Just about every day we hear about some new kind of threat aimed at wreaking havoc across machines connected to 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/or server, and the internet and only allows certain types of things to cross the wall. For example, a firewall may allow checking email and browsing the web, but disallow things that are commonly not as useful or safe.
Virus Scan – Sometimes, typically via email, viruses are able to cross the wall and end up on your computer anyway. A virus scanner locates and removes them from your hard disk. A real time virus scanner will notice them as they arrive, even before they hit the disk.
Kill Spyware – Spyware is similar to viruses in that it arrives unexpectedly, unannounced and proceeds to do something undesired. Normally spyware is relatively benign from a safety perspective, but it can violate your privacy by tracking the websites you visit, or add “features” to your system that you did not ask for. The worst offenders are spyware that hijack normal functions for themselves. For example, some like to redirect your web searches to other sites to try and sell you something. Of course some spyware is so poorly written that it might as well be a virus, given how unstable it can make your system. The good news is that, like virus scanners, there are spyware scanners that will locate and remove the offending software.
“It all might seem overwhelming, but it’s not nearly as overwhelming as an actual security problem if and when it happens to you.”
Stay Up-To-Date – I’d wager that over 90% 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? There is no Internet security software (anti-virus, anti-spyware, & firewall) installed, or the subscription hasnt been renewed. The solution is simple: make sure you have it, and the automatic updates are enabled. Make sure you run updates manually on a periodic basis.
Be Aware To be brutally honest, all the protection in the world won’t save you from yourself. Do not open attachments that are unknown to you. Do not fall for online scams. Do not click on any links that may not be safe. Do not 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 website, did you get a pop-up asking if it alright to install some software you’re not sure of because you have never heard of it? Don’t say “OK”. Not sure about some security warning you have been given? Do not make any assumptions and do not ignore it. Get help or call us.
“Never let anyone make you feel intimidated for asking a question. No one was born knowing how to run a computer”
Don’t forget the physical – All of the precautions I’ve listed above are pointless if other people can get at your computer. A thief can easily get at all the unencrypted data on your computer if they can physically get to it. The common occurrence is a laptop being stolen during travel, but most security reports data is stolen from the “inside” by an employee or family member that accessed their computer without their knowledge.
It all might seem overwhelming, but it is not nearly as overwhelming as an actual security problem if and when it happens. While we might want it to be otherwise, the practical reality of the internet, and computing today is that we each must take responsibility for our own security online.
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