| Start With the Basics - Protect Your PCGuarding | | | | you use your computer, and surf the web, traces of |
| Access to Your PC - Get a FirewallBeginning in the | | | | your activity get left behind, stored on your |
| Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, | | | | computer in lists, temporary files, and caches. The |
| construction was begun on what was to become the | | | | best case is that these "leftovers" can clutter up |
| Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, culminating in | | | | your PC, and, with time, degrade its performance. |
| the mid-1600s, construction continued on the wall until | | | | The worst case is that someone who gains |
| it stretched 4,163 miles from east to west China. The | | | | unauthorized access to your PC can read these files |
| wall was constructed to prevent invasion by other | | | | and learn a fair amount about you, potentially helping |
| states of China and outer tribes.When you connect | | | | them to steal your identity.Privacy software removes |
| your PC to the Internet either through cable, dial-up, | | | | all traces of your PC and Internet activity, helping to |
| or DSL, it is like China prior to the Great Wall. Anyone | | | | protect your privacy.As with antivirus software and |
| can invade your PC, and plunder, pillage, and destroy | | | | anti-spyware software, privacy software should be |
| content on your PC. A firewall acts just like the | | | | run on a regular basis. It, too, can be setup to run |
| Great Wall of China. When installed, it acts as a | | | | automatically on a regular basis so that an end-user |
| barrier between your PC and the outside world. It | | | | does not have to do anything to protect their |
| prevents unwanted and unauthorized access to your | | | | privacy. The first time the privacy software is run it |
| PC over your Internet connection.Firewalls come in | | | | is not at all uncommon for it to recover in excess of |
| two basic forms: | | | | 500MB of disk space by deleting the "leftover stuff" |
| Hardware firewalls - hardware firewalls are a piece | | | | on your PC.To prevent unauthorized intruders from |
| of hardware, like a PC, that gets installed between | | | | being able to gather information about you, select |
| your PC and your Internet connection. Literally, a | | | | one of the privacy packages and install it on your |
| cable from your cable or DSL modem gets | | | | PC.Think Before You Click - Use Some Common |
| connected to the hardware firewall. Another cable is | | | | SenseA little common sense can go a long way when |
| connected from the hardware firewall to your PC. | | | | trying to protect your PC. Most of what can |
| When done, the hardware firewall acts as a barrier | | | | compromise your security will come through e-mail, or |
| between your PC and the Internet. It lets you get | | | | when you are surfing the web. Because of this, you |
| out to the Internet, but it does not allow | | | | definitely need to think before you click. If you have |
| unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. | | | | not realized it already, most unsolicited e-mail is |
| Many cable, DSL, and wireless routers/switches have | | | | garbage. No matter how good the offer may sound, |
| firewalls built into them. | | | | the common sense rule of "if it sounds too good to |
| Software firewalls - A software firewall serves the | | | | be true, it is..." applies. Most of what you receive |
| same purpose as a hardware firewall. It, however, is | | | | unsolicited is designed to scam you out of money, to |
| software that gets installed directly onto your PC. | | | | trick you into divulging private information, to install |
| The software monitors all inbound and outbound | | | | spyware and adware on your computer, or to install |
| Internet traffic, and creates a software barrier | | | | viruses on your computer.Identifying Suspect |
| between the Internet port into your PC and | | | | E-MailsSo how do you identify the bad "stuff"? It |
| everything else on your PC. Once installed, it lets you | | | | actually is fairly easy to identify "suspect" e-mails. |
| get out to the Internet, but it does not allow | | | | Common bad or suspect e-mails include: |
| unauthorized access from the Internet to your PC. | | | | E-mails from people or companies with whom you |
| Software firewalls have an advantage in that they | | | | have never corresponded or conducted business. You |
| can implement rigid controls over what software | | | | may receive e-mails that you need to verify your |
| installed on your PC will be allowed to access the | | | | account information from a company that you do |
| Internet. | | | | not do business with. You may receive a message |
| Many people use both a hardware firewall and a | | | | that looks like it is from eBay that says they are |
| software firewall. It is similar to having a fence to | | | | going to shut off your account and you have never |
| protect access to your yard, and then a front door | | | | done business with eBay. Individuals and groups trying |
| to protect access to your house. Everyone should | | | | to perpetrate fraud will go to great lengths to try to |
| use at least one firewall, hardware or software. If | | | | look like a legitimate business. You need to use |
| you have a laptop, you should use a software | | | | common sense. If it does not "feel" right, it probably |
| firewall. That way the firewall goes with you, | | | | is not. |
| wherever you go, protecting your PC. | | | | E-mails with gibberish in the title or in the body of |
| Find more information on software firewalls here. | | | | the message. |
| Find more information on free software firewalls | | | | E-mails from friends, relatives, or business associates |
| here. | | | | that do not make any sense. |
| | | | E-mails from yourself that you never sent or e-mails |
| Plug the Holes - Make Sure to Download Operating | | | | that are "returned" to you from someone that you |
| System Updates and PatchesBy now, the security | | | | have never corresponded with. |
| holes and flaws in Windows have become legendary. | | | | This list can go on forever with the many subtle |
| To their credit, Microsoft publishes a steady stream | | | | variations. The bottom line is that if it does not feel |
| of fixes, patches, and update releases to plug all | | | | right then consider it to be a bad e-mail.Suspect |
| known security holes, flaws, and problems. In order | | | | e-mails should be deleted. Never click on links in |
| for your PC to benefit from these patches and | | | | suspect e-mails. Never open file attachments to |
| updates, you must, at a minimum, download and | | | | suspect e-mails. Never reply or forward suspect |
| install the critical security updates that Microsoft | | | | e-mails. Simply delete them and move on.Safe |
| makes available. You can do this one of two ways: | | | | SurfingInstalling firewall software and antivirus |
| You may download and install them manually by | | | | software, and running anti-spyware software and |
| visiting the "Microsoft Update" link on the Microsoft | | | | privacy software should go a long way to protecting |
| web site. | | | | you when your are surfing. Here, again, some |
| For newer versions of Windows, such as Windows | | | | common sense applies. Avoid sites that do not "feel" |
| XP, you can turn on the "Automatic Updates" feature | | | | right. Sites that are constantly trying to get you to fill |
| of the operating system and allow the updates to be | | | | out forms before you have much of a chance to |
| downloaded and installed automatically. | | | | learn anything about the site and the organization |
| Either method works well. The "Automatic Updates" | | | | who owns the site are highly suspect. Pornography |
| route takes the thought and work out of the | | | | sites are famous for downloading spyware and |
| process. Regardless of which method you choose, | | | | viruses onto people's computers. Stick to sites you |
| the important thing is to keep Windows up to date. | | | | know, the sites of reputable companies, and sites |
| Out of date versions of Windows can leave your PC | | | | that come recommended by people you trust and |
| open to hackers and viruses.If you are using Mac OS | | | | you should be okay.Protecting Your KidsNow that |
| or LINUX, then none of this applies. You are already | | | | you have taken care of the basics and protected |
| using inherently more secure operating systems. It is | | | | you PC, it is time to specifically worry about keeping |
| still, however, important to install updates and | | | | your kids safe. When trying to protect your children, |
| patches to these operating systems as well to be up | | | | it is important to: |
| to date and to provide the best protection against | | | | Set expectations |
| unwanted intrusion.Take Your Medicine - Install | | | | Monitor and control what your children do online |
| Antivirus SoftwareA computer virus is an unwanted | | | | Use some common sense |
| software program that: | | | | Setting Online ExpectationsIt is important for you as |
| Gets loaded onto your PC | | | | a parent to be clear with your children what you |
| Replicates itself, meaning that it copies itself and | | | | expect of them when they are using the PC. You |
| distributes itself to other computers | | | | need to be clear about what you consider to be |
| A virus can get onto your computer from any of | | | | appropriate online behavior, as well as what is and is |
| several sources, including: | | | | not appropriate to be accessing online. Children should |
| From a removable disk | | | | be taught: |
| From an attachment to an e-mail message | | | | That they should never give out personal |
| From a download while surfing the web | | | | information such as their name, address, e-mail |
| From a worm through a known hole or flaw in your | | | | address, phone number, or age to anyone over the |
| operating system | | | | Internet without your express permission. |
| Once on your PC, the impact of a virus can range | | | | That they should never fill out forms without your |
| from relatively benign to rendering your PC | | | | permission. |
| unusable.Antivirus software is software that you use | | | | That they should tell you if they come across |
| to protect yourself from computer viruses. It can | | | | anything or anyone online that they feel is not |
| detect and remove known computer viruses. There | | | | appropriate or that makes them uncomfortable. |
| are many excellent antivirus packages available that | | | | That they should ask before downloading or installing |
| are relatively inexpensive. There are also several | | | | software on a PC. |
| excellent antivirus packages available for free for | | | | That they should never, under any circumstances, |
| home, non-commercial use. | | | | arrange to meet alone with someone who they have |
| Find more information on antivirus packages here | | | | met online. This can be especially important for your |
| Find more information on free antivirus packages | | | | teenage children who may feel that they have met |
| here | | | | the boy or girl of their dreams online. If they feel |
| To prevent viruses form being able to harm your | | | | that they absolutely must meet this individual, then |
| PC, you need to select one of the antivirus packages | | | | they should arrange to do it with a responsible adult |
| and install it on your PC.TIPS: Make sure that your | | | | present. You should remind them that it is very easy |
| antivirus software is setup to: | | | | for someone to masquerade as someone else online. |
| Automatically check for updates so that its' virus | | | | Monitor and Control What Your Children Do |
| definitions database is up to date and you are | | | | OnlineThe PC that your children use should be setup |
| protected from the latest threats. Most updates are | | | | in a public location where it is easy for you to |
| provided on an annual subscription basis. Make sure | | | | monitor what your children are doing. It is very |
| that you renew your subscription when it expires. | | | | difficult for a child to engage in questionable online |
| Free products, such as AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, | | | | activities when everyone in the family can easily look |
| provide the updates at no cost. | | | | over their shoulder. If you have children who |
| Automatically perform a virus scan at least once a | | | | participate in chat rooms or use instant messaging |
| week. If the PC is used to surf the web extensively | | | | software you should regularly ask them who they |
| then you may wish to perform virus scans more | | | | are communicating with. If they are evasive or do |
| frequently, even once a day. | | | | not tell you, take away their computer privileges. |
| Stop the Spies - Install Anti-Spyware | | | | Having a safe mad child is better than having an |
| SoftwareAdware is any software that displays | | | | unsafe happy one.There is also software that can |
| advertisements on your computer screen, either | | | | help parents protect their children. Software to help |
| through banner advertisements within an application, | | | | keep children safe comes in two forms: monitoring |
| or through pop-up windows. Spyware, which may | | | | software, and parental control software.Monitoring |
| also be known as a spybot, or tracking software, is | | | | software allows parents to monitor activity on the |
| computer technology installed on an individual's PC | | | | family PC. Many packages will allow you to monitor |
| that gathers information about them and their | | | | computer activity including web surfing activity, e-mail |
| computer use. Adware and spyware removal | | | | messages, chat, and instant messaging. Some |
| software, or anti-spyware software, is software that | | | | software will even allow screen shots to be taken at |
| is installed on your computer to combat the threats | | | | predetermined increments of time. Many of these |
| of adware and spyware. It will search your | | | | packages will operate in stealth mode, meaning that |
| computer's memory, file system, system registry, | | | | no one will know that the software is even installed |
| and browser caches for the existence of adware and | | | | and running. Of course telling your children that you |
| spyware. It will then remove or quarantine any items | | | | have software that is monitoring their activity may |
| that it finds. Adware and spyware removal software | | | | also act a a deterrent. Monitoring software typically |
| may also monitor for, and actively block, the | | | | does not filter out any bad content. It simply lets you |
| downloading of spyware applications.There are two | | | | know if someone is accessing things that are |
| excellent anti-spyware programs available for free, | | | | inappropriate.Parental control software, or Internet |
| Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft, and Spybot | | | | filtering software, allows parents to control content |
| Search & Destroy from Safer Networking Ltd. There | | | | that is displayed and block specific web sites. Some |
| are also many excellent anti-spyware packages that | | | | filtering software will filter e-mails and chat rooms, |
| range in price from $19.95 to $39.95. Select and install | | | | block pop ups, and even monitor chat rooms. This |
| one of these packages and run it on a regular basis. | | | | software is, by its very nature, more intrusive than |
| Find more information on anti-spyware packages | | | | monitoring software. It will filter out a lot of bad |
| here | | | | stuff. It may also miss some bad stuff. It may also |
| Find more information on free anti-spyware | | | | filter out some good things.The choice of which |
| packages here | | | | software to use will come down to personal |
| To prevent adware and spyware from being able to | | | | preference. Some parents use both. If you choose to |
| gather information about you, you need to select | | | | use no software than having the family PC in a public |
| one of the anti-spyware packages and install it on | | | | place and asking questions about what your children |
| your PC.TIPS: Similar to antivirus software, make sure | | | | are doing online becomes much more important.Use |
| that your anti-spyware software is setup to: | | | | Some Common SenseYou should be aware if your |
| Automatically check for updates so that its' adware | | | | child becomes secretive about what they are doing |
| spyware definitions database is up to date and you | | | | online. Averting a computer monitor, or quickly turning |
| are protected from the latest threats. The two free | | | | it off whenever someone walks into the room is not |
| packages, Ad-Aware and Spybot do not have | | | | normal computer behavior. It is, however, the |
| automatic update features, so you will need to | | | | behavior of an individual who is trying to hide |
| perform this task manually. Ad-Aware at least tells | | | | something. If your child is exhibiting "odd" computer |
| you that your definitions database is getting old and | | | | behavior question them. If you get no answers or |
| asks you if you want to update it. | | | | you do not like the answers, take away their |
| Automatically perform an adware/spyware scan at | | | | computer privileges and/or get software that |
| least once a week. If the PC is used to surf the web | | | | monitors their activity. As has already been stated, a |
| extensively then you may wish to perform scans | | | | mad safe child is better than a happy unsafe one.Rob |
| more frequently, even once a day. Ad-Aware SE | | | | Pirozzi is a freelance writer who provides timely, |
| Personal will only run automatically at system startup | | | | quality professional writing of all types. He is also the |
| time. If you leave your computer on all of the time | | | | publisher of the web site NuttyAboutSports.com, a |
| then you will have to remember to manually run the | | | | web site dedicated to fans of popular North |
| scans. Spybot can be scheduled to run automatically | | | | American Sports, including baseball, basketball, |
| as one of its "Advanced Mode" features. | | | | football, hockey, lacrosse, motor sports, softball, |
| Spring Cleaning - Think About Privacy SoftwareAs | | | | soccer, and tennis! |