Grains Home PC Security
Internet Security
There was a time when the Internet was a relatively safe place. Many individuals nowadays are intent on making it difficult for the average person to enjoy their Internet experience. Spy ware, Trojans and tracking cookies get dumped on your machine every time you go online unless basic precautions are taken.
In themselves SPYware and Adware don't usually present a major problem, but get a few dozen of these things infesting your PC or Laptop and it becomes a real headache.
Your bandwidth gets reduced to a mere fraction of its full potential, consequently reducing your PC or laptops performance.
New Virus are discovered every month and you should be protected against these and other threats.
Firewall - Anti virus
Internet security packages in most cases include both a firewall and an anti virus program.
These should be set to run automatically for any machine connected to a network or the internet. They should also be updated on a regular basis.
Free Internet Security
In most cases your Internet Service provider (ISP) will provide you with free anti virus and Firewall programs. This is normally included in the Broadband line rental.
Other free security programs are available and many companies offer free anti virus and firewall's to home users. Zone Alarm offer an excellent free firewall for home users.
AVG, Avast and a few other companies offer free antivirus programs for home users.
Wired RoutersA good boost to home PC security can be achieved by fitting a Wired Router, even if you only have one PC they can help stiffen up your security. |
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If you have a network and you need to use file and printer sharing these routers are a must. The extra security the routers provide is well worth the cost.
They work as a hardware firewall by the very nature of their design. The inbuilt firewall and filters allow you to make extra rules, but generally once set up, they don't really need to be touched again other than to update the firmware occasionally.
They are useful also for zoning internal networks. i.e. denying one network access to the other.
Wireless Routers have their own security issues, besides the cost they are less secure unless setup correctly, and are vulnerable to abuse by third parties that put themselves within range of your device.
Log into your router and set the SID (security identifier) and use the same number to set the SID on all machines that need to use the router. Setting up mac address filtering can also help secure your network
Wireless Routers
The hazard that wireless routers present doesn't bear thinking about. Its a new gadget everyone's got to have one.
If you don't know how to set the security up properly on a wireless router then I would recommend you stick to a wired router.
Alternatively enlist some help to set up the security identifiers (SIDS) on your new wireless router.
For serious Hackers the wireless router is a blessing. Potentially it allows anyone who wants to perform illegal internet activities, or wants to make a nuisance of themselves on the internet to connect to the internet using one of the many free vulnerable home broadband connections available in almost every Town, Village or City in the U. K. and elsewhere.
If you use a wireless router and haven't set up your router security SIDS then your connection is open to abuse by any third party within 50 to 100 yards maybe further. All that is needed is a mobile wireless laptop to connect to your wireless router and the internet.
Of course this makes tracking these individuals virtually impossible, as the innocent home user in most cases doesn't even know anything is out of place with their broadband internet connection.
It doesn't take long to find an unsecured connection in a built up area, the potential for untraceable abuse is tremendous. And in most cases if serious crime is committed the innocent user will be the first person the authorities will pounce upon.
Spy ware and Ad ware
Spy ware and Ad ware, can present a real problem and there are many free programs available to home users to remove them.
These type of infections are not always picked up by anivirus program's. Although nowadays the makers of anti virus program's are having to consider protecting their customers against such threats.
Other programs such as Ad aware SE Personal, Spy ware Blaster and also Spybot Search and destroy can be very useful in combating this type of threat, and should be updated and run on a weekly basis to remove all Spy ware from your machine.
Google Pack - Firefox
the Google pack contains useful programs and utilities for home users. Firefox is a good easy to set up alternative web browser.
You can download Firefox and also download google pack from the links at the top right of this page.
Improve your Security
1 Buy and fit a Router with Broadband this is recommend nowadays and I wouldn't run without one after discovering the benefits that they offer. If you need to run file and printer sharing these are a vital part of the security arsenal.
2 Install anti virus and a firewall on your machine use the free ones above if you don't have one, and learn to use them. Too often I have seen people install the latest anti virus and firewall software and then simply don't know how to use and maintain them. They wouldn't even think of updating their software. Keep your software up to date, and this includes windows too!. If you don't run legitimate OS software, consider buying a Legitimate Operating System for your machine, as you will be assured that your operating system will be kept up to date.
3 Disable third party cookies in Internet explorer, only allow 1st party and session cookies.
4 Consider using Firefox as a browser as it seems to give less trouble overall, probably being a new browser, it hasn't really been targeted by companies and individuals that abuse our trust. I also find the setup options easy to use.
5 Turn off all unneeded services that you are not going to use. To have services you don't need running just increases your chance of developing problems. There are many good sites out there that have guides for Windows XP and Windows 2000 services, and these guides can help you decide which services you can shut down.
6 If you just have one computer and no network disable net bios in TCP properties, it is mainly used for file and printer sharing. File and printer sharing in network properties should be removed or at least disabled on any machine which is not behind a Router
7 Do not give out any personal information online, unless you have confidence in the company you are dealing with. Be sure that they use a secure connection for entering bank and credit card details.