iCommonSense

Security has always been a big concern for everyone - and more so online! Even grandparents surf the Internet today, and one way or the other all of us find the Internet slowly imposing itself on some part of our life. Some of us merely for networking, keeping in touch through emails, messengers, myspaces and facebooks. The brave ones venture into online shopping etc, and the even more brave ones venture into online banking!

Every other day we see some sort of campaign from anti virus vendors and online vendors about security and how to feel safe while using Internet. Technology develops both ways, while highly sophisticated security systems and browsers make your life safer and easier, the devil doesn't stop working either - the usual suspects are still at work to find better ways of beating the system.

Anyway, for long some of my more technically challenged friends have seeked my help to set their system back in good shape. I am not a terribly adept technical guy, I might have a few skills worth boasting about - but I tend to rely on a few simple and straight forward means to stay clear of security threats. Of course, I too have had passwords hacked and viruses and Trojan horses ail my systems for days before i figured it out - and I know what a pain it is! No, am not going to tell you what I was doing or which websites I was visiting!

Lets start with a few simple things. What are viruses and what are Trojan horses and what they doing in my system?! Paracetamol does not kill this virus and nor can you bet on these horses.

Virus programs are basically designed to kill your systems, they will either corrupt your files or your installed programs and OS eventually making your PC unusable. Trojan Horses on the other hand are just very desirable programs that don't have your best interest at heart. Simple enough? Lets not get bogged down on varieties and details. Good enough to know they are both bad news! And chances are that you will get hit by a Trojan horse more than viruses!

Lets talk about simple prevention measures. Do I need an Anti-virus program thingy? YES! Just get one! It will definitely do you less harm (if any) than a virus! Doesn't matter which one, or who recommends it. Just get any - something better than nothing. Don't worry about how it will slow your system down etc, for a simple home user it doesn't matter! If you are not a simple home user - this post wont matter to you. I normally just get a Norton or McAffee, works for me.

Virus and Trojan programs don't get installed automatically. You have to do something in some manner to initiate it. Most common is when you download a file or click on a link etc, especially from friends. Before you call your friend and scream "why the hell did you send me that file/link?" - think "Why the hell did I open that file/link?!". When you receive any message, e-mail or IM, which invites you to open a file or a link, read that message properly. Think! Does it sound like your friend? Is that the sort of file or message or link your friend would send you? If you are not sure, and you are dying or curiosity then quench it by asking your friend rather than diving in and opening what ever dodgy was sent to you. Most virus and Trojan attacks are designed to kindle your curiosity.

Another common way of picking up viruses is from download sites or file share networks when downloading music or movies. They are quite safe if you know how to play it safe. I normally look at the file size I am downloading to start with. If you are downloading a 5 minute song then the file size should at least be a few MBs - something between 3 and 5 MB. If its only a few KBs, its not what you want to download! Especially movie files! If you are expecting a full movie (2 hours in length) to be under 300 - 700 MB (depending on the quality) then you are in the wrong dimension of the universe. Secondly, take a look at the file extension. If its not an extension you understand then Google it to be sure its what you want. For those who love their file sharing networks, before you commence a download, check what you are downloading. Some file share networks like torrents can download multiple files under one ticket, you can select what files to download before you commence the download, and be sure to uncheck all the unwanted files.

Best way to protect your data online is by not putting it there! Trusting major service providers like MSN, Google, Amazon etc is fine - these guys put a lot of time and effort behind making sure you are safe. But most other smaller websites you visit, don't sign up if you don't need to. And don't provide anything more than the mandatory fields when you sign up. Where it doesn't matter, don't provide your real address or your real name! I always uncheck the part where it says "would you like to hear from us about offers?". I just cant be bothered with the spam!

If you are shopping and banking online etc, great! If you are not doing that yet, then there is no reason you shouldn't - if you want to. Lets admit it - online shopping is convenient. its also cheap and comes with loads of good deals. Whenever you are making payments, check your URL on the browser. They are normally a good give away. Most URLs (web site address) start with "http", as you may know. If you are making a payment online, normally the URL should start with "https", which indicates a secure connection - this is always a good sign! Also look for the Verisign symbol - if they have one, you have reason to trust them. I also tend to prefer "Paypal". Many of you may have come across them.

Some of you may have heard of phishing sites. These are basically sites that look exactly like your bank, email etc. login page, and trick you into entering your details. Now, what I always do is read the URL of any page i visit, especially if I am entering any information, be it payment or login. Just use your common sense and instinct, if the URL does not read correct or look obvious to the context don't trust it! You know it when your natwest login page URL reads "http://www.mxhndl.com/", its not where you want to be!

How do I know my system has been infected? Well, any unusual behaviour is a good clue. Unreasonably slow machines, various lights flashing at irrelevant times, files being corrupted, machine crashing etc are all good clues. That would indicate a virus infection. Run your anti-virus program and if that doesn't sort it out, get some professional help.

If you are just having issues with pop-ups or error messages from programs you do not recognise, chances are its a Trojan and not a virus. Go to your control panel and click on Add-remove programs. This will show you a list of all programs installed in your machine. Run down the list and check all the installed programs. If there are any programs that you don't recognise or bear the name of the program that was throwing error messages, click on it and click on remove. Be careful though, there will be a lot of pre-installed system software you may not recognise. If you are not sure, Google the names of the programs you don't recognise. Normally program names like "My Web Search" and "Super search tool bar" is a good give away. Its good to familiarise yourself with this installed program list when you first get your PC, so you have a good idea about what should be there. Check this list periodically to be sure only programs you know you installed and that were pre-installed are on the list. Anything you don't know or not sure of, check and remove. Simple and easy way to keep you PC healthy.

End of the day, 90% of usual issues can be avoided or rectified by keeping things simple and looking at obvious clues. Yeah, there are some clever chaps our there that can screw things up pretty bad for loads of people. Unfortunate, but nothing that cant be fixed.

Nevertheless, play it safe and enjoy your time on the Internet. Oh yea, I should mention - Internet is great! Its good, brings people closer, shrinks the world but nothing to beat the real world out there. Work on that balance and get out and get that sun kissed tan and wind brushed hair.