How secure is your computer

This week there has been another big virus scare. Billed as the worst virus ever it sends itself via email with an attachment or sometimes it looks like an email that has bounced. I sometimes wonder whether the big software companies encourage things like this to increase sales of their security and anti-virus software. What ever the reason you need to make sure your computer or network can cope. Here are a few ideas to help increase security on your network and computer.

Keep your Operating System up to date
If you buy a new computer with a pre-installed operating system you should appreciate that the computer my have been stored in a warehouse for a few months and will not have the latest version of the operating system installed on it. Over the last 6 months there have been a number of 'critical' updates posted by Microsoft. It is very likely that your new computer won't have them. The first thing you should do when you set it up and connect to the internet is get the latest updates from 'Windows Upate'.

Use anti-virus software
If you have anti-virus software, make sure your virus definitions are up to date. Most anti-virus applications have an automated way of downloading the latest virus definitions. Make sure you know how to use this and set a regular time to run this update. If you have any concerns about viruses run the virus scanner regularly. This can take sometime so set it running in your lunch break or overnight.

Be careful with your email
Don't open email attachments from people you don't know and even it's from someone you know, if it looks a bit odd don't open it. If you get a lot of spam read this article.

Spyware
Install some anti 'spyware' software. Certain web sites will download software on to your machine without your permission. This software can take over your browser and cause annoying pop-up adverts.

Install a firewall
A firewall is an application that protects a computer or a network from unauthorised access. You can get a personal firewall that protects one computer or a network firewall that protects a whole network. A personal firewall should notify you of all network traffic and ask you whether certain applications are allowed to access to certain 'ports' on your computer. A network firewall does the same thing but over a network. Windows XP has a built in firewall if you want to save a bit of money here is a how-to article from Microsoft.

Useful Links
Think you have a virus check these sites to find out more about it and perhaps find a cure:

Symantec Security Response
Network Associates Security HQ
Sophos Virus Info
McAfee Security and Virus Information

Anti-spyware software:
Spybot - Search and Destroy
Spyware Information

Firewalls:
Sygate - various firewalls including one free personal firewall.
Zone Labs - firewalls and various other types of security software
Tiny Software - a firewall with anti-virus capabilities
Agnitum - firewalls and security software