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 Category :: Spam |
Author :: Robert Rogers  |
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| Article Title :: Detect, Protect, Dis-infect |
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Consumers Online Face Wide Choices in Security Products
With new threats to computer security and data integrity a
regular feature of the evening news, a panoply of products that
promise to detect, protect, and dis-infect are being marketed to
consumers. Intrusion detection systems, firewalls and anti-virus
software are critical to online security, but the Federal Trade
Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, says
computer users — from grade school kids to grandparents — need
to know exactly why they need online security products and what
they’re buying.
Why the Need Computers “talk” to each other over the Internet by
sending data through their communications ports. If a port is
open, it “listens” for communications from the Internet. A
computer has thousands of ports: which ones are open depends on
the software the computer is running. Hackers can “eavesdrop” or
scan the ports to determine which are open and vulnerable to
unauthorized access.
Detection An intrusion detection system (IDS) monitors incoming
Internet traffic, much like a security camera “watches” your
front door to see who might be trying to come in. When the IDS
detects a suspicious pattern, it sends an alert (and creates a
record) that an intruder may be trying to break in to your
computer. Some IDS alerts — but not all — show a pop-up message
on your screen. An IDS alone cannot prevent an unauthorized
entry into your computer; only a firewall can do that.
Protection Firewalls block hackers’ access to your computer by
creating a barrier — like a wall — between your ports and the
Internet that allows you to control the data that comes and goes
through your ports. Your firewall protects your ports even if
you don’t have an IDS. Sometimes a firewall is bundled with an
IDS. If not, and if you want an IDS, be sure it’s compatible
with your firewall.
Dis-infection Anti-virus software detects and deletes viruses
that are in your computer. Viruses often attach themselves to
your computer through email attachments and floppy disks. That
means a firewall can’t catch them. Similarly, an IDS won’t alert
you when a virus is attacking your computer. Look for anti-virus
software that recognizes current viruses, as well as older ones;
that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates
automatically.
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