| Start With the Basics - Protect Your PCGuarding | | | | SoftwareAs you use your computer, and surf the |
| Access to Your PC - Get a FirewallBeginning in the | | | | web, traces of your activity get left behind, |
| Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, | | | | stored on your computer in lists, temporary files, |
| construction was begun on what was to become | | | | and caches. The best case is that these |
| the Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, | | | | "leftovers" can clutter up your PC, and, with time, |
| culminating in the mid-1600s, construction | | | | degrade its performance. The worst case is that |
| continued on the wall until it stretched 4,163 miles | | | | someone who gains unauthorized access to your |
| from east to west China. The wall was | | | | PC can read these files and learn a fair amount |
| constructed to prevent invasion by other states | | | | about you, potentially helping them to steal your |
| of China and outer tribes.When you connect your | | | | identity.Privacy software removes all traces of |
| PC to the Internet either through cable, dial-up, or | | | | your PC and Internet activity, helping to protect |
| DSL, it is like China prior to the Great Wall. | | | | your privacy.As with antivirus software and |
| Anyone can invade your PC, and plunder, pillage, | | | | anti-spyware software, privacy software should |
| and destroy content on your PC. A firewall acts | | | | be run on a regular basis. It, too, can be setup to |
| just like the Great Wall of China. When installed, it | | | | run automatically on a regular basis so that an |
| acts as a barrier between your PC and the | | | | end-user does not have to do anything to protect |
| outside world. It prevents unwanted and | | | | their privacy. The first time the privacy software |
| unauthorized access to your PC over your | | | | is run it is not at all uncommon for it to recover in |
| Internet connection.Firewalls come in two basic | | | | excess of 500MB of disk space by deleting the |
| forms: | | | | "leftover stuff" on your PC.To prevent |
| Hardware firewalls - hardware firewalls are a | | | | unauthorized intruders from being able to gather |
| piece of hardware, like a PC, that gets installed | | | | information about you, select one of the privacy |
| between your PC and your Internet connection. | | | | packages and install it on your PC.Think Before |
| Literally, a cable from your cable or DSL modem | | | | You Click - Use Some Common SenseA little |
| gets connected to the hardware firewall. Another | | | | common sense can go a long way when trying to |
| cable is connected from the hardware firewall to | | | | protect your PC. Most of what can compromise |
| your PC. When done, the hardware firewall acts | | | | your security will come through e-mail, or when |
| as a barrier between your PC and the Internet. It | | | | you are surfing the web. Because of this, you |
| lets you get out to the Internet, but it does not | | | | definitely need to think before you click. If you |
| allow unauthorized access from the Internet to | | | | have not realized it already, most unsolicited e-mail |
| your PC. Many cable, DSL, and wireless routers | | | | is garbage. No matter how good the offer may |
| switches have firewalls built into them. | | | | sound, the common sense rule of "if it sounds too |
| Software firewalls - A software firewall serves | | | | good to be true, it is..." applies. Most of what you |
| the same purpose as a hardware firewall. It, | | | | receive unsolicited is designed to scam you out of |
| however, is software that gets installed directly | | | | money, to trick you into divulging private |
| onto your PC. The software monitors all inbound | | | | information, to install spyware and adware on |
| and outbound Internet traffic, and creates a | | | | your computer, or to install viruses on your |
| software barrier between the Internet port into | | | | computer.Identifying Suspect E-MailsSo how do |
| your PC and everything else on your PC. Once | | | | you identify the bad "stuff"? It actually is fairly |
| installed, it lets you get out to the Internet, but it | | | | easy to identify "suspect" e-mails. Common bad |
| does not allow unauthorized access from the | | | | or suspect e-mails include: |
| Internet to your PC. Software firewalls have an | | | | E-mails from people or companies with whom |
| advantage in that they can implement rigid | | | | you have never corresponded or conducted |
| controls over what software installed on your PC | | | | business. You may receive e-mails that you need |
| will be allowed to access the Internet. | | | | to verify your account information from a |
| Many people use both a hardware firewall and a | | | | company that you do not do business with. You |
| software firewall. It is similar to having a fence to | | | | may receive a message that looks like it is from |
| protect access to your yard, and then a front | | | | eBay that says they are going to shut off your |
| door to protect access to your house. Everyone | | | | account and you have never done business with |
| should use at least one firewall, hardware or | | | | eBay. Individuals and groups trying to perpetrate |
| software. If you have a laptop, you should use a | | | | fraud will go to great lengths to try to look like a |
| software firewall. That way the firewall goes with | | | | legitimate business. You need to use common |
| you, wherever you go, protecting your PC. | | | | sense. If it does not "feel" right, it probably is not. |
| Find more information on software firewalls here. | | | | E-mails with gibberish in the title or in the body of |
| Find more information on free software firewalls | | | | the message. |
| here. | | | | E-mails from friends, relatives, or business |
| | | | associates that do not make any sense. |
| Plug the Holes - Make Sure to Download | | | | E-mails from yourself that you never sent or |
| Operating System Updates and PatchesBy now, | | | | e-mails that are "returned" to you from someone |
| the security holes and flaws in Windows have | | | | that you have never corresponded with. |
| become legendary. To their credit, Microsoft | | | | This list can go on forever with the many subtle |
| publishes a steady stream of fixes, patches, and | | | | variations. The bottom line is that if it does not |
| update releases to plug all known security holes, | | | | feel right then consider it to be a bad |
| flaws, and problems. In order for your PC to | | | | e-mail.Suspect e-mails should be deleted. Never |
| benefit from these patches and updates, you | | | | click on links in suspect e-mails. Never open file |
| must, at a minimum, download and install the | | | | attachments to suspect e-mails. Never reply or |
| critical security updates that Microsoft makes | | | | forward suspect e-mails. Simply delete them and |
| available. You can do this one of two ways: | | | | move on.Safe SurfingInstalling firewall software |
| You may download and install them manually by | | | | and antivirus software, and running anti-spyware |
| visiting the "Microsoft Update" link on the | | | | software and privacy software should go a long |
| Microsoft web site. | | | | way to protecting you when your are surfing. |
| For newer versions of Windows, such as | | | | Here, again, some common sense applies. Avoid |
| Windows XP, you can turn on the "Automatic | | | | sites that do not "feel" right. Sites that are |
| Updates" feature of the operating system and | | | | constantly trying to get you to fill out forms |
| allow the updates to be downloaded and installed | | | | before you have much of a chance to learn |
| automatically. | | | | anything about the site and the organization who |
| Either method works well. The "Automatic | | | | owns the site are highly suspect. Pornography |
| Updates" route takes the thought and work out | | | | sites are famous for downloading spyware and |
| of the process. Regardless of which method you | | | | viruses onto people's computers. Stick to sites |
| choose, the important thing is to keep Windows | | | | you know, the sites of reputable companies, and |
| up to date. Out of date versions of Windows can | | | | sites that come recommended by people you |
| leave your PC open to hackers and viruses.If you | | | | trust and you should be okay.Protecting Your |
| are using Mac OS or LINUX, then none of this | | | | KidsNow that you have taken care of the basics |
| applies. You are already using inherently more | | | | and protected you PC, it is time to specifically |
| secure operating systems. It is still, however, | | | | worry about keeping your kids safe. When trying |
| important to install updates and patches to these | | | | to protect your children, it is important to: |
| operating systems as well to be up to date and | | | | Set expectations |
| to provide the best protection against unwanted | | | | Monitor and control what your children do online |
| intrusion.Take Your Medicine - Install Antivirus | | | | Use some common sense |
| SoftwareA computer virus is an unwanted | | | | Setting Online ExpectationsIt is important for you |
| software program that: | | | | as a parent to be clear with your children what |
| Gets loaded onto your PC | | | | you expect of them when they are using the PC. |
| Replicates itself, meaning that it copies itself and | | | | You need to be clear about what you consider to |
| distributes itself to other computers | | | | be appropriate online behavior, as well as what is |
| A virus can get onto your computer from any | | | | and is not appropriate to be accessing online. |
| of several sources, including: | | | | Children should be taught: |
| From a removable disk | | | | That they should never give out personal |
| From an attachment to an e-mail message | | | | information such as their name, address, e-mail |
| From a download while surfing the web | | | | address, phone number, or age to anyone over |
| From a worm through a known hole or flaw in | | | | the Internet without your express permission. |
| your operating system | | | | That they should never fill out forms without |
| Once on your PC, the impact of a virus can | | | | your permission. |
| range from relatively benign to rendering your PC | | | | That they should tell you if they come across |
| unusable.Antivirus software is software that you | | | | anything or anyone online that they feel is not |
| use to protect yourself from computer viruses. It | | | | appropriate or that makes them uncomfortable. |
| can detect and remove known computer viruses. | | | | That they should ask before downloading or |
| There are many excellent antivirus packages | | | | installing software on a PC. |
| available that are relatively inexpensive. There are | | | | That they should never, under any |
| also several excellent antivirus packages available | | | | circumstances, arrange to meet alone with |
| for free for home, non-commercial use. | | | | someone who they have met online. This can be |
| Find more information on antivirus packages here | | | | especially important for your teenage children who |
| Find more information on free antivirus packages | | | | may feel that they have met the boy or girl of |
| here | | | | their dreams online. If they feel that they |
| To prevent viruses form being able to harm | | | | absolutely must meet this individual, then they |
| your PC, you need to select one of the antivirus | | | | should arrange to do it with a responsible adult |
| packages and install it on your PC.TIPS: Make sure | | | | present. You should remind them that it is very |
| that your antivirus software is setup to: | | | | easy for someone to masquerade as someone |
| Automatically check for updates so that its' virus | | | | else online. |
| definitions database is up to date and you are | | | | Monitor and Control What Your Children Do |
| protected from the latest threats. Most updates | | | | OnlineThe PC that your children use should be |
| are provided on an annual subscription basis. Make | | | | setup in a public location where it is easy for you |
| sure that you renew your subscription when it | | | | to monitor what your children are doing. It is very |
| expires. Free products, such as AVG Anti-Virus | | | | difficult for a child to engage in questionable online |
| Free Edition, provide the updates at no cost. | | | | activities when everyone in the family can easily |
| Automatically perform a virus scan at least once | | | | look over their shoulder. If you have children who |
| a week. If the PC is used to surf the web | | | | participate in chat rooms or use instant messaging |
| extensively then you may wish to perform virus | | | | software you should regularly ask them who they |
| scans more frequently, even once a day. | | | | are communicating with. If they are evasive or do |
| Stop the Spies - Install Anti-Spyware | | | | not tell you, take away their computer privileges. |
| SoftwareAdware is any software that displays | | | | Having a safe mad child is better than having an |
| advertisements on your computer screen, either | | | | unsafe happy one.There is also software that can |
| through banner advertisements within an | | | | help parents protect their children. Software to |
| application, or through pop-up windows. Spyware, | | | | help keep children safe comes in two forms: |
| which may also be known as a spybot, or | | | | monitoring software, and parental control |
| tracking software, is computer technology installed | | | | software.Monitoring software allows parents to |
| on an individual's PC that gathers information | | | | monitor activity on the family PC. Many packages |
| about them and their computer use. Adware and | | | | will allow you to monitor computer activity |
| spyware removal software, or anti-spyware | | | | including web surfing activity, e-mail messages, |
| software, is software that is installed on your | | | | chat, and instant messaging. Some software will |
| computer to combat the threats of adware and | | | | even allow screen shots to be taken at |
| spyware. It will search your computer's memory, | | | | predetermined increments of time. Many of these |
| file system, system registry, and browser caches | | | | packages will operate in stealth mode, meaning |
| for the existence of adware and spyware. It will | | | | that no one will know that the software is even |
| then remove or quarantine any items that it finds. | | | | installed and running. Of course telling your children |
| Adware and spyware removal software may also | | | | that you have software that is monitoring their |
| monitor for, and actively block, the downloading | | | | activity may also act a a deterrent. Monitoring |
| of spyware applications.There are two excellent | | | | software typically does not filter out any bad |
| anti-spyware programs available for free, | | | | content. It simply lets you know if someone is |
| Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft, and | | | | accessing things that are inappropriate.Parental |
| Spybot Search & Destroy from Safer | | | | control software, or Internet filtering software, |
| Networking Ltd. There are also many excellent | | | | allows parents to control content that is displayed |
| anti-spyware packages that range in price from | | | | and block specific web sites. Some filtering |
| $19.95 to $39.95. Select and install one of these | | | | software will filter e-mails and chat rooms, block |
| packages and run it on a regular basis. | | | | pop ups, and even monitor chat rooms. This |
| Find more information on anti-spyware packages | | | | software is, by its very nature, more intrusive |
| here | | | | than monitoring software. It will filter out a lot of |
| Find more information on free anti-spyware | | | | bad stuff. It may also miss some bad stuff. It |
| packages here | | | | may also filter out some good things.The choice |
| To prevent adware and spyware from being | | | | of which software to use will come down to |
| able to gather information about you, you need to | | | | personal preference. Some parents use both. If |
| select one of the anti-spyware packages and | | | | you choose to use no software than having the |
| install it on your PC.TIPS: Similar to antivirus | | | | family PC in a public place and asking questions |
| software, make sure that your anti-spyware | | | | about what your children are doing online |
| software is setup to: | | | | becomes much more important.Use Some |
| Automatically check for updates so that its' | | | | Common SenseYou should be aware if your child |
| adware/spyware definitions database is up to | | | | becomes secretive about what they are doing |
| date and you are protected from the latest | | | | online. Averting a computer monitor, or quickly |
| threats. The two free packages, Ad-Aware and | | | | turning it off whenever someone walks into the |
| Spybot do not have automatic update features, | | | | room is not normal computer behavior. It is, |
| so you will need to perform this task manually. | | | | however, the behavior of an individual who is |
| Ad-Aware at least tells you that your definitions | | | | trying to hide something. If your child is exhibiting |
| database is getting old and asks you if you want | | | | "odd" computer behavior question them. If you |
| to update it. | | | | get no answers or you do not like the answers, |
| Automatically perform an adware/spyware scan | | | | take away their computer privileges and/or get |
| at least once a week. If the PC is used to surf | | | | software that monitors their activity. As has |
| the web extensively then you may wish to | | | | already been stated, a mad safe child is better |
| perform scans more frequently, even once a day. | | | | than a happy unsafe one.Rob Pirozzi is a freelance |
| Ad-Aware SE Personal will only run automatically | | | | writer who provides timely, quality professional |
| at system startup time. If you leave your | | | | writing of all types. He is also the publisher of the |
| computer on all of the time then you will have to | | | | web site NuttyAboutSports.com, a web site |
| remember to manually run the scans. Spybot can | | | | dedicated to fans of popular North American |
| be scheduled to run automatically as one of its | | | | Sports, including baseball, basketball, football, |
| "Advanced Mode" features. | | | | hockey, lacrosse, motor sports, softball, soccer, |
| Spring Cleaning - Think About Privacy | | | | and tennis! |