Security Software

The Internet is like an ocean. It is useful for many things. You can use it for transportation – e-mail and instant messaging, documents, music, video, databases for work, and at home. You can glean resources from it – information of every kind, how to articles, fiction, and pictures. Nearly everything that can be digitalized has been, and can be found online if you only search long enough. There’s plenty there for anyone interested enough in looking around.

Unfortunately, the digital ocean is also full of a multitude of dangers. There are hackers in the online universe who are more than capable of getting a Trojan or piece of spyware onto your computer and using it to retrieve your credit card number or other personal information, if you don’t take measures to protect yourself from them. There are viruses and worms that have no purpose but to destroy and cause damage, which may infect your computer, if you don’t apply the proper defenses to them. There are forms of advertising that rely on infecting your computer and displaying ads that slow your computer down and make work less efficient.

Obviously, these dangers can make exploring, let alone working on, the Internet slow and frustrating. If you have the right security software to begin with, you can prevent these problems and make your online experience a far more enjoyable and productive one. Make sure you do your research before logging onto the Internet for the first time – or, if you’re already online, before going too much further. The ocean is full of sharks, but if you have a strong enough cage you’ll be fine.

Most people won’t use the Internet for anything more than casual browsing. If you’re one of these people, you’ll probably be doing the following things, each of which has their own unique set of problems: web browsing and research, music or video downloading, e-mail, and online shopping. These four areas all have their own set of unique problems and solutions to those problems, though most of them are usually covered with bundled software when you buy a new computer. It never hurts, though, to be safe.

The first activity, standard web browsing and research, generally only makes one vulnerable to a form of attack called “ad ware.” Ad ware uses viral methods to plant links in your system to continually pop up windows and ads for this or that product. These ads slow down your system and are a hassle to navigate through. There are two ways to protect your computer from these. The first is a simple all around antivirus program like Norton or AVG. Antivirus servers are updated constantly and protect your computer from basic worms, viruses, Trojans, spyware, and ad ware. The second way, which should be used in conjunction with the first, is a simple “pop up blocker” program. This prevents the small popup boxes with adds from appearing in the first place, making your Internet experience a far more enjoyable one.

These days, music and video have become a far more common staple in the Internet world, especially with the advancement of high speed Internet technology. Generally, if you’re paying for your music, you’re safe – online services like iTunes, for instance, will be free of viruses and entirely safe for you to download.

There are, however, in the world of the Internet some devices called “file sharing programs.” Some of these are actually legal; most aren’t. First, make sure that if you actually use a file sharing program, it’s legal. Even if it is legal, though, it’s important to note that the main point of file sharing programs is to share files. This is one of the most effective methods of virus distribution in existence. Make sure that if you do choose to use these dangerous programs, you scan each downloaded file carefully with a virus scanning program like Norton or AVG.

One part of the Internet nearly everyone uses these days is e-mail. Because nearly everyone uses it, virus makers and spammers take full advantage of e-mail to mail annoying ads, viruses, and Trojans designed to get into your computer and send private and sensitive information to the hacker at the other end of the line. If you have good e-mail security software, you can prevent your computer from being compromised and make e-mail a safe and user friendly environment.

Some comprehensive virus programs will also scan e-mail, so check to see if yours does. If it doesn’t, or if you just want a little bit of extra protection above and beyond the call of duty, there are plenty of e-mail specific security options waiting out there to protect your computer. These e-mail security programs are usually called “firewalls” or “e-mail scanners,” or something along those lines, and can be most easily shopped for simply by calling a local computer retailer or searching for solutions online. The MailGate e-mail firewall is one good example of a strong e-mail security program, and works hard to prevent hackers and phishers from getting into your system, stops spam at the electronic “doorstep,” and keeps your personal information from getting out to prying eyes.

One relatively recent development in the world of the Internet is the advent of online shopping and worldwide digital commerce. These days its fairly easy to buy a new dress or pair of shoes or watch or nearly anything simply by going to a website, browsing their stocks, clicking on what you want, and typing in your credit card number. It’s simple – a few minutes, click, and you’re done. The item shows up in a neat package a week later. Nothing easier, right? Absolutely, but there are a few things you should remember.

First, whenever you buy something online, you have to do one of three things: either use your credit card, use an online user account with the company (the way eBay conducts business), or use a third party financial company like PayPal to pay your bill. No matter which of these you use, careless handling of personal information could lead to big problems, if a hacker manages to get a hold of, say, your credit card number or eBay password.

The simplest way to protect this kind of information is to make sure you have a good firewall and virus protection program. Credit card information is leaked most frequently with a virus like program like a Trojan or a piece of spyware. This program sits quietly in the background of your computer and records your credit card when you enter it, and then e-mails it to the hacker, wherever the hacker is. The hacker can then use the credit card to order a lot of items and, if he’s good enough, can usually get away with it. The credit card company will generally take the hit, but it will mean changing cards and plenty of hassle on your part, so be responsible and make sure your software is up to date.

Also, make sure you only shop on reliable web sites. Generally the big sites like eBay or Amazon are going to be very safe, as will online versions of physical stores like BestBuy.com or Sierra Trading Post. You’ll also usually be safe if you use an online financial service like PayPal as a third party payment system. Exercise caution – if a site is asking for a credit card number and doesn’t look reputable, play it safe, and don’t give it to them.

In the business world, much of the communication and work that goes on takes place over setups called virtual private networks. These virtual private networks, or VPNs as they’re called, make it possible for small companies to network over wide distances and to remain a cohesive whole even when spread out across the entire country. These virtual private networks can be, as you can imagine, extremely valuable to any CEO or technology director. Unfortunately, they also present a few special challenges in the security department.

First, let’s look closer at what VPNs actually are. A VPN, unlike a hard-wired actual network, is just what its name says – virtual. It uses the Internet as a connecting medium to link businessmen together, no matter where they are in the world. Because it uses Internet connections and phone or high speed Internet lines rather than a direct CAT5 or wireless network, VPNs can be both slower and less secure than actual networks, though they are of course more convenient – an actual network can only cover a building or campus, while a VPN can span the country or the world.

There are several different VPN protocols, which may use varying levels of encryption depending on just how much security you want for your servers. If you’re a relatively “low risk” target, you may not need to spend as much money on good security software, but if you think hackers may have reason to hack your accounts – especially if you conduct commerce online and have access to private customer information – you will want to make sure your security software is fully up to date.

Because VPNs send information over large and unsecured networks, the solution to keeping your network private is called encryption. There are several different methods for good encryption, one of the more effective methods of which is called public key encryption. A public key encryption algorithm works by using two keys, a public key and a private one. The two keys are mathematically related; the public key can be sent with the message and interacts with the private key to decode the message. This is a highly effective form of communication that will keep your data and information safe.

This level of security through encryption rather than secured network access is the difference between security software in a virtual private network and security software in a hard-wired actual network. Check around, and shop for options – there are different ways of setting up VPNs, and many of them have strong encryption protocols included in the package.

In a business virtual private network, some of the most valuable information is often sent through e-mail: client information, customer service issues, even legal cases, and technological descriptions. If anything in your network should be safe, it’s probably the e-mail. The question is how do you keep your e-mail safe. Well, if you’re working from an actual network, your first line of defense will be to have a very secure network. Hire a good IT director or run it yourself – whatever works best to make your network the most secure. If you’re running a virtual private network, on the other hand, you’ll have to make sure your VPN and e-mail software provides adequate provisions for your e-mail security. This may take a number of forms, one of the most popular of which being public key encryption techniques. By having the private key on each individual computer, you can safely send e-mails across the Internet without ever worrying about people getting into them and reading your private information. Just make sure you have some good security software, and your information will stay right where it belongs – in your hands.

Whatever you end up doing, just remember that the Internet is extremely useful and can also be somewhat dangerous. Know the field and educate yourself about the Internet, and you can make sure your own network is safe and secure from all attackers.