Computer security is a constant battle, and one which you can only
fight, but never really expect to win. As one threat recedes, a new
threat appears, like the new malicious applications using Facebook to attack users.
So how can the average user protect themselves against these attacks?
For the technically minded, the list is well known (anti-virus, intrusion detection, firewalls, acceptable use policies etc.)
For the average user it's a bit trickier though, how are you supposed
to defend against hackers who know much more about your computer than
you do? It's actually quite simple though, if you draw parallels with
everyday life.
Files = Food for your computer
Think of anything you download or are sent via email as food, and your computer as you.
- Would you pickup food off the floor just because it was free? No, so
imagine bittorrent downloads and other illegal download sites the same
way.
- Would you drink an unidentified bottle of liquid sent to you through
the post? No, so imagine unsolicited email attachments as that
suspicious bottle and let your IT person deal with it.
- The basic rule, if you don't know what it is or where it came from, don't put it in your body!
Your computer = your house
People think of their computer as just a tool, like a screwdriver or a
drill, and are often quite careless with it. Instead, imagine your
computer as the 'home' of your data, and secure it accordingly.
- Make sure you have a good key to your house (a password) and look after that key.
- Don’t lose or give away your key, and if you think someone has your key, change the locks!
- Make sure you keep it locked (CTRL-ALT-DEL and ‘Lock this computer’
in Vista) when you’re away, so no-one can just wander in and look
around.
- Don’t store stolen property in your house, or let anyone else do the same (keep illegal downloads off your computer).
- Have a secure fence around your house to secure it, and a burglar
alarm to warn you if someone invades your house (run a good anti-virus
application on your PC and a PC firewall).
If you remember these simple parallels, and treat your computer
accordingly, you'll be protecting yourself from all the unpleasant
things that can happen if your computer is compromised (loss of access
to data, unexpected credit card transactions or complete identity
theft).
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