Protecting your computer against unwanted intrusions
These days
we are often vulnerable to many unwanted intrusions when connected to the
Internet. Here are some suggestions which hopefully will allow you to keep your
computer relatively free from these sorts of attacks in future.
·
If you use any of the Microsoft products such as one of the Windows
operating systems (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME, etc.),
Internet Explorer, Media Player, MS Office applications, etc. then make a habit
of regularly running the Windows Update facility. Click here to run this facility. There are a few update options
– to review these, go to the Control Panel and double click on “System”, then
click on the “Automatic Updates” tab, and then choose your preferred method for
retrieving and applying updates. In any event ensure that you follow
instructions to install all critical updates listed, as these updates in nearly
all cases relate to eliminating vulnerabilities to improve security.
·
If you are receiving an inordinate amount of SPAM or unwanted e-mail, unsubscribe or change your
e-mail address through your current Internet provider. Unfortunately in some cases
(regardless of whether you unsubscribe or not) the people who send you the
unwanted e-mail will continue to do so, as they now have your email address. If
you can recognize these in the future from the subject line, DON'T OPEN THE
MAIL. Just delete it right away, as some of these types of mail have imbedded
code to put a cookie on your computer (a cookie is a small program which in
some cases tracks what you do and sites you visit, and subsequently this
information may be used for surreptitious reasons such as to find out
passwords, send SPAM, etc or to send back a signal to let the initiator know
that you are reading the mail). If you don’t want the inconvenience of changing
your e-mail address, you may want to consider investing in software which allows
for the filtering of SPAM (such as McAfee's "Spamkiller")
which stops most unwanted mail from reaching your mail application in-box. Some
well known Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) automatically filter most of the
SPAM mail for you.
·
There are some nasty viruses being perpetuated these days. If you have a Virus
program installed (such as from McAfee or Norton) then make sure you download
their latest updates. If you don't have such an application, then I suggest you
invest in one, as these are very essential these days. In the meantime download
the latest version of a free application from McAfee called stinger.exe. Click here to
download a copy and then run it. This will ensure that most of the
latest nasty viruses are eliminated from your computer.
·
After running
"Stinger", download a free copy of either AD-AWARE or Microsoft’s new
BETA version of an Anti Spyware application and then run it. Click here to downlaod a copy of AD-AWARE or Click here to downlaod a copy of Microsoft's Anti SpyWare These
software programs will allow you to rid your computer of undesired embedded
objects which may have been secretly placed within your computer without your
knowledge (sometimes referred to as spyware
or Trojan horses). These small
programs/objects secretly send back information to the initiating site. After
you run this application, click next and then tick-off any reported
program/object listed and then click next, and all will be removed. You will be
given the option of putting these objects into quarantine instead of deleting
them. Taking this option will also isolate these objects from being run, but
also allow for their reinstatement if required. You may notice that some of
these objects are there to ‘Data Mine’ information to track where you surf the
Internet and to gather and send back this information to initiators. If you do
not already have what is called a Firewall, I would recommend that you install
one. A firewall is generally a software application used to protect your
computer from intruders. Firewall protection is especially useful for users
with "always-on" connections such as DSL or Cable. Often compared to
anti-virus applications, firewalls work in the background to protect the
integrity of your system from malicious
computer code by controlling
Internet connections to and from a your computer, filtering inbound and
outbound traffic, and alerting you of attempted intrusions. A firewall can also
be used to make your computer invisible to malicious attack from other
computers and to safeguard specified private information (like passwords and
account numbers) from being sent to requesting sites. There are some good
firewalls available. I use "Zone Alarm Professional" which costs
around $30 US per year. The basic version I believe is free. However, I would
recommend getting a good one as this is a wise investment. Click here to download a copy of the Zone Alarm basic version
and install it. Firewall’s come either in the form of a software product (like
Zone Alarm, and the Norton and McAfee firewalls) or as hardware, mostly as a
feature of a network router. Hardware firewalls are generally more expensive
and are installed between your computer and the network you’re connected to.
Unfortunately these days we need
to safeguard ourselves against unwanted intrusions, and it is becoming standard
practice to have some of the aforementioned products installed. Hopefully these
suggestions will ensure and satisfy your security needs. Happy surfing!
Aubrey Ballantine
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