CYBERSECURITY

Cyberland Security: How to Keep Your System Safe

By following a few simple steps, consumers can do a tremendous amount to decrease their risk of being a victim, or becoming a victim, whose computer is used to continue the spread of a virus.

Install and keep virus software up to date. Many new computers already come preloaded with a trial version of antivirus software from Norton or McAfee that can be renewed online. Off the shelf software may also be purchased at your local retailer. Once installed, be sure to update the software on a regular basis and schedule scans of your computer at least once a week. Both of these functions can be set up to automatically happen at a specific time each week, but your computer must be running for this to happen. If your software is out of date, you will miss the latest viruses.

Activate or install a firewall. Microsoft XP comes with a firewall installed and there are several other good products, from Norton, McAfee and Zone Labs, available for purchase. A firewall monitors all incoming traffic to your computer and only lets in those communications which your computer trusts and needs. It "hides" your computer from hackers on the network by closing all the communication ports that you don't use. Some advanced firewalls will stop your computer, if it is infected, from calling out to the internet and infecting others.

Keep your software up to date. For both Windows and Mac users, activate the auto-update feature that automatically alerts you when security patches and software updates are available. Once vulnerability is disclosed and a patch is offered, hackers often launch attacks that exploit the corrected problem because they know people are slow to update their computers. This is why the most recent round of viruses spread so rapidly.

When in doubt, DELETE. Do not open email or email attachments from people you don't know. Spam is increasingly being used to spread viruses in cute sounding attachments. When opened these programs launch an attack on your computer and use applications like your email program to attack others. One of the most disruptive attacks to date was called the "Love" virus because the attacking email said "I love you." Millions of people apparently thought a complete stranger was in love with them.

Passwords are like toothbrushes. Use them daily. Change them regularly. And never lend yours to someone else.

Software security is a never ending battle that the technology industry is constantly fighting. By following a few simple steps, consumers can play a big role to insure that they do not become a victim of a cyber attack or an unwilling participant in spreading an attack to others.