- Make sure your Operating system is always up to date. Schedule your machine to automatically update your software.
- For windows make sure automatic update is on, follow Microsoft's instructions here: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/msupdate_keep_current.mspx
- For Mac make sure you install the updates when prompted, follow Apples instructions here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704
- Linux - since every Linux distribution is different you will have to read the help page, but most distributions have a simple software update button that not only updates the Operating System but updates all software that is installed which is better then both Apple and Microsoft's updates.
- Run the Secunia Software inspector to make sure your computer is safe.
The Bad words of Computer Security Part 3 – Software Updates
March 8, 2007 By - Leave a Comment
There is a lot of words for Software updates including, Vulnerabilities, patches, versions and bugs. Software and your Operating system need to have the latest version, otherwise you risk your computer to cyber attacks. For example if your using an outdated version of Firefox (a web browser) and enter a site that attacks a certain bug which has been known and fixed in newer versions then even if you have an Anti-virus program you can get attacked.
The simple rules:
The Bad words of Computer Security Part 2 – Viruses
March 6, 2007 By - Leave a Comment
In the first Part of the “Bad” words of Computer Security I talked about Passwords. Now that you have a safe and secure password what about Viruses??? Since a computer was built by a human you will notice we take a lot of the same words when we talk about ourselves. If you get a virus, that’s not a good thing. The same goes for your computer. Now we protect ourselves from viruses, we don’t eat from the garbage, wear the right clothing when its cold and in general stay away from the things that will harm us. That is the same with computer viruses, be careful what you feed your computer. In the good old days that meant putting a disk in a drive, today that means going to a website, downloading a program or opening an email. Security experts use to say don’t open anything from strangers, but even that has changed.
Rules for protecting your computer from getting a virus:
- Install an anti-virus program. Then make sure you have the up to date virus definitions each month. PLEASE READ, yes that four letter word, READ, the information on the anti-virus companies website. Most anti-virus software comes with a subscription, when that subscription runs out then you are no longer protected from the latest viruses since you will not be able to install the latest definitions. I list Anti-virus programs at the end of the article.
- UPDATE, I know i mentioned it above but make sure that you are getting the updated definitions each day or at least each week. (Companies don’t always reales them each day.)
- Make sure you have a firewall on. Most Operating Systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) have built-in firewalls.
- Run an anti-virus scan at-least monthly with of course the newest definitions. You can schedule the scan. I run mine weekly.
- That Is it…. now for those resources
Resources:
- Certs home security section – CERTS is a government funded research and development institute. They are the security experts.
- http://security.getnetwise.org/ – get net wise is a great website that has information and tools about protecting yourself on the web.
- Microsoft list of Anti-Virus clients – This is a very good and always updated list of anti-virus clients. I personally like Symantec.
The New DWI – Driving With Internet?
January 4, 2007 By - 1 Comment
With a new year comes new technologies, discoveries and as always questions. Do I really need always-on internet access in my car? Well, of course you do. Their is a new product that has this feature and its coverage is as the website states “95% of the United states.†AutoNet Mobile (http://www.goautonet.com) will be launching the product in the spring with what seems to be the next Internet frontier – America’s second home- our cars. They do this by placing a mobile router inside your car, which then creates a wireless hot spot. The coverage map resembles the wireless cell phone coverage maps we see when shopping around for the best wireless service which brings me to the conclusion this will not be the only company that will offer this service.
Many people will still question if we need internet access in our cars and the answer is still yes. Everything should be connected, the world needs to be connected and this will some day allow us to turn on our lights from our car four miles away. This will also spark on-board computers in our dashboard that will do more then just give us directions. The possibilities are endless but if you have kids in the back seat watching a movie, one day they can be also be online doing their homework. Well, that might of went too far, however, bridging the gap of the Internet in the car will change the meaning of DWI to Driving With Internet and maybe like other technologies the law may catch-up.
The bad words of Computer Security Part 1- Passwords
November 21, 2006 By - 2 Comments
So there is this thing out there that computers are the Root of all evil. Now that is actually a very geeky joke that no one should ever get, but there are some out there I can hear laughing as you pet your Playstation 3. So what is Computer Security? What does it have to do with the average user? A LOT!!!!
Today everything is on our computer. Well almost everything, we still can’t get pizza from the computer. We could order it online but what’s the fun of that. Since we work, bank, communicate and play on our computer there is a lot of information and information is as valuables as gold. This first section is concentrating on PASSWORDS. You know that little word you need to gain entrance into a private little space usually in Cyberia. Now this little guy can be used against you, can be your worst nightmare.
Rotten Apples Broken Windows
October 8, 2005 By - Leave a Comment
I have been asked many times, “which is better the MAC or Windows PC?â€. There is no true answer to this debate. However, people who are computer dysfunctional may find Apple’s Macintosh computers easier to use. Apple always uses the latest technology, they never keep older technologies. Meaning that there systems will last much longer, of course this also means the initial investment is more. Apple has an innovated way of thinking and designing their machines. Simple. If you work on a Windows at work with customized business software it may be hard to find Mac version. If your looking for a cheap PC to write documents and cruise the web then windows is the best way to go. Apple computers and devices are really for those looking for the latest technologies which are geared towards the artistic and creative persona.