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COMPUTER
SECURITY
Introduction
This big topic tends to open many areas of discussion - and sometimes
confusion.
Two
developments which have accompanied the rapid growth of the internet
are increasing commercialisation and its use to
rapidly spread annoyances such as viruses. Going
online unprotected is like a learner driver venturing out onto a
motorway without any knowledge of the road code, driving hazards,
or speed limits, and definitely without seat belts. The good news
is that implementing computer security precautions is far easier
than learning to drive. As with driving, undoubtedly the benefits
far outweigh any apparent disadvantages.
Here,
on this very long page, we will attempt to provide some assistance
to SeniorNetters by breaking down the topic into a number of areas.
Please note that any mention of specific software or advice does
not represent any endorsement by SeniorNet or the designer of this
site. All care taken, but no guarantees offered!
When
visiting sites for downloading, you will often see both free
and trial commercial versions of the same product.
Do take care to download the version you really want. Because download
links frequently change, we have included here both direct download
links, and links to the manufacturer's main site
for more information and in case the download page has moved.
Viruses
Computer viruses share many of the characteristics of biological
viruses. They can cause considerable damage to
your computer’s health. They can make your computer infectious.
Just as jetliners have enabled human infections to travel
worldwide very quickly, so the internet has transported
some computer viruses worldwide in a matter of a few hours.
As
with a biological infection, prevention is far better
than attempting a cure.
  
1.
Invest in a good antivirus program.
While many excellent products can be purchased (do check on the
costs of any renewal fees), some of the best are free:
| AVG
Anti-Virus Free >> |
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| Avast!
Antivirus >> |
 |
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2.
Update it regularly.
Often this will happen automatically when you are online.
3.
Periodically run complete scans.
Not forgetting to also scan any floppy disks, memory cards etc which
may be inserted.
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Sometimes,
especially if you suspect a virus may have tampered with your
antivirus software or you simply want to double-check the
effectiveness of your computer's antivirus defences, it can
be a good idea to also do an online virus scan. Below are
links to two online antivirus services. Please be sure to
read and understand the online instructions for each service
before using them. |
| Kaspersky
Online Scanner
From the site: "Take the Kaspersky Challenge: See what
your current antivirus is missing. Our
free online virus scanner is a great way to find out if you
have any viruses or spyware on your machine without having
to uninstall your current antivirus software or install a
new one. Most importantly, you can see what viruses your current
antivirus software let slip through! You just need to be online
and using Internet Explorer." |
 |
| Panda
ActiveScan
From the site: "Free online antivirus to combat viruses,
spyware and other internet threats. Panda ActiveScan:
:: Scans, disinfects and eliminates over
185,000 viruses, worms and Trojans from all system devices,
hard disks, compressed file and all your email.
:: Detects spyware. 84 percent of malware
installed on computers worldwide is spyware.
:: Detects the following types of malware:
Diallers, Hacking tools, Rootkits (New), Jokes, Security risks." |
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For
lots of additional information about viruses, including a large
searchable encyclopedia of viruses, a ready-reference to many scams
and hoaxes and alerts about the latest malware, you may like to
check out the resources at Trend
Micro.
Firewalls
If you think of your computer as being a house, then your antivirus
program is a security guard protecting your main doors (email
and the web). However, like your house, your computer has other
ways an intruder can gain access. No doubt your house has many
windows. Your computer has even more potential entry points, known
as ports. The job of protecting any exposed ports (open
windows) belongs to a firewall.

Windows
XP comes with its own firewall which, with the installation of Service
Pack 2, should automatically be turned on. If, however, you are
concerned about XP's firewall monitoring traffic in only one direction,
or perhaps have an older version of Windows, you can download a
more comprehensive firewall free of charge. It is important, however,
that you have no more than one firewall running:
1.
Ensure you have an operating firewall.
Via the Control Panel, verify the XP firewall is on, or obtain one:
| Sunbelt
(Kerio) Personal Firewall >> |
 |
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| Sygate
Personal Firewall >> |
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NB:
Sygate's free firewall was purchased, and then discontinued, by
Symantec, but the version here still works fine.
2.
Train the firewall to allow desired applications through the wall.
3.
Forget it - generally firewalls don't need to be updated.
Spyware
Spyware covers a range of malicious programs which, generally without
your being aware of them, install themselves on your computer and
carry out tasks without your permission. A few of the operations
these programs may secretly undertake include monitoring every key
you press, stealing your passwords, recording your credit card numbers,
reporting your personal information to other sites, and even serving
you with a helping of pornography! Needless to say, this undesirable
activity can also slow down your computer and internet use.
Where
does spyware originate? Sometimes it is included with the many innocent-looking
free gimmicks and games you can find on the web, or simply served
up by a web page:
1.
Invest in good spyware protection.
Again, many of the best products are available free of change. Unlike
antivirus programs and firewalls, it is often a good idea to install
more than one anti-spyware program - on the theory that what one
misses the other may find.
| Ad-Aware
SE Personal >> |
 |
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| Spybot
Search & Destroy >> |
 |
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2.
Complete the initial program setup.
This may involve following instructions via a program wizard.
3.
Periodically download updates & scan your computer.
With the free versions you generally must remember to do this manually.
Spam
Computer spam refers to the volume of unsolicited junk messages
that many internet users receive each time they check their email.
Partly because it is so cheap to send to millions of people, the
amount of spam has grown phenomenally. According to e-mail security
vendor MessageLabs, at least two thirds of all
email traffic world-wide now consists of spam!
Email
addresses can easily be 'harvested' by automated spam-bots. You
probably can’t avoid getting some spam, but you may be able
to reduce the amount by not listing your email address in an obvious
way on web sites, reading the fine print of any online agreements,
using the anti-spam services of your internet service provider,
not replying to spam messages, and installing some protection software.
1.
Invest in good anti-spam protection.
As is usual, many of the best anti-spam products are available free
of change. The author's favourite is the NZ-written Mailwasher:
| Mailwasher
>> |
 |
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| Eliminate
Spam! >> |
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2.
Complete the initial program setup.
This will probably involve entering a few details for your email
account.
Other
Considerations
While precautions taken in the above areas will certainly decrease
your chances of being attacked by many of the computer gremlins,
there are many additional areas to be aware of:
Backups
Making
regular backups is an activity that many people intend to get around
to, but few actually achieve. It is a component of computer security
which is often overlooked - until the day comes when your computer
takes a nosedive / is stolen / dropped or whatever, and you suddenly
realise that the only copies you have of three years' worth of digital
photographs were on your computer!
Backing
up involves frequently taking duplicate copies of important information
from your computer, and storing that information in a safe place.
Due to their capacity and reliability, CDs and DVDs are an ideal
backup storage medium for the home user.
Yes,
free programs are available to help with the task, such as EZBack-it-up,
from rdcomp.net.
General
Maintenance
No
doubt in your SeniorNet classes you will cover the importance of
using regular Windows Updates, Disk Defragmenter,
and Error-checking (Scan Disk). Keeping your computer
away from serious amounts of dust (long-pile carpet),
not bumping it with the vacuum cleaner while it's
turned on, and investing in a surge protector (for
everything connected to the computer)
can all help with extending its life and keeping your data secure.
Be a little cautious about handing over control of your precious
investment to the 'computer wiz' grandchildren when they visit -
often teenagers know lots about playing games but very little about
care and security!
Finally,
confident in the knowledge that adequate precautions are in place,
do remember to enjoy your computing experience!
 
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