Survey: consumers don’t understand online security

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Tuesday, 02 October 2007

Page 2 of 3 What consumers could benefit from is a clear guide to computer security software– and hardware – that can offer the best protection. This should be promoted widely, in the style of the Common Sense Media website on child safety online . Perhaps all computers should come pre-installed with all the security software needed to protect users today. Today’s PC needs more than just an off-the-shelf Internet security package. Easily found in retail stores and even sold online, you have your pick of Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2008 or Norton 360, McAfee’s Internet Security Suite, no doubt to come in a 2008 version, and also 2008 versions of Trend Micro’s, ZoneAlarm’s and CA’s Internet Security suites to choose from. All offer a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, network security and, from memory, a junk mail filter if desired. Some, such as Norton 360, offer online storage for backup as well, and other packages have their own unique selling points. All of the software, from the OS to the office suite and everything else should be regularly checked for updates, or set to update automatically if possible. The latest drivers for hardware should also be checked for and used. And regular backups should be taken - including through the use of external hard drives, automatic backup and mirroring technology and more - it's all available at major retail stores for anyone to purchase and install. Additionally, using an online backup service is very useful in maintaining an additional off-site backup - a number of services are avaialble online, and as mentioned previously is now coming as standard with some commercial Internet security suites, with the option to buy more storage at a yearly price. Free security software solutions include AVG’s Anti-Virus , and others like Avast online – just do a search for free antivirus, while ZoneAlarm’s free firewall is certainly better than the one that comes with Windows XP or Vista. After that, anti-spyware protection is best afforded by Safer Networking's new Spybot Search and Destroy 1.5 – now upgraded to be easier to use, and easier to keep updated and immunized. It’s an essential tool against spyware that helps prevent spyware from getting onto your computer in the first place, and getting it off it if does. Lavasoft’s AdAware is also a well known anti-spyware tool that’s also worth having and using in addition to Spybot. It’s also worth installing Microsoft’s free Windows Defender, although Spybot is much more advanced. When it comes to detecting phishing attacks and protecting your username and password, along with other private details, when engaging in any online transaction, be it with a bank or other financial institution, any e-business or e-government transaction and more, you usually have to be smart enough to recognize attacks, even if using services such as McAfee’s SiteAdvisor , or the anti-phishing toolbars in Symantec software, Internet Explorer and Firefox (among others). So, what about phishing and identity theft? Well, aside from a new game that teaches how to detect suspect links in phishing emails, a company called TrustDefender is offering a security solution that still seems to be unique among all the security solutions out there, and is worth checking out - the full details are on page 3. Please read on for the conclusion! << First page <   1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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