Computer Security and the Dangers of the Internet Age

Ok, I apologize. This is might not be the most "interesting" article. It is right up their with "exciting" events, like buying insurance, putting a burglar alarm in your house, learning simple self defense, stuff we would really rather not do, but important nevertheless.

Before you click to another article, let me spice it up and pique your interest with some startling true life headlines.

• U.S. Internet Fraud At All-Time High
• Cyber Thieves Silently Copy Your Passwords As You Type
• Unprotected Wireless Users Are At Risk Of Piracy
• Cloak And Dagger Tactics Hit The Office
• The Rise Of The Digital Thugs
• Internet Attack Called Broad And Long Lasting By Investigators

All real US Media Headlines!

Yes, it is like the Wild West out there, and we are not talking about Dodge City or the OK Coral. We are talking about right on your desk at work, on the road and in the apparent safety of your own home.

These headlines, found in major U.S. publications, tell the tale of wide reaching efforts by hackers and thieves to steal, damage or just perplex and annoy. The trends are shifting from hackers launching viruses just for the thrill to organized efforts by bands of cyber criminals bent on emptying your checkbook.

Here are the facts. The moment you connect to the Internet you are exposing yourself, your company, or your family to great potential danger. Without a great deal of effort an ill-intended technologist can work their way into your computers and steal private information.

The good news is that it is easy to defend yourself with a few simple steps. Here are the threats and solutions. You can be a potent defender of your domain with these tools.

Viruses – These are the most familiar because they have been around the longest. Viruses can be transmitted to your computer through e-mail, embedded in innocent looking documents or by simply clicking a link on a web site. Most viruses will just slow your computer down and some are designed to destroy your data. Anti-Virus software from Symantec, Trend-Micro, or other reputable providers can protect you from these viruses. The key is to keep you anti-virus software up to date. Software that has not been updated in months or longer is of little value.

Spyware, Adware, Malware - These are malicious programs launched from websites you visit. Their intent is to gather information about you and send it to their sponsors. They pop-up advertisements on your computer and can drive you nuts. These are prominent and damaging. They can slow your computer to a crawl and capture information like e-mail addresses stored on your computers. The more evil versions can steal your passwords. Thwart the bad guys who are behind these threats with an effective Spyware blocker like Spy Sweeper from Webroot or Spyware Doctor from PC Tools. Beware of free Spyware removal tools, these are often really Spyware in disguise.

Cyber Thieves – Hackers, determined programmers, have the technology to create a connection directly into your computer if you leave it unsecured. A good means of protection is a firewall which is a hardware or software barrier that blocks intruders. Windows provides these protections but for more security look into more fortified protection from companies like SonicWall or Zone Alarm.

Another prevalent method for stealing your information is through an act called "phising." Cyber thieves send spam e-mails "phishing" for valuable information. The sender asks for credit card numbers, network passwords or account numbers. But links in these messages actually take you to Web sites — that often look legitimate — run by Internet thieves. If you enter your data, you give those thieves the information they need to get into your computer system and access company data.

If you use a wireless connection in your office, at home or on the road make sure it is secured. Open wireless networks are like a building without doors or locks. Thieves can digitally walk right in. Be sure you activate security options available in most wireless settings. If you are forced to use a public wireless network be sure to remove any shared resources on your personal computer.

Symantec and other security software providers offer all in one packages that cover all these areas. Symantec Norton 360 and McAfee Total Protection are good options. Or you could just buy a Mac by Apple. They are rarely targeted by hackers and virus makers and use operating system which by nature is claimed to be more secure than Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft does go to great lengths to address security issues as they are discovered. For that reason it is advisable to ensure that you keep your Windows software up to date with the latest security patches. I just finished updating my wife’s Windows 2003 Server. It had been several months since I last worked on it. Upon running Windows update I found 59 security patches to be installed. It was all automatic and simple to process, routine maintenance, but if left undone a potential source of disaster.

Would you like more information on this topic? Go to www.cert.org the home of the well-known Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute. CERT is an organization devoted to ensuring that appropriate technology and systems management practices are used to resist attacks on networked systems and to limiting damage and ensure continuity of critical services in spite of successful attacks, accidents, or failures.

Symantec’s Security and Response Site www.symantec.com/security_response is also a very good source of information on the subject of computer security.

For more information on securing your system cotact Matt Hahn at 973-758-6117

SWK Technologies