PC Security: Finding the
Security Suite that meets your needs
by Ainuddin Mohamad
Before
proceeding to read this article, it is important that we state
something up front. It is essential for the reader to
understand and appreciate that there is no such thing as a
secure operating system or web browser. While the use of
security suites and other complementing products can
significantly reduce your risks, they are not magic wands that
you can wave to eliminate 100% of your risk. Any product
claiming they can do this should be viewed with great
skepticism.
With that
being said, let’s talk computer security and security suites.
There are numerous ways in which the security of your computer
can be breached. The most common threats come from worms,
viruses, Trojans, phishing, hackers and crackers. Potential
security breaches can come in the form of downloading
unfamiliar email attachments, being monitored by spyware,
maliciously attacked by malware, or probed through port
scanning.
Dshield.org (www.dshield.org),
a non-profit company, functions as a “dominating attach
correlation engine with worldwide coverage”. In short, they
work with people and companies to track, among other things,
port scanning violations. Port scanning involves a person
(referred to as a hacker or cracker) who attempts to break
into you computer through the open ports in your system. Once
an open port is located, the individual attempts to collect
your personal data or install a malware program into you
computer. On average, Dshield.org logs over 1.1 billion
reported attempts of port scanning each month. What is even
scarier is that this is just based on their program
participants. You can imagine how many more incidents are
occurring each month to the general population of computer
users.
Dshield.org
also reports on survival time. Survival time refers to how
long it will take before an unpatched PC is attacked or
infected. Below is a snapshot of their current operating
system breakdown:
Current OS Breakdown
|
Category |
% |
Adjusted Survival Time |
|
Windows |
27.0000 |
128 min |
|
Unix |
0.5000 |
3648 min |
|
Application |
3.0000 |
1203 min |
|
P2P |
1.5000 |
1591 min |
|
Backdoor |
0.5000 |
5432 min |
Source: Dshield.org – Survival
Time History (11/8/05)
In short, if
you have a Windows-based operating system and an unpatched PC,
you will be attacked or infected in a little over 2 hours.
When looked at in these terms, securing your computer becomes
a mission.
Here are a
few easy steps you can take to immediately protect your
computer.
1.
Don’t run unfamiliar programs on your computer.
It sounds like common sense, but many of the most prominent
attacks have involved spyware and email attachment worms such
as Bagle and Netsky. If you don’t recognize the sender, don’t
download its attachments.
2.
Don’t allow unrestricted physical access to your computer.
If you have sensitive or proprietary information on your
computer, allowing other employees or family members to use
your computer can lead to potential breaches in your
computer’s security.
3.
Don’t use weak passwords.
Use passwords which are difficult for someone to figure
out. People frequently use the names of children, pets,
anniversary dates, or birthdays. Because there seems to be a
password needed for everything, it is not uncommon to see many
people using the same password for everything. Big mistake!
The use of only one password provides a hacker with easy
access to a smorgasbord of personal information. If you have
to write your passwords down, it is best not to leave them on
a post-it, attached to the screen of your computer. You may
chuckle at the absurdity, but it happens more than you think.
4. Don’t forget to
regularly patch your operating system and other applications.
Many industry experts believe that most network security
attacks would be stopped if computer users would just keep
their computers updated with patches and security fixes. Too
often, we forget to do this on a regular basis. Remember that
every day, new viruses, worms and Trojans are being created
and distributed. They are looking for the weaknesses in your
computer system. Having outdated software is basically the
same as holding the door open and inviting them in for a
visit.
5. Don’t forget to make
regular backups of important data
Always keep a copy of important
files on removable media such as floppy/ZIP disks or
recordable CD-ROM disks. Store the backups in a location
separate from the computer.
In most
cases, Windows desktop and screen-saver passwords provides
adequate protection for normal security concerns. However, if
you feel more comfortable taking additional security measures
consider obtaining a comprehensive security suite.
Selecting
a Antivirus Software
The next
question is how do you pick the best product for your needs?
You start by asking yourself a series of questions. Do you
need password protection for individual files, your desktop, a
network, or to block someone’s access to the Internet? Is
your computer used only by you or do multiple users have
access to the computer? How many users in total do you
expect on your computer? What are your system requirements?
How much do you want to spend?
Once you are
able to answer these questions, you can begin to research
which security suite will best meet your needs. Product
reviews and user statements provide a great starting point.
PCMagaine (www.pcmag.com), Zdnet.com (www.zdnet.com), and
Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) are just a few
informative sites that offer research on various computer
software products.
There are
numerous security suites available on the market. Take the
time to choose the one that meets your specific needs. As a
starting point, we’ve listed a couple of the more popular
programs:
1. Kaspersky Personal Security Suite
Description: A comprehensive protection program package
designed to guard against worms, viruses, spyware, adware and
other malicious programs. The program offers five pre-defined
security levels and is convenient for mobile users. System
requirements: Window 98/2000/XP; Internet Explore 5.0 or
higher, Memory: minimum of 64 MB RAM, 100 MB free on hard
drive.
2.
Shield Deluxe 2005
Description: This program provides protection from viruses,
adware, spyware, and privacy threats while using very low
system resources. Additionally, the maker, PC Security Shield
offers ongoing free technical support. System requirements:
Windows 98 or higher, WinNT, WinXP, WinME; Internet Explorer
5.1 or higher, Memory: 32MB ram or higher, 65 MB free disk
space.
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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