| Understanding how computer systems get infected by | | | | example on December 12 of 2008 Microsoft reported |
| viruses and other malware is key to maintaining | | | | a big security hole in all versions of its Internet Explorer |
| computer security. Find out how computer security | | | | browser. The hole permitted data stealing software to |
| gets compromised in this informative article. | | | | be installed on the victim’s computer just by |
| Recently a computer security expert stated that the | | | | browsing an infected web page! Other examples of |
| only way to keep a computer 100% safe was to | | | | programs that invite access to your computer: |
| never turn it on. It turns out this inaccurate and a little | | | | - Email programs |
| misleading. A computer used solely to type up and | | | | - File sharing and music sharing programs (by far one |
| print out documents, never connected to the Internet | | | | of the largest security risks) |
| and that never received files transferred from some | | | | - Instant messaging software |
| other computer, could in fact be a useful 100% secure | | | | So aside from isolating a computer from the outside |
| computer system. This brings us to the two main | | | | world, how can one protect a computer system? Here |
| ways viruses and other malware get on a computer: | | | | are some tips: |
| through a network like the Internet and file transfers | | | | 1. Don’t use Internet Explorer as your main |
| from other computers. | | | | browser. I am not bashing Microsoft or Internet |
| Users want to attach computers to the Internet and | | | | Explorer particularly and something should be made |
| receive emails, instant messages; browse web pages, | | | | clear: It is not necessarily that other browsers are |
| download music and fun software etc. The problem is | | | | programmed so much better but that 80% of people |
| that this puts not just millions but billions of people at | | | | surfing the Internet are using Internet Explorer. Thus |
| their doorstep! Imagine that if billions of people could | | | | thieves interested in gaining access to the maximum |
| reach a home instantly — how many ill | | | | amount of victims are going to spend most of their |
| intentioned people would come by to see if the doors | | | | efforts exploiting the security holes of the browser |
| and windows were secured? How many con artists | | | | that 80% of the people are using. |
| would knock on the door? An Internet connected | | | | 2. Put a firewall between your internal network and the |
| computer is in just that predicament. | | | | Internet. A firewall’s job is to keep out those |
| When a computer is connected to a network by | | | | billions of people who can be at your doorstep |
| design it starts listening for communications from the | | | | instantaneously. It will only allow those you invite to |
| outside world. Things known as ports get created | | | | knock on your computer’s door. |
| which are special doors to the computer. These | | | | 3. Use a Firewall on each individual computer. The |
| doors are special because they each have a | | | | network firewall mentioned above is a big step toward |
| designated program that will answer the door if it is | | | | protecting the internal network. The problem is that it |
| knocked on. Examples of programs that listen for | | | | generally won’t protect users from themselves. |
| traffic from the network include: | | | | A user browsing a website is telling the network |
| 1. instant messaging programs | | | | firewall that it has given an invitation to that website |
| 2. Internet phone software | | | | and to permit files from that site to come through. If |
| 3. software for connecting to the computer from | | | | the user browses an infected website with a browser |
| remote locations | | | | that has a security hole a virus will get into the |
| 4. Internet games | | | | network. If it is a certain type of virus it could start |
| Even the operating system itself opens ports to share | | | | replicating itself within the local network. A computer |
| files or a printer or anything else on the computer. | | | | firewall defends against this sort of problem. |
| Each of those programs creates a door to a | | | | 4. Update your operating system and browsers. |
| computer that it will answer if someone knocks | | | | Security holes are constantly found in all operating |
| on it. If that program is poorly designed then when it | | | | systems and all browsers. Software updates patch |
| answers the knocking program could take | | | | these holes. |
| advantage of it and thus compromise the computer. | | | | 5. Use a good and up-to-date antivirus and spyware |
| In addition to people being able to come across the | | | | program. These programs help prevent damage from |
| Internet and knock on one of the doors | | | | viruses that do make it to your system. |
| mentioned above - by using a web browser and | | | | 6. Backup your data. Short of isolating a computer it is |
| surfing the Internet users are inviting people to access | | | | impossible to 100% secure a system. If you backup |
| their computers. Every time a web site is browsed the | | | | your data then should the worst occur having good |
| web browser is downloading files to the computer and | | | | backups will prevent disaster. |
| processing them. If that web browser is not | | | | The above represents the basics and go a long way |
| programmed properly it is a huge security risk. For | | | | to protecting computer systems. |