Security FAQ: Generic

                                         

 Do I need both a firewall and antivirus software?
 Yes. A firewall helps stop hackers and viruses before they reach your computer, while antivirus software helps get rid of known viruses if they manage to bypass the firewall or if they've already infected your computer.

 Do new computers come with any software security tools?
 Very possibly. When you buy a new computer, check your packing list to see if the manufacturer has included firewall, antivirus, or antispyware software in addition to the operating system (such as Microsoft Windows). Windows Vista contains a firewall, antispyware, a phishing filter, and parental controls built in.

 How do I know when is it safe to send or submit private information over the Internet?
 Never send private information such as your password, credit card number, secret word, or PIN in an email. Provide private information on secured Web sites only. Secure sites use encryption and digital certificates to manage security of message transmissions over the Internet.

 How do I know if a connection is secure?
 Depending on your settings, your browser may pop up an alert box to inform you when you are about to view pages over a secure connection:

                               

The lock symbol  in the status or address bar of the browser indicates that the connection is secure.

 If there are so many users on the Internet aren’t my chances of being a target are slim to none?
 There are millions of people constantly on the Internet, but that doesn't mean you have a lower chance of being a target than the next person. There are tools freely dispersed throughout the Internet that let anyone quickly and easily scan large amounts of computers for vulnerabilities.

 My computer has nothing of value on it; why would anyone try to break into it?
 Unfortunately, you have more information than you may think on your computer. Do you do your banking online? Do you send and receive emails that contain sensitive or personal information? Have you ever entered personal information such as a social security number, credit card number, or even a username and password into a website?  There are tools available on the Internet that allows people to discover and identify this information on your computer if they can get access to your network.

Even If you are in that small percentage of users that do none of the above, if an intruder was able to break into your system and gain control of it, they can use it to attack other computers. Even though you weren't responsible for attacking other computers, you may be held liable for the damages that your computer causes.

 Do I need to be an expert to understand computer security tools?
 There are many security tools that have been developed with simplicity in mind. Some of these security tools have even been developed so that the user has to only install it, and it does the rest itself!

 Is securing my computer/network expensive?
 Without a doubt, there are expensive security tools available. However, there are many, many effective tools that are in-expensive (or even free) that anyone can use to secure their systems.

 Will securing my computer/network will make it more difficult to use?
 While security tools do have the potential of dramatically changing the way you currently use your computer, they can also have simple modifications as asking you if you want certain programs to connect to the Internet. It all depends on the tools and their features that you choose to install.

 Why do I need to worry about security until I find a threat?
 It is imperative that you take a proactive approach to security and not a reactive one. If you worry about security when an incident occurs, it is too late. You will have absolutely no idea what critical files or information was deleted, modified, or even stolen.

 My company network is very, very small; why is computer security relevant to me?
 With the continuously-evolving tools that are widely available on the Internet in combination with the rapid technological advancements in computer speed and performance, people are finding more and more ways of spotting insecure machines on a large scale.

 Does personal firewall software give complete online security?
 At a minimum, you also need anti-virus and anti-spyware software to provide a reasonable level of security. You may also want software for personal data privacy, and parental controls for content filtering. All of these features (and more) are offered by software security suites.

 What are some quick tips on how can I protect my home computer?
 1) Purchase quality virus protection software and keep it updated.
        2) If you're using Microsoft programs, make sure that the "Macro Virus Protection" is enabled. 
        3) Never open an email unless you're absolutely sure where it came from and what it is. 
        4) Avoid downloading software programs from sources you're not familiar with. If you do download  
           a program, make sure you scan the file with your anti-virus software prior to installing.