| The Internet is increasingly used by white-collar | | | | exploit to penetrate your computer's defenses. A |
| criminals for fraudulent purposes. You can avoid these | | | | firewall can check incoming requests and only allow |
| attempts to steal your personal information by being | | | | access to those that you have set up in the software |
| vigilant and by implementing the following 5 steps to | | | | as allowable. It will block all other attempts to access |
| safeguarding your computer and yourself. | | | | your computer. Firewall software protects your |
| 1. Install anti-virus software and anti-spyware/adware | | | | computer from hackers and other undesirable attacks. |
| software. | | | | As with the virus and spyware programs, you should |
| 2. Install a firewall and only allow the necessary | | | | set your firewall software to automatically search for |
| incoming/outgoing connections. | | | | upgrades and install them when they become available. |
| 3. Maintain operating system (i.e., Windows) and | | | | Step 3: Keep your operating system and browser |
| browser updates. | | | | updated. |
| 4. Do not open attachments or click on links contained | | | | The operating system that runs your computer is |
| in e-mail from unfamiliar sources. | | | | constantly updated by the software companies who |
| 5. Do not download freeware or shareware from | | | | produce them. Microsoft, for example, offer an |
| unfamiliar sources. | | | | automatic update facility for their Windows operating |
| Step 1: Install anti-virus software and anti-spyware | | | | systems and they are continually updating their |
| adware software. | | | | systems to make them operate more efficiently and |
| What is anti-virus software? Anti-virus software | | | | faster and to provide more security features and |
| consists of programs designed to detect the presence | | | | protection against unwanted intrusion. You can set |
| or occurrence of a computer virus. If any virulent | | | | your operating system to check and download |
| infections are found on your computer, you can set | | | | updates to Windows automatically and in order to |
| the anti-virus program to quarantine or delete the | | | | ensure that your operating system is secure, it is |
| infection. | | | | important to make sure it's always up-to-date. |
| Why is anti-virus software required? Malware | | | | Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple |
| (malicious software which includes viruses, adware, | | | | Safari etc.) are updated frequently by the vendors as |
| spyware, Trojans, keyloggers and other destructive | | | | well. Make sure that you are using the most current |
| programs) is now widespread on many people's | | | | version of your preferred browser. |
| computers. Recent estimates state that about 70% of | | | | Step 4: Be wary of opening email attachments or |
| computers which connect regularly to the Internet are | | | | clicking on links contained in email messages from |
| infected with some kind of malware. In many cases, | | | | people you don't know. |
| the infection results in simply a slow-down of the | | | | One of the most common ways to infect a computer |
| computer's functionality, but malware can also be | | | | is by sending a virus or malware in an email |
| extremely destructive, deleting files and interfering with | | | | attachment. When you open the attachment, your |
| operating system functionality, and in the case of | | | | computer becomes infected. If you receive an email |
| spyware/adware, sending personal information such | | | | from someone you don't know, do not open it. Delete it |
| as credit card numbers and bank account details and | | | | immediately. If you're given a link to a site you don't |
| access codes to a criminal third party. | | | | know, don't click on it. Even emails from supposedly |
| To increase the protection afforded by a good | | | | trusted sources (your bank, your credit card company |
| anti-virus program, it pays to also install an effective | | | | etc.) may have been falsified. If you're not sure, don't |
| anti-spyware/adware program. | | | | use a provided link, and enter the URL manually. The |
| What is spyware/adware software? Spyware or | | | | provided link may take you to a clever mockup of |
| Adware are programs which piggy-back on free | | | | your financial institution's site with the intention of |
| downloaded Internet software, typically games, music, | | | | capturing your logons and passwords and thereby |
| screensavers, utilities and other seemingly useful | | | | providing the baddies with access to your accounts. |
| pieces of software, and they install themselves | | | | This activity is known as 'phishing' and is very |
| unknown to the computer user. Once installed, they | | | | widespread nowadays. |
| can monitor your Internet activity and in some cases | | | | Your best protection against fraud is to be on your |
| can be used to transmit personal information to a third | | | | guard all of the time. Never respond to any message |
| party. This information can be used for identity theft | | | | that asks for any of the following information: |
| and to access bank accounts and credit card | | | | Password Logon code Personal Identification Number |
| accounts. | | | | (PIN) Credit card validation code Bank account |
| Tip for using anti-malware software: | | | | numbers ATM or credit card numbers Personal |
| -Install anti-virus software on your computer and set it | | | | information, such as Social Security number or identity |
| to automatically scan files. | | | | number |
| -Do the same with your anti-spyware/adware | | | | Report any such attempt to your financial institution |
| program. | | | | immediately, including a copy of the original email. |
| -Beware of free-trial versions. They may not have all | | | | Step 5: Don't download freeware or shareware from |
| the features needed to clean your computer of | | | | an unfamiliar source. |
| infection, and they can sometimes even contain the | | | | What is freeware or shareware? Freeware is |
| malicious software which they purport to be fighting! | | | | software developed by individuals or enthusiasts and is |
| Purchase from a reputable company only. | | | | made available for download on the Internet free of |
| -New types of malware are constantly being | | | | charge. Shareware is similar, but normally the |
| discovered, and it is only common sense to set your | | | | developers ask for a small donation, or levy a small |
| protection software to automatically get updates from | | | | charge. There is an abundance of useful software |
| the software publisher when they are available. | | | | available on the Internet from sources ranging from |
| Step 2: Install a firewall and only allow necessary | | | | private individuals to companies such as Microsoft and |
| incoming and outgoing connections. | | | | Apple, but unfortunately some of it is contaminated by |
| What is a computer firewall? A firewall is a | | | | viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious forms |
| gatekeeper and acts as a barrier between your | | | | of destructive software. |
| internal network and the public internet, and performs | | | | The only answer is for you to be very wary of what |
| the function of intercepting and nullifying external | | | | you download from the internet, and if you do |
| threats to your system. Firewalls come in hardware | | | | download a piece of software, scan it immediately |
| and software versions, and if you access the Internet | | | | with a reliable anti-virus and anti-spyware program |
| via a hardware router, normally a hardware firewall is | | | | before you open and use it. |
| built into this piece of equipment. It makes sense to add | | | | Be careful out there! In summary, the Internet is a vast |
| a software firewall on your computer to increase the | | | | universe of information, some of it very useful and |
| level of protection for your system. | | | | some of it very destructive. The user who equips him |
| Why do I need firewall software? Once you are | | | | or herself with the best protection and who exercises |
| connected to the Internet, you have established a | | | | restraint and caution at all times is more likely to keep |
| communications path which the baddies can try to | | | | their PCs and systems intact and safe. |