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