Computer Defense

A computer defense should be your last line of defense but it is necessary to keep your computer safe. You have taken the time to change your behavior but there are still steps to take to defend the home front.  A Windows XP machine that has not been updated with Microsoft update for a while connected directly to an internet connection could get a virus in minutes. You are almost there, just a few more steps to secure your computer like the pros.

1. Anti SPYWARE/AD-WARE - Browsing the internet and clicking on the wrong item can get hidden software on your system that tracks your every move. A good detector is essential to keep your computer safe and the more the better. Windows Defender is available free from Microsoft for Windows XP and is included with Windows Vista. Pepi MK’s Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware Personal SE are good and also free and found at download.com. Unlike antivirus software where you only want one to control your virus scanning, the important thing to remember is that one anti spyware software wont find everything and it is a good idea to have more than one scanner. Another good thing to point out is that a scanner may find many things that look bad but this is not necessarily the case.

2. Router - All homes with an internet connection should have a router. A router is one of those boxes that allow more than one computer to share an internet connection. A router is a gateway that blocks all of the internet "noise" on the net essentially making it a "firewall." The only traffic that is allowed by a router is what is requested by the users in the home network as allowed by the computer administrator. Most routers have a back door in them put there by the manufacturer and they should be turned off. If a wireless router is used, WPA encryption should be used, WEP encryption is easily hacked. All routers need to have the “admin” username and password changed because that is the first thing someone trying to get into your network would use. Passwords need to be a long strand of random characters alpha and numeric.

3. Windows Update - Because almost all people use Microsoft Windows machines all of the hackers attack them in order to have the biggest response, make the most destruction, or to make as most money as possible. Because of this, Microsoft creates patches that fixes these errors and exploits every first Tuesday of the month. It is extremely important to turn on windows automatic update and update your system regularly. It is extremely important to update your Windows as soon as possible to avoid "zero day exploits" which is when crackers learn about and take advantage of these fixes and make exploits based on them. This does not seem smart but you would be surprised how many people don't update their system and remember, when a person has hacked your computer, you cant get what they put on your computer even if you download the Windows update later.

4. Firewall - Once you have Service Pack 2 for Windows XP or if you have Windows Vista, make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on. The Windows Firewall blocks un-recognized incoming and outgoing traffic and can be essential for any network. One could argue that you don’t need the Windows Firewall turned on because your computer is connected to a router which is correct. In this case, if another computer in your network gets infected while behind your router (like your kids), all other computers may and can be affected. The Windows Firewall will protect you in this case by stopping any viruses from spreading within your network.