Computer Security

Regardless of whether you're a home user, small business or large corporate, it's essential that your single computer or network system of computers is secure.

The cost of securing your system is negligible when compared to what it can cost you:

• for repairs or attempts to recover data that has been lost if a virus destroys your data or your hard drives.
• in lost time - to reformat your system and reinstall all of the software again
• in lost information, set-up configurations, email, files, data etc (even if you think you have a good backup).
• if a hacker gets access to your passwords, banking details and private information via a Trojan or keylogger that has been installed on your system.

Don't think it can't happen to you! Even if you install a simple firewall on your PC for the first time, you will be amazed at how many attempts there are each day to access your system.

Viruses, Trojans and illegal access to your system can be initiated in a number of ways.

1. Internet access via
   1. Email - attachments and embedded code in the email itself.
   
   
   
   2. Websites with:
      1. Malicious scripts installed in the pages
      2. Malicious scripts installed in files you download (eg music)
      3. Images with malicious embedded code.
      
      
      
   3. Simply through open ports on your computer when you're connected to your ISP.


2. Discs (floppies, CDs, DVDs, memory devices) - particularly prevalent if you have children who are transferring games or information between friends or from school or university computers.

The more protection you have against security threats the less chance that there is of a virus, worm, trojan or unauthorised access harming your computer and the vital information it stores.

Ideally, to combat these threats, you should have:

• a good firewall ... more >>
• either stand alone software on each PC or
• built into your (a)dsl router hardware or
• both



• anti virus software ... more >>
• should have an automatic update function



• anti spyware ... more >>
• should have an automatic update function



• a good (off system) backup routine that is carried out regularly.

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