Internet Security @ Home
Thanks to people losing the odd megabyte or 2 of important public data this is a topic that has been publicised a lot over the past couple of years. Microsoft have also made efforts in assisting home users in starting with a secure PC out of the box with the built in firewall and "Defender" to control malware. However, unless patched are applied and the system's are kept upto date PC's can soon become comprimised. It could also be said that the popularity of wireless and routers rather than "modems" has assisted in the protection of home computers/networks as generally out of the box they offer no direct route to a PC.
Checklist to assist in securing home PC's
- Ensure that Windows Update is enabled to auto install the latest patched. By default windows try's to do this at a time when your machine is not turned on i.e. 3am. Change this to a time when you know the machine will be turned on. It's also an idea to run windows update weekly to ensure that updates are installed. Run the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT). This will get rid of the vast majority of malicious software and other unwanted software on your computer. Run Full Scan.
- Install an Anti-Virus program. There are many available including very good free ones. Once installed you still need to ensure that it updates itself at least once a day.
- Install a Firewall. As mentioned above Windows XP and Vista have a firewall installed which should be enabled. If you have installed a "Security Suite" then this will probably install its own firewall and disablet the Windows Firewall
- If your firewall does'nt remove spyware then you will also need to install a program to take care of this for you. Again, there are some good free tools available to do this.
- Control SPAM. Outlook has a basic junkmail filer but its not very good. Some "Secuirty Suites" include SPAM control but there are other free ones available.
- Implement user accounts on PCs so that you are not entering your banking details through the same account that a teenager has been playing games through. And don't use the administrator account except when strictly necessary.
- Change your passwords regularly. Don't use ones that others could easily guess such as names.
Protecting the family
This is easier said than done. You could ensure that they can only access the internet in a room that you are in. You could use software such as SurfControl to restrict the catagories of websites that they can access, ban them from facebook, free internet games, no email and no MSN. However, this is not realistic and the little darlings will work out how to get round most of these by using next doors unrestricted wireless internet.
The Best method of protection is a combination of securing the home PC and Education.
- Educate the familiy of the dangers on the internet
- Educate the family not to give out personel details and pictures
- Educate the family to get your assistance before registering on MSN or Hotmail etc
At the end of the day it's your family and only you can decide the level of trust that should be given to each member of the family.