Computer Security

Introduction to computer security

Defense-in-depth is required.

Threat	Response
Viruses. Files that do damage to your computer. The most common sources are email and security holes in Windows and Internet Explorer.	Anti-Virus software Actively alert for virus activity. Scan all email messages and attachments (sending and receiving). Scan entire computer at least once a week.
Spyware. Programs that monitor your keystrokes, Internet browsing and send reports back to the spyware source. Sometimes bundled with legitimate software downloaded from the Internet.	Anti-Spyware software Actively alert for spyware activity. Scan entire computer at least once a week. Be wary of downloading programs, screen savers, games, etc from Internet sites you don't know anything about.
Intrusion by hackers. Attempts to enter your computer from the Internet and take control of it.	Firewall, software Prevents intrusion. Windows XP has built in firewall. Third party software may be better than the Windows firewall. Zone Alarm prevents outbound as well as inbound bogus actions Firewall, hardware A router shields your computer from intrusion. Password-protect wireless router.
Spam. Unwanted email with bogus and/or offensive content.	Anti-Spam software Block senders or domains you specify. Place suspicious messages in a spam folder.
Pop-up windows. They can be annoying and can overwhelm your computer.	Pop-up blocker Browsers have a built in pop-up blocker. Third party blockers available, for example, Google Toobar and Norton Security Suite. Some necessary functions may require pop-up windows. You can specify sites to allow pop-ups.
	Internet Service Provider services Block known spammers. Anti-virus screening.
	Configure software for security Click the links on the left side of this window for details on Windows XP, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express. For other applications follow the same principles as shown for these applications. Make regular and frequent checks for updates and security patches.
	For login accounts that require passwords use strong passwords – combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g., ! # *) and use a different password for each account. Record and store the passwords off the computer.
	Disconnect the computer from the Internet when it is not in use – the simplest way is to turn off the computer.
	Make backup copies of your files and store them off the computer, for example, on a CD.
	Be alert and be wary. Beware of anything that looks too good to be true.

You can buy security software as stand-alone applications or as suites with multiple applications. There are some freeware applications that rate well in reviews.

See 2006 security software reviews by PC World magazine at

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/software/
(Ranked Charts)
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125817/article.html
(All-in-One Security article -- 11 pages)

You can also search reviews by PC Magazine and ZDNet. Use the links in the list on the left side of this window.

Online resources

It's Time to Update Your Internet Security Arsenal
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,119992,00.asp

Computer Ports: What You Should Know to Defend Yourself
http://www.faqs.org/contrib/articles2/Computer-Ports.html

Barrage of assaults made security top issue
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2976615

How stuff works
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-channel.htm

Wireless security
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3028717

Damage control for identity theft
http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/08/pf/armchair_idtheft/index.htm

Anatomy of an ID theft
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/18/pf/security_IDrecovery_0412/index.htm

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Computer Security and Performance

Introduction to computer security