In this day and age, we need a multi-layered security approach. Unfortunately, companies are not doing enough to safeguard their computer systems. These systems suffer from backdoors that were sometimes put into the systems by the original software programmer to gain easy access to the computer network. Sometimes, hackers discover these backdoors and can wreck havoc. In addition, not all employees are following protocols with regards to security by having laptops with confidential employee and customer individual information that are left in a car that can easily be broken into and then the laptop is stolen. Car thieves are targetting valuable electronics that people are carelessly leaving in their cars. Computer security has become too weak and companies are starting to become too lax in their security standards. This has resulted in break-ins at places like the recent hack of AT&T. Universities are now targeted for valuable student data that crooks can use in identity theft. Yes, the situation looks bleak but we must all rise up and do what we can to protect ourselves.
For starters, I suggest reading all email in plain text, always block HTML code and view the HTML code when you are sure it is safe, consider a better browser than Internet Explorer such as Mozilla Firefox which supports higher encryption standards --- Internet Explorer is limited to only a maximum of 128 bit encryption whereas Mozilla Firefox has much greater encryption. For example when I log in to my Yahoo mail account, Internet Explorer only allows the 128 bit encryption but Mozilla Firefox allows the Yahoo suggested 256 bit encryption for log-in. (Much thanks to Jeysie for setting me right on this issue of how Mozilla Firefox was much better than Internet Explorer) Also, it is nice to have a hardware firewall in your router that blocks most attacks before they can reach your computer. I also use Zone Alarm Professional which I have found to be a great software bi-directional firewall. Another key benefit is the anti-spyware component which caught what it detected as a Trojan on the 98SE side of my machine but turned out to be a piece of Adware that slipped though. Well, I corrected a weak security procedure that I had implemented which was not using a tool such as McAfee's Site Advisor to tell me which sites were dangerous to go to on the Internet. Okay, now we move on to keeping your computer safe when things slip through.
Most people know about the importance of an anti-virus program. Anti-virus programs are still important but viruses have become less of a nuisance than adware, spyware and malware which brings me to my next point. A few anti-spyware programs are essential security to any computer network. I have found Adaware SE, Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, CWShredder and HiJack This to be essential anti-spyware tools. I also use the Windows Defender beta on the XP Pro. side. Many of these programs can be safely acquired from majorgeeks.com which I have found to be a great and useful site that does not seem to have the dangerous spyware and adware that can be found on other sites when trying to download these programs.
Okay, now more about email. If email says you won and gives you a link then don't click it. If email tries to pretend to be your bank and get information from you then report ASAP to the Feds if you are in the U.S.A. The Federal Trade Commission has set up an email address that you can forward spam messages that you received in your in-box or bulk mail to them. I highly suggest that you do this if you are in the U.S.A. and have the time since we need all the help we can get to help shut down the mass computer networks that are sending out so much spam.
Finally, I have lots more information but I am not writing a book yet so feel free to respond if you have any more questions.
Topic: A Multi-Layered Approach to Computer Security (Read 3457 times)
