Internet security is something which
most internet users are aware of, but don’t understand, or know how to
protect themselves. We have compiled this useful guide to assist you to
protect yourself, your family, and your computer.
The internet is an international network of computers which are
connected together via cables and telephone lines. There is a constant
flow of information travelling between these computers (including your
own) which leaves them open to abuse by other users. Most attacks by
hackers or viruses can be stopped quite easily, and the attacks which
cannot be stopped happen rarely anyway. Lets take a look at the issues:
Viruses
A virus is a computer program which has been designed to spread from one
computer to another and interfere with the computers normal operation.
The consequences of your computer becoming infected can cause it to
continuously crash or fail to operate correctly in some way, you can
loose all data on the computer, and this list goes on.
There is no good way of removing a virus from your computer, the best
thing to do is prevent your computer from becoming infected in the first
place. You should never connect your computer to the internet without
anti virus software such as Norton or McAfee and ensure you keep them
updated with the latest downloads.
The most common method of distribution of a virus is via your email
system. The virus will often read the recipients email address book or
sent and received emails and send itself to everyone on the list. If you
receive an email with a file attachment which you were not expecting
(even from someone you know), do not open it until you know what it is.
Spyware
Spyware is quickly becoming the biggest security issue for anyone using
the internet. In essence it works in a similar way to a virus but is
much more malicious. It can record your personal data and take control
of your computer, often sending you to websites you don’t want to go
to, changing your system files so that your computer runs slowly, and it
can even stop your internet access all together.
As with a virus, removing spyware is a chore at best. Often they are
programmed in such a way that even once you have removed the spyware
files, it will reinstall to your computer straight away. Ensure you have
either Norton or McAfee installed before you log on to the internet.
Phishing
Phishing is an illegal attempt to obtain sensitive information by
deception. Often the information that is targeted is log on details for
online banking, or your credit card details. The fraudster will set-up a
website that looks exactly the same as the website for one of the big
high street banks. They will then send a mass email out to thousands of
people pretending to be from that bank, asking them to go to their fake
website (by clicking on a link contained within the email). Once the
unsuspecting victim has arrived at the website they are prompted to
either log in or enter their credit card details, and once this is done
the fraudster then has access to their online banking or credit card
details.
Important; No one, not even your bank should ask you to supply any
internet banking log in details. You should never respond to an email
asking you to enter any such details no matter how innocent it may seem.
Wireless Security
If you connect to the internet wirelessly from your home, there is a
chance that someone else could steal your broadband connection without
your knowledge. This is an illegal activity but there is a simple way to
stop it. You must ensure you encrypt your wireless router (see your user
manual for details). You must then input the password in to your
computer or laptop to ensure you can still log on to your network,
anyone without the password can not log on. It is estimated that 50% of
residential wireless networks in the UK are not secure, and the owners
of 80% of those networks don’t even know there is a risk.
Recommended Software
If you connect to the internet wirelessly from your home, there is a
chance that someone else could steal your broadband connection without
your knowledge. This is an illegal activity but there is a simple way to
stop it. You must ensure you encrypt your wireless router (see your user
manual for details). You must then input the password in to your
computer or laptop to ensure you can still log on to your network,
anyone without the password can not log on. It is estimated that 50% of
residential wireless networks in the UK are not secure, and the owners
of 80% of those networks don’t even know there is a risk.
