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A Perkin Web Design © 2008 - 2009
June Updates
10th
Virus Total
Web Of Trust
Firefox 3.0.10
A new page has been added for children about the Internet and staying safe online.
The number of vulnerabilities discovered is still on the rise with an increase of more than 70% over the past two years.
Online tester that checks if you have the latest patches installed or have any end of life programs installed.
Windows software security tester
This checks all your software so far more effective than Microsoft update. Also available as a download.
Consider these recommendations by US-Cert
Task 1 - Install and Use an Anti Virus Program
Task 2 - Keep Your System Patched
Task 3 - Use Care When Reading Email with Attachments
Task 4 - Install and Use a Firewall Program
Task 5 - Make Backups of Important Files and Folders
Task 6 - Use Strong Passwords including your Hotmail password
Task 7 - Use Care When Downloading and Installing Programs
Task 8 - Install and Use a Hardware Firewall
Task 9 - Install and Use a File Encryption Program and Access
Controls
Most of the above are free in Linux
Use the free Secunia Online Security Inspector to get a feel for the Secunia Software Inspector technology, then upgrade to the free Secunia Personal Security Inspector or Network Security Inspector, which scans more than 7,000 programs compared to this online version covering less than 100.
Advantages of Internet Security Suites 2009
The Tasks 1 and 4 are included in these programs along with anti spam, parental controls, phishing and email checker. All are integrated into one package that works seamlessly with each component.
Currently, there is not any solution that offers a 100 percent effectiveness rate for detecting viruses and malware. You may become a victim of misleading advertising, if you buy such a product under those premises. More details on Viruses page
Zone Alarm includes Kaspersky anti virus engine
Kaspersky 2009 version now available - A major British bank to make available to online customers,
Norton 2009 improved to be less of a system hog, also best performer in Secunia October testing for in the wild virus examples. Weak on Firewall ports open
Norton 360 V2 and McAfee field tested by IS4
Should you switch
Internet browser and email client?
Almost all attacks on your PC will come through your internet browser or email client. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser which is only needed to get Microsoft Windows Updates, or either Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express for your email, then it's a good idea to switch to something more secure.
Current browser usage
2009 IE7 IE6 IE8 Firefox Chrome Safari Opera
May 21.3% 14.5% 5.2% 47.7% 5.5% 3.0% 2.2%
April 23.2% 15.4% 3.5% 47.1% 4.9% 3.0% 2.2%
March 24.9% 17.0% 1.4% 46.5% 4.2% 3.1% 2.3%
Why should I care about computer security?
We use computers for everything from banking and investing to shopping and communicating with others through email or chat programs. Although you may not consider your communications "top secret," you probably do not want strangers reading your email, using your computer to attack other systems, sending forged email from your computer, or examining personal information stored on your computer (such as financial statements).
Who would break into my computer at home?
Intruders (also referred to as hackers, attackers, or crackers) may not care about your identity. Often they want to gain control of your computer so they can use it to launch attacks on other computer systems.
Having control of your computer gives them the ability to hide their true location as they launch attacks, often against high-profile computer systems such as government or financial systems. Even if you have a computer connected to the Internet only to play the latest games or to send email to friends and family, your computer may be a target.
Intruders may be able to watch all your actions on the computer, or cause damage to your computer by reformatting your hard drive or changing your data.
HOW AT RISK IS YOUR COMPUTER?
There are five main things that influence the level of risk for your computer:
- Your behaviour and awareness to risks
- Whether your operating system is Windows, MAC or Linux
- What software you use for email and internet browsing
- Whether you are on a broadband connection, and if so what Equipment you use to connect to the internet
- What (if any) security software you use and how often you update it