Computer Security

Computer Security

Let me just start by saying that I'm not a computer geek by any stretch of the words but I can boast just a little here...

I haven't ran computer virus software consistently for the last 8 years and I don't plan to run one anytime soon either. The general media and computer stores of the world would have you believe that you can't get by without having some sort of expensive virus software installed, updated and running at all times on your computer while it's in use. While, this may be true for many people that have absolutely no intellect when it comes to computers at all, my wife, kids & mother come to mind here, it's not always true for a great deal of people. There are some things that you can do to protect yourself without using a virus scanner. Education is the key!

A quick note about virus scanners...

Many people should use a virus scanner. Many people will not take the time to learn about computers, the Internet and how it all works. For people that don't want to take the time to learn (and I'm not saying that's a bad thing either! We need to keep the computer savvy in a job!) there are a plethora of good virus scanners out there. They can range in price anywhere from free (AVG) all the way to $135.00 for a two year download of Norton. If you're going to use virus software I would recommend the following programs that I've played around with a little...

AVG (Free Addition) - http://www.avg.com This one slows your system a little but not bad and does a good job of auto updating it's virus files. I've had several friends that swore by this one.

Trend Micro PC-Cillin - ($85.00) - http://www.trendmicro.com I was even actually talked in to using this one for a while by one of my truly geekish friends. You hardly even know this one's installed until it asks you to pay another $85.00 to update it...

Norton Security - ($135.00) - http://www.norton.com I've heard it both ways on this software package... People either love it or hate it. I, personally, hate it. If there's one that slows your system down at all this is it!

These scanner systems can definitely keep you safe and secure (to a point) if you use them properly and keep them up to date. The biggest problem I see with people is they do not keep these things updated once they've thrown the money out there to buy them! Thousands of new virus' are discovered each month and the only way you can secure your computer with your virus scanners is to update them consistently. The biggest mistake I see folks make is setting their scanner to auto-update and then they don't have a consistent connection to the Internet? How's it suppose to download without a connection to the Internet? Even with high speed Internet access it takes more than a quick e-mail check (on/off) session at Starbucks to update your virus engine. I recommend connection to the Internet at night and have it update while you're sleeping if it needs to.

Password Safety!

Obviously, resetting your password often just makes sense. Just because it makes sense, however, doesn't mean people do it! I'm even guilty of this one. Along with resetting passwords, here's what I also recommend...

1. Don't have just ONE set common password that you use for everything! The most secure things most people use are banking sites and auto bill-pay sites in my opinion. Unless they work for the CIA or something??? My suggestion... Have ONE password for your banking site that is only used for YOUR banking site and change it every month. For the rest of the auto bill-pay things you can have one common password and change it every few months or so or whenever it asks you to do so.
2. E-Mail Passwords: I almost hold my e-mail password more super-secret than any other for a few reasons... First, if a virus or hacker invades my e-mail, they can send out bad things to all my 800 contacts. Contacts that I've done business with in the past, contacts that I'm trying to do business with in the future, family, friends, etc... I don't know about you but I always feel so sorry for a fellow Realtor when I get an ad for viagra or antibiotics from them in my e-mail... Second, it's the password I use the most and it's easiest for me to remember AND it's the easiest for me to "give up" to people... so be careful! Thirdly, my e-mail is strictly confidential between me and my wife and whoever I'm talking to in that e-mail. Yes, you heard me correctly, me and my wife! I'll talk more about that later, however, on another blog... Anyway, my e-mail is usually another separate password. (** That makes 3 so far!)
3. All other passwords: If it's not a super-secret secure site for me I'll usually use yet another common password for all the rest. Examples would be Shopping Sites, Forums, Networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, AR, etc...
4. Never, Ever, Ever, Ever set your password to be remembered in your computer! If you're using things like Google's Toolbar auto-fill feature or Windows auto-fill feature you're just asking for trouble. Though these applications are secure they are NOT perfect and hackers are ever changing their techniques. Do yourself a favor, keep a little notebook with you with all your passwords before you use this feature. There are programs that claim to help keep all your information safe and secure. These programs have consistently been hacked and proven to be ineffective. If you've used these features in the past and don't know how to delete them e-mail me or call me and I'll help you erase them from your systems... You don't want to be paying for someones coffee in Milan tomorrow morning! Another thing, don't let your computer or websites "remember you" unless it's a password you don't hold dear to your heart. If you allow a password to be "remembered" by a website you're risking someone else gaining access to that password... period.

So, there you have my ideas on passwords! I have 4 official passwords! One for banking, one for auto bill-pays, one for e-mail and one for all the rest... Only my wife and I know them all! Oh, and my advise on auto-fillers... Never, Ever, Ever, Ever use them! No matter what anyone tells you! NEVER...

Surfing and all the rest...

Passwords and other information are stolen by hackers using several different methods. Now a days you can visit a site, pick up a trojan worm and lose a password in less than 5 minutes if it's stored on your computer! My advise to people using the Internet is to just use their common sense. If it's a website you don't know about or that someone hasn't recommended to you for music, video or software downloads then don't use it! Even if someone has recommended it to you, make sure you know their recommend is credible. Here are some tips...

• Don't go to Internet sites unless you KNOW them. NOTE: A site being recommended to you by a friend may not be credible!
• Don't download ANYTHING unless you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the file is credible. NOTE: A file being e-mailed to you from your best friend may not be credible!
• Learn file formats and what they can do! Learn what a picture format extension looks like, (i.e. jpeg, tiff, img, gif, etc...) learn what fax extensions look like, (i.e. pdf, tiff, etc...) know what executable file extensions are, (i.e. exe). Finally, understand what they can do. (i.e. PDF files generally won't hurt you and won't deliver anything to your system.)

Just remember, if anything looks, feels or seems different at all in any way then don't mess with it. Protect your passwords, learn extensions, learn how your computer works and you'll be just fine! If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to ask me or someone that's very computer savvy and save yourself the headache of taking your machine in to be "cleaned" by a tech guy... (They'll probably just recommend a very expensive virus software anyway!)

One last thought here... and some resources!

Don't let your kids, co-workers, colleagues, friends or anybody on your computer. Buy them their own or tell them to use their own. As a last resort, if they have to use yours and you don't want to seem rude then let them use it but stand over their shoulder till they're done! I promise, you won't be sorry you did! Here are a few resources you can utilize to help keep you safe!

For software downloads and trials...

http://www.downloads.com or http://www.cnet.com (Also a great electronics review site!)

http://www.tucows.com (Be vigilant here too! This site has always been a good resource for me though.)

For music...

http://www.itunes.com (An obvious choice for most but I'll still post it here...)

For computer learning...

http://www.microsoft.com (Look for free tutorials and editorials on computer & Internet security)

http://www.cnet.com (Again, a great site for learning about software, computers and electronic gadgets.)

Blogs! Find people with good computer blogs that know what they're talking about. Subscribe to them and learn from their tips and tricks! Remember, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask me anytime! Since RE isn't very busy I usually have plenty of time to help people!

Make it a great day!