Computer Security - How You Can Improve Yours [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Computer Security - How You Can Improve Yours [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Info: Level: Beginner Presenter: Eli the Computer Guy Length: 30 Minutes Tracks: Security / Data Integrity Prerequisites: None Purpose of Class: This class introduces you to the basic concepts of computer security. Topics Covered: Defining Hackers Updating Software Antivirus Software Antimalware Software Firewalls Site Advisors Internet Security Suites Web Browser Security Problems Class Notes: Defining Hacker There are many reasons why people hack. Some do it for fun, profit or to prove a point. Hacking is simple enough that a 9 year old can do it. Software Flaws / Updates Are the prime reasons computers are compromised Anti Virus Protects against viruses A virus is self replicating and tries to damage a computer Anti Malware Malware is software that's primary purpose is not to damage a computer Malware generally tries to collect information about a user, or tries to force a user to visit sites or buy products. Firewa ll Hardware firewalls are built into routers Software firewalls are installed onto your computer "Security" Suites Security Suites can be worse than hackers -- We have met the enemy and he is us. Permissions If you use an account other than ADMINISTRATOR or ROOT when you normally use your computer you will be more secure. Site Advisors Warn you if you are going to an "unsafe" site Web Browsers The Problem with Internet Explorer is that is does more than just browse the Internet. Firefox and Chrome are better but still have problems

aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com Computer Security Basics

The objective behind the concept of computer security actually varies quite a bit depending on the use of the computer. Computer security may include the protection of specific information from corruption or theft, for example. In general this can impose specific requirements on computers in addition to most standard system requirements. There are a number of different typical approaches that can be taken when it comes to improving computer security, including the following:

- Physically limiting the access to a computer so that computer security will not be compromised by those who are granted access to use it.

- Utilizing hardware mechanisms that can create and impose rules for specific computer programs, allowing computer security to be imposed without requiring individual programs to implement it.

- Implementing operating system or OS mechanisms that are capable of creating and imposing rules that avoid having to trust programs on the computer.

- Implementing programming strategies that allow subversion to be resisted and make computer programs more dependable.

In most cases, the security devices that are put into place are dependent upon the application uses the computer is created for. Different computer systems require different levels of security, as the level of privacy or protection needed is going to vary significantly. Computer systems under government control, for example, require a much higher level of security than computers used by students in a university setting. The level of required computer security, then, along with what forms of security are implemented, are going to vary significantly as well.

Implementing it may include creating or utilizing secure operating systems, though much of the science associated with this form of security was developed several decades ago. Security architecture is another option, and involves describing how specific security countermeasures and controls are positioned to protect the information technology. Firewalls are an example of security meant to protect computers from threats that travel via the internet or peer to peer connections. Chain of trust techniques are techniques that are used to ensure that all software on a computer is certified as authentic directly from the designers of the system. Access control is used to ensure the separation of privileges, ensuring that only specified people have the right capabilities on a computer system.

There are also cryptographic techniques which transform information into something that is meant to be indecipherable by anyone but approved persons. Information can also be secured for computer security purposes using backup files which allow important files to be protected by creating copies should they ever become corrupted or destroyed.

Essentially, the primary focus of the computer security field of information technology is to protect the integrity of computers, the data contained within them, and any information that may require restricted access. Some level of computer security is needed by anyone who owns a computer, including student computers in a university setting, computers owned and operated by the government, and even the laptop that you use to check your e-mail at night.

Related Computer Security - How You Can Improve Yours Issues

Question by mat: computer security??? plz list all computer security program to make my computer realy safe. i mean very safe Best answer for computer security???:

Answer by DPA1of8
To answer your question literally would take a book--or a very large web site. Like download.com or majorgeeks.com. Check them out. My preferences (for personal use; free): Zone Alarm (firewall) AVG Free (anti-virus) Ad-Aware and Spybot (spyware protection). There are many others.

Answer by lord_darkclaw
Firewall Anti-virus Anti-spyware There are dozens of websites that have detailed explanations on PC security, just do a Google search. First, if you are using Windows then keep it updated - set it to automatic update. If you have Windows XP make sure it has been upgraded to Service Pack 2 (go to the Microsoft website and read the guide if you are unsure). You can find all the free security software you need in the website link below (100-downloads). I use: Zone Alarm firewall (superior to Windows Defender) AVG Anti-virus (the best free anti-virus) Spybot Search&Destroy anti-spyware Adaware SE anti-spyware I also have an anti rootkit to make sure my copy of Windows is secure (anti rootkits can be downloaded for free and you will probably only need to run it once). The most important thing is to read up on security issues so that you are aware of all the dangers.

Answer by JohnC
You'll need 4 things: 1. A good antivirus program. Symantec (http://www.symantec.com), McAfee (http://www.mcafee.com), AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/) are some good examples. Do a Google search for more AV programs. 2. A real-time malware blocker. Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx), Spyware Terminator (http://www.SpywareTerminator.com/) are some good ones. Again, you can find more on Google. 3. A personal firewall. Windows Firewall (always keep it turned on), ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com/) and Sygate (from Symantec) are some good ones. 4. An offline malware remover. Adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com), Trend Micro Housecall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) are a few good ones. You can find many more on Google.

Answer by xiaoxin l
most virus are spread through IE. IE is not a safe browser. you should use a more secure browser to protect your PC from virus. i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar. firefox can block any any popup and disable any virus and adware, spyware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE browser. as you know, most of virus spread throught internet and webpage. besides, firefox is much smaller than IE, so it run faster than IE. download firefox for free, Just have a try: http://www.168tv.net/firefox/ Good Luck !!!

Answer by Mickey L
It is best to invest in a security suite. This will cut down on problems such as software conflict. This will also offer the greatest amount of security for your PC. The site below gives you info on all you need for a secure and tight setup. hope this helps! http://www.delete-computer-history.com/internet-privacy-and-security-software.html

Answer by lusherluke
I'm not going to get any love with this answer but I feel compelled to say this. Computer security isn't about running firewalls, anti-viruses or antispyware. If only it was that simple. You can run all the best security software in the world and still get infected if you don't practice good security practices. Knowledge is your best defense, not blindly run security software that other people say is good. There are many simple rules you should follow among them * Keep up to date with patches, particularly Windows (or your operating system), your web browser, flash, adobe, Java etc. * Ensure your web browser settings are secure. You might try alternative browsers like Firefox or Opera instead , but be careful they are not bullet proof either. I would add NoScript with firefox. * Do not download and install programs from untrustworthy sources (porn,warez etc)! You cannot rely on your antivirus to pick up all the malware! Even the best scanner will miss some. Don't believe me? Some of you might think that the best antiviruses are nearly perfect (95%-99%) by looking at test results from say av-comparatives.org, or testing from avtest, virus.gr But these are not REAL WORLD tests, they are artificial scans on virus collections , many of the collections are what we term "zoo malware", malware that are not active in the real world and will not be encountered at all. There are also other methodology problems in such tests e.g the sources are often corrupted and antivirus companies "cheat" in those tests because they already have the answers as they download the same malware from the same usual sources - vx sites. But real viruses will not be in the vx sites. Plus the test set often consists of a lot of well known malware so it is no wonder antiviruses do well. A more realistic view is to look at http://winnow.oitc.com/AntiVirusPerformance.html These stats, result from real human analysts submitting infections they find in machines they help clean to the http://www.virustotal.com/ which is a multiple antivirus engine scan site. As such this is more reflective of what the typical user encounters. These are also often *new* malware and antiviruses are generally very weak detecting them even with heuristics. As the graph shows the average performance of antiviruses is very poor (below 50%). The best performer is Antivir at 60% (Webwasher that scores 80% actually a multiple engine antivirus that includes Antivir , it scans only at the gateway level so is not available for desktops). In fact if you look at the best performers, they are typically well known for being very aggressive at the cost of generating false positives/alarms. Antivir for example was disqualified due to a high false positive rate in the latest retrospective av-comparitive test. My point isn't don't use security software, but rather be aware of their limitations and don't rely on them. An antivirus doesnt' give you a license to act recklessly. http://wiki.castlecops.com/Understanding_Computer_Infections

Answer by John L
Best answer is right here. Good luck

[computer security]