Suggested steps to increase computing security<\/p>\n
Zatni Arbi, Contributor, zatni@cbn.net.id<\/p>\n
Late last year, Microsoft held a series of seminars on computing
\nsecurity in cities in the Asia-Pacific area. One could easily
\ninfer that this program was intended to counter the growing
\nbelief that Windows was very unsafe.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, a growing number of computer pundits
\naround the world are saying that, compared to other platforms
\nincluding Linux, Windows is plagued with a lot of threats. There
\nare an unending influx of viruses, Trojan horses and worms for
\nWindows. Hackers continue to find back doors to infiltrate
\nWindows systems, etc.<\/p>\n
While the debate on whether Windows is indeed less secure than
\nother computing platforms continues, I think the steps suggested
\nby Microsoft to small and medium-sized companies -- and of course
\npersonal computer users -- are worth repeating here. These are
\nsteps that are easy to comprehend, yet we frequently forget to
\nimplement them.<\/p>\n
A firewall is a piece of software or a combination of software
\nand hardware that checks inbound and outbound data traffic. A
\nfirewall resides in the computer that connects to the Internet.
\nSuch a computer is usually called the Internet Gateway. If it
\ndetects suspicious Internet data packets, it will block them.<\/p>\n
Just as an example, a firewall makes sure that an outsider
\ncannot use your computer to launch pre-scheduled attacks to other
\ncomputers on the Internet. These attacks, which brought the
\nInternet down on its knees a couple of years ago, are commonly
\nknown as the Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.<\/p>\n
Windows XP already comes with a built-in firewall, which you
\ncan access by clicking the network connectivity icon for your
\nInternet connection. Just click on Property, and then on Advance.<\/p>\n
If you are not intending to use a stronger firewall such as
\nMcAfee's Personal Firewall Plus, at least make sure that your
\nWindows XP's firewall is activated. As they say, \"don't surf the
\nInternet without it\".<\/p>\n
If you already have a broadband connection to Internet, set
\nyour Windows Update or Automatic Update utility to automatically
\ncheck the relevant websites for the latest security patches,
\ndownload them and install them on your system. If you are still
\nusing a dial-up connection, you may need to do this manually.<\/p>\n
Software patches are not a sign that a piece of software is
\nterribly flawed. They are much like the recalls by carmakers. If
\na carmaker knows there is something wrong with the brake in the
\ncar that it manufactures and keeps quiet about it, such inaction
\ncan be perceived as proof that it does not care about the safety
\nof the people who drive the car or the other road users.<\/p>\n
By issuing recalls, carmakers show that they care, and car
\nbuyers usually feel positive about carmakers that do announce
\nrecalls. Cars are no different from software, they may have some
\nimperfections that need to be ironed out.<\/p>\n
Again, if you have a broadband connection and you are an
\nactive Internet user, do not hesitate to spend on an antivirus
\nsubscription. With a subscription, the virus data will be
\ncontinuously updated. They may cost you around US$30 per year.
\nQuite a lot of money for most of us, but there is no other choice
\nexcept cutting off all connection and going back to the fax and
\nsnail mail.<\/p>\n
While you need only one firewall for your network, it is
\nnecessary to have a powerful antivirus program on each of the
\ncomputers in your network. Again, if you do not have a broadband
\nconnection, you may need to download the virus data update
\nmanually.<\/p>\n
Make your passwords as difficult as possible to guess. If you
\ndo not have the budget for a biometrics authentication device
\nsuch as a fingerprint scanner, make sure your passwords are not
\nscribbled on the Post-It notes stuck on your computer monitor. If
\na colleague has to watch you as you type in your passwords,
\nchange them immediately after he is gone.<\/p>\n
Shrewd organizations require passwords to be changed
\nperiodically. They also require that the passwords should be of a
\nspecific length and contain a specific combination of digits and
\nletters.<\/p>\n
Using the same password for different login processes is also
\na bad idea. Many of us still do it, though, because we are too
\nlazy to remember different passwords.<\/p>\n
Most of us take it for granted that the CPUs are too heavy for
\npeople to steal from our desk top. That is not true. A lot of
\nCPUs get stolen from offices every month.<\/p>\n
Moreover, people do not need to take the CPU away to steal
\nyour data. They can just open the casing, unscrew the hard disks
\nand take them out. This could actually be prevented-or made more
\ndifficult-by using a bolt to secure the casing. Too bad, a lot of
\nIT department personnel even leave their data center doors
\nunlocked, forget about the casing of the desktop PCs.<\/p>\n
These are just five of the 10 recommendations made by
\nMicrosoft. Next week, we shall look at the remaining five.<\/p>",
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