What should I know about protecting myself and others on the network?

| Threats | Protection |

First of all, the World Wide Web (WWW) based in the Internet is a very hostile environment. Below is a list of the threats.

Second, this isn't just about you. If your computer is infected, you are now a threat to the other customers on the Internet Extension network and beyond. So, if you are concerned about keeping your data (email, pictures, files, etc), then you have to take some steps to deal with these threats.
# Adware
Programs that secretly gather personal information through the Internet and relay it back to another computer, generally for advertising purposes. This is often accomplished by tracking information related to Internet browser usage or habits.
Adware can be downloaded from Web sites (typically in shareware or freeware), email messages, and instant messengers. A user may unknowingly trigger adware by accepting an End User License Agreement from a software program linked to the adware.
# Dialers
Programs that use a system, without your permission or knowledge, to dial out through the Internet to a 900 number or FTP site, typically to accrue charges.
# Hack Tools
Tools used by a hacker to gain unauthorized access to your computer. One example of a hack tool is a keystroke logger -- a program that tracks and records individual keystrokes and can send this information back to the hacker.
# Hoax
Usually an email that gets mailed in chain letter fashion describing some devastating, highly unlikely type of virus. Hoaxes are detectable as having no file attachment, no reference to a third party who can validate the claim, and by the general tone of the message.
# Joke Programs
Programs that change or interrupt the normal behavior of your computer, creating a general distraction or nuisance. Harmless programs that cause various benign activities to display on your computer (for example, an unexpected screen saver).
# Remote Access
Programs that allow another computer to gain information or to attack or alter your computer, usually over the Internet. Remote access programs detected in virus scans may be recognizable commercial software, which are brought to the user's attention during the scan.
# Spyware
Stand-alone programs that can secretly monitor system activity. These may detect passwords or other confidential information and transmit them to another computer.
Spyware can be downloaded from Web sites (typically in shareware or freeware), email messages, and instant messengers. A user may unknowingly trigger spyware by accepting an End User License Agreement from a software program linked to the spyware.
# Trojan Horse
A program that neither replicates nor copies itself, but causes damage or compromises the security of the computer. Typically, an individual emails a Trojan Horse to you-it does not email itself-and it may arrive in the form of a joke program or software of some sort.
# Virus
A program or code that replicates; that is, infects another program, boot sector, partition sector, or document that supports macros, by inserting itself or attaching itself to that medium. Most viruses only replicate, though, many do a large amount of damage as well.
# Worm
A program that makes copies of itself; for example, from one disk drive to another, or by copying itself using email or another transport mechanism. The worm may do damage and compromise the security of the computer. It may arrive in the form of a joke program or software of some sort.

 

Protection is not an easy matter either. While you can use a firewall, anti-virus software, and ad/spyware removal tools, these must be up-to-date and configured correctly.

Again, the items that you must have to protect yourself.

1. Firewall - If you have Windows XP, either the Windows XP, Windows Firewall or Norton Personal Firewall. If you don't have Windows XP, then you must use Norton Personal Firewall. The Macintosh equivalent is in the Sharing control panel under Firewall.

2. Anti-Virus software - We recommend Norton Anti-virus in either the Windows version or Macintosh version. There are a few other good ones and a lot of bad ones. The virus definitions must be updated daily through Live Update in Windows and about weekly for the Macintosh. This MUST be kept up to date. For the Windows version, we recommend rather than updating the subscription yearly, to purchase the latest version.

3. Ad/Spyware - This is not an issue for the Macintosh, however, it is epidemic for the Windows based computers. We recommend the LavaSoft AdAware tool. The personal version automatically scans and downloads new definitions.

4. Do not run any additional servers such as a web server or remote access.

Good Luck !