Working on the Internet provides Internet
marketers with the opportunity to make a living in the comfort
of their own home. However, as your business is completely
reliant upon your computer, you must take the necessary steps
to ensure your computer is safe.
Over the years, I have received many questions in regard to
computer security. Below, are some of the most frequently asked
questions:
Question: I'm new to the
Internet and have been hearing a
lot about viruses. I'm not exactly sure what they are. Can
you help?
Answer: A virus is a small
piece of software that attaches
itself to 'real' software programs (executable code). Each
time you launch the real program, the virus is also
launched. The virus may then spread and attach itself to
other programs and wreak havoc on your system.
The most widespread virus is an email virus. An email virus
spreads through email attachments. It usually spreads by
mailing itself to everyone within the email program's
address book. It tricks the email recipient into believing
the message was sent from someone they know.
Although this type of virus rapidly spreads, you can't get
it simply by reading a plain text email. However, you can
execute the virus by clicking on an encoded message that
contains embedded executable code such as JavaScript within
an HTML email message, or an executable file attachment.
Another type of program that is often thought of as a virus
is a 'Trojan horse' program. However, it is not a virus. It
is simply a computer program that acts like it's something
it's not. For example, you may download a program that you
think is a computer game. However, when you run the
program,
it may delete files on your hard drive. Trojan horses
cannot
automatically replicate themselves.
Another widespread program is known as a worm. A worm is
actually a small piece of software that travels through
vulnerable computer networks with security holes. The worm
scans the network in search of other computers with
security
holes. It copies itself to each system it finds.
Although viruses can infect any type of executable code such as
EXE files or DOC files, most media files such as GIF, JPG, BMP,
MP3, WAV, AVI, MOV and TXT files are generally
safe.
Although viruses can wreak havoc, computer virus hoaxes can
also be damaging. Virus hoaxes may cause Internet users to
begin to ignore all virus warnings. This can be harmful, as
they are then left vulnerable to 'real' virus warnings.
In addition, many virus hoaxes also include a 'fix' that
instructs the user to delete a certain file from their system.
However, the file the hoax says is a virus is actually an
important file needed by your computer.
Never follow the advice within an email 'virus alert'
instructing you to remove a virus from your system without
first verifying its validity.
Please note, the above programs (especially Norton) have
been known to cause problems with some operating systems.
Although there isn't any particular pattern, caution should
be exercised. I use McAfee online virus scan and haven't
had
any problems.
2) If you're using Microsoft programs, make sure that the
"Macro Virus Protection" is enabled. Never run a macro
within a document unless you know exactly what it does.
3) Never open an email attachment 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. Question: I've been hearing a
lot about firewalls, but I'm not sure what it is or if I need
it. Can you help?
Answer: A firewall is
basically a software program that allows you full access to the
Internet and/or your network, while restricting access to your
computer system from outside intrusions.
Internet users are extremely vulnerable to hackers, especially
if you have cable or ADSL access to the Internet. You
definitely need to protect your computer system. I recommend
using a great program called Zone Alarm Pro http://www.zonealarm.com .
Once you install a firewall, you'll be amazed at how many
attempts to access your computer are blocked by your
firewall.
Hackers can directly access your computer system by installing
programs such as a key logger that can read every keystroke you
make. This information is recorded and sent
back to the hacker. Private information such as passwords and
credit card numbers can easily be stolen.
A key logger is a small software program that quietly runs in
the background. As these programs quite often run in DOS, you
will most-likely never realize it's running. However, you can
see if a key logger is running by pressing 'control' - 'alt' -
'delete' on your keyboard. This will launch a
window that contains a list of all the programs currently
running on your system. Review the list and watch for programs
you don't recognize.
As there are many small programs such as adware (pop-
windows) and spyware cookies that can bypass your
anti-virus
and firewall software, I recommend using a program called
Pest Patrol http://www.pestpatrol.com/ . This program
will
detect and remove non-viral malicious software.
Although you can purchase Pest Patrol at the above site,
you
can receive a discount if you purchase it with Zone Alarm
Pro http://www.zonealarm.com . I can't
guarantee how long
this special offer will be available, so if you want it,
now
is a good time to get it.
If you really want to keep your computer safe, I recommend
the following:
1) Purchase a good virus program and keep it updated
2) Purchase a good firewall program and keep it updated
3) Purchase a program like Pest Patrol and keep it updated
Taking the time to protect your computer is one of the best
business decisions you'll ever make. If you don't protect
it
now, you'll definitely regret it later. It's just a matter of
time.
Shelley Lowery is the author of Web Design Mastery - An in-
depth guide to professional web design. And, Ebook Starter
-
A complete ebook design kit. Visit Web-Source.net to sign
up
for a free subscription to Etips and receive a free copy of
the highly acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies." http://www.web-source.net
