Computer viruses are one of the most annoying problems of the modern digital age. Often created by computer coders with too much time on their hands, these bugs can be quite troublesome and can destroy valuable information stored on your computer. There are a number of anti-virus software programs available to help you monitor any possible infection, but prevention is always better than the cure. There are a few ways you can make sure you lower your chances of contracting a computer virus. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: anti-virus, security, virus
Categories: Tips
We all know the importance of having good and difficult passwords once we have access to a site or a network but one thing that many would have to consider would be the length. Others would want it short, but these are people who would not care of why they are given access. Others want it long normally something that they can easily remember such as their address or birthday. But how long should it be?
Traditionally, it should be at least 8 characters. Some are fine with 6 characters but for security reasons and avoiding hackers, it would be best to make it longer. A combination of alphanumeric characters would be better as it makes harder to crack for people who love to do mischief. So if this were the case, the potential combination would perhaps be your car plate number, bank account or even your driver’s license codes. With that in mind, you better make sure you also write it down and keep it in a safe place. This is in case you may forget it for some reason due to the tons of information you have stored up in your mind.
Regardless, a user should always make sure that the password he chooses is something he is familiar with. For most sites, we are asked to put secret questions to which we can answer for ourselves. But in choosing the right one, we must make sure that it is something only we know and not something that can be easily guessed by anyone. Failing to do so may put your access and credibility at risk.
Tags: encryption, passwords, security
Categories: Cryptography, Privacy & Anonymity
Emails are supposed to make life easier but sometimes, it may be wise to choose who you give out your email to. Today, a lot of mischief can be done and normally this comes in forms of email attacks or email bombs. In such scenarios, don’t be surprised if you find your email downloading hundred to a thousand emails in one sitting. That is not the best part. You would be lucky if this was done only once since others would schedule it daily.
Why do they do it? One is for trials of these foolish software and the other can perhaps be for malicious reason. It is a fact that while many people on the web cannot be harmed physically, they can create headaches for you in the form of discomforts from the privileges you get from the web. One of the main elements an online user would need to use is his email and by doing these email attacks, it burdens the person on how to get important information usually sent through the web.
One cannot avoid such instances. But the best way to prevent it is to choose the people you give it too. For people you meet on the web, it would be wise to use free mail accounts from Gmail or Yahoo over your personal one. Avoid the troubles of such since it will not only be a discomfort, but a forgettable experience as well.
Tags: emal, explosion, security, spam
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Security Policies, Spyware, Tips
If you are in charge of network security, one thing you may want to consider as far as laying down the law in safeguarding your network is the regular change of user passwords to avoid potential hackers and cracks based on how their passwords can be easily guessed.
For some users, it is easy to figure out their passwords. The normal passwords that people use include:
1. Birthdays
2. Anniversaries
3. Car Plate Numbers
4. Mobile Phone Numbers
5. Adding 123 to their names, or
6. Using “PASSWORD” as their password
Now there will be a lot of potential combinations depending on the length of the password. That is why the longer passwords (8 alphanumeric characters) are encouraged for users who access the network.
But while the probabilities of guessing or cracking passwords offer a lot possibilities, employing a regular maintenance as far as changing them is indeed something ideal to combat these hackers or malicious people from gaining access to the network and the programs in use.
Once cannot avoid the fact that some people’s curiosity and call for fame are the main reasons for wanting to be a hacker or code cracker. It is evident in people who are looking to try out their skill. They don’t think of the outcome which can cause a lot of problems.
So one good tip to avoid being hacked is to think like one. Once you do, think of security policies that can make it hard for you to breach a system. That is the best way to stay efficient in your line of duty in any organization.
Tags: network, passwords, security, systems
Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Security Policies
You just have to look at how Microsoft always announces certain patch releases for their software these days. Nothing is definite and safe just yet especially if you consider hackers and computer geeks trying to discover flaws in certain computer software such as an operating system. There will always be something discovered and the loophole can be entirely critical and dangerous.
Unlike in the latter 1990’s, today we rarely see patches being given since they have more or less covered the security threats ranging from viruses to malware today. There are still recommended patched needed. But surely, they are not as rampant and dangerous compare to before. And to make sure that you are using authentic software, they make use of software authenticity codes to know if you are using genuine software or not.
Microsoft can be commended for this but it still remains that there are still a lot of flaws as far as their software releases are concerned. But to make sure that customers do not experience these unfortunate mishaps, a continuous research and development for such threats has to be implemented. We can see these days that something will suddenly break out and if you are not protected, chances are you are missing a patch.
As much as possible, apply these patches. If you are in doubt, read on them or even ask for technical support. Security breaches in the IT world are common and to stay away from such a discomfort, it is best to be updated and make sure you are well-protected.
Tags: Malware, Microsoft, patches, security, viruses
Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Operating Systems
Closed Circuit TV Cameras (CCTV) have indeed become a new face of overall protection and security. At the rate that security is breached and terrorism growing rampant these days, it is apparent that any place or business establishment needs to work up its security measures to ensure maximum protection for the innocent consumers and people who are unaware of threats that may come their way.
But one issue that has been heard all throughout the world is on their reliability. You can monitor various activities but then what? What action would you take? If you do, would it be enough to avoid any accidents that may suddenly occur.
Apparently, many establishments just want to avoid the trouble. Mischief lingers anywhere these days and the best thing that you can do is to try and avoid them. Compared to the early days, tighter security through videos allows the place owners to monitor abnormal and suspicious behaviors to which the proper steps to avoid them can be done.
The list goes as far as advanced security measures such as the high security of sealed places where new technology as thumbprints, eye scanners and card swiping for better monitoring of accessing people limits the list of potential breaches in a certain area.
This has helped a lot and in times where something unfortunate may happen, investigators can have a better time catching culprits thanks to these hidden monitors. These days, that is why most mischievous people have made it a point to survey before attacking. Sadly, some of them have found a way to get around CCTV security as well.
Tags: access, cctv, monitoring, security
Categories: IT Security Basics, Physical Security, Real-World Issues
The world of cyber-crime has grown so much in these past few years due to the explosion of growth with respect to the number of internet users the world over. It has not only expanded on the side of normal people but on the side of cyber-criminals who now operate on their own networks, spanning the globe and ready to spread their products, malicious code that first scans the globe for weak points in the security net that we all put up to somewhat give us a sense of security from the ever-growing threat which is actually futile to some extent. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Malware, security
Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, News, Real-World Issues, Security Policies
For most companies, the computer room where the company servers containing the delicate data originating from daily transactions is the most important place in the office. So while the people here are trying to figure out ways to safeguard these servers, it would be likewise important to consider external security measures such as placing locks and monitoring the activities with the use of spy cams.
Why is this important? The right question should be geared on how well do you trust you IT personnel. Evaluate their personality and see the extent to which they may betray the company and place operations in jeopardy. This not of course to discredit them but in reality, a lot of people use their knowledge and access as leverage towards being able to command salaries and money-related deals that many of us know as blackmail.
Also, physical intrusion is always a possibility. No matter how secure your area would be, it can be breached at anytime if you do not address the right measure to make it harder for them to gain access to the computer room. In short, the harder it is to get in to you computer room, the better it is. This only means you have prepared on the physical aspect of securing your IT area which is a good approach the sake of safeguarding hardware and data.
Tags: Physical Security, security, spycams
Categories: Physical Security, Real-World Issues
One click is all it takes to be infected and for the avid PC user, it would be wise to make sure that you look before you click. Malware issues can come in different forms like:
1. Emails
2. Popups
3. Links via Instant Messaging
In fact, even if you know the person who sent you the link, you cannot entirely rely on your relationship and trust with them as the main reason for clicking on the link. This was done before but today, people have to be aware that there are some accounts that can be easily hacked or even impersonated.
Much of these issues have plagued us through the years. Some have had their share of problems dealing with Malware and Trojans. They are different from viruses but sometimes, they can do more harm compared to the traditional viruses.
Even having anti-virus or anti-spyware protection is not guarantee from being contaminated with them. Remember, a click is all that it takes and all hell will break loose. For most, it is easy to remedy since they can reformat their computer. But think about the files you may lose from the moment you click on these links.
It may be hard to save these files since chances are they have already been infected. With that said, your files and PC are practically good as dead. So the moral of the lesson is, don’t be trigger happy with clicking. You are just raisin the stakes of being infected by doing so.
Tags: Malware, security, Spyware, trojans
Categories: Malware, Spyware
We keep on talking about how important it is to build on security for our computer and our network but we fail to realize that it will ultimately lie on how responsible the assigned user will be when it comes to safeguarding his username and password as far as access to the computer or network is concerned. Apparently, there is always a human error in these cases and if we look at some news briefs, we will notice that majority of hacking or intrusion issues originate at the hands of one person.
This is not actually saying that an assigned user has the ability to control or have companies at the tip of his fingers. Remember, one act of illegal practice can be a cause for legal action. In fact, it is easier to uphold the law on such a person to safeguard the interest of a company. So either way, no person in his right mind would want to bear the burden of being sued and taken to court for something that was bestowed upon him with complete trust.
Hacking is one thing but divulging is another. This is a practice that should be corrected in most cases. People fail to realize the importance of their participation in a network. No matter how great a security barrier is against any outside intruders, security protection includes making sure that the trusted employee is indeed a reliable one. In short, cleaning up the bad vibes and potential threats start internally rather than external.
Tags: computer, legal action, network, password, security, username
Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Security Policies
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