Internet Security: Protecting Your PC

Internet Security - Protecting Your PC

An unprotected computer connected to the internet, just sitting there, not doing anything, will become infected with a virus, worm, or trojan. It's just a matter of time.

It can take as little as 5 minutes on the Internet to acquire a virus, worm, or trojan. If that doesn't scare the hell out of you or cause you any concern, then you probably shouldn't be allowed on the internet. Computer security is not something you can ignore. Viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware. They're all out there and they're all actively trying to get into your computer. If you become infected, the infecting agent will not only screw up your computer, but will use your computer to propagate itself throughout the rest of the internet and screw up other people's computers as well.

Protecting your PC and the rest of the internet is the responsible thing to do!

First Things First: Setup a Firewall

Why do you need a firewall and why is it so important? Click here to learn why. You must have a firewall running on your system. These days, it's the only way to protect yourself with any certainity. If you are running Windows XP, you can activate it's built-in firewall. It's the quickest way to get temporary protection until you can install a full fledged firewall. Click here for instructions on activating the Windows XP Internet Connect Firewall.

In order to confidently protect your PC, you must install a full fledged firewall. Everyone must do this, even those who have Windows XP Internet Connect Firewall activated. The easiest, quickest, and best way to do this is to download and install ZoneAlarm. It is a free firewall that is easy to use and extremely effective.

Click Here to Download ZoneAlarm Firewall Now!!!

When the File Download dialog window opens, click on Save. Install the firewall AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Once installed, you will be protected from anyone hacking your computer from the Net.

Note: If you were running Windows XP Internet Connect Firewall before installing ZoneAlarm, you no longer need it. Go back and uncheck the Internet Connect Firewall box to disable it. Running two firewalls can cause problems with your computer.

1. Install an Anti-Virus program if you haven't already done so. Anti-Virus software is extremely effective at stopping Viruses, some Trojans, and most Worms. What is a Worm and why should you care? Click here to learn why.

There are a number of good anti-virus programs. Norton and McAfee are probably the two most recoginized names. There are also several free anti-virus programs available on the net which are just a good or better than pay-for-use programs. One of the best is AVG Anti-Virus. Other free anti-virus programs include Avast, and AntiVir. You can also perform a free online Virus scan of your system from Trend Micro.
2. Keep your Anti-Virus definitions up to date. An anti-virus program is of little benefit if you don't keep the virus definitions up to date. It's important that whatever program you use, it must have an auto update feature. You don't want to have to constantly go to the programs website and manually check for new virus definition updates. You want the program to do that for you, in the background, without you having to think about it. Norton, McAfee, and even the free program, AVG, have this feature.
3. Secure Your Web Browser. Internet Explorer is the most popular web browser. As a result, it is the most attacked and exploited browser. If you insist on using it, you MUST keep it patched with the most current updates from Microsoft.

A better alternative is a safer and more secure web browser. One of the best and most secure web browser alternative is Firefox from the Mozilla Organization.
3. Windows Update - Keep current on all operating system patches. Microsoft issues patches for Windows fairly frequently. These critical patches are issued in response to potential or active security flaws. The best way to keep current is to set Windows to automatically check for critical updates. That way Windows will notify you as each becomes available. Better yet, set Windows to automatically check for, download, and install critical updates.
4. Install and run Anti-Trojan software. What are Trojans and why should you care? Click here to learn why.
There are many anti-trojan programs to choose from. For the common home PC users, I recommend BOClean by Privacy Software Corporation. It'll cost you $39.95, but it will be the best $39.95 you ever spend for PC security. That price includes a lifetime of trojan definition updates which, by the way, come almost everyday. And the good part is you don't have to do anything to get the updates. The software automatically checks for the updates and installs them without any intervention on your part. That's the way all security software should work.
5. Install a NAT Router. What is a NAT Router and how will it help your PC security? Click here to learn how.
This only applies to Cable or DSL broadband connections. There are a few routers that can be used with dial-up connections, but they're kind of hard to come by.

I highly recommend the Linksys routers. I use one and many of my friends do as well. They have a variety of routers for individual users or the small home network. For info on configuring routers (the Linksys in particular) to work with IRC, Click Here.
6. Install Anti-Spyware. What is Spyware and why should you care? Click here to learn why.
Spyware is one of the lesser evils of the Internet. It is, however, something you can control. There are two very good Anti-Spyware programs available on the net, and they are free downloads. The first is called Spybot S&D. The second is called Ad-aware, and is the easier of the two to use. I recommend Ad-aware for its simplicity of use, and recommend Spybot if you want a more robust program. Both are excellent.

Microsoft recently purchased GIANT Anti-spyware. GIANT is an exceptional anti-spyware program, rated as one of the best, if not the best programs of its type. Microsoft has released it as Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) for home users. It is currently free for use until July of 2005. I've been trialing the software and am very impressed. It can be configured to auto-update (highly recommended) and run daily, weekly, or monthly at a time of your choosing. When it comes out of Beta, Microsoft will, of course, charge for it. If the price isn't too outrageous, it could be well worth the price. Give it a try while it's still free.

Security Related Sites

Internet Connection Security for Windows Users
by Steve Gibson, Gibson Research Corporation

Without your knowledge or explicit permission, the Windows networking technology which connects your computer to the Internet may be offering some or all of your computer's data to the entire world at this very moment! Shields UP! quickly checks the SECURITY of YOUR computer's connection to the Internet.

Go to the Shield's UP! site right this minute. Test the security of your internet connection. If you don't have a personal firewall system, I can guarantee the results will scare the bejeebers out of you!

Click Here for More Info

Broadband Reports.com Security FAQ

Broadband Reports.com is a bulletin board with a wide range of topics related to cable and DSL. It also happens to be one of the premiere sites for security issues on the Internet. Here you can find answers to almost any question you may have about security. If you can't find the answer in the FAQ, go to the Security Forum and post a question. The folks that hang there are security experts (no, really! Security software vendors hang out there too!) and will gladly help you with your problem.

Click Here for More Info

Security Hardware - Linksys Router

The most simple and flexible way to create an Internet firewall (a shield against unwanted intruders) is to install a piece of hardware into your computer system that already has firewall software built into it. The most commonly used firewall device is an Internet Router. A router is usually installed on a network, but works just as well on a stand-alone computer.

An Internet Router, which is installed between your Internet connection and the rest of your computer, protects your system by making your computer virtually invisible to the outside world. Anyone trying to look at your computer from the internet will only see the router and not your computer system. If they can't see you, they can't hack you!

Some routers have firewall software built into their internal construction. These routers offer the added security of firewall software, making it much more difficult for somebody to decode your router’s data, thus making unauthorized access to your computer virtually impossible.

If you have a broadband connection, I strongly recommend you install a router. They are effective, easy to install and setup, and very inexpensive. I highly recommend the Linksys routers. I use one and many of my friends do as well. They have a variety of routers for individual users or the small home network. For info on configuring routers (the Linksys in particular) to work with IRC, Click Here.

Security Software

FREE Firewall System for the Home User

ZoneAlarm provides essential protection for Internet users. Combining the safety of a dynamic firewall with total control over applications' Internet use, ZoneAlarm gives rock-solid protection against thieves and vandals. ZoneAlarm makes ironclad Internet security easy-to-use.

Install it and forget it. ZoneAlarm comes configured to deliver "out-of the-box" safety and security. As you use your computer and applications that access the Internet, ZoneAlarm asks you whether you want applications to access the Internet. It quietly protects you while logging unauthorized repelled attempts to access your computer.

Security Levels make ZoneAlarm easy to use. In just a few seconds you can decide how secure you want your system to be. In contrast to other security solutions, ZoneAlarm does not require you to learn about ports, protocols and firewall programming. Security Levels automatically configure the Firewall and eliminate the risk of improper use that comes with other products. With ZoneAlarm's Security Levels, you get peace of mind, not confusion. ZoneAlarm makes Internet safety and security hassle-free.

Go to the ZoneAlarm site and download it today. IT'S FREE

Click Here for More Info

BlackICE™ PC Protection

BlackICE Defender is now BlackICE PC Protection. BlackICE PC Protection now offers Application Protection, a new feature designed to shield PCs, laptops and workstations from hijack by an attacker, and protect users from Trojan horse applications, worms and other destructive threats.

BlackICE's Application Protection quickly and invisibly defeats dangerous attack programs delivered through email, instant messaging or even Web browsers. BlackICE stops these destructive programs before they damage your PC, or launch new attacks against friends and co-workers.

As with previous versions, BlackICE teams a personal firewall with an advanced intrusion detection system to constantly watch your Internet connection for suspicious behavior. BlackICE responds instantly by blocking the threat alerting you to trouble.

BLACKICE PC PROTECTION STOPS ATTACKERS COLD!

BLOCKS attacks instantly
PREVENTS destructive applications like worms and Trojans
REPORTS attempted attacks and identifies intruders
SECURES any Internet connection, including dial-up, DSL, or cable modem

Click Here for More Info