IT Security and You

When the Internet was established it was primarily the domain of IT nerds.  As it became more user-friendly, its popularity continued to increase and during this time IT security, although recommended, was not essential. The wide-spread adoption of the Internet saw the introduction of new forms of crime, including identity theft and phishing scams.

Hackers' skills continue to develop, and with the advent of more sophisticated hacking software, the threat to you, your identity, and money continues to increase.

For this reason, if you have a computer and are connected to the Internet, it is essential to turn your firewall on, install antivirus software and download patches to avoid having your money or identity stolen. This web site is designed around five key topics to give you the information you need to secure your computer:

1. Firewalls

A firewall is a protective system that sits between your computer network and the Internet. Firewalls work by carefully analysing data entering and exiting the network and rejecting information from unsecured, unknown or suspicious locations.

2. Antivirus Protection

Antivirus software protects your computer by providing both on-access and on-demand detection from different forms of malware.

3. Patching Your PC

A patch is an actual piece of object code that is inserted or patched into an executable program.

4. Securing Your Passwords

Your passwords are the keys to your personal information and they can be cracked in just minutes with software freely available on the Internet.

5. Avoiding Spyware and Malware

• Malware is the generic category of any program that causes damage to your computer and includes viruses, worms, Trojans and Keyloggers.
• Spyware are pieces of software that are installed on your computer without your knowledge and collect information on your browsing habits such as Browser Hijackers and Dialers.

Additional information you should also be aware of is:

• Phishing Scams

Phishing scams work by sending what appears to be a legitimate email asking the recipient to follow the embedded link and verify their account details.

• Spam

Spam otherwise known as unsolicited junk mail is sent to your inbox and can transmit malicious programs such as viruses or overfill your inbox.

• Removing Trial Software

If you have installed trial software on your computer and then later decided not to purchase it remember to uninstall it, otherwise it can used to create a back door for hackers to access your computer.

• Physical Security of Your Computer

IT Security goes hand in hand with physical security. Without securing your computer physically you are still vulnerable.

An IT Security Checklist postcard has been developed to give you the information you need at a glance to secure your computer and prevent you from becoming a victim.

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