What is Monitoring Prevention ?
Keystroke monitoring is a process whereby computer system
administrators view or record both the keystrokes entered
by a computer user and the computer's response during a user-to-
computer session. Examples of keystroke monitoring would include
viewing characters as they are typed by users, reading users'
electronic mail, and viewing other recorded information typed
by users. Some forms of routine system maintenance record
user keystrokes; this could constitute keystroke monitoring
if the keystrokes are preserved along with the user identification
such that an administrator can determine the keystrokes entered
by specific users. If you wish to hide those items you may
wish to use monitoring prevention software.
Are You Well Protected?
by Roxie Hickman
Fall is synonymous with the start of the cold and flu season.
Though technically speaking, things got started a little early.
Close to a million computers, mostly home PC users, were infected
by the Blaster Worm virus and SoBig.F. Microsoft expects more
to come with the recent discovery of another flaw waiting
to be exploited. For many of us our computers are our business.
We keep in contact with customers and clients via email, do
extensive internet research, and transmit important files
electronically. We know what to do to protect our bodies from
viruses. There are some simple strategies, and even free precautions
we can take to protect our businesses by keeping our PCs virus
free. Adopting the following six checkpoints will help keep
your computer healthy and your business uninterrupted.
Use a Firewall
At its most basic level a firewall is a software security
system that acts as a barrier between your computer and the
outside world (the internet) by monitoring all incoming network
traffic. A more advanced firewall will also monitor outgoing
traffic. How you use your computer will determine whether
basic or advanced firewall protection is needed. What a firewall
does is make your computer invisible while on the Internet.
If hackers can't see you, they cannot attack you. Windows
XP has this software installed; however, it may need to be
enabled. If you have XP and would like to enable the firewall,
directions are on the Microsoft website. For non XP users,
firewall software can be purchased. McAfee and Zone Alarm
are two very popular products. Zone Alarm has a free downloadable
firewall, basic version, available on their website, www.zonealarm.com.
Before installing a firewall, you may be interested in learning
your computer’s vulnerability. This is something that can
be checked for free and in just a few minutes. Visit the website
of Gibson Research Corporation, grc.com (no need to type www),
and under Hot Spots, click on Shields UP. It takes a little
bit of scrolling to get to but is well worth the extra seconds.
In minutes your PC is scanned and its vulnerability rated.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is the "shot" after the epidemic. This
software protects your computer from known threats. Many PCs
come with antivirus software already installed. Some of the
more popular versions are Norton, PCCillin and McAfee. If
you have it pre installed or have purchased it, great. Please
be sure to keep it constantly updated with the latest virus
definitions. This is important because these definitions are
formed in response to the latest viruses. If you don't have
this protection, please consider getting it.
Once this software is installed on your computer, you will
be automatically notified when new virus definitions are available.
Then it is just a matter of a few clicks to download the new
definitions. Likewise you will be notified when your antivirus
software is about to expire. The software needs to be updated
annually. The initial purchase, renewal, updates and installation
can all be done online.
Spyware Eliminator
Why am I getting all of these pop ups? Certain websites that
you visit or free software (shareware) that you download,
and, in some cases, hardware purchased from major manufacturers
will also install tracking devices on your computer (spyware).
Spyware is annoying but not illegal. An internet search will
reveal the many choices available for spyware elimination
software. The important thing is to get one and use it consistently.
Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices. I really like Spybot
Search and Destroy. Besides the fact that it is free, once
spyware is identified, the software will provide a detailed
description of just what it is. This is helpful just in case
it identifies something that you don't want to get rid of.
Backup, Backup, Backup
How often do you backup? What files/programs do you backup?
What media do you backup to? We all know the importance of
backing up our information yet so many of us don’t do it.
There may be a ton of reasons why it's not done but the one
reason it should be done on a regular basis is that it can
be a timesaver, possibly a business saver if your computer
system is corrupted for any reason. If you happen to be using
Windows XP Professional, the backup procedure is quite simple.
For users of XP Home Edition, it is a bit more involved. Complete
instructions, however, are on the Microsoft website.
Typically, data files are what most people need to back up
and having well organized files will certainly simplify the
process. Whether you backup to disk, zip disk, DVD, writeable
CDs, external file drive or utilize one of the online services,
it is important to get into the habit of backing up on a regular
basis. Weekly Updates of Windows Windows users are automatically
notified of current updates for the Windows operating system
when your computer is turned on. With just a few clicks your
operating system is updated. However, when certain patches
become available for your particular applications software
(XP, 2000, NT, etc), as was/is the case with the recent worm
viruses, a visit to Microsoft's website is necessary.
Once there, Microsoft will scan your computer, tell you
what updates are available, and you then have the option of
installing them on your system. In some cases, you will need
your installation CDs to complete the download. With the recent
run of viruses and with more expected, it is imperative to
check for these updates weekly on the Microsoft website as
well as do the automatic updates. Be Careful of Email Attachments
Email is such a widely accepted method of communication, and
this has not gone unnoticed by hackers who use email as a
means of mass virus spread. For this final checkpoint, your
due diligence is the only software required. Always delete
any email from unknown senders and be very careful of any
attachments you are not expecting from any known senders.
As we have seen, hackers can quite easily access Outlook
address books to spread viruses. By the way, including a fake
email address in your address book will not prevent your PC
from spreading viruses. This is an urban legend. If you’re
interested in the full story, check out this link: www.snopes.com/computer/virus/quickfix.htm
When it comes to the health of our computers, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Effective prevention
software along with plain old common sense, used consistently,
can keep you protected.
About the Author
Roxie Hickman, Virtual Assistant (VA), is the owner of The
Virtual Connection. The Virtual Connection (www.thevirtualconnection.net)
specializes in working with the ‘sucstressed’ (successful
professionals who are stressed because they’ve been doing
it alone). The Virtual Connection provides offsite administrative,
executive, and personal assistance.
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