An Information Security overview
Showing posts with label firewall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label firewall. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Do You Want Someone To Know Your Secrets? Protect Yourself with a Firewall
With more and more small and home based businesses getting high speed, full time Internet connections, like Cable modem and DSL, there is an increased need for firewall software and/or hardware.
A firewall can be many things, but the main thing you need to know is that without one you are at risk of someone breaking into your computer. With people staying connected to the Internet full time with Cable modems or a DSL line, you are at a MUCH greater risk of someone accessing your computer from a remote location.
Basically a firewall limits the access to your computer from the Internet. This has nothing to do with your website. That's your webhost's responsibility to protect your site (which is another reason to make sure you have a reputable firm hosting your website). We're talking about someone accessing the computer that's sitting on your desktop right now.
I was amazed at the number of alerts I got when I first installed my firewall. Each alert meant that someone or some automated robot was trying to access my computer. Admittedly, if you are a small business just beginning e-commerce operations, you are not a prestigious target for a hacker to attack. But you might be a fun target for some 8th grader who wants to see if they can get into your computer.
Begin by immediately downloading and installing some free firewall software: You could visit http://www.firewall.com/ for many choices and more technical articles about firewalls.
I got my free firewall at http://www.zonelabs.com . It provides a good beginners level of protection. http://store.mcafee.com/ has a popular firewall for about $40.00. So does http://www.networkice.com/ that has one called Black Ice Defender.
As your business grows, you probably will want to graduate to more sophisticated software and hardware solutions. Just know that you MUST do something and you must do it NOW!
A firewall can be many things, but the main thing you need to know is that without one you are at risk of someone breaking into your computer. With people staying connected to the Internet full time with Cable modems or a DSL line, you are at a MUCH greater risk of someone accessing your computer from a remote location.
Basically a firewall limits the access to your computer from the Internet. This has nothing to do with your website. That's your webhost's responsibility to protect your site (which is another reason to make sure you have a reputable firm hosting your website). We're talking about someone accessing the computer that's sitting on your desktop right now.
I was amazed at the number of alerts I got when I first installed my firewall. Each alert meant that someone or some automated robot was trying to access my computer. Admittedly, if you are a small business just beginning e-commerce operations, you are not a prestigious target for a hacker to attack. But you might be a fun target for some 8th grader who wants to see if they can get into your computer.
Begin by immediately downloading and installing some free firewall software: You could visit http://www.firewall.com/ for many choices and more technical articles about firewalls.
I got my free firewall at http://www.zonelabs.com . It provides a good beginners level of protection. http://store.mcafee.com/ has a popular firewall for about $40.00. So does http://www.networkice.com/ that has one called Black Ice Defender.
As your business grows, you probably will want to graduate to more sophisticated software and hardware solutions. Just know that you MUST do something and you must do it NOW!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Protecting your personal information
Avoiding the phishers
"The vandals are becoming fraudsters and electronic pickpockets."
Identity thieves are using more sophisticated methods to get consumers to divulge their personal and confidential information.
Bill Rosenkrantz, group product manager for internet security firm Symantec, says that in the last seven years, the internet has gone from an information source to an ATM: "Thirty-five to 40 per cent in the U.S. use the internet for financial transactions."
"Historically, hackers and virus writers would attack systems for ego's sake. But now it's financial," according to Rosenkrantz. "The vandals are becoming fraudsters and electronic pickpockets."
How to avoid getting "phished" in
Don't respond to e-mails requesting your personal information.
Don't click on links inside e-mails-
If you're uncertain about a website address that appears in an e-mail, go to your browser and enter the legitimate address manually.
Protect your computer -Use updated anti-virus software,.
Report suspicious e-mails
Notify the legitimate company if you receive any e-mails that you think might be fraudulent.
More information at http://www.cbc.ca
"The vandals are becoming fraudsters and electronic pickpockets."
Identity thieves are using more sophisticated methods to get consumers to divulge their personal and confidential information.
Bill Rosenkrantz, group product manager for internet security firm Symantec, says that in the last seven years, the internet has gone from an information source to an ATM: "Thirty-five to 40 per cent in the U.S. use the internet for financial transactions."
"Historically, hackers and virus writers would attack systems for ego's sake. But now it's financial," according to Rosenkrantz. "The vandals are becoming fraudsters and electronic pickpockets."
How to avoid getting "phished" in
If you're uncertain about a website address that appears in an e-mail, go to your browser and enter the legitimate address manually.
Notify the legitimate company if you receive any e-mails that you think might be fraudulent.
More information at http://www.cbc.ca
