Security Threats – What You Can Do
Security Threats – What You Can Do
There are a number of common security threats we all face today using our computers for E-mail and browsing the Internet. But there is no reason for any of us to unplug from the Internet and bury our heads in the sand. You are the biggest security threat to your computer. Using some common sense and the software and hardware tools available today, you can use your computer the way you want to, when you want to. So, what threats do we face and what can we do about them?
Spam Mail, not serious unless it has a malicious payload attached. Most E-mail services filter out spam. E-mail engines like Outlook have built in filters as well. Others, like Outlook Express, have rules that you can create and do a good job of filtering.
Phishing messages look like real messages from Pay Pal, your bank, eBay or a host of other schemes. Using scare tactics, they urge you to immediately go to their web site and take action to correct an error. In the process they innocently ask for personal information, like social security numbers, user names, passwords. The new Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2 browsers have capabilities now to detect phishing messages. Use these tools, please!
If you use a wireless adapter in your tower or laptop to connect to your home network, the most important safeguard you can use in MAC Address Filtering. This allows only those computers you want to access your wireless network. Use this technique before encryption. Then, if you feel you want an extra layer of security, use encryption.
It is highly, highly, highly (do I need to say it again) unlikely that a hacker will sit down on his computer, find your computer somewhere on the worldwide web and attack it. Hackers broadcast worldwide hoping to find a vulnerable computer. Using a software security suite with a firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware capabilities will keep you safe. If you have a network router with network address translation (NAT) capability, then you have the ultimate first line defense against hackers. NAT is a hardware (exists on your router) firewall. Hackers cannot see any other computer that is behind your router. Even if you have only one computer, having a router with NAT is like having a vault.
Sometimes you browse the Internet and inadvertently happen upon a site that includes malicious software designed to exploit your operating system, browser, or programs that have unpatched vulnerabilities. Keeping Windows “Automatic Updates” turned on will keep this type of malicious software at bay.
Small software programs that gathers data about your web browsing habits and sends that information, with or without your knowledge, to another computer that then tailors and sends ads of interest to you is called Adware. Keeping your antispyware software up to date and scanning regularly is your best solution for this problem.
Viruses have been around a long time now and most computer users have an antivirus program. Keep the definitions up to date, and renew those subscriptions (biggest cause of virus infection are lapsed subscriptions). But, we need to go one step further now days, and that is installing a good antispyware program.
Spyware (a.k.a. malicious software or malware) steals information from your computer without your knowledge. Some spyware pretends to be helpful (your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, click here to download and pay us to clean it up), or it can turn your system into a spam machine causing your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to shut you down. While you can use only one antivirus program, you can use several antispyware programs. Install and use them.
Phishing schemes are one form of identity theft. There are others and almost all of these identity theft schemes are thwarted by having a complete Internet Security Suite (and IE7 or Firefox 2). Lastly, as I have said before, the biggest threat to your computer is you.
Use common sense. Don’t go to questionable web sites. Read the pop ups your security software presents to you. Do a little investigating and don’t ignore those warnings. Keep your subscriptions up to date. If your ISP offers a security suite, use it (you’re already paying for it, and your subscription won’t expire as long as you are paying for your Internet access through them). Remember, if your ISP offers a security suite, you have to download and install it. It won’t appear just because you paid your bill. So now you ask, which software suite should I use? That is in another article.¦
Steven Grubb is the owner of Medford Computer. For more information, call 541.776.2373 or visit their web site at www.medfordcomputer.com.
