KNOW YOUR INTERNET SECURITY
Your computer is at risk when it connects to a network and begins communication with other computers. The essence of Internet security is to protect your computer and data from online attacks. More often than not, the attacks are mounted by an outside user. Basic security measures usually involve protection by well selected passwords, regularly changing of file permissions and back up of computer’s data storage.
Computers being a critical component in operating a business, it is more valuable now than ever to ensure the security of your networks especially where there is very sensitive data. You can hardly go a day without hearing of how some network was hacked into by internet criminals. News of network breach is becoming common place. This is where you need a service that checks for those short comings and prevents from future attacks. Better still, why not have in place a system that will deter online criminals? Do you imagine having to explain to your customers that someone has stolen their credit card information?
Concerns over security are in some ways peripheral to normal business operating, but serve to show just how important it is that business users feel confident and assured when using IT systems. Security will always be high on the IT agenda simply because cyber criminals know that a successful attack is very profitable to them.
A firewall is a software program that has the ability to blockade any unauthorized ports on the computer. Firewalls are set up for the purpose to record data of connection details. Firewalls are available in three main configurations.
One is the stateful firewall is a more secure form of firewall, and system administrators often combine both a proxy firewall with a packet-filtering firewall to setup a highly secure system. Many domestic users make use of the software firewall. These types of firewalls can create a log file where it shows and records all the connection details, including connection attempts to the computer.
Some programmers can also create programs with intentions of destroying the computers data by using tricks. Such of this are known as viruses, Trojan horses, worms and spy ware.
o Worms are software programs which are able to replicate themselves over a computer network and in turn perform malicious actions.
o Viruses are software programs which are able to log into the personal files on a computer it has infected resulting in removing all of them, leading to serious side effects to the computer.
o Trojan horses are software programs which disguise to be carrying out one thing, but in reality snoops out your personal data, or damaging it. These types hide their identity or true intentions and are usually not easy to detect.
o Malware are classified as Trojans with a limited payload and are usually not detected by most antivirus software. For this reason, it is best to install additional software which will detect Malware.
The upside is that there are many effective Anti-Virus software available in the market to fight the threats mentioned above. These can be purchased from vendors or bought online. Caution should be taken in the selection of anti-virus software, as some programs are not very affective in detecting and destroying viruses or Malware. Also ensure that your Anti-Virus data base is current and up to date.
There are two major kinds of threats related to spy ware:
Adware is simply those annoying pop-ups which keep constantly advertise things on your page. These programs without your knowledge secretly install themselves on your computer files and are stuck there until the day the computer system is cleaned up completely.
Spyware as the name suggests spies on your computer while it collects and sends information to the computer to the manufactures and even when the program is never used it continues to do so.
Tag Archives: Cyber Criminals
Internet Security – Protect Yourself
The 21st century has given us the digital age. And with it comes along is one of the most powerful tools man has invented: the Internet. The Internet has given each and every one of us the access to endless amounts of information never before seen by man. It has also become a means to connect people faster, easier, and more convenient than ever before through the means of E-mail, chat, and etc. It has also introduced the concept of “social networking” which is basically communicating with your peers online through social networking sites such as Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, etc… It could even be a source of revenue for you through use of E-commerce. You can now acquire items from all over the world and have it delivered at your home with only a click of a button. Another fantastic feature that arose during the Internet age is the online banking system, wherein you can now pay your bills online. All of these things are very amazing and are beyond belief a few decades ago. All of these seem well and good; however there are certain downfalls and problems with these.
Most of the time you can only use the features of the Internet aforementioned, if you give out information about yourself as well. For example, if you wanted an E-mail address, you would have to apply, and the provider would then ask some personal data from you. Or if you want to buy an item online and have it sent to your house, you may need to give out your bank account so you are able to pay the site you intend to buy from. This could be very problematic when a hacker is able to get hold of these kinds of information from your computer.
There are a lot of intelligent hackers nowadays. These cyber criminals intend to procure information from you and use it to their advantage. Aside from these, you and your computer are in threat of viruses, bugs, and other sorts of malwares which try to intrude you and collect precious and personal information from you. In order to prevent and to fight these cyber criminals, you would need to have a very good Internet Security program.
These Internet Security programs are also called “Anti-Virus Software”. They essentially protect and defend your computer from attacking hackers and malwares. They create walls which could be impenetrable to most viruses, bugs, spywares, and worms. When, for example, a virus is able to penetrate your computer, once you activate this Internet Security system, it would immediately try to locate that virus and destroy it at once. You can avail and buy these Internet Security programs at your nearest computer shop or online.
There are times when newly created viruses are not detected. When this happens, companies which create these Internet Security programs immediately try to solve this problem and they try to update their programs as soon as possible for the use of the consumer. When going online, always be careful by trying not to be a target of these hackers or malwares by having your Internet Security system always updated. Remember to always be protected.