| ople wonder whether or not their computer is secure. | | | | computer, making it harder for hackers and their |
| They fear that someone might be looking through their | | | | malicious programs to penetrate and control a |
| files, copying, altering, or erasing them. They are | | | | computer. Some well-known anti-virus programs |
| uneasy about the thought that someone might be | | | | include Norton, Trend Micro PC-cillin, and McAffee. Anti |
| monitoring their every move in cyberspace. These | | | | spy-ware programs are also important as they reduce |
| concerns come to mind when reminded of the | | | | the chances of spy-ware getting into a computer. |
| problem of hackers, viruses, and other security risks | | | | Spy-ware behaves differently than viruses, making it |
| that abound in the Internet. Fortunately it's easy to | | | | necessary to use different programs to catch it. |
| prevent these problems by following a few simple tips. | | | | Spy-ware can monitor any activity a computer |
| Update | | | | infected with it performs, or even act as a gateway to |
| Perhaps the most important step for computer | | | | download additional spy-ware or viruses. Hackers |
| security is to keep it updated. Install the latest critical | | | | typically use spy-ware to obtain important information |
| updates and service packs from Microsoft's download | | | | that must remain confidential like credit card numbers, |
| center. This is made easy by configuring the system | | | | social security numbers, and police records. |
| to utilize Automatic Updates, if available. If not, updates | | | | Protect Home Networks |
| can be downloaded directly from Microsoft's download | | | | It is possible for a computer owner to be unaware |
| center. Currently, Service Pack 2 (SP2) is the most | | | | they are using a network at home. If more than one |
| current Service Pack for Windows XP. | | | | computer shares the same Internet connection or if |
| Firewall | | | | wireless Internet access is being used, a home |
| The easiest way to increase the security level of a | | | | network is present. Securing a single computer is not |
| computer is by using a firewall. Firewalls monitor all | | | | much use if it is part of a network. The whole network |
| activity that occurs on a connection between one or | | | | must be protected as well to prevent malicious |
| more computers. They act as a "wall" with one or | | | | software from simply hopping from computer to |
| more computers on one side, and one or more | | | | computer to avoid attack. Different kinds of home |
| computers (usually the Internet) on the other. | | | | networks face different kinds of risks. In the case of a |
| Information transfer by suspicious programs are | | | | wireless connection, anyone within the broadcast |
| immediately cut off, preventing them from entering the | | | | range of the network may be able to look at any data |
| protected side of the firewall. This way denying | | | | contained within the network. |
| access to anything coming from unauthorized and | | | | Most networking devices employ their own security |
| unknown sources prevents possible infection by | | | | mechanisms. Using this in combination with security |
| viruses, worms, and other malicious codes. | | | | defenses installed on each computer's should provide |
| Anti-Virus and Anti Spy-ware | | | | enough protection to thwart attempts from hackers to |
| Even if a computer is protected by a firewall it is still | | | | hi-jack the network and use the computers connected |
| necessary to use anti-virus and anti spy-ware. This is | | | | to it. Most routers function as Network Address |
| because a firewall only prevents unauthorized outside | | | | Translators (NAT) which makes them a safe |
| access, and cannot distinguish between malicious and | | | | connection to the Internet. |
| benign access. It is still possible to inadvertently make a | | | | While no measure can guarantee total immunity from |
| request for information that is harmful, which the | | | | attack, these steps should increase the security of a |
| firewall views as an authorized transfer. Anti-virus and | | | | computer or network enough to protect against any |
| anti spy-ware provides another layer of armor for a | | | | typical attack. |