Giving identity thieves and hackers the big finger – protect yourself!

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Thursday, 28 August 2008

Page 2 of 3 4. Install the latest Internet Security software (with firewall, anti-virus, spam filter and anti-malware/spyware components). The new “2009” versions of these packages are coming out soon, it’s time to upgrade. If you’ve just purchased something not realising that 2009 versions are on their way (something that normally happens around this time of the year), most (if not all the) security companies will automatically upgrade you to their latest version free-of-charge, so you’re not forced to buy the new version all over again a few weeks later. Commercial programs include Norton Internet Security, Norton 360, McAfee Internet Security and other packages from companies including Trend Micro, ZoneAlarm, Kaspersky, BitDefender and others, most of which should be available from any computer store or department store. 5. Ensure that your existing Internet Security software is automatically updating itself. All such programs are automatically set to do this, but if you’ve let the subscription lapse or something else has gone wrong, updates may have stopped, and as security threats continually evolve, having out-of-date or non-updating software is only giving you a false sense of security. 6. Manually scan your computer for viruses, even though your Internet Security software should already be doing this on at least a weekly basis. 7. Install more than one anti-malware/spyware program. While it’s not a good idea to have multiple firewalls or anti-virus programs, there’s nothing wrong with using multiple anti-spyware/malware programs to keep you protected. Two great free and very well regarded programs are “Spybot Search and Destroy”, which you can download here, and Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, which you can download here. Ad-Aware has commercial paid-for versions as well, but the free version is still excellent. 8. Consider buying more protective software – there are two very interesting commercial (paid) programs which are very complementary to whatever brand of Internet Security software you are already using. Indeed, they are not designed to replace your current Internet Security software but instead to work alongside it. The first is called ZoneAlarm Forcefield. This costs AUD $29.95 and is described by its website as being software that “provides a protective layer around your browser, shielding you from drive-by downloads, browser exploits, phishing attempts, spyware and keyloggers. So your passwords, your confidential information, and your financial data remain protected.” The second is called TrustDefender and is actually an Australian product.   It costs AUD $25.25, comes with a free 21-day trial. According to its website, it is “designed to protect the user at the most vulnerable time - when you are submitting your identity, passwords, authentication code, account numbers, credit card details and other personal or confidential information to a website.” TrustDefender says its aim is “to give you as a consumer, a level of control you currently do not have today with the ability to secure your mobile computing device including your PC from snooping, from online criminals, anytime, anyplace, anywhere in the world, when you carry out an online transaction.” Two Australian credit unions, CAPE and BCU (Banana Coast Credit Union) have recently decided to offer TrustDefender free of charge to all of their respective customers, such is their confidence in the protection that TrustDefender offers . Please read on to page 3 for my final advice. << First page <   1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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