Computer Security The #1 Issue In Personal Computing (c) John H. Dow

The Internet is a wonderful place. Anyone with an Internet connection can stay in touch with family and friends via email. Starting an Internet business is easier than ever and can even lead to the lifestyle of your dreams. And, thanks to eBay, you can even hold a "virtual garage sale" without worrying about the weather or bothering the neighbors. 

But the Internet is also a DANGEROUS place to be. In fact, YOU are at RISK right now. Both email and browser software is very susceptible to unscrupulous people who will try and damage your computer and your data. These programs can also take over control of your computer and give them access to your personal data.

Computer security is the most important issue of being on the Internet. Just consider the following statement - startling I know, but VERY true. Every major computer manufacturer now includes some type of anti-virus software on every new machine.

"If you are connected to the Internet and you don't have current anti-virus software, ALL security updates to your Operating system and browser, as well as a firewall properly configured, you probably have a virus or some type of adware on your computer RIGHT NOW!"

That is what I've been telling clients of my computer repair business recently. Some of them listened and took action. Others didn't and had to learn this important lesson the very hard way. The loss of time, expense, and pain caused by not having proper protection is not worth it.

Let's look at the problem first, then I'm going to give you FIVE ways you can solve that problem today!

First: The Facts. 

Fact 1. There are three types of programs that are attacking your computer right now: Spyware, Malware, and Adware. All three are programs that get downloaded to your computer as part of a legitimate download, then hang around sending data like your credit card numbers to the villains who write them.

While this article is too short to define each, all three types are a threat. For the purpose of this article let's call them all adware.

Fact 2. In the last 12-18 months I have not seen ONE unprotected computer that doesn't have a virus or adware. Not one computer that didn't have some type of malicious software on it if the owner had not installed some type of anti-virus software.

Doing computer repair on a daily basis for a living I see a LOT of computers. Some units have OVER 50 programs of some type of adware on them. Please understand; these people are just like you and me, not some 14 year old gamer who will download anything. They THOUGHT they were being careful enough, and were shocked when they discovered that they had a problem. 

Some of these machines even had anti-virus software, but weren't updated with the latest security patches. The security patches address browser or other utility software built into the Windows Operating system. Both are necessary for good protection.

Fact 3. While onsite or phone support service calls used to involve bad hard drives, equipment failure, or adding new devices, now about 80% of all service calls involve virus and adware removal. 

Fact 4. It's getting worse. The adware and virus creators are getting smarter, and the software is getting much harder to remove. Some of the newer forms have to be removed manually and are very well hidden. The bad guys work 24/7 to produce more sophisticated software to infect your computer.

Here is what you can do TODAY to solve the problem, a problem you might not have even been aware existed, yet could cost you untold hours of frustration as well as put your financial life at risk. Once these bad guys get into your computer, they can find any information you have stored like passwords, financial data, etc.

Step 1. Be aware! Does your computer run slower now than when you bought it? Do some software programs no longer work or "hang up"? Does your browser go to some strange home page? If so, the odds are 99.9% that you ARE infected and your data is at risk. 

Step 2. Install anti-virus software that automatically updates. There are several good choices out there that fit that criteria, Norton, MacAfee, AVG, PC-cillin are the top brands. The important thing is to make sure that the software is setup to update the virus signatures automatically.

Step 3. Install all security patches for your operating system. Go to the Microsoft site and run a test of your computer and software. It will tell you what updates you need to install and even install them for you. You have a choice whether to install just the critical or all updates. Skip the non critical if you want but always install the ones marked critical.

There is no cost and it is extremely effective against many of the virus and adware out there. Go here to check your system: www.microsoft.com and look on the menu on the left for Windows Update and click on that. Depending on what operating system you have, it will take you to the appropriate update page. Also turn on auto-update if your operating system allows that feature.

Step 4. Install a firewall. A firewall looks at network traffic coming into or going out of your computer. Viruses or adware that may try and infect you is scrutinized and rejected. Windows XP has an included firewall (automatically turned on in the SP2 update) that can help but you may find a 3rd party program like Zone Alert (www.zonelabs.com) to be a better choice.

Step 5. Now that you know the danger, use a generous amount of common sense in reading email and surfing the web. If you get an email attachment from anyone you don't know, don't open it, ever! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and may have some attached program that can damage your data or computer.

If you know the person sending the attachment but it looks questionable, don't open it. You may also want to set your email to open only in text mode, that keeps any html (that can run a program) from doing any harm or damage by automatically running a program. 

Never, and I mean never, click on a hyperlink in an email to fill out any financial, password, or login data. No legitimate vendor will ever ask you to do this under any circumstances. Always go to the web site and login in the normal manner, not by clicking on a link in an email. 

When you are surfing the web and a window pops up and asks you to install a program, just say no. If you don't recognize the company or publisher, don't do it. You can go into your browser security section and make changes so that no outside source can make any installations or changes with out prompting you to approve. 

Keep current backups of all your important data. We all know we should back up often, but few actually do it. No matter the method - just do it!!!! If disaster strikes, your critical data will be safe. Depending on your location or cost of replacement of your data, you may also want to store a back up offsite to another location.

Make sure that your anti-virus software is being properly updated on a regular basis. Outdated software is not protecting you against any new threats, which appear almost every day. Check to see if your anti-virus software has an email client installed and that it is working properly. Email and web sites are the two largest security threats.

By following these five tips you will have peace of mind knowing that your online experiences, be they playing games, making money, or whatever, are safe as well as enjoyable. 

Protect your data, and your peace of mind, by taking action on these five steps today.

You can learn a lot more about security and how to prevent your computer or data being damaged or stolen in our Power Solutions CD. If you follow our advice, and install our recommended software, you can eliminate 99% of the threats out there.

 
If you have any questions, call me or send an email. 

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