Stay Safe — and Computer Savvy — by Understanding Security Tools
by Sharon Miller Cindrich
To keep your family and property safe from intruders and threats, you do more than lock the front door of your home. You also lock the back door and the windows. You turn on the porch light. Maybe you belong to a neighborhood watch group or install a special security system. You use storm doors to keep out bad weather and install smoke detectors to alert you in case of a fire. Each component plays an important part in keeping your home, property and family safe.
The same rule applies to your computer. There is no one simple procedure to follow that will keep your family, your private information and your computer safe from online menaces. Computer viruses, spam, and spyware can lead to identity theft, hardware damage and the loss of important files. The good news? Like your home, a multi-faceted security approach will give you the best chance of safeguarding your computer and private information.
Although many new computers come with updated security software packages pre-installed, updating security on an older computer may seem overwhelming. Understanding how different security technologies work can give you a clearer picture of how they protect your computer and help you to assess your current security risks:
- Firewalls. A firewall acts as a filter between the Internet and your computer and keeps threats from accessing your system through your Internet connection. Although firewalls can come in the form of hardware, most of today's personal computers come with a pre-installed firewall software program.
- Anti-virus Software. These programs scan your files and e-mail and compare the contents to a database of known viruses. If it identifies a threat, this software is designed to stop a malicious program before it can cause damage. Today, most security software includes protection against not only viruses, but also other malware such as spam, worms, adware and spyware. It is estimated that hundreds of new threats are created every day. For this reason, updating your security software regularly is extremely important.
- Browser settings. Browsers act as another gateway between your computer and the Internet. In many cases, tweaking your browser settings will offer you good defense against pop-up ads and viruses without severely compromising the speed of your computer. Each browser has slightly different settings, so refer to the browser's main Web site for guidance.
It is important to note here that privacy and security settings are different. Privacy settings are most often controlled by "cookies," small files assigned by a Web site that sit on your browser to identify your computer on your next visit. Cookies are used to provide convenience and collect marketing information, but are not generally a major security threat. - Encryption software. When important and private information is transferred between computers, encryption software provides a disguise for the message that cannot be recognized by other computers. This process encodes information that can only be decoded by a receiving computer equipped with a key. Encryption is often used for e-mail, WiFi, and e-commerce transactions.
Combined, these security tools provide solid protection against intruders — whether they come in the back door or pop up at the front door. Many new computers come with a security package already installed, but you'll want to check out the details to understand exactly what is included.
While security software and filters can be programmed to identify threats, it is often our own human nature that puts us at the greatest risk of opening a spam-filled e-mail or downloading a virus. One of the most important lines of defense when it comes to security is our own computer habits.
Deleting suspicious e-mail, blocking unwelcome correspondents, avoiding downloaded photos and being cautious about sharing private information are examples of how our choices can dramatically decrease the chance of a security breech. Practice these basic security habits to maximize your computer's security power:
- Avoid downloading "free" programs from the Internet. Many of these applications look harmless, but they can contain viruses, spyware and adware that can wreak havoc on your system.
- Log off any public Internet connection. If you're logging in remotely at a cyber café, a hotel business center or a friend's home, make sure to completely log out when you are finished. Remaining logged in opens the door for a stranger to access your private accounts.
- Change your passwords regularly. Most computer systems and programs require login passwords, and changing these on a regular basis will decrease the chance of someone accessing your information.
- Avoid opening e-mail from unknown senders. Check the subject line of your e-mail and delete any messages or photos from unknown senders. Downloading a photo or e-mail can infect your computer with a virus.
- Take time to set security options. Check to see if your firewall is turned on. Update ant-ivirus software every three months. Make time to familiarize yourself with security choices in your browser.
