Hosting Q & A

Mary C. | 16 July 2004 |

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Hosting Q&A

Instead of the usual Hosting Q&A, we’re addressing security. Each of us that uses the internet must be aware of the hazards and protect ourselves accordingly.

According to the antivirus company Sophos, almost 1000 new viruses were detected during May 2004. Not only did many of these viruses infect millions of computers through email attachments, but some also took advantage of Microsoft Windows security problems, and others infected computers via “spyware” that gets downloaded to a computer as part of another program.

How can you protect your computer?
Antivirus software – This is a computer program that runs in the background of your computer scanning for potentially infected files. Two popular antivirus vendors are:
McAfee, Inc. – www.mcafee.com
Norton Antivirus – www.norton.com

Not only must antivirus software be installed on your computer, but it must be updated on a regular basis. Most antivirus vendors release an update to their scanners at least once a week and most antivirus programs have an automatic update feature if you subscribe to the service. Subscribe!! It is the best use of $40 a year.

Microsoft Windows Updates – Microsoft is constantly finding patches and fixes for vulnerabilities and errors in their operating systems. Visit the Windows Update site and download at least all of critical updates it finds for your computer. You can also install a program that automatically downloads and installs the critical windows updates for your computer; it is also available at the Windows Update website.
Microsoft Windows Update – http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Spyware and Adware scanning software - This software allows you to scan your computer for programs that can collect personal information to send you pop-up ads or to copy personal information such as your credit card number when you order something online. Scanning and removing these unwanted programs will secure your computer and speed up your system performance. To popular scanners for Spyware and Adware are:
Lavasoft Ad-aware – http://www.lavasoftusa.com and
Spybot Search & Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org

For more tips on securing your computer visit this recent MSN article at:
http://equipped.msn.com/article.aspx?aid=14 or the cNet Security website at:
http://news.com.com/2001-1009_3-0.html?tag=ne.tab.hd