| Cyberspace appears to represent a playing field for | | | | makes the transaction more secure). You may be less |
| so-called hackers whose sole intent is to infect or | | | | prone to attacks when you stick with a more practical |
| negatively affect your computer system and cause a | | | | online routine. |
| myriad of problems. It is rare to find an Internet user | | | | Keep abreast of current happenings |
| who has not at one time or another fallen prey to their | | | | Knowing what the newest method of cyber attacks |
| malicious attacks or damaging software—in the form | | | | not only makes for a good conversation piece but it |
| of Trojans, worms and viruses. But there are | | | | can help you to better prepare for potential trouble. |
| techniques and mechanisms designed to prevent | | | | Some news reports about viruses and malware quite |
| these hackers from carrying out their evil schemes | | | | often provide preventative measures. At minimum, you |
| against you. In fact, you have the power to foil their | | | | may, for example, learn what actions to take or not |
| harmful, illegal plots and avoid becoming their next, | | | | take to avoid getting your browser hijacked. |
| unsuspecting victim. | | | | You can stay informed about current hacking |
| Know your OS | | | | happenings through a myriad of channels and |
| Every operating system (from Windows to Linux to | | | | resources. Some websites are explicitly dedicated to |
| Apple) has built-in security features that most users do | | | | giving details on the latest malicious software—from |
| not always take advantage of. From making personal | | | | worms to rootkits to spyware and spam. There are |
| folders private when in a workgroup to enabling strong | | | | many blogs and discussion forums that cover the |
| passwords or disabling unnecessary services, users | | | | subject exceptionally well. The search engines even |
| often simply lack the understanding or know-how for | | | | have tech-related sections where up-to-the-minute |
| implementing such procedures. | | | | information about hackers and their on-going wicked |
| Familiarizing yourself with your own computer and its | | | | “games” and ploys can be easily found. |
| operating system is fundamental but crucial on the | | | | Educating yourself and learning about computer-related |
| road to protection against potential attackers. This | | | | security issues and problems will doubly benefit you in |
| does not imply having to become some brainy security | | | | combating hackers. |
| guru; it does not require forcing yourself to delve into | | | | Learn what to do…just in case |
| the technical intricacies of the registry hives. Using | | | | Obviously, awareness doesn’t necessarily |
| common sense is more like it. Start with the basics. Go | | | | guarantee safety. Nor does being proactive exempt |
| through the virtual system “tours” or formal | | | | you from becoming a target. Sometimes, the most |
| guides included by the OS. Search for keywords such | | | | secure computer networks tend to experience a high |
| as protection and security under the Help section. | | | | number of attacks and are likely to get hacked. But, if |
| There are a myriad of OS support sites online that | | | | your system gets infested with malware or viruses, |
| can also enhance your understanding of how your | | | | here are some things you can do. |
| computer and operating system work. It would not hurt | | | | First, pinpoint exactly what the problem is. There can |
| either taking a computer class at a local community | | | | be several signs to look for during your initial |
| college. Your aim should be to grasp as much about its | | | | investigation. If your computer suddenly seems |
| inner workings as possible. | | | | unusually slow, you may have a worm; if applications |
| Secure your system | | | | are not starting up properly or your system restarts |
| Once you have a foundation and understanding of the | | | | abruptly for no reason, you may have a virus. Strange |
| OS, it is time to fully utilize all existing technologies that | | | | hard disk activity that you hear may indicate a Trojan, |
| will keep your system secure. Start by performing a | | | | port scanner or dialer program executing in the |
| good backup of all important data. Then, enable your | | | | background. Perhaps you are simply getting pop-ups |
| firewall immediately if you haven’t done so and | | | | revealing the symptoms of a damaged or corrupted |
| configure it to optimal (medium to high) security levels. | | | | file. Do realize, too, that not all attacks are easily |
| Install anti-virus software and don’t forget to apply | | | | detectable and that’s why multiple monitoring tools |
| the latest definition files daily. Download (often, it is | | | | (such as AV and anti-spyware) should be used |
| free!) anti-spyware that provides real-time monitoring | | | | regularly to determine whether or not your system is, in |
| capabilities. Most OSes have some type of automatic | | | | fact, infected. |
| system update feature that you will also want to | | | | Once the problem is discovered or identified, your next |
| configure. Critical system updates can help to block | | | | step consists of the purging process. There are many |
| security “holes” in the OS originally unforeseen | | | | tools and utilities designed for the removal of malicious |
| by system developers and programmers. Using these | | | | software. Some can be downloaded for free and are |
| technologies provides wide-ranging system protection | | | | relatively easy to use. Others may be run directly from |
| and does not have to consist of a long, drawn-out | | | | a website. (Do a search for HijackThis, Adaware and |
| process. | | | | Housecall, just to mention several). Many problems can |
| Employ Online defensive techniques & develop safe | | | | be resolved by using these quick-fix tools. |
| surfing habits | | | | You can also attempt to repair your computer by |
| Risks and threats abound as you surf online, access | | | | exploring or implementing various integrated system |
| websites or merely read your email. For increased | | | | mechanisms. For instance, on Windows XP, you can |
| protection, you will want to go on the defensive rather | | | | disable some questionable startup programs by typing |
| than waiting by idly before being victimized. When you | | | | msconfig on the Run command. In the Startup tab, |
| defend your ground, when you become less | | | | simply, uncheck the culprit component. To repair a |
| vulnerable, chances are hackers will experience | | | | damaged computer, you may use System |
| greater difficulties preying on you and may choose to | | | | Restore—although its effects against worms and |
| pass you over altogether. | | | | viruses are limited. Using Windows Task Manager to |
| To this extent, there are several useful defensive | | | | end memory and CPU-intensive processes is limited, |
| techniques. An important one is trust. Many trusting | | | | too, but can occasionally help. So is running Disk |
| people open email from unknown sources only to | | | | Cleanup, since you may rid yourself of possibly |
| discover the true malicious motives of those sending | | | | damaging ActiveX controls. |
| them. Others innocently follow the destructive orders | | | | If the problem(s) persists, it is recommended that you |
| dictated by hoaxes because they seem to trust the | | | | further research your particular issue online. As |
| authority of the source. You, on the other hand, now | | | | mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of |
| know better. Be cautious when dealing with email from | | | | security-related websites where you can post |
| unknown sources—especially, when opening | | | | computer questions and problems. Someone there |
| attachments or clicking on links from within an email. | | | | who has experienced similar problems may provide a |
| Carefully read license agreements and privacy | | | | solution. Additionally, most anti-virus vendors offer tricks |
| statements and never “agree” to pop-up | | | | and tips on cleaning an infested system within their |
| windows unless you absolutely understand the | | | | help and support sections. Even if after taking all these |
| implications thereof. Don’t let paranoia suffocate | | | | steps, you still end up having to reinstall the OS |
| you. Simply, limit your trust. | | | | (because all efforts have proven futile) your |
| Another way to minimize exposure to attacks is by | | | | knowledge base would have increased substantially |
| developing good online surfing habits. If you use an | | | | and you’d be better equipped for battling any similar |
| administrator account to surf the web, change to a | | | | cyber attacks in the future. |
| typical or limited user account. Limited user accounts | | | | It’s up to you…. |
| cannot install applications so it makes virus execution | | | | Just like the typical street criminal, hackers prefer to |
| less likely. If you enjoy those free-for-download, | | | | prey on the vulnerable, inexperienced and predictable |
| wonderfully captivating screen savers and | | | | user who leaves himself open for attacks. They use |
| backgrounds, consider using the ones already included | | | | malicious software to make a victim’s system |
| with the OS. Malicious software is sometimes | | | | unstable or render it useless. But you don’t have to |
| embedded with such freebies. If you shop online, | | | | be yet another mark on their scoreboard. By arming |
| ensure that you type the exact name of the website | | | | yourself with the right kind of information and by taking |
| correctly. Hackers masquerade using variations of | | | | the best corrective measures, you can establish a |
| legitimate sites. And, when doing business using credit | | | | strong defense against any potential hacker. Start |
| cards and other personal facts, the information on the | | | | doing so today! |
| Address Bar should start with https (the “s” | | | | |