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Computer Security
Not to long ago anyone could hook a computer up to the internet and blissfully click on links, open email attachments and play games without worrying to much. Computer security was something that businesses and computer professionals had to worry about. NOT ANY MORE!
Everyday I see computers that either have viruses, spyware and other malicious software on them or are not protected against them. Do not let your kids, parents, grandparents or yourself use a computer unless it has
1. Up-to-date Antivirus Software
2. All the Critical Updates and Patches installed
3. A Software or Hardware Firewall
4. Software to remove and block Spyware/Adware
I will discuss each section in detail below.
Spyware/Adware
This term has become a catch-all term for software that secretly gathers your information through your Internet connection without your knowledge. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of software programs that can be downloaded from the Internet. Once installed, the spyware monitors your activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain programs that are used to trade music, movies, etcetera on the Internet.
Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals from the user by using the computer's memory resources and also by using bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability. Some Spyware will change your network settings or use so much bandwidth that you can’t download any WebPages at all.
Spyware has the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, all while consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who can use it for his own purposes.
The sad part is you invited Spyware onto your system by intentionally or unintentionally installing a program that carried Spyware along with it.
What to do about it?
You should install a program that can scan for and remove Spyware. Two of the best are SpyBot and Ad-aware you can get both by clicking here and search for the name of the one you want. Try each one and see which one you like the best. Both of these programs have features that allow you to block known Spyware from sneaking onto your computer. This programs need to be updated reguerly to protect you from new forms of Spyware.
Firewalls
A firewall is a program or piece of hardware that blocks network traffic to your computer. This will keep other people from accessing your computer through the Internet and also advise you of programs that are sending information out. You have control over what information comes in and what programs you allow Internet access. A simple easy to use software firewall is ZoneAlarm. Download it and try it out.
Windows Updates
If you are using a version of Microsoft Windows you need to install the Critical Updates and Patches. Click here to go to the Windows Update Site. Be sure to check back on a regular schedule because new updates are added frequently. If you have a slow internet connection Microsoft will provide a free CD with most of the updates included.
Antivirus Software
I have provided a separate page with all the information you need to know about stopping Computer Viruses. Please click here to learn more.