Written For: Oxford Times 'In Business' supplement
Published: June 2004
Yes, I know the information in this article is basic. Yes, it's Janet and John stuff. It was meant to be - that's what they asked for.
Keeping The Viruses Out
Nearly all of us use computers at some point in work or at home. And nearly all of us are 'connected' now. We surf the Internet, send e-mail and shop online.
In our daily lives, we protect ourselves as best we can from the things we do not want to happen. We wear seat belts and lock our doors and windows when we leave home. But we do not automatically take the same precautions with our computers.
When a new computer virus hits, we do not learn. Unpathced, unprotected networks slow the Internet to a crawl.
Computers without virus protection spew thousands of copies of the latest worm or virus out to thousands more unprotected users.
The Sasser worm and its variants, spreading across the Internet, infected millions of machines across the world. HM Coastguard had problems with its computers. So did Deutsche Post. So did Railcorp in Australia and banks in Hong Kong.
The cost to businesses, large and small, of a virus infection is vast. Think about it. Your staff cannot work because their computers are down. Your email systems are overloaded with incoming virus-laden mail and warnings from other companies' protection systems. Then there's the cost of an IT consultant to come in, disinfect your systems, and patch them to make sure they do not fall prey to that virus again.
A short time later the next worm or virus hits. And the next. And the next. See the pattern?
It is quick and easy to take precautions to protect your computer and network. It can be cheap too.
The first step to take is patching your system. The likelihood is you are running a version of Microsoft Windows. It is easy to make sure you have the latest updates, and it will not cost you anything to check and do it. Simply go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and scan your system. The Microsoft update sytem will check your software and recommend the updates you need - thenb helps you download and install them.
If you are running Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP, you can have the updates installed direct to your computer, without having to go to the update site again.
Once you are updated, you have a degree of protection aginst security flaws that some viruses - like the Sasser worm - exploit to do their damage.
Once the system is up to date, you need to put locks on it. That means a firewall.
Put simply, a firewall sits between the data on your computer and the Internet, and controls what can get in and out. Just like a doorman at a nighclub, the firewall holds the 'guest list' for the machine and if a name is not down, they are not getting in!
A properly configured Internet firewall can prevent you getting infected from malicious programs or websites, and keep hackers out of your system and away from your personal data.
For home users, a software firewall is usually fine. These programs run in the background on your home PC, protecting it as you surf the Internet. A wide range of software firewalls are available, but two fo the best are Norton Internet Security 2004 and Zone Alarm Pro.
for the business user, a software firewall is not really enough. To keep your network safe from damage and your data free from prying eyes, you should invest in a hardware firewall, a separate, dedicated machine that sits between your server - or main computer - and your internet connection.
Using a separate machine keeps even professional hackers at an increased distance from your important data. Also, hardware firewalls have a greater depth of security measures and more options, allowing you greater levels of control over what comes in and out of your office.
There is a bewildering array of options and products when it comes to hardware firewalls, from basic units up to high-end products. For the smaller business, the best security and value can be obtained from companies like Watchguard and lower-end Cisco models. At the higher end, systems from Cisco and Microsoft's Internet Security and Acceleration Server offer power, security and control - at a price.
Finally, once you have got your computer or network updated and secured, you need to ensure it stays healthy. This means good, solid virus protection from a reputable manufacturer, and it needs to be updated at least once a week, if not more often. Those on a broadband internet connection should consider setting their anti-virus to update daily.
For the home user, consider a product such as Norton Anti-Virus 2004 - this is included as a module within the Norton Internet Security package. Business users can look at the Norton Anti-Virus network and corporate Editions, and products from McAfee, Network Associates and Sophos.
Finally, the last - and arguably most important - part of your new, secure computer environment is your own common sense.
Do not trust to chance that everything will be OK. Make sure you update your patches and virus protection. Do not open an email attachment unless it is from someone you know and they have told you to expect it.
the bottom line is simple - get secure. After all, you would not leave your house unlocked when you go out, would you?
Published: June 2004
Yes, I know the information in this article is basic. Yes, it's Janet and John stuff. It was meant to be - that's what they asked for.
Keeping The Viruses Out
Nearly all of us use computers at some point in work or at home. And nearly all of us are 'connected' now. We surf the Internet, send e-mail and shop online.
In our daily lives, we protect ourselves as best we can from the things we do not want to happen. We wear seat belts and lock our doors and windows when we leave home. But we do not automatically take the same precautions with our computers.
When a new computer virus hits, we do not learn. Unpathced, unprotected networks slow the Internet to a crawl.
Computers without virus protection spew thousands of copies of the latest worm or virus out to thousands more unprotected users.
The Sasser worm and its variants, spreading across the Internet, infected millions of machines across the world. HM Coastguard had problems with its computers. So did Deutsche Post. So did Railcorp in Australia and banks in Hong Kong.
The cost to businesses, large and small, of a virus infection is vast. Think about it. Your staff cannot work because their computers are down. Your email systems are overloaded with incoming virus-laden mail and warnings from other companies' protection systems. Then there's the cost of an IT consultant to come in, disinfect your systems, and patch them to make sure they do not fall prey to that virus again.
A short time later the next worm or virus hits. And the next. And the next. See the pattern?
It is quick and easy to take precautions to protect your computer and network. It can be cheap too.
The first step to take is patching your system. The likelihood is you are running a version of Microsoft Windows. It is easy to make sure you have the latest updates, and it will not cost you anything to check and do it. Simply go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and scan your system. The Microsoft update sytem will check your software and recommend the updates you need - thenb helps you download and install them.
If you are running Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP, you can have the updates installed direct to your computer, without having to go to the update site again.
Once you are updated, you have a degree of protection aginst security flaws that some viruses - like the Sasser worm - exploit to do their damage.
Once the system is up to date, you need to put locks on it. That means a firewall.
Put simply, a firewall sits between the data on your computer and the Internet, and controls what can get in and out. Just like a doorman at a nighclub, the firewall holds the 'guest list' for the machine and if a name is not down, they are not getting in!
A properly configured Internet firewall can prevent you getting infected from malicious programs or websites, and keep hackers out of your system and away from your personal data.
For home users, a software firewall is usually fine. These programs run in the background on your home PC, protecting it as you surf the Internet. A wide range of software firewalls are available, but two fo the best are Norton Internet Security 2004 and Zone Alarm Pro.
for the business user, a software firewall is not really enough. To keep your network safe from damage and your data free from prying eyes, you should invest in a hardware firewall, a separate, dedicated machine that sits between your server - or main computer - and your internet connection.
Using a separate machine keeps even professional hackers at an increased distance from your important data. Also, hardware firewalls have a greater depth of security measures and more options, allowing you greater levels of control over what comes in and out of your office.
There is a bewildering array of options and products when it comes to hardware firewalls, from basic units up to high-end products. For the smaller business, the best security and value can be obtained from companies like Watchguard and lower-end Cisco models. At the higher end, systems from Cisco and Microsoft's Internet Security and Acceleration Server offer power, security and control - at a price.
Finally, once you have got your computer or network updated and secured, you need to ensure it stays healthy. This means good, solid virus protection from a reputable manufacturer, and it needs to be updated at least once a week, if not more often. Those on a broadband internet connection should consider setting their anti-virus to update daily.
For the home user, consider a product such as Norton Anti-Virus 2004 - this is included as a module within the Norton Internet Security package. Business users can look at the Norton Anti-Virus network and corporate Editions, and products from McAfee, Network Associates and Sophos.
Finally, the last - and arguably most important - part of your new, secure computer environment is your own common sense.
Do not trust to chance that everything will be OK. Make sure you update your patches and virus protection. Do not open an email attachment unless it is from someone you know and they have told you to expect it.
the bottom line is simple - get secure. After all, you would not leave your house unlocked when you go out, would you?
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