Whatever your operating system, office application suite or commonly used program, chances are that it has the option to search for and install updates automatically. If you are serious about protecting your data, you need to ensure that whenever an update is available, you install it quickly. There's a good chance that it has been provided as a patch for a noted security issue in that software. Windows in particular provides regular updates every month (at least), which invariably has a number deemed to be critical. There is little point in using other security measures unless you implement them all. Your system is only as strong as its weakest point. By letting the application update automatically you are keeping the time that your system is vulnerable to a minimum.

wireless router

Wireless routers have become increasingly popular in recent years. It provides a cable free way to share files, peripherals and the internet. However many people don't consider what's happening to allow this convenience. The router itself has no sense of direction, so sends out a 360 degree signal of a certain radius. however that range often falls outside the walls of the building you are in, in effect spilling out into the street and neighboring buildings. It is from these locations that someone could access your router and do anything from access the internet using your connection, copy files from your computer, install keystroke loggers and viruses with just a few clicks of a mouse.

All wireless routers come with security features, but in many cases, especially on older routers it was a manual process that many people did not implement. In this case, even the most non-technical person could attach to the router and use your connection. Having travelled around local industrial and housing estates recently (Oct 2007), it's clear that while the number of unsecured networks has decreased, it's still a notable percentage.

One part of wireless security that has been overlooked by many organisations and individuals, is that although they installed the security measures, it is of a type that is no longer secure. This security encryption method is WEP. Of the secured routers we saw in out tests, around half were using the WEP protocol. There is plenty of documented evidence showing that in certain conditions WEP security can be cracked in less than 1 MINUTE! opening your system to hackers.

hacker eyes

It is important to use highest encryption method possible (this will depend on each wireless network item) but where possible use WPA2, as this is extremely secure.

Please feel free to contact us if you are unsure how to check your router or would like to increase your current level of security.

network

 

Tests have been carried where unprotected PCs were connected to the internet. How long did it take before they became infected? Days? Hours? In one test it was less than a minute! Protecting your system from outside sources is not just desirable, it is essential. Successful attacks can result in giving out passwords, sensitive and personal data, system corruption and your system being controlled externally and used to corrupt other machines.

Fortunately there are measures you can take to reduce the risks of these attacks. While it is impossible to highlight every option here, there are 3 basic areas it is essential to address.

FIREWALL  firewall
                 A firewall is like a gatekeeper between your system and the internet. It analyses the data and filters or rejects anything which it perceives as a threat. This is done automatically and is important as it is often the first channel that unwelcome sources use to put their code on your system. A good firewall will also monitor data traffic trying to leave your system. On an unprotected machine you send out what is effectively a beacon signal which outside users can locate as they search for vulnerable systems. An effective firewall will stop these signals so you cannot be detected.

A really useful test can be found on the internet HERE. Go to the Hot Spots section and click on the 'Shields Up' link. You will then be able to perform a number of tests which simulate various methods of attack, after which you will see a report of how good (or otherwise) your system was at repelling the requests. Don't worry, as it says on the site you are completely safe and no harm will be done to your system. You will however get some great feedback. Please feel free to contact us if the results show some weaknesses in your system.

VIRUSES  virus
              Viruses are the most familiar of the security threats and the one one that has been around the longest. Like biological viruses they hide themselves within an innocent host, then start to do their damage once they have been activated. As there is often no indication that they reside within a file, it is often only after it has run its code that you are aware of its presence. Another similarity with their biological cousins is that they often look to spread to other parties. A common way is to replicate and send themselves via attachments to people in your email contacts list without your knowledge. The unsuspecting recipient thinking they have received a file from someone they know, opens the file and the whole process starts again. By this method viruses can spread quickly.

A good anti-virus program should scan all incoming and outgoing email, any downloaded files from the internet and any files on external media you attach to your system e. g. CDs, pen drives. The company providing the software will also provide a database of the latest detected viruses and the program will automatically update itself on a daily basis.

SPYWARE  spyware icon
                Although viruses have been around longer, in recent times in has been found that your system is more likely to be infected with spyware. In fact, a recent study estimated that 9 out of 10 computers connected to the Internet are currently infected with some form of spyware. Often posing as a useful program (there are even anti-spware programs that are themselves spyware!), or downloaded quietly along with some free software being offered on the internet (free screensavers sites are full of them), their action are varied. Common effects include unsolicited pop-ups, monitoring your internet activity for marketing purposes, stealing personal information via key-loggers and diverting you spam filled sites.

Like the anti-virus programs, good anti-spyware companies will provide regular updates against new threats and provide pro-active blocking against known offenders.


Feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries regarding the information you've read, we're here to help.

 
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