Basic Computer Security
Constantly you hear the words “spyware” or “virus.” You may have had them! What are they and how can we prevent them?
First let’s specify the two terms as they are different yet cause similar problems.
Spyware is malicious software which can install from websites, through email, or through an internet connection which is not firewalled. Spyware was traditionally associated with software that collects browsing history and sends the software to marketing companies. This generally caused computer slow downs and random pop-up advertisements to occur. Spyware has evolved into more dangerous forms, or mal-ware, which stands for malicious software. This mal-ware can be used to steal credit card numbers, grant access to your machine for hackers, or cause many other random computer problems.
Virus, or Virii as plural, has been around since the beginning of modern computing and the Internet. Virii can cause a whole host of problems, some of which are similar to spyware and mal-ware, but they can also take over your computer or shut it down completely. You can become infected with Virii by not having a virus scanner or firewalled connection. Downloading emails with attachments or from unknown senders can also allow an infection to occur.
There are some basic practices which can prevent infection and keep your computer running smoothly.
- Install and run Antivirus software often. Norton and McAfee are common, and generally do an adequate job. There are also free versions such as AVG
- Install and run Antispware software often. Antivirus software such as Ad-Aware, Windows Defender, and Spybot should be ran every week to keep you Spyware free. These are all free and will cost you nothing.
- Install and run an alternative browser to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is notoriously insecure as some of the Spyware and Virii infections are a result of its vulnerabilities. Opera and Firefox are updated often to counteract any detected security flaws.
- Run software and hardware based firewalls. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software which will restrict internet traffic to and from your computer. This denies access to hackers and Virii which would damage your computer. Zonealarm is a good, and free, software solution. A hardware based firewall is a common feature in Wireless or Wired routers.
- Do not download attachments unless you know who sent them! I cannot stress this enough as many infections can result from attachments! Finally, even if you know the person, make sure you have Antivirus as your friend could be infected and spreading email based Virii.
These are some of the basic practices which will keep your computer secure and your life productive.
Document Security
In the modern computing era, many individuals and business owners are concerned with document security. Making sure sensitive personal and business documents are only accessible to the owner is paramount. One of the many services I provide is securing your sensitive business or personal documents so that you control who sees them.
True Crypt is a program which allows a section of your hard disk, or a removable USB Flash Drive, to be secured with government grade encryption. The result is that only you can access the data. This ensures that individuals who seek to steal your company secrets are denied access.
The security of your data is my mission.
