Preventing Basic Computer Attacks

Here are some security tid bits of wisdom that I have picked up over the years that I believe and feel every single computer user should learn.  Not because every computer user needs to be good at computers, but because in a day and age where computer use on the internet is prolific there is a need to the assets and identity that every computer has the potential of sharing with a random stranger who does not have the best of intentions.

These individuals are called Crackers (The News Media Outlets also calls these individuals “Hackers”)!

Crackers are by far and large, yes a bit paranoid sounding here, Out To Get You!  These individuals want social security numbers, bank account numbers, your mothers maiden name, your family history, your phone numbers, your identity as a person.  With this identity lots, and lots, and lots of money is to be made by fleecing you, or to fleece others pretending to be you.

Sounds scary, and it should not be.  There are some really basic tips to always follow.

Anti-Virus: Your THIRD LINE of defense, no not your first.  Anti-virus software is not the first line of defense and it should never, ever, ever, ever be treated as the first line of defense.  EVER!!!  I say that with a lot of emphasis for several reasons.

1. Anti-Virus is Reactive, it only protects against what has already been made.  It does not protect against what has NOT been made.
2. Clever virus makers have figured out how to disable anti-virus programs.  There is more than one computer virus I have personally tested against Anti-Virus software, and the Anti-Virus software did NOT stop the virus.
3. Hundreds, if not more, new viruses are re-engineered and redistributed specifically with the task of getting past a computers defenses.

I hope the common theme here is seen.  Anti-virus is good, but not good enough to be the end all be all security for a computer.  Keep the anti-virus up to date.  Make sure the latest virus definitions have been downloaded.  Make this a top priority item in maintaining security on a computer, because an enterprising bad guy is praying that you are not following this step.

There are many free Anti-Virus, and many not so free anti-virus programs.  My recommendation is to go with a reliable program that works for you.  Most companies do a great job of keeping the bad guys at bay for all intents and purposes.

Anti-Spyware falls into the same category as Anti-Virus.  It is not an end all catch all be all of internet security and protection.  Be careful as some anti-spyware will bog a computer down, making it slower to run and use.  Go with award winning reviewed software in all these cases.  PC-Magazine, CNet News, and other reliable companies will constantly have a list of top notch software that works well, is easy to use, and is easy on the computers resource systems.

Once Anti-Virus/Malware/Spyware programs have been chosen.  Read The Manual on how to use this software.  Know the basics, know how it works, know how to use it.  No software on the face of this planet is going to help, if it is not being used the way it was intended.

In my next post I am going to discuss firewalls, what a firewall is, how to use a firewall effectively, and why even using the free firewall that comes with windows is better than using no firewall at all.