Information traveling on
the Internet usually takes a circuitous route through several
intermediary computers to reach any destination computer. The actual
route your information takes to reach its destination is not under your
control. As your information travels on Internet computers, any
intermediary computer has the potential to eavesdrop and make copies.
Identity theft, denial of service attacks and worms
that thrive on the anonymity of the Internet are just a few of the
dangers users may be exposing themselves to as they tap into the online
world.
Step 1
Software:
The software should have the ability to scan all downloads, e-mails,
attachments and other files for malicious content. The National Cyber
Security Alliance recommends software that can recognize current and
older viruses, effectively reverse damage and update automatically.
Step 2
Firewall:
A firewall makes a computer invisible to a hacker, said Malachy
Moynihan of Linksys, a company specializing in networking. The
difference is comparable to having a listed versus an unlisted phone
number.
Firewalls filter information by analyzing packets, which are bits of
data streaming to the computer. If the packet contains information the
firewall is set up to protect against, it is blocked. The user can set
the level of filtering for the firewall. For example, the firewall can
be set to block certain domain names or a certain string of words, or it
can be set to allow only certain functions, such as e-mail.
Step 3
A filtering technology:
Filters that scan inbound information traditionally have been
popular, but those that scan outbound information also are available, as
more people use the Web to pay bills and send private information.
Filters work in several ways. A filter can scan the text of an e-mail
and block it if it contains certain words. A filter also can be set to
accept e-mail from known users only. Finally, a filter can test the
header of an e-mail to see if it might be forged or disguised by a
spammer to avoid detection. Some current filtering software encrypts
passwords and information to keep it away from malicious Web sites and
hackers.
Step 4
Protection from Phishing:
Phishing is a type of online fraud in which users receive e-mails
or pop-up messages that appear to be from legitimate businesses or
government agencies.
The alliance urges users to not open unsolicited or unknown messages,
or messages from unknown people. Recipients also are advised to never
reply to or click on links that ask for personal information because
legitimate companies won't ask for it. Even on a company Web site, call
the company to verify and observe the address bar of the browser window
to make sure it doesn't change before reaching its final destination.
Step 5
Protection from Adware, Spyware:
Adware and Spyware are types of software that can be unknowingly
installed and can help hackers get a user's personal or financial
information. The malware can piggyback on a downloaded or shared
file. Another way is via Web browsers. Code involved in the
construction of the Web page can scan for vulnerabilities in the
user's software, which are then exploited.
Step 6
Protection from viruses, & hackers: A virus can be
installed via a download, opened as a result of clicking on an
e-mail attachment or initiated by a hacker who has gained access
to the computer through holes in software. It then can be used
to control the computer to launch other attacks, install a mail
server and send out spam, host pornography or conduct other
activities. Viruses typically are difficult to find or trace.
Defenses include filtering software and regularly security
patches, but the best defense is a firewall, Moynihan said. Many
computer operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS,
include firewalls. Default settings that come with most hardware
firewalls are restrictive enough for the common user
Other Tips & Advise
In addition to installing software and hardware defenses, online
security experts encourage behavioral safeguards. The alliance
advises using passwords that have at least eight characters and
include numbers, avoiding common words, using a different password
for each account and changing at least every 90 days.
Parents should supervise online activity by children and install
parental-control tools that restrict certain Web sites. Other advice
includes not sharing access to the computer with strangers,
regularly backing up important information on disks or CDs, and
disconnecting the computer from the Internet or shutting down
software when not in use.
Experts urge users to install security software that can scan and
rate the safety of downloads and remove spyware or adware if found.
Users should be on the lookout for upgrades and security patches to
their software, and install them immediately.
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