Ask the Tech Guy:
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| In this weekly column, our resident "tech guy" answers reader's tech questions. | |
| This week's question comes from Lois Bailey in Kentucky. | |
| Dear Tech-Guy, | |
| How can I protect my computer from being infected while I’m online? I have a Dell Computer and I am using Windows XP. |
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| Today’s Internet is full of rich information and resources. Unfortunately, it is also infested with worms, viruses, malware, spyware and the like. It is literally impossible to clean up the Internet, and now these infestations are actually a permanent part of the Internet’s ecosystem. | |
| An unprotected computer can be infected in less than a minute of being connected online via a broadband (non dial-up) connection. In fact, that is exactly what Microsoft is doing to combat breeches of security on the Internet. They connect isolated computers online, called “honeymonkeys,” which mimic a user connected to the Internet. In this way, they can monitor and analyze software infestations to the Windows operating system, as well as to their other applications. | |
 With all of these security risks, how can you use the Internet without infecting your computer? The answer is quite simple: Use a router. Normally, you think of using a router when you want to connect more than one computer to the Internet using the same "line" (IP address). However, many people do not realize that routers can also be used for individual computers as a tool to protect themselves while online. |
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| A router acts as a type of hardware firewall. It acts as a one-way valve that permits data to flow out from behind it, but rejects unsolicited data from flowing into it and passing through to your computer. | |
| In addition to using a router, I also suggest using a software firewall and an anti-virus program. Software firewalls are not as secure as hardware routers. "Hackers" can easily turn off a software firewall by utilizing their malicious spyware. However, software firewalls are still beneficial because they monitor outbound data from the applications installed on your computer. | |
| There are many different software firewalls available today. If you are using Windows XP there is a firewall built into it. However, you need to install Windows XP Service Pack 2 to be as fully protected as possible. (The next version of Windows—Windows Vista—promises a more robust firewall and should be more stable than third party programs because it will be built directly into the operating system.) | |
| Bottom line: In addition to a software firewall and anti-virus program, you should always use a router when connecting to the Internet via broadband. There are several brands available. The one that we like—and use—here at the Oasis is a Linksys by Cisco Systems, Inc. | |
| If You Want to Know More . . . | |
| Techie Stuff: When you set up the router configuration, always change the default password to something more cryptic. On wireless routers, You may also want to change the channel being used. Channel 6 is the default in most cases. Also, unless they are going to be used (and they rarely are for personal use), disable the UPnP/UnPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and the WAN (Wide Area Network) features. | |
Additionally, if your hardware supports it, use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) with a very cryptic passphrase at the maximum length that your hardware will allow. An alternative to WPA is to use WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), but while it is better than nothing, WEP security is actually an oxymoron because it is so easily cracked.
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Do you have a question about computers or other types of technology? the tech guy with your question. |
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