| You've heard the term hacker, you know they | | | | get your computer set up. You can get separate |
| can cause damage and create havoc, but do you | | | | software that will run in the background while you |
| know what a hacker is? A hacker is a | | | | work, or you can get an external hardware fire |
| programmer able to get into a system or gain | | | | wall that includes fire wall software. There are |
| unauthorized access by skillful strategy. Hackers | | | | several fire wall software programs on the |
| can be useful for maintaining a system and is | | | | Internet that can be downloaded free. Be sure |
| constantly searching for security deficiencies. | | | | the sites you are using are trustworthy and have |
| They can be the guardians of the security | | | | a good reputation. |
| system. They also can turn that around and do | | | | How do fire walls work? A fire wall filters incoming |
| more harm then good. A hacker is a skilled | | | | data and lets only the ones considered safe to |
| programmer who can write software expertly | | | | come through. Information is checked and is |
| and swiftly. They can crack nearly any code and | | | | matched to specific defining characteristics. If |
| get into any computer system. Some of the | | | | these characteristics are not matched, the fire |
| more famous computer systems that have been | | | | wall will not allow the information to go into your |
| hacked are corporations such as McDonalds, and | | | | system. |
| to federal websites that have extremely sensitive | | | | Hackers also use Web browsers such as |
| information. Highly skilled hackers have hacked into | | | | Netscape and Internet Explorer to get into your |
| Griffith Air Force Base, NASA, the US | | | | computer system. You can make your system |
| Department of Justice, and the US Air Force. | | | | more secure by increasing your online security. |
| Hackers have their own underground network | | | | You can find the security feature by going to |
| where they exchange triumphs and share | | | | "Tools" or "Options" on your task bar. |
| techniques to hack into new programs or skirt | | | | A good fire wall can protect you from the |
| any protective software. | | | | creative ways that people use and misuse |
| How can you protect yourself and your computer | | | | unprotected computers. It protects from remote |
| against hackers? Your computer may not be | | | | login so a person can't view or access your files |
| NASA quality or have sensitive and confidential | | | | or run any of your computer programs. It keeps |
| information like the Department of Justice, but it | | | | hackers from hijacking your e-mail. Once a hacker |
| can cause you some problems. A good hacker | | | | gains access to an e-mail address, it can then use |
| can get into your computer, steal passwords, pin | | | | that address to send unsolicited junk e-mail to |
| numbers or codes to your financial sites. | | | | thousands of users. |
| How do you stop this attack on your system? | | | | E-mail bombs can be used as a personal attack on |
| One of the most important guards you can have | | | | your personal computer. Someone sends you the |
| in place is a fire wall. A fire wall will help keep | | | | same e-mail thousands of times until your e-mail |
| hackers from getting into your system and | | | | system can't accept any more messages. For |
| sending out your personal information. Antivirus | | | | someone who works from home this could be a |
| software will scan incoming files and e-mails but a | | | | catastrophe. |
| fire wall stands guard outside the system to block | | | | Spam is junk mail, usually harmless but it also |
| any communications or information exchanges | | | | often contains links to Web sites that may install |
| from sources that don't have your permission. If | | | | a "cookie" on your system that creates a |
| you use a high-speed Internet connection, you | | | | backdoor for a hacker to enter through. |
| may have the same security concerns that any | | | | Your newer system might also have free |
| big organization or corporation has. It filters the | | | | software that closes holes in the system that |
| information coming through the Internet | | | | hackers can use. These patches can be found on |
| connection. It can flag a packet of information | | | | the website for your system's manufacturer and |
| that could potentially be harmful to your computer | | | | can even be set to be installed automatically |
| system. | | | | whenever a new patch is issued for a newly |
| Some systems come with a fire wall already | | | | found problem. |
| installed; it just needs to be turned on once your | | | | |