Low Cost Computer Security Options

To secure your computer, there are really two or three good pieces of software you need:

• Antivirus


• Anti Spyware


• Firewall

Each is explained below, and at the bottom of the post, you can find links to a number of sites mentioned.

Antivirus

If someone rang your doorbell and wanted to come into your living space to sell you something or to use your telephone, you'd need to make a decision whether or not to let them in. If they were a neighbor or someone you knew, you'd probably let them in. If you didn't know them but believed their story and found them to be otherwise acceptable, say they were neat and clean and not threatening, you'd probably also let them in, but you'd watch them closely while they were in your space.

Antivirus programs work much the same way. These programs look at the contents of each file, searching for specific patterns that match a profile - called a virus signature - of something known to be harmful. For each file that matches a signature, the anti-virus program typically provides several options on how to respond, such as removing the offending patterns or destroying the file.

There are several good antivirus packages on the market today (links to popular packages at the bottom of this post). Most will cost you a fee to purchase, plus a yearly subscription fee for updates to the scanning engine and virus sugnature files. Usually you can download a trial version to test it out and see if you like it, but then have to pay after 30-60 days of using it (or uninstall it). You may be surprised to learn, though, that some are FREE to use. You may give up something, like phone technical support, but the software works well, and allows updates, just like their competitors. Take a look at the AVG link below.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you are comfortable with. If you are a little more tech-saavy or are a quick learner, AVG may be for you. If you feel you need more support, then McAfee or Symantec may be right for you.

The most important thing is that you use it. Turn it on. Let it scan everything, including email. Update it as often as you can.

Anti Spyware

From Wikipedia: "Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits, sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, and redirecting Web browser activity. Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet or functionality of other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software."

There is a whole set of software programs that focus on combatting spyware. They are called Anti Spyware, and as the name suggests, they prevent and try to eliminate spyware from personal computers.

There are several good packages available to users. Like Antivirus, some are available to purchase, and then pay a yearly fee for updates. Antivirus companies like Symantec and McAfee have made efforts to integrate Antispyware functionality into their Antivirus platforms. You usually have to pay extra for this functionality, but you have the convenience of one software vendor to deal with

There are also several free offerings available from companies like LavaSoft and Microsoft. As before, links can be found at the bottom of this post.

Also like Antivirus, the important thing is to use the software. Don't turn it off. Scan everything and update the signatures often.

Firewall

Have you ever visited a business where you first stopped at the reception desk to interact with a security guard? That guard's job is to assess everybody who wishes to enter or leave the building to decide if they should continue on or be stopped. The guard keeps the unwanted out and permits only appropriate people and objects to enter and leave the business's premises.

This is similar to what a firewall does for your computer. It inspects the credentials of any traffic coming IN to your network (or computer), and let's the appropriate traffic in and keeps the unwanted out.

Firewalls can be either software-based or hardware-based. Hardware firewalls are more commonly used in businesses. But for your home PC, a software-based firewall should be enough to keep out the bad guys.

If you have Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Vista, (right click on My Computer and select "Properties" to check), then good news... you already have a firewall built in, and if you have installed software that talks to the Internet (like instant messaging software, network printers, etc), you may have noticed a security window that pops up and asks you if you want to all the application to go through the firewall.

If you don't have these, then there are several options available to you. Some cost money to purchase, and some are free, and of course, the levels of protection you get vary from product to product. Symantec offers a firewall in one of it's products (see the link to Symantec below). Other firewall vendors include ZoneAlarm (By Check Point Software), Sunbelt, and Tall Emu.

Like the rest of the security products discussed here, the key is to use it. Don't turn it off because it annoyingly asks you if you want to allow communication. That's it's job is to question things. Eventually it will learn what applications are allowed to use the network and which are not, and will take appropriate actions.

Other Things You Can Do

There are other free things you can do to help protect your computer, whether it is at work or at home.

1. Don't trust mail from people you don't know

I know it sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many computers get infected by their user opening an attachment on an email from someone they don't know. This is still a VERY popular means of spreading viruses and worms. Most good Antivirus programs will integrate into your email software (like Outlook) and scan messages as they arrive/

2. If a website pops up a window telling you that you need to install something, don't do it.

Again, it sounds simple, but sometimes the messages can look very convincing. I had a client that did this and we spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up her computer and installing good antivirus and anti-spyware software. What was it that she was told to install? An "antivirus" program...!!!

3. Patch your computer.

Most users have some version of Windows installed on their computers. Microsoft has this wonderful tool called Windows Update, which automatically downloads and installs patches (bug fixes) to your computer. It's configurable, so you don't HAVE to install what it says. But I can honestly say that in the 18+ years I have been using Windows, I have never had a Windows Update go bad on me and cause problems. It's important to keep up on these, as many bug fixes are issued because of some security issue that Microsoft or someone else has found in the operating system (Windows).

4. Spread the word

If you know someone who needs better security on their computer, take this knowledge and see how you can help them. Preach the gospel of good security! We could ALL use better security on our computers. Pass some of these tips along to your co-workers, your network, your family. At the very least you may annoy some of them, but at the very best, you may save them from losing a lifetime of documents, pictures, memories, and other items that are important to them.

Now, as a disclaimer, I have to say that I do not guarantee that if you use any of these you'll be absolutely 100% safe. But I will say that you will be safer. Personally, I use AVG for Antivirus, Windows Defender for Anti-Spyware, and the firewall built in to Vista. And I have never been impacted by a virus or hackers. Now... on to the links

Symantec

McAfee

AVG Antivirus (FREE!)

Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE (Free for non-commercial users)

Microsoft Windows Defender (FREE!)

CheckPoint Firewall

ZoneAlarm