With the increase in Internet usage and increased usage of e-business practices, there has never been a more critical time for companies and individuals to apply effective security technology. Today, as public and private networks merge, security breaches and security weaknesses become more common.

The Internet can be a dangerous place, so can the surf on the Gold Coast.
But if you arm yourself with the right software and habits, you to can sail its choppy waters,  just as safely as you would surf the beaches at the coast.

Security awareness should be part of any computer usage. Ignoring this factor can be costly whether it relates to time, money or both.

Do your systems meet your needs now and in the future? It is impossible to make valid decisions without the facts. In order to minimize your downtime and identify future issues undertake a comprehensive audit of your systems. It should cover every single detail you need to know about your computers.
 

Securing Workstation and stand-alone computers:

• A Software Firewall should be installed and functioning correctly.
  
  If you think that installing an anti virus is the most important step you can take, guess again. These days you need to make sure you’re protected by a firewall before you do anything else.

  If you’ve got Service Pack 2 installed you already have one in place. But unfortunately the windows firewall only does so much. While protecting from threats that originate on the Internet, it doesn’t monitor programs already on your PC. Trojans and other nasties can still dial out and cause havoc.

   

• Antivirus
  With many viruses in cyberspace it would be risky not using any type of antivirus software.
  Viruses can destroy and reveal important data. Always keep antivirus software up to date.
  
  Although traditional viruses  known as Worms – are no longer as fashionable as they once were, they are still dangerous. Today’s viruses don’t just prey on your e-mail box either, you’ll find them lurking inside messaging tools, inside files you’ve downloaded from some web sites, or lurking on the file sharing networks.
  
  Virus Checking software should be enabled at all times, and a full system scan should be done weekly.
   
• Spyware / Malware
  
  The latest scourge to hit the Internet are Spyware & Malware programs that check on what you’re doing and report it to a third party. While some forms of Spyware are honest, you might get a program for free that would otherwise cost money, this could most likely contain Spyware, which is malicious in its intent.  Much Spyware is now installed silently in the background whenever you visit some sites, courtesy of what is known as a drive by download. As many Spyware programs are delivered via ActiveX controls, Service Pack 2 introduced more stringent ActiveX controls to Internet explorer so that they have been blocked by default. You now have complete control over whether any ActiveX components are installed on your PC.
  
  Spyware / Malware search and removal tools should be installed and run daily.
   
• Phishing
  
  Phishing attacks use an e-mail forged to appear to originate from popular companies and organizations ("phishmail" from "impersonated organizations"). Phishmail tries to lure target victims to impersonated websites where an attempt is made to fool recipients into divulging personal information. Also see Phishing
   
• Windows Update
  A large number of security fixes have been released for Windows XP since its release; one of the most vital updates you can install on your system is “Service Pack 2”.

  The best way to get subsequent critical updates is to use Windows XP’s automatic update feature, which works quietly in the background when they are released.

  You can check your automatic updates settings by clicking on the "Start" button then clicking on "Control Panel" then click on "Security Center".  Click the "Automatic Updates" icon under “Manage Security Settings for” and pick one of the appropriate options.
   

  • A Complete set of software disc's and documentation of all applications should be assembled, in case of disaster.
     
  • Hardware and Software Asset Lists and specifications should be compiled for each computer, and checked monthly to ensure correctness.

• Wireless

• Use Encryption Keys, time access controls, user level security
   
• Apply Intrusion detection, packet sniffing, monitoring and alert services

A System Maintenance Routine
should be compiled and adhered to.

1. Virus software should be enabled, and a full scan conducted weekly.
   
2. Spyware / Malware scanners/removers should be run daily.
   
3. A full "Configuration Check" of security software should be conducted at least monthly.
   [Some Viruses, Trojans & Malware change the settings on system files to allow more vicious viruses to be installed.]
   
4. Conduct a Data Structure Check at least monthly, to ensure that your data has not been corrupted.
   
5. Scan Disc should be run at least weekly, to guard against disc errors.
   
6. Disk Defragmentation should be run at least weekly.