Intrusion

Practices

• If you use a DSL or cable modem connection, turn it off when you're not using your computer: As long as your DSL or cable modem connection is active, other users on the Internet can try to get into your computer. Once you have closed the connection, this is no longer possible.

• If possible, turn off your computer at night: While your machine is on and connected, intruders can attempt to break into your machine. Keeping your computer turned off after work hours will reduce your chances of becoming the victim of an intrusion. Consult your system administrator to find out if your company’s policies allow you to turn your computer off at night.

• Conduct regular anti-virus scans: Be sure to scan all files that you have received from other people. All major anti-virus software can be set to automatically scan files when they are transferred, but it's a good idea to also scan your computer manually on a regular basis. You should do this at least once every two weeks, or when you suspect a problem.

Settings

• Set your firewall to filter ports: Make sure your firewall is filtering the ports that correspond to the applications you use. For example, to access your bank account using Internet Explorer, you need to open port TCP-443 (HTTPS). Any ports that you are not using should be closed. This is the only way you can keep intruders from using unused open ports in your machine to get to your financial information.

  Setting your firewall used to be a complicated task, but personal firewalls are getting more user-friendly. To filter ports in Windows XP or Windows Vista's built-in firewall:

  1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections, and click on Windows Firewall.
  2. Make sure the firewall is turned on.
  3. Select the Advanced tab and click on Settings. There you can add or edit services. Only do this if you are sure which ports you need to have open; otherwise, use the default settings. If you incorrectly change the settings, your firewall may not work properly.

  

• Set your anti-virus package for "Real-time Protection": Anti-virus software should provide the option of real-time protection, which means that it actively checks files that come into your system while you work. Although this might not be necessary for mobile devices, it does lower your chances of contracting a computer virus, so check if your brand supports this configuration. If it does, activate it.

• Set your anti-virus package for the types of files you want it to check: To set the types of files the anti-virus software will check, click on Start, then Programs, and start your anti-virus package. Usually, the program gives you the option of choosing between a few scanning methods. Symantec, for example, offers:

  • Scanning all files: All files on the computer will be checked regardless of the extension or file type.
  • Scanning by file type: The package will check all files of the chosen type, regardless of the potentially deceptive file extension. This is especially important in catching files with a double ending such as ".gif.doc".
  • Scanning by file extension: This scan is the fastest, since only files with the chosen extension will be checked.

  If you have a different brand of antivirus software, consult the manual for instructions on how to configure the settings for real-time scanning and scanning method.

Tools

• Firewall: A firewall is like a security guard for your computer that monitors the traffic into and out of your computer. A firewall is your first line of defense against intrusions, especially Trojan horses. One popular firewall is Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall . The Windows operating systems such as Windows XP and Windows Vista  include a firewall that is turned on automatically. This built-in firewall is described in more detail on the Microsoft site .

• Anti-virus software: The popularity of the Microsoft Windows operating system makes it a prime target for hackers and other virus writers, so anti-virus software is crucial for users of this system. Anti-virus software works by identifying files that match definitions of known viruses and keeping them from infecting the system. Make sure that your virus definitions are kept up to date by automatically or manually downloading them from your software manufacturer's Web site. Do not install more than one anti-virus program because incompatibility issues between the programs may end up leaving your system unprotected.

  Two popular anti-virus packages are Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus  and McAfee AntiVirus . AVG , AntiVir  and ClamWin  are free alternatives. The major anti-virus programs, such as Symantec and McAfee, can protect against worms and Trojan horses as well as viruses.

  PDA and mobile phone anti-virus applications normally interact with the full version on a PC and hold fewer virus definitions. New virus updates are automatically transferred from your desktop computer each time you synchronize your PDA. Therefore it is important to keep your desktop computer's anti-virus software updated and synchronize your PDA regularly. Some commonly used anti-virus packages are Trend Micro's PC-cillin for Wireless  and Symantec AntiVirus for Windows Mobile .