• Information leaks
• Hackers
• Spyware and Malware
• Virus and Trojan infections

These are just a few of the potential risks when employees have Internet access, and they pose a threat to more than just the individual employee’s workstation. Once inside, hackers or programs can potentially gain access to your entire network, your databases, customer information, payroll information…almost everything you have in digital form.

For managers and owners in workplaces where employees have Internet access it’s vital to ensure that you have taken every possible measure to secure your network and every workstation against intrusions. Don’t rely on your employees to be safe while online, because without the proper tools and security in place there is no such thing as safe Internet activity.

And for anyone who works in an office that provides Internet access, it would not be out of line to inquire with your supervisor about whether they’ve taken the appropriate steps to secure their office hardware from intrusions. Remember, you’re not just protecting the business, but also your own personal information and the data of your customers too.

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Technorati Tags: Business, Internet access, security

• Basic and Vital Security Measures To Protect Your PC
• Internet Security & Wireless Hotspots
• Are Hackers After Your Passwords?

Waiting until after some malicious hacker steals your personal information, credit card numbers or even identity is not a good plan, so we’ll continue offering tips like these on the most basic and fairly easy measures that can be taken to protect yourself and your computer when you’re going online.

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5 Critical Steps to Protecting Your Computer on the Internet

by John Lenaghan

Technorati Tags: antivirus, security, windows update

• Computers and Viruses and Spyware, Oh My
• Internet Security In The Workplace
• Almost Anyone Can Remove Spyware or a Virus – Save Money
• Internet Security & Wireless Hotspots
• Picking The Best Antivirus For You

This isn’t an area that I’m an expert in by any means, but I have found some good information about it and wanted to share it here for those of you who are interested.

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How to work securely in Wireless Hotspots

by Macky

Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations–as well as at home–and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks.

Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it’s up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure. 1. Try to choose more secure connections.

It’s not always possible to choose your connection type–but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them. 2.Make sure your firewall is activated.

A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it’s turned on.

To activate the Windows XP Firewall

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. 3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings. 4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected.

To activate the Windows Vista Firewall

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet. 3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off. 4. Ensure that On is selected.

3. Monitor your access points.

Chances are, there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you’re trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you’re connecting to the right one? Simple–by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect.

Configure Windows XP Access Points

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. 3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties. 4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, on the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected. 5. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced. 6. In the Advanced dialog box, click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close. 7. Click OK.

Configure Windows Vista Access Points Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use. display:none 4. Disable file and printer sharing.

File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it’s best to disable file and printer sharing because when enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office.

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, click Security Center. 3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall. 4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab. 5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK.

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. 2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center. 3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to off.

5.Make your folders private.

When the folders on your mobile PC are private, it’s more difficult for hackers to access your files.

To make a folder private in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer. 2. In the My Computer window, double click the drive where Windows is installed, and then double click Documents and Settings. 3. Double click your user folder, right-click the folder that you want to make private, and then click Properties. 4. In the Properties dialog box, on the Sharing tab, click Do no share this folder, and then click OK. Repeat the steps above for each folder that you want to make private.

To make a folder private in Windows Vista Windows Vista not only makes folders private by default, but it also requires passwords for shared folders. As a result, you’re already covered! But if you want to double check, simply right click on the folder in question, and select Properties. On the Security tab, you can review the set permissions. display:none 6.Encrypt your files.

You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting only the files that you plan to use while working in a public place.

* Encrypt files using Windows XP. * Encrypt files using Windows Vista.

7.Consider completely removing sensitive data from your notebook PC.

If you’re working with extremely sensitive data, it might be worth taking it off your notebook PC altogether. Instead, keep it behind the corporate firewall and use your company’s VPN to access it when necessary. This way, you have multiple safeguards in place.

A few simple precautions can help make working in public places more secure. And by selecting the best connections and adjusting settings, you can enjoy productive and safe work sessions no matter where you are.

About the author: Your TechKnowledge Guide

Technorati Tags: security, wireless hotspots

• Internet Security In The Workplace
• Basic and Vital Security Measures To Protect Your PC
• Are Hackers After Your Passwords?

It’s a fact of life online and there’s no way around it unfortunately.

However, there are some basic steps we can all take to protect ourselves and the following article illustrates them quite nicely.

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Learn This Simple Trick To Prevent Password Hackers

by Christopher Amissah

Your computer safety and security is not limited to anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and firewalls, because the passwords themselves can be targeted by unauthorized people. It would be better for your overall security if you take the necessary precautions and means when it comes to dealing with password protection.

Hacking to retrieve your password is one of the ways intruders can attack your computer. Once they get your passwords they can access your online accounts, access your email to send and retrieve messages from your address, enter secure networks etc.

The most important thing to do, is to secure your files and folders, especially highly important ones with a password protection software. If these files are left unprotected, it would be easier for these intruders to get a hold of them and do what they want, or other users of your computer example your kids can accidentally move them or even delete them.

For added security, you need to change your passwords regularly, especially for your more important data. If your passwords remain the same for a long period of time, hackers and intruders would have an easier time figuring them out. By doing so, the intruders would have to start over again since you have a new password, thus making the possibility of frustrating them greater.

Using a number of different characters, especially the combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, can make it difficult for hackers to figure out your password. However, be sure to memorize the combination particularly if you change passwords regularly.

Do not use relevant information to you, such as your birth date, spouse’s name, car registration number and others as passwords. Because it is easier and quicker for them to figure out such passwords.

It would be to your advantage if you acquire a password encryption software. This software disguises passwords written in cleartext into ciphertext format, which is a combination of different symbols. On the other side, intruders try to create decryption softwares, which change the ciphertext back into cleartext that they can see and understand.

Password encryption software comes with various levels of security, some contains a higher level of encryption than others. Higher encryption levels would make it more difficult for the intruder to break in. Password encryption software can be purchased online or in your computer software shop.

In conclusion, securing your important files and folders with passwords, changing passwords regularly, using a combination of characters for passwords, and encrypting them through password encryption software, would guarantee your safety from password hackers.

Computer intruders and viruses should not be taken lightly at all, It would therefore be important for you to know the types of computer viruses available, in order to better protect yourself from them. Find Out These Dangerous Computer Viruses so you can Always Guard Yourself Against them.

Christopher Amissah love to help others to be safe and secured while they are online . You can visit him at http://your-computer-safety.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: hackers, passwords, security

• Internet Security In The Workplace
• Basic and Vital Security Measures To Protect Your PC
• Internet Security & Wireless Hotspots