CYBER NOTES August, 2006 by Dave Benore
SOME NOTES ABOUT INTERNET & SECURITY
The Internet has gotten so full of viruses and hackers that Internet security has become absolutely essential. An unprotected computer can become infected literally within minutes of connecting to the Internet—no exaggeration! The bad guys are running rampant out there. What to do?
One needs three different types of security software; anti-virus, firewall, and spyware. Each type does a different job. In the last couple of years some software vendors have started bundling the different types into one package, called a security suite. Norton, MacAfee, and Zone Alarm are three of these. None of these are free however.
There are free separate programs available to do a reasonable job of protection. These can be found on Kim Komando’s web site. Kim is an expert on computers and has a national radio show and a web site with a tremendous amount of free information on it. Go to www.Komando.com and explore her site. There one can find downloads to many free programs, including free security software. She also offers free daily tips by email and a free weekly newsletter. I get her daily tips and find a lot of information I can use. Her download links will get you to programs you can trust.
Ordinarily, free programs you can download over the Internet are to be avoided at all costs—unless you know the site offering them. These “free” programs too frequently contain malicious software, known as “malware”. Best advice: Unless you know and trust the site, do NOT download anything from them. (You are then 1/4 the way home in avoiding malware.)
Do NOT open any attachments on emails unless you know and trust the sender. All kinds of viruses come to you that way. (You are now ½ the way home in avoiding malware.)
Do NOT open any email if you do not know the sender. Junk emails are full of spyware. (You are now ¾ the way home in avoiding malware.)
DO use all three types of security software talked about above. Firewalls stop hackers from gaining access to your computer. (You are now 99% of the way home in avoiding malware.)
The last 1% is beyond your control. It is when some brand new virus comes out and hits you before your anti-virus program gets updated. You update your security software daily, don’t you? If not you are begging for trouble. I know from personal experience. Happy computing!
