Top Cyber Security Practices

At the National Cyber Security Alliance, we frame Internet^GGG safety and security as a combination of tools and behaviors.

Each new generation of computing has brought us faster computers, better graphics, and more sophisticated software applications; it has also bought us more robust and automated security tools. These tools have evolved from individual software programs to address a specific threat^GGG, such as an anti-virus program, to full suites of software constantly monitoring a system to identify a variety of threats including viruses^GGG, spyware^GGG, malicious software or malware, potentially dangerous websites, suspicious email, and more. Many also include a firewall^GGG (an electronic brick wall that keeps your information in and bad actors out). Furthermore, these programs can be set to update themselves to make sure that your system is can protect you against the latest known threats.

Every computer connected to the Internet needs a full suite of current security software. This software is your core protection.

The good news is that you more than likely received a trial version of security software with your computer purchase or it may be provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP^GGG). Be sure to activate a trial to a full subscription and renew your subscription when it expires. Keeping your core protections up to date is your first line of defense against new and emerging threats.

Security software is generally easy to manage. Most programs provide an electronic dashboard that, like the one in your car, can provide valuable real-time information about which software programs are running, whether updates are set to automatic, and when the last update took place. From here you can usually turn on automatic updates (if needed), conduct a manual update, and start a system scan (a review of all files on your system to see if any are compromised or pose a threat).

Below are more explanations about different types of security software programs that might be included in a security software suite:

Anti-virus Software
Anti-virus software protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer's performance, cause a crash, or even allow spammers to send email through your account. It scans your computer and incoming email and attachments for viruses, and then alerts you to threats or deletes them.  Viruses are created by computer hackers and cybercriminals who are constantly redesigning or creating new viruses to get around defenses. Security software companies identify and develop new defenses against viruses that are included in software updates.

Firewalls
Firewalls—an electronic brick wall—helps keep hackers from intruding into your computer to steal personal information or using your computer without your permission.  A firewall is like a guard, watching for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications from and to sources you don't permit.

Most computers come with operating systems that have a built-in firewall. Security software suites also frequently include a firewall program. Depending on the supplier, the firewall may be in the off mode as the default (the factory setting of the software).  Make sure you turn it on. This can be done through your security software dashboard (for firewalls in your security software) or the control panel of your computer to activate your operating system-based firewall.

Anti-Spyware and Malware Software
The words "spyware" and "malware" can be confusing, because they're used to describe a lot of different unwanted technologies. The two important things to know about spyware and malware programs are:

1. They can download themselves onto your computer without your permission when you visit an unsafe Website, be bundled in with other downloads, such as applications, games, included in attachment in an email, or installed on your computer by someone that has physical access to your computer.
2. They can make your computer do things you don't want it to do. Sometimes that might be as simple as opening an advertisement or pop-up you didn't want to see. In the worst cases spyware can track your online movements, log your keystrokes (to steal your passwords and compromise your accounts), send copies of email and other documents to third parties, and launch attacks, such as sending infected  emails and attachments to people in your contact lists, and redirecting you to websites you never intended to visit.

Anti-spyware software helps protect your computer from malware and spyware. It periodically scans your computer for spyware and malware programs, and then gives you the opportunity to remove any harmful surveillance software found on your computer. Given the increasing sophistication of spyware programs, some experts recommend using two different anti-malware or anti-spyware programs since different software developers use slightly different definitions and methods to identify threats, and together, they may offer increased protection.

Email Scanning
Some security software scans incoming and outgoing email for viruses and malware and notifies you of any potential problems.

Anti-phishing^GGG Protection
Some security software suites interact with your web browser^GGG to help identify websites that are known to be unsafe and have been used in phishing attacks (attempts to lure users into sharing personal information, log-on names, passwords, etc).
Running a full suite of security is a must. However, you must also keep other key software programs updated as well such as operating systems and web browsers.

Resources

Window's XP
This video tutorial shows you how to enable the firewall option built into the Microsoft XP operating system.

Macintosh OS X
This video tutorial shows you how to start the built-in firewall of the Macintosh OS X operating system. This option is available only to users of the Macintosh OS X operating system version 10.2 or later.

If your computer is experiencing problems (unusually slow, unwanted pop up ads, being redirected to websites you didn’t request, or is running programs you didn’t open or authorize), your computer may be infected. Click here for a list of free security scans for your computer provided by various security software companies.