| The Web is increasingly used by white-collar | | | | Once you are connected to the Internet, you |
| criminals for fraudulent purposes. You can thwart | | | | have established a conduit which the baddies can |
| these malicious activities by being watchful and by | | | | try to exploit to overcome your PCs protection. |
| activating the following 5 steps to protect your | | | | A firewall can check incoming requests and only |
| computer and yourself. | | | | let the benign requests have access to your |
| 1. Install anti-virus software and infection | | | | machine. It will block all other attempts to access |
| protection software. | | | | your computer. Firewall software protects your |
| 2. Install a firewall and monitor all attempts to | | | | computer from crackers and other undesirable |
| access your data. | | | | attacks. As with the virus and spyware programs, |
| 3. Always upload the latest version of your | | | | you should set your firewall software to |
| operating system. | | | | automatically search for changes and install them |
| 4. Do not open attachments or click on links | | | | when they become available. |
| contained in e-mail originating from unknown | | | | Step 3: Always run the latest version of your |
| persons. | | | | browser and operating system. |
| 5. Do not download freeware or shareware from | | | | The operating system that runs your computer is |
| unfamiliar sources. | | | | constantly updated by the software companies |
| Step 1: Install anti-virus software and | | | | who produce them. Microsoft, for example, offer |
| anti-spyware/adware software. | | | | an automatic update facility for their various Win |
| What is anti-virus software? | | | | operating systems and they are continually |
| Anti-virus software comprises routines designed | | | | updating their systems to make them operate |
| to find out if your PC is infected by a malicious | | | | more efficiently and faster and to provide new |
| threat. If any threats are found on your | | | | security features and defenses against unwanted |
| computer, you can set the anti-virus program to | | | | intrusion. You can set your operating system to |
| quarantine or delete the infection. | | | | check for and download updates to Windows |
| Why is anti-virus software required? | | | | automatically. To make sure that your operating |
| Malware (malicious software which includes | | | | system is secure, it is important to make sure |
| viruses, adware, spyware, Trojans, keyloggers | | | | that you're running the current version. |
| and other destructive programs) is now | | | | Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, |
| commonplace on many people's computers. | | | | Apple Safari etc.) are updated frequently by the |
| Recent estimates state that the vast majority of | | | | vendors as well. Verify that you are using the |
| PCs which connect regularly to the Internet have | | | | latest version of your favorite browser. |
| some kind of malware problem. In many cases, | | | | Step 4: Take care when opening email |
| there is no real permanent damage to the PC, but | | | | attachments or clicking on links contained in email |
| malware can also be extremely vicious, deleting | | | | messages from people you don't know. |
| information and interfering with operating system | | | | Sending a virus or a trojan in an attachment to an |
| functionality, and in the case of spyware/adware, | | | | email message is a common way to infect your |
| sending valuable details such as credit card | | | | PC. When you open the attachment, your |
| numbers, financial records and passwords to a | | | | computer becomes infected. If you receive an |
| criminal third party. | | | | email from an unfamiliar source, do not open it. |
| To augment the protection afforded by a good | | | | Delete it immediately. If you're given a link to a |
| anti-virus program, it pays to also acquire an | | | | site you don't know, don't click on it. Even emails |
| effective anti-spyware/adware program. | | | | from places you would normally trust (your bank, |
| What is spyware/adware software? | | | | your credit card company etc.) may have been |
| Spyware or Adware are infections which | | | | created by criminals. If you're not sure, don't use |
| piggy-back on free downloaded Internet | | | | a provided link, and enter the URL manually. The |
| software, often games, music, screensavers, | | | | link in the message may take you to a facsimile |
| utilities and other seemingly innocent pieces of | | | | of your financial institution's site and will retain |
| software, and they install themselves unknown to | | | | your access codes thereby providing the thieves |
| the computer user. Once installed, they can see | | | | with access to your accounts. This activity is |
| what you're accessing on the Internet and in | | | | known as 'phishing' and is very widespread |
| some cases can be used to transmit personal | | | | nowadays. |
| information to a hacker. This information can be | | | | Suspicion is your best friend under these |
| used to assume your identity online. | | | | circumstances. Never respond to any message |
| Tips for using anti-malware software: | | | | that asks for any of the following information: |
| Set up anti-virus software on your PC and set it | | | | Password |
| to automatically scan files. | | | | Logon code |
| Do the same with your anti-spyware/adware | | | | Personal Identification Number (PIN) |
| program. | | | | Credit card validation code |
| Be aware of the limitations of free protection | | | | Bank account numbers |
| software. It may not have all the components | | | | ATM or credit card numbers |
| needed to clean your computer of infection, and | | | | Personal information, such as Social Security |
| give-away applications can sometimes even | | | | number or identity number |
| contain the malicious software which they purport | | | | Inform your financial institution immediately if you |
| to be fighting! Only buy from well-known vendors. | | | | are targeted by this kind of email. |
| New types of malware are constantly being | | | | Step 5: Don't download freeware or shareware |
| discovered, and it's a good idea to set your | | | | from an unfamiliar source. |
| protection software to keep your program | | | | What is freeware or shareware? |
| updated by downloading the new updates from | | | | Some people develop software which they then |
| the software publisher when they are available. | | | | offer as downloadable applications on the Internet. |
| Step 2: Buy a personal firewall and monitor and | | | | These are usually enthusiasts who genuinely want |
| filter all necessary incoming and outgoing | | | | to share their skills for free with other people. |
| connections. | | | | Shareware is similar, but often the developers ask |
| What is a software firewall? | | | | for a nominal fee for their efforts. Lots of useful |
| A firewall is a guardian and acts as a interface | | | | programs can be found on the Internet written |
| between your PC and the Internet, and performs | | | | by individuals and both small and large companies, |
| the function of monitoring and blocking external | | | | but unfortunately in some cases the software is |
| threats to your PC. Firewalls come in hardware | | | | malicious in nature and contains code which could |
| and software versions, and if you use a hardware | | | | damage your computer. |
| router, normally a hardware firewall is built into | | | | The only answer is for you to be very wary of |
| this piece of equipment. It makes sense to add a | | | | what you download from the internet, and if you |
| software firewall on your computer to | | | | do download a piece of software, check it for |
| supplement the level of protection for your | | | | infection before you install it on your PC. |
| system. | | | | Keep your wits about you on the Internet! |
| Why should I use a firewall? | | | | |