Fight Against Cyber-Terrorism
Cyber-terrorism is an invasion of privacy, yours and mine. It includes spam, viruses, hoaxes
and hacking. Although there is a certain amount of commonality, a page is dedicated to each.
These days it is not safe to connect to the internet, unless
you protect yourself with a combination of hardware, software, and common sense.
I probably should have mentioned common sense first, because that is the most
important defense. As you browse the various topics, you'll understand why.
I don't want to leave the impression that these problems are
easily solved, but as I mentioned earlier, common sense will go a long way.
Basically, the objective is three-fold: prevent bad people gaining access to
your computer, prevent your computer from passing bad stuff on to others, and
prevent bad people making off with your information. The following information
is directed to the home user. It is assumed that businesses have "taken care of
business..."
Sometimes unfamiliar terminology is used, so I'm working on a
cheat sheet.
How do we accomplish this "Prevention"?
Let's first consider your most vulnerable point of entry,
your network connection to the internet. Of these connections, high-speed
internet access via [A]DSL and cable modems need our immediate attention.
High-speed connections stay connected to the internet, even when you're not
surfing or reading email. That connection, if not protected, provides a door
into your computer. The solution is to install a
firewall and make sure all incoming traffic is stopped. Software
firewalls can be disabled by viruses, so use a hardware firewall.
Make sure to keep your operating system secure with all
security updates. Windows users should visit
windowsupdate.microsoft.com. If you use Microsoft Office, check for
security updates too. Service Packs usually include security updates too, so
stay updated with those too.
It is recommended that Windows users stop using Internet
Explorer and switch to a different browser, such as
Mozilla
Firefox. Check the website for the security advantages. Firefox is
available for other operating systems too. If you must use Internet
Explorer, make sure you are running the latest version, and do the security
updates for it.
Next, we need anti-virus software. Most anti-virus packages
are based on a subscription, and you must renew periodically in order to stay
protected. When you set the software up, make sure it checks for new virus
definitions at least weekly (more often is better). Also, schedule a complete
scan of all your hard drives weekly.
More coming, stay tuned...
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