SECURITY

Every time you log on to the Internet you start a vicious game of I Spy, Tag and Peek a Boo.
And you're always it.

When it comes to computer security you HAVE to be proactive. You need to prevent all of those dirty little worms, viruses, trojans and spyware from getting into your computer to begin with. You've got to hide yourself from all of those creeps out there sniffing for an open door so that they can slip into your computer unnoticed. Unfortunately short of disconnecting your modem there is no surefire way of locking down your computer. But you can certainly make it secure to the point that most of the hackers will move on to easier pickings. And with the proper safeguards e-mail virus problems can be greatly reduced.

Not sure where to begin or what to do? Follow along and I'll try to point you in the right direction. Most computers now are sold with an anti virus software package but regardless of what you've got now it probably isn't enough. Computer Security must be approached from several different fronts. The best thing about good computer security is that it doesn't need to be expensive. There is a lot of really good inexpensive or free security software available.

Definitions:

Virus: Software used to infect a computer. After the virus code is written, it is buried within an existing program. Once that program is executed, the virus code is activated and attaches copies of itself to other programs in the system. Infected programs copy the virus to other programs. The effect of the virus may be a simple prank that pops up a message on screen out of the blue, or it may destroy programs and data right away or on a certain date.

Worm: A destructive program that replicates itself throughout disk and memory, using up the computers resources and eventually putting the system down.

Trojan or Trojan Horse: A program that appears legitimate, but performs some illicit activity when it is run. It may be used to locate password information or make the system more vulnerable to future entry or simply destroy programs or data on the hard disk. A Trojan horse is similar to a virus, except that it does not replicate itself. It stays in the computer doing its damage or allowing somebody from a remote site to take control of the computer. Trojans often sneak in attached to a free game or other utility.

Spyware: Software that sends information about your Web surfing habits to its Web site. Often built into free downloads from the Web, it transmits information in the background as you move around the Web. The license agreement that you often accept without reading may say that the information is anonymous. Anonymous profiling means that your habits are being recorded, but not you individually. It is used to create marketing profiles; for example, people that like Web sites that feature A often go to Web sites that feature B and so on.

Cookies: Data created by a Web server that is stored on a user's computer. It provides a way for the Web site to keep track of a user's patterns and preferences and, with the cooperation of the Web browser, to store them on the user's own hard disk. The cookies contain a range of URLs (addresses) for which they are valid. When the browser encounters those URLs again, it sends those specific cookies to the Web server. For example, if a user's ID were stored as a cookie, it would save that person from typing in the same information all over again when accessing that service for the second and subsequent time. By retaining user history, cookies allow the Web site to tailor the pages and create a custom experience for that individual.

The reality of good security is that you must approach it from several fronts. There are several different ways in and out of your computer. Good security means that you manage each of these issues appropriately. You should be tackling your computer security from 3 different angles:
( 1) Firewalls, (2) Anti Virus Software and (3) Anti Spyware Software

(1) Firewalls: There are 2 types of firewalls available, hardware firewalls and software firewalls. Opinions differ greatly as to which is most effective. In my opinion you should have both. Hardware firewalls cost money but they are relatively simple to set up and easy to use. Prices have dropped dramatically over the last year. Now you can get into a decent hardware firewall for under $100. Software firewalls can be had for free but you typically HAVE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS in order to set them up properly. So right off the bat that's going to turn more than a few people off.

Hardware Firewall - A hardware firewall, typically called a router can effectively secure your network from outside attacks. What it does is compare the A method for implementing security policies designed to keep a network secure from intruders. It can be a single router that filters out unwanted packets or may comprise a combination of routers and servers each performing some type of firewall processing. Firewalls are widely used to give users secure access to the Internet as well as to separate a company's public Web server from its internal network. Firewalls are also used to keep internal network segments secure; for example, the accounting network might be vulnerable to snooping from within the enterprise. In practice, many firewalls have default settings that provide little or no security unless specific policies are implemented by trained personnel. Firewalls installed to protect entire networks are typically implemented in hardware; however, software firewalls are also available to protect individual workstations from attack.

Software Firewall - Software firewalls also do an excellent job of keeping the badguys out of your computer. they ralso monitoring what goes out. Spyware are applications that keep track of your habits and send those statistics to a Web site (see spyware). Following are the techniques used in combination to provide firewall protection.

Anti Virus Software: Software that tries to prevent the incursion of viruses into your computer. An absolute must have when your trying to keep your computer secure.

Anti Spyware Software:

Password Do's and Don'ts: Do spend the time & effort to setup an effective password procedure. I have the same simple generic password I use for all non critical applications, like surfing everyday sites. Then I have a more difficult password for stuff that is more important and then I use the serious password for important stuff. It's a series of alphanumeric letters and numbers.

Password Management is another cruel reality of the wired world. Love it or hate it you still have to deal with it. I really like RoboForm for electronic password management (and more) but I still keep a daily journal beside my computer where I hand write anything of interest during my computing sessions. Passwords, interesting sites, ideas, everything goes in my book.

Diagnostics:
Diagnostics are a set of tests, often administered remotely, that pick and probe at your system. They then evaluate the findings and rate that segment. Some commercially offered diagnostic offerings evaluate a range of issues such as hard disk speeds, internet connection, fragmented discs, etc. while others target specific aspects such as security issues.

Diagnostics must be run on a regular basis. As with all things computers, we are the dog chasing its tail. Get used to it. The more important your data is, the more you chase your tail. But when it's all over you should have a very clear picture as to the condition of your system.

Some Diagnostic Sites:
PC Pitstop
EchoEcho

If you do have any questions concerning your test results e-mail me.

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Security Software Links

• AVG Antvirus Software
• Zone Alarm Firewall
• FinJan Tracker
• Ad Aware Spyware Tracker
• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
• Microsoft TechNet
• Norton Symantec
• Computer Associates

E-zines, Newsletters, Press, etc.

Builder.com
How Things Work
Langa List

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