights and freedom, undertakes regular surveys on press freedom and censorship.
|
- 5). Toshiba Libertto U100, smaller yet better than you might imagine! By : john
Have you ever wondered how small a laptop can be? Well, utilizing today’s technology Toshiba does a perfect job at demonstrating it; the Libertto U100 is one of the very few laptops that have such a rich feature set fitted altogether within such a small space. Of course, if you believe that a fingerprint authentication system is too much for such a.
|
- 6). Does CCTV Really Reduce Crime? By : Robert Michael
In the UK, home of twenty percent of the world's CCTV cameras, there is mounting concern about its invasion and lack of regulation. "UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign."
The thought-provoking questions they ask are good ones.
They want to know, for instance, why, if television programming and licensing is so heavily regulated in the UK.
|
|
|
- 8). Preparation Tips For Comptia A+ Certification By :
The Industry Standard CompTIA A Plus Certification exam has two parts; approximately 80 questions for each part.
* Core Hardware: $153 - min. passing score 515
* Operating Systems Technology: $153 - min. passing score 505
(CompTIA corporate members can take the exams for $98, employers that require this test are usually corporate members and will inform you of this.
|
- 9). Can Cell Phones Harm Your Health? By : D Ruplinger
It seems like everywhere a person goes there is at least one person in view with a cell phone to their ear whether it is on the road, in a store, in a parking lot, walking down the street, etc. Even in places where cell phone usage is banned such as concert halls or movie theaters there is the occasional offender, or more likely, at least a few people using the text messaging feature on their phone.
|
|
|
| New Computers Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 5). If You Want Flexibility And Portability Consider A Laptop By : Gregg Hall
If you are one of those who works with a computer on a daily basis like me you should consider a laptop. I have actually owned three now and I think I would be lost without mine. I still use my desktop PC quite a bit at home but the laptop comes in extremely handy when I am away.
|
|
|
- 7). Becoming A DVD Repair Expert Online By : Maxine Schel
Many conventional colleges and universities are now offering online DVD repair courses, which are the exact same as those taught on a traditional college campus, to distance learners. Online education is generally taught through the use of several different methods, including online satellite feeds, correspondence or online lessons. This technique permits the student to obtain a DVD repair degree without ever having to step inside of a classroom.
|
- 8). Compatible Inkjet Cartridge By : Isabel Rodrigues
Once the printer ink runs dry it has to be replaced with another inkjet cartridge. There are many reputed companies like Canon, Epson, Dell, and Lexmark that provide the necessary cartridges to replace the empty cartridges. Replacing inkjet cartridge can add to a very big cost. It could be worse if you have to replace the empty cartridges frequently every month.
|
- 9). Best Passwords By : Richard Romando
No sane person would ever like someone else reading her email. Or for that matter some other person using her password and breaking into a financial institution. You should, therefore, choose a strong, secure password in such a manner that would be a hard nut to crack for others and easy for you to remember. The more random and mixed-up you make it, the harder it is for others to crack.
|
- 10). Home Printing Machines By : Peter Vermeeren
Home printing machines are available on the market today in many sizes, prices and capabilities. Many different forms of printing can be accomplished in the home. Whether you want to create unique tee-shirts using a home screen printing machine or you want to produce elegant laser printed letters, the equipment is readily available to you for home use.
|
|
|
