The major issue facing all computer users today is security. These days it is a constant battle to keep ahead of the virus and spyware pushers.
So what can the home user do to keeep their computer and data safe? This page addresses the preventative measures that you need to take to keep your computer secure. These measures are not designed to clean out a computer that is already infected with spyware. I have information elsewhere on my site to help you to accomplish that task.
There are five key items to keep an eye on.
This page is designed as a starting point for those readers who are interested in secure computing. Most of the advice is designed for Windows users because this is the most common system available.
Antivirus Software
There are several software solutions on the market. The most popular of these is probably Norton Antivirus. Many people opt for the complete solution that offers antispyware and other security solutions. A time limited (sometimes only 3months) version of this product comes with several brand name computers and many consumers do not realise that at the end of this period they will need to purchase a subscription to continue using the product. Most products operate in exactly the same fashion.
These commercial strength packages are an excellent set-it-and-forget-it solution to virus problems. They automatically update their signatures and regularly perform full system scans. The entire Norton Internet Security package can be purchased for as little as $NZ70 by going to Symantec’s online store.
Alternatively you can opt for one of several free antivirus tools available on the internet. The two most popular are AVG and AntiVir. Both of these products received a 100% rating for Windows XP in the last round of evaluations by the Virus Bulletin (due to be re-evaluated in June 2006).
These tools require a little more attention than the paid for versions. They may need to be manually updated and require the user to be aware that regular scans are required. This is not an onerous task when combined with other computer housekeeping.
Operating System Patches
Security flaws are common to all computer operating systems – even Apple Macs. To overcome the problems associated with exploiting system security issues, Microsoft, Apple and the Linux derivatives all offer patches and updates. If you regularly patch your system against security issues you have a reduced likelihood of having your system compromised.
To update Microsoft Windows patches, navigate your way to Windows Update and follow the prompts. currently Microsoft is offering a version of their update software that allows automatic downloading and installation f their critical patches. This makes life easier!
Sometimes Windows Update returns error messages and will not allow you to download and install the latest patches. There are several reasons for this. The most common is that you do not have a legal copy of Microsoft Windows. Those illegal keys floating around the internet are worthless. Don’t bother, buy a legal copy of Windows and keep yourself safe.
Another issue is using an outdated operating system. Windows 95 is out of date and no longer supported. Microsoft Windows 98 and ME will not be supported after July 2006. Even Windows 2000 is no longer fully supported.
Antispyware Software
The media is full of stories about malicious spyware and the damage that they can do to your computer, your phone bill and your bank account.
Spyware is a loose term that covers many of the nasties that you can innocently end up with on your computer, even during ‘normal’ internet use.
The Wikipedia says
In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer’s operation without the informed consent of that machine’s owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer’s operation for the benefit of a third party.
Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware – by design – exploits infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.
As of 2005, spyware has become one of the pre-eminent security threats to computer-systems running Microsoft Windows operating-systems (and especially to users of Internet Explorer because of that browser’s collaboration with the Windows operating system). Some malware on the Linux and Mac OS X platforms has behavior similar to Windows spyware, but to date has not become anywhere near as widespread.
To protect yourself from this kind of malicious activity, there are a range of both commercial and free programmes available.
I like to use a combination of several free programmes:
Windows Defender, Spybot S&D and SpywareBlaster all offer a degree of protection from spyware. Defender, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware SE are all antispyware scanners. For any of these programmes to be effective, it’s important that they are updated regularly and that their updates are installed or applied (Spybot calls it immunising).
For more complete instructions for these programmes look at Spyware Warrior’s information.
Firewall
A computer firewall exists to stop uninvited visitors finding their way into your machine and network.
Windows XP has a built in firewall that is a useful start, especially when combined with a hardware firewall. A hardware firewall can be as simple as using a broadband router between your internet connection and the computer(s) in your home. A decent quality router uses a number of technologies to hide the computers from malicious internet activity.
There is more simple firewall information at this site.
Sensible online behaviour
There is no point in having taken all the security measures possible and then inviting the bad guys into your computer or network. Filesharing programmes, MP3 and video downloading sites that offer ‘freebies’ and other ‘too-good-to-be-true’ websites are often behind the popup windows and proliferation of spyware on today’s PCs. There are lots of programmes and websites that silently install malicious software and problem registry entries. The best advice is to educate yourself about the problems and to only indulge in safe surfing.
There is a huge amount of internet security advice out there and for every good page there are several pages offering innacurate or even bad advice. I have included a few links to sites that I have used and that I believe offer good, legitimate advice.
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