IT Security Blog

The Importance of Anti-Virus Programs

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Image: ktechie

An anti-virus program is always recommended and deemed critically important in all PCs.  The threat of malware is very real and exists in a continuing basis.  Malware can create havoc in a computer system resulting to decreased functionality or corrupted files.  Without a reliable anti-virus program, computers are left open to the harm inflicted by malicious elements.

Anti-virus programs provides multiple virus scans that can be put to action anytime.  They are also able to provide protection from both internal and external threats that are lurking around.  Computer users need to be aware that passing malware is a deliberate action of hackers and nothing happens by accident.

The installation of an anti-virus program should take note of the configuration to ensure that it will function as it should.  Anti-virus also need upgrading as the newer versions are made available.  Anti-virus programs are regularly updated to ensure that they can adequately protect computer systems from newer threats.

Taking the time to install an anti-virus programs can save computer owners from the inconvenience and harassment of a disfunctioning computer system.  Most people will be familiar with what to expect when malware successfully invades a system but many will be unable to fully understand just how important protection is until their computers exhibit weird malfunctions that prevent them from accomplishing their tasks.

There are many choices for anti-virus programs.  All the computer users need to do is choose.  A strong and reliable anti-virus can save users a lot of headache and inconvenience.

 
About the Author:
Teresa is a blogger who constantly faces risks of virus attack during computer use.

Safe Internet Banking

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Banking transactions have always been sought to be kept confidential because of the big risk in having personal finance details divulged to unauthorized parties.  Internet banking gives rise to the question of how safe personal banking information remains in the online environment.  Banks assure their clients of safe transacting but this does not totally eliminate scams and scammers from the equation.  It is best therefore to learn safe Internet banking.

Safety starts on the computer used.  It is best to use one’s own computer which has been installed with updated firewall software, anti-spyware, and anti-virus.  Using public computers is quite risky since there is a big possibility that scammers watching on the side-lines can retrieve personal details after a person’s use which will allow them access to bank accounts.  It is considered safe practice to always log out from one’s Internet banking webpage after completion of transactions.  Clearing browsing history is an additional safety practice.

Personal details have to be kept private.  This means not divulging PINS, passwords, and other like information to other people.  Computer users in general are always forewarned of staying away from passwords that are easy to guess because of their similarity to commonly known facts such as birthdays, the user’s name, children’s name, and pet’s name.  Regularly changing passwords is highly recommended.  It is likewise recommended to shred bank records before throwing them in the bin.

Other online banking safety practices require the use of common sense.  Banks will not ask for a client’s personal banking information which they already have so emails containing such request should be ignored or reported to the bank.  Online bankers should never agree to request to have their accounts used for illegitimate purposes.  Online bankers are advised not to click on links provided on emails since legitimate banks do not ask their clients to do such an activity.

Employment Opportunities in IT Security

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Information Technology Security or I.T. Security is a way of protecting information from any or all threat of unauthorized access that can result to the use of information contained in a manner that is not or will not be approved by owners in ordinary circumstances. Information is sought to be protected because there is great danger in allowing critical information in the hands of people who have less than noble intentions for accessing it.

Unauthorized access of information connotes an illegitimate and usually dangerous intentions of people who purposely do it.  Attempts of these people can be thwarted by professionals trained towards this direction.  As such, there are numerous employment opportunities in the field of IT security.   

Some of the more notable jobs in the industry include the IT Crime Investigator or Forensic Expert; the Web Penetration Tester; Directory of Security, Software Developer, and Disaster Recovery Manager.  Each of this job requires knowledge, expertise, and experience to be performed properly.  These people are very critical for businesses who rely on computer stored and generated information.

There will always be intruders who will seek to breach a business’ IT infrastructure.  An IT Crime Investigator or Forensic Expert perform the task of investigating attacks made and enables companies to plug the existing flaws that allowed the attack to be successful.  A Forensic Expert therefore seeks to master the prevention of intrusion.  A Web Penetration Tester is an expert in finding the vulnerabilities that makes systems susceptible to attacks.  A Director of Security needs to have business acumen and communication skills in addition to technological know-how.  Secure software is made by security-savvy software developers while a Disaster Recovery Manager take charge when a system has been attacked.

Cyberstalking

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Of all the deliberate offenses committed by certain elements on legitimate Internet users, cyberstalking is probably the most personal.  The act has varying aspects connected to it.   It can consist of harassing an individual or an organization in a way that will cause distress to the subject of harassment.  Cyberstalking requires the use of electronic means, typically the Internet, to do the act although it is highly possible that it can be done in conjunction with offline stalking.

Cyberstalking can come in the form of constant monitoring of online activities, making threats or false accusations, unauthorized gathering of personal information which will be used for online harassment or embarrassment, solicitation of sex specifically of minors, and identity theft.  The motivating factor of cyberstalking is to control the subject in whatever way possible.  A cyberstalker can be a stranger or a known person although the latter can be more dangerous because of the possible access to more personal information.  A stranger however, has the advantage of anonymity which can be quite unnerving to the subject of stalking.

Stalking is not a single action but rather a series of actions intended to achieve the desired goal.  It is quite disruptive and invasive since a cyberstalked person cannot feel comfort even in one’s house since he or she knows that someone will be watching the moment he or she goes online.  The effect can be such as to prevent someone from going online even at the expense of work and family communication.

Many celebrities are known to have their own cyberstalkers but ordinary people can go through the same thing when targeted by online stalkers.  Women and children are the most vulnerable, although men have had their fair share.

Social Media Participation of Teenage Children

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The world of social media seems to be a place where many teenage children are participating.  Most of them have junked other forms of communication in favor of the social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.  The main concern of parents of children who are frequently interacting through it is whether or not they are doing so in an appropriate manner.

The leading social networks have expressly disallowed users who are below 13 years old.  This age requirement has produced at least two undesirable effects.  It is either the parents allow their children below 13 to lie about their age or the denied children to access such platforms outside the home, far from their disapproving parents.

Allowing children to lie about their age is not really a great way to introduce them to social media use.  Parents are often caught up in a dilemma of how they should go about it in keeping their child safe from the existing risks and threats of the environment.  Experience tends to show that children will find ways to participate in social media with or without the approval of the parents.  A teenage child’s participation in social media is best done under the guidance and limitations set by parents.

Dependence on social media interaction has affected to a large degree the ability of teenage children to talk to people face to face.  Social skills are lacking.   Social media use also tend to eat up time for rest, recreation, and other activities in life.  Parents can still protect their children from the ills of social media without totally invading their children’s privacy.  Children of this age need to know the basic online safety rules so they can protect themselves.

Kid-Friendly Internet Use

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The Internet has so much information to offer specifically for children’s school work and other informational needs.  Unfortunately, there is half as much bad material as there are good lurking somewhere in the system that children should not lay their eyes on.  There is a need to make web browsing a safe experience for kids.

The main recommendation in keeping Internet use as kid-friendly as possible is to place the computers in a place where parents can constantly watch and guide children.  A child’s room is therefore not the best place for this and it would be much better to place it in a common area in the home.  If a computer is deemed necessary to be placed in a child’s room, Internet access has to be removed and instead substituted with learning software which children can use for study.  In this way, there is no chance for undesirable sites to be accidentally found by unsuspecting children.

Computers used by the family cannot do without protection against malware.  The proliferation of malware makes computer use significantly risky under the hands of children.  There are spyware, Trojans, and adware that can trick young computer users into allowing malicious software to infect the computer.  Without proper guidance,   children may be adventurous enough to do what they are prompted to do by malicious messages.

It is best to equip computers with hardware firewalls.  Computer users should be aware that there is a need to install a third party firewall software program even if the basic protection is already in place because of the operating system used.  Security software is required to be in place as well so that the necessary parental controls can be set.  The key to kid-friendly Internet use is still parental monitoring and guidance.