| A simple set of
precautions can go a long way in keeping your computer healthy,
virus free and safe against hacker attack.
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E-mails are primary source of virus infection
Install an anti-virus software with e-mail scanning facility
immediately.
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Keep the anti-virus software up-to-date. Update
virus definition every week. All anti-virus software provides
for on-line updating through Net.
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Never, never open a file attachment unless you
are absolutely sure of its content.
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Do not execute software that is downloaded from
the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses.
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Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause
infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
Always use latest browser software.
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Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default,
many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not
critical, such as an FTP client, telnet, and a Web server. These
services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended
threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services
to maintain through patch updates.
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Set a maximum size for e-mails you receive in
your browser (e.g. 35 Kb). All mails exceeding that size will
remain at server, not reach your computer. You will instead
receive a notification from mail administrator - with an option
to download the over-sized e-mail. Most virus-carrying e-mails
are bulky (because of the file attachments) and get filtered
out automatically. You can selectively download the e-mails
you know genuine for sure - and delete the rest from server.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO DELETE THE UNWANTED MAILS FROM SERVER
EVERYDAY OR ELSE YOUR MAILBOX GETS FULL AND STARTS BOUNCING
ALL INCOMING E-MAILS
HACKING - A REAL DANGER
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Anti-Virus software with latest updates can keep
you safe from virus but not hackers. Unscrupulous fellows, perverted
minds and plain cheats - generally known as 'Hacker' can steal
confidential information from your computer and even damage
your databases and important files. They can even use your computer
as pawn to attack large systems (e.g. Yahoo, Microfsoft etc.).
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If you store important information in your computer
that is connected with Internet (directly or through LAN) and/or
you use Internet for long hours - hackers may target you.
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Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default,
many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not
critical, such as an FTP client, telnet, and a Web server. These
services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended
threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services
to maintain through patch updates.
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Consider a Personal firewall. There are many free
and paid Firewalls available in the Net. We have listed a few
below.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance can keep your system fast and efficient.
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Defrag and Optimize your hard disk frequently
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If possible, add more RAM
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Remove unnecessary programs from Start-Up
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Keep enough free space at C: drive
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Take regular back-ups. You may consider CD-RW
as back-up option - it is fast, convenient and comparatively
affordable.
Personal Firewall Software
Following is a list of well-known personal firewall
software. There are many good ones outside this list, we obviously
can not list all in limited space.
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Related Links:
Source: FAIDA
- Newsletter on Business Opportunties from India and Abroad
Vol: 3, Issue 5
May 2' 2002
Author :
Dr. Amit K. Chatterjee
(Amit worked in blue-chip Indian and MNCs for 15 years in various
capacities like Research and Information Analysis, Market Development,
MIS, R&D Information Systems etc. before starting his e-commerce
venture in 1997. The views expressed in this columns are of
his own. He may be reached at amit@infobanc.com
) |
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