| Security technology is only a part of an overall security | | | | 11. Would I know if someone tries to hack into my |
| plan. If you own a small business or a home-based | | | | computer? |
| business, or if you've been tasked with implementing | | | | Depending on the security measures you have on |
| security at your organization, developing a | | | | your computer and the sophistication of the hacker's |
| comprehensive security plan should be a very | | | | software program, you might or might not be aware. |
| important part of your overall security strategy. Get | | | | Using keylogging programs, these cybercriminals can |
| the information you need to get started on the right | | | | secretly see and record every keystroke you enter on |
| track! In the computer/internet security game, the best | | | | your computer, thereby gaining access to all your |
| move is one of Prevention! Prevention! Prevention! | | | | private and personal information. |
| With that in mind, here are the twelve questions you | | | | 12. I have all the security measures, anti-virus, |
| need to be asking, or, at least, be thinking about if | | | | anti-spyware, and firewall I need. Can I still be hit by |
| you're serious about preventing or stopping security | | | | hackers and other pc-disabling attacks, risks, and |
| risks, threats, and attacks: | | | | threats? |
| 1. Do I have a solid security policy or strategy? | | | | Again, depending on the security measures you have |
| If you don't, begin immediately to get sample security | | | | on your computer and the sophistication of the |
| plans, policies, and best practices for your business and | | | | hacker's software program, your computer or |
| or home. | | | | computers might or might not be compromised. |
| 2. Where would I go for key information and news on | | | | Remember: Cybercriminals are superintelligent criminals! |
| keeping your information private? | | | | They somehow always seem to stay one step ahead |
| Search the internet for managed security services. | | | | of authorities and anti-cybercriminal software. |
| Ask if they provide a free computer test to assess | | | | Obviously if you have to ask these questions, then you |
| your pc's level of vulnerability. Ask if they provide the | | | | need to take immediate steps to plug the holes and |
| latest tips to keep your privacy and protect your | | | | cover the gaps. |
| personal information and that of your business. Or | | | | So, here are some steps you can take immediately to |
| simply - ask me. | | | | implement, increase, or improve your present security |
| 3. Does my disaster recovery plan include redundant | | | | measures: |
| back-up and data recovery systems? | | | | * Learn all you can about hackers and the tools and |
| Understand what a good data back up system is and | | | | methods they use to invade your privacy and cause |
| how to best recover from a disaster. | | | | problems. Subscribe to a comprehensive source of |
| 4. Do I know how to create safe passwords? | | | | Internet security research, news and information for |
| Learn how to write virtually un-crackable passwords. | | | | small and mid-sized businesses and organizations, or |
| 5. How do I train my employees or family members to | | | | other professionals, that want to increase their level of |
| be secure? | | | | security and build on their current technologies and |
| Get all leading research on what to teach about | | | | efforts. |
| security. | | | | * Take advantage of the research already done. Get |
| 6. What do I do if my employees are my biggest | | | | access to information about the leading topics in the |
| security risk? | | | | security field, including hackers and hacker tools, |
| Learn all about social engineering and insider hacking. | | | | viruses, data back up, writing good passwords, |
| 7. What or who is a hacker? | | | | government and legal issues, protecting from insider |
| A person who uses and/or creates software | | | | hacking - and more. |
| technology to break into the computers of individuals, | | | | * Stay current with important security news |
| businesses, government, and organizations for personal | | | | developments. Work with a managed security firm |
| gain is known as a hacker. Often after he, she, or they | | | | that maintains an entire library of the most beneficial |
| hack into a computer, they can control it secretly by | | | | news articles, white papers and other links that you |
| remote, making it a "zombie computer". | | | | can use to maintain an excellent awareness of |
| 8. How does he (or she or they) break into home and | | | | cyber-security issues on an ongoing basis. |
| business computers? | | | | * Need help creating a security plan for your |
| If they don't have the break-in software, they can buy | | | | organization or business? Take advantage of |
| it off the black market, or create it, themselves. With | | | | professional security consulting and training both by |
| this technology, they use their malicious software to | | | | telephone consulting or on-site visits. Get vulnerability |
| look for holes in the computers of their targeted | | | | assessments, employees training, security |
| victims. | | | | implementation, and much more. |
| 9. To what extent might my home or business | | | | Because cyberpredators and other cybercriminals are |
| computers be vulnerable to hackers, hacker's tools, | | | | becoming smarter and more sophisticated in their |
| viruses, etc.? | | | | operations, they are real threats to your personal |
| You will never know unless you take the time to test | | | | security and privacy. Your money, your computer, your |
| your computer to see what holes are open, by what | | | | family, and your business are all at risk. |
| back doors (up to 65,000 portals) are malware | | | | These cybercriminals leave you with three choices : |
| entering your computer. | | | | 1. Do nothing and hope their attacks, risks, and threats |
| 10. What is "drive-by hacking"? | | | | don't occur on your computer. |
| Because wireless Internet access points have become | | | | 2. Do research and get training to protect yourself, |
| popular for homes and businesses, home and business | | | | your family, and your business. |
| computers have now become a major target for | | | | 3. Get professional help to lockdown your system |
| hackers. In this new phenomenon, called "dive-by | | | | from all their attacks, risks, and threats. |
| hacking", hackers simply take their laptop computers in | | | | Remember: When you say "No!" to hackers and |
| their cars and drive through business parks or | | | | spyware, everyone wins! When you don't, we all lose! |
| residential neighborhoods remotely scanning for open | | | | © MMVII, Etienne A. |
| wireless networks. | | | | |