This Guide is intended to help you and your computing trouble free. Particular attention should be given to keeping personal details secure.
You be considered foolish to give your briefcase, handbag or wallet to a stranger you pass in the street. You would be equally foolish to be complacent about the security of your computer and the information it contains. Even simple information could be dissasterous in the wrong hands. Do you really want everyone to know where you live and when you will be away on holiday?
If you would like further information on any matters relating to computer security please email mail@cranbrookcomputing.co.uk or phone 01580 712773.
Security can be summarised under the following headings:
Your computer and data storage
Modern computer equipment is generally very reliable, but computers are not shock-proof. They can also be effected by moisture (condensation), extremes of temperature, dust, magnets and electrical interference
It may be necessary to secure access to the computer. Is a password to the computer necessary? What would happen if the notebook or flash drive was lost or stolen?
Are you taking necessary back-ups of important data and are those backups stored securely? The average hard drive will fail once every 25 years and 99% of those that fil never work again.
Unless specific details are essential, like date of birth when making an on-line application for car insurance, don't give away personal information. Many sites ask for security questions which will be used should you forget or lose your account details. If you do choose to give mother's maiden name or your date of birth, do not give correct details. The information is only being used as like a second password. Your real details are often easy to obtain and a useful to someone trying to establish (steal) your identity.
Take care using links received in an email. Often they take you to a bogus site which requests personal information.
There are an increasing number of organisations that are making money using the Internet. They range from the irksome but harmless organisation who collect revenue from advertising to the outright criminal operators who will steal from you.
The most common method employed is the installation of a program on your computer to collect information or modify the behaviour of your browser. These programs are generally called spyware.
Spyware can redirect you to a particular web site; spyware can change your Internet home page; spyware can divulge personal information to a 3rd party; spyware can ......
Spyware is sometimes installed with your permission but often you will be tricked into accepting changes without being aware of the consequences. Often spyware is installed totally without your knowledge.
The installation of an anti-spyware program such as AdAware SE, Spybot Seach and Destroy or Spyware Doctor is highly recommended. But beware: there are hundreds of bogus “anti-spyware” programs available as free downloads which will actually install spyware on your computer with your permission!
Your passwords are for you only. Keep them secure. Every new account you create, especially those that will hold personal or financial information such as credit card details, should have a unique password. It is of paramount importance that the password information to access an on-line bank or payment system such as paypal uses unique, strong passwords.
Take especial care of the password to your email account. Disclosure of your email address and its password may permit someone to access your email, your address book if you use a web-based email service such as Hotmail, Gmail, BT Yahoo or AOL. Most ISPs require users to give email and password when logging-in to view or change personal details.
Keep track of passwords. It is recommended that they be written down in a secure manner. A simple method for doing so uses the fact that almost all passwords are case sensitive. Adopt a secret style for your passwords, perhaps capitalise one or more letters when entering your password. eg if your secret style is to capatilise the first three letters, it would be safe to write down "opensesame" when your real password is "OPEnsesame".
It is also advised that you tell one trusted person where your passwords are and how to use them just in that lightening bolt should strike you down .......
Unless you live in a remote location, it is strongly advised that all wireless links are encripted.
Before entering personal data (especially bank or card details) on a web-site check the site is secure by looking for an address beginning HTTPS and the presence of the yellow padlock in the bottom right corner of Internet Explorer. Never give sensitive details in an email, phone the other party and be sure you speak to the right person.
Protect yourself from hackers by:
Return to topEnsuring you have an effetive firewall in place. Resetting the default password on your router (if you have one) to a password of your choosing.
Viruses have been around for a great many years and despite the widespread use of anti-virus programs still cause problems.
Viruses, by definition are self replicating, they spread from one computer to another just as a cold virus will be passed from person to person
Viruses are written for malice or as a challenge. They aim to cause as much havoc as possible. The author of a virus, some of whom are children as young as 9 years old, can never hope to gain financially from their efforts. Their reward can only be sharing their success with their close friends.
The following points should keep you secure from viral attacks
Never use an Infected Computer. Own & register reputable antivirus software. Ensure antivirus program is scanning email. Ensure virus data file is up to date. If it is 7 days old you are seriously at risk, two weeks old and you might as well not have any protection! Open email attachments with care. If you have not used your computer for a while, eg when returning from holiday, bring all your security measures up to date before accessing the Internet or checking your mail. If you think you may be infected – STOP!
At the first sign of trouble press Ctrl+Alt+Del to stop your computer while you think what to do. Write down any messages displayed. Disconnect the phone line and remove any discs. Back-up key files, preferably from within DOS. If you have access to the Internet from another computer, search for help to identify the virus, it’s effect and how to remove it.If you have been infected, don’t be bashful. Help prevent further damage and the spread of the virus by informing everyone with whom you have been in contact. It is important to do this immediately and preferably by telephone!
Foistware etc
Foistware and other pieces of software or changes to the settings on your computer can meddle with your system. A reputable anti-spyware program (see above) will usually remove such unwanted items from your computer.
You should always be cautious about accepting any offer or installing new software on yur computer. Make sure you know what the implications are and that you only accept items from a trustworthy source. Return to top
For further information and advice please contact Cranbrook Computing
Telephone: 01580 712773