Viruses, hackers, spyware & Worms! How can I make my computer safe
Computer security and internet safety often seems like a technological nightmare.
New threats aimed at wreaking havoc across machines connected to the internet now seem to be appearing everyday. So if you are about to buy a new laptop computer or a desktop computer let us help you in making your computer safe to browse the internet.
Here are some things you can, and should, do to stay safe.
- Use a Firewall - A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that sits between your computer and the internet and only allows certain types of things to cross the wall. For instance, a firewall may allow checking email and browsing the web, but disallow things that are commonly not as useful such as remote procedure calls. In fact, it’s vulnerabilities in this action that allowed for one of the more recent worms to propagate. (If you’re using a phone to dial-in to the internet, a firewall is not as important, though it doesn’t hurt to have one. A software firewall may be your only option, though.)
- Virus Scanning - Sometimes, typically via email, viruses are able to cross the wall and end up on your computer anyway. A virus scanner will locate and remove them from your hard disk. A real time (always on) virus scanner will notice them as they arrive, even before they hit the disk. It is important to keep your virus definitions up-to-date. Be sure to enable the scanning software’s automatic-update feature and have it do so every day. I personally use Kapsersky for my Internet Security. It’s award winning strength has kept my work and personal networks safe from intrustion for over 2 years.
- Stay Up-To-Date - It is a well know fact that the vast majority of virus infections don’t have to happen. Software vulnerabilities that the viruses exploit usually already have patches available by the time the virus reaches a computer. The problem? The user simply failed to install the latest patches and updates that would have prevented the infection in the first place. The solution is simple: enable automatic updates, and visit Windows Update periodically.
- Get Educated - All the protection in the world won’t save you from yourself. Don’t open attachments in emails that you aren’t positive are ok or if you do not know the sender. Don’t fall for phishing scams. NEVER click on links in email that you aren’t positive are safe. Never install “free” software without checking it out first - many “free” packages are free because they come loaded with spyware, adware and worse. When visiting a web site, did you get a pop-up asking if it’s ok to install some software you’re not sure of because you’ve never heard of it? Don’t say “OK”. Not sure about some security warning you’ve been given? Don’t ignore it. Choose strong passwords, and don’t share them with others.
- Secure Your Mobile Connection - if you’re traveling and using internet hot spots, free Wifi or internet cafes, you must take extra precautions. Make sure that your web email access is via secure (https) connections, or that your regular mail is over an encrypted connection as well. Don’t let people “shoulder surf” and steal your password my watching you type it in a public place. Make sure your home Wifi has WPA security enabled if anyone can walk within range.
- Don’t forget- an old computer adage is that “if it’s not physically secure, it’s not secure.” All of the precautions listed above are pointless if other people can get at your computer. They may not follow the safety rules laid out. A thief can easily get at all the unencrypted data on your computer if they can physically get to it. The common scenario is a laptop being stolen during travel, but I’ve gotten reports of people who’ve been burned because a family member or roommate accessed their computer without their knowledge.