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Security Part II:
Years ago security remained mostly obsolete for most computers, networks,
And the Internet. Most of the computers were stand alone that were used to
Process information for basic needs. Most the networks were small and
confined to small local areas because of lack of technology. The Internet
was near to not existent.
Today, none of these ideas are true. Computers allow access to millions of
bits of information along the main stream of the Internet. People have
instant demand to this information. Along with the demand came high speed
internet, or broadband. Broadband created an environment completely new to
home users and work places alike. It allowed fast access to on-line
databases and information that no one had seen before.
The Internet, though, has a darker side. Security measures help protect
users against this side of the Net. The best security measure available
today is PREVENTION. Prevention starts with the education of users about
what they can do to keep the enemies out and off your computer.
Understanding the basics of computer security is a must for any person that
can access and use a computer. It does not stop just as a home personal
computer (PC) but the practices can be used at work, at a friend's house, or
at a public terminal.
Security Basics:
The basics of security starts with the understanding of certain terminology
used in the computer world. Not everyone in the world is a computer geek.
A few of these terms are:
Anti virus (AV) Program:
A utility that searches a hard disk for viruses and some Trojans and removes any that are found. Most anti virus programs include an auto-update feature that enables the program to download profiles of new viruses so that it can check for the new viruses as soon as they are discovered.
Firewall:
Spyware/Adware:
Virus:
Trojan horse:
Spyware/Adware Removal Tool:
ActiveX Controls:
Operating System (OS):
*** Definitions are from http://pcwebopaedia.com/
Know what OS is running on a computer! This is important to determine what
types of security measures to use on that computer. Windows 98/XP will be
used through the rest of this article since most home users use Windows.
Remember: there is always a non-windows solution to any application that
windows provides. Some of theses non-windows applications are held in
higher standards than Microsoft (MS) applications because of their
functionality and security.
E-Mail:
A majority of virus are spread by e-mail. Virus attempt to mask themselves
in an e-mail that appears to come from a friend, a known business, or a
person you don't know. Never open e-mails from people unheard of. Never
open at attachment unless you know 100% it is safe. Best protection against
virus in attachments is to download them and scan them with your AV
software. One flaw of MS e-mail programs is the preview pane. The Preview
pane opens the e-mail and displays it in a small window but can infact
activate a virus in the e-mail. Preview Pane can be disabled. This is a
must for windows users.
Mozilla Thunderbird 0.6 (http://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird) is an e-mail
program that is non-windows based as does not suffer from the flaw described
above.
Web Browsers:
Web browser security is a bit more complex. But, one thing to remember is
to watch what sites are loaded into it. If you are really paranoid at virus
and spyware, then disable all JavaScript, Java, downloading any ActiveX
controls, etc. But, this will reduce some web site performance. Also,
disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer (IE) will make errors pop-up
on a lot of pages. Pop-ups are another annoying site to see while viewing
web pages. This can be stopped with some browsers like Mozilla FireFox or
MyIE2 and with some external programs.
Anti-virus program:
To protect you from viruses entering your computer, and to keep you from infecting other computers.
No Anti Virus program is 100% effective. Be careful with emails (do
plain text emails only: NO scripting NO html automatically delete
unsolicited emails with attachments, Be wary of blank headers &
downloads,and ones with the .exe extension on them. 'cause that's how the bad stuff usually gets in.
This list could go on and on with don't. Make it a point not to open forwards.
90% of your viruses are in forwards. As nice of a friend you have to send you
a so sweet of a e-mail. Don't open the attachment! This is especially true
with webtv forwards. Webtv is not affected! But your PC is! SCAN! SCAN! SCAN!
There are many different types of viruses. Some are popular at certain
times of the year. Others pop up after being dormant for a spell. Then there
are the new viruses that come along. Some viruses are around all the time. The number of
viruses is in the thousands. Chances are you will get one. Make sure your A.V. has a website of instructions on how to get rid of them. Keep it in your favorites just incase.
Because some viruses/Trojan make your virus program inoperable.
Local Area Networks (LANs)/Home Networks:
Since the creation of broadband internet, people have begin to build home networks to simplify internet access and to have the ability to transfer files in the home. The main piece of hardware needed is a broadband access router and switch combo. The routers can connect to most broadband types (commonly either DSL or cable). The router actually logs onto the ISP and allows access to the Net for all computer connected to switch part of the hardware. One major access issue with broadband routers is setting of the administrator password in the setup tool. Some of these routers have NO PASSWORD or use ADMIN as both password and user name which is unsecure. A hacker needs is the IP address of the router and can log on to it remotely. Some routers also have wireless access.
For wireless access point, it allows a computer to use a wireless network interface card (NIC) to connect to the router without any cables. Most of the home routers should never broadcast outside a person's house. Securing these access points are done in two ways. The first way is setting up a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) password. This is done from the setup tool inside the router. Each computer requiring access to the router would need this code (which is an encrypted password) to access the router. The second thing is using Media Access Control (MAC) address to restrict access to the router. Each NIC contains a unique MAC address that can be used in a access table inside the router.
Passwords:
Passwords remain the most used security for computers, encrypted data, and
access to websites across the internet. They should be 6 to 8 characters
long. A password should contain one capital letter and one lower case letter
but should also contain one number or symbol. Do not use words in the
dictionary in any language. The first thing a hacker can do is try to match
the password using a electronic dictionary to guess it.
NEVER WRITE THEM DOWN! A lot of people just do not think about this and write them on the bottom of their mouse pad, on the top of the mouse pad, on the monitor, on the bottom of the keyboard, etc. Why have a password if its easily found? No sense in it. Some others people keep a notebook with all their passwords in it. Never let this notebook out of site or give to
anyway.
Children and the Internet:
Never let a child or teen 17 and younger be alone at the computer! NEVER!
You are probably saying well that's about borderline paranoid? Nope it is
not. When you are online regardless if they are in chat, or in e-mail.
Unless they know that person on a personal level. (family, and or close
friends that you associate with on and offline) I wouldn't leave their site
for five minutes! because a person says they are so and so. Does not make it
true. Most children or even teens for that matter have this misconception
that having a conversation with someone online for any given time is just
like having a conversation with someone they have known their whole lifetime
in person. They can't because of their intellect distinguish a "real" friend
offline from a person they meet on the internet. They don't have the means
to distinguish that a person online they are chatting with could be someone
entirely different than what they were told. Children and teens have been
lured away or abducted by professional stalkers and such, by just telling
them what they want to hear in as less than the time it takes you to grab a
cup of coffee. They have gotten enough info from children and teens to know
when to expect them home, and where home is! Remember these creditors are
Pros, and they know just what buttons to push to get any child they want.
They have exposed children and teens to porn online, faster than you could
blink. Remember... This type of person is a professional at what they do,
and they know what works, and what doesn't. No matter how many times you
tell a teen or a child never to give info online, these people looking for
victims have more tricks than you could count. All your child needs to say
is, I live in the North East, and the name of the school, what team name and
sports your child or teen plays. They then have enough info to know where
your child or teen lives. And they get this info within days. A few minutes
everyday is info for them. Next thing you know, your child has been abducted
from school. Or they follow your child home! Think about this too... A study
was done on children online. One out of five are subjected to some type of
Sexual content online. If your child visits chat rooms, or uses ICQ or IM,
or is online for long periods of time. Then the chances of your child being
exposed to this increases.
**Copied from original site and left in original wording written by Weebit. Will be updated later.**
Closing:
Security remains to be hard to accomplish from normal everyday users. It is not difficult. Most people see security in two ways: one part reminds almost blind and unknown to it and other part becomes overly paranoid. The first group of people are those that find themselves with viri on their computer or a Trojan that allows their computer to act like a gateway for other hackers. The second group of people have ever security measure around and keep themselves hidden on the Net. Neither of these groups a normal user should fall into.
A user needs the basic understanding of security and know what can happen if the user does not follow those practices. Installing most AV and firewall software is easy and using these projects is just as easy. Remember, there are groups out there dedicated to over help to those who have questions about what is on their computer and how to secure it.
Personal Note:
Over my lifetime on computer, I've managed to contract three virus all self inflicting. None of the viri were deadly. I now take extra care in what e-mails, programs I use, and where I go on the net. I only wish that others can also do this. I am not overly paranoid about virus or anything. I have nothing to hide from anyone. Besides, I am just a PC technician educating those that are willing to listen to always be cautious on the Net.
Have fun PCing and surfing the web!
--Written By: One of our members named Flamus Diu for Learningpc4beginners.com
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