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Have You "Update" Lately?

Your Windows (or Linux or Apple MAC) system needs to be updated regularly for better performance and more secure computing experience. This can be done by simply downloading all the fixes or patches from the vendor official site, in this case, Microsoft.

Similarly essential programs such as anti-virus, anti-spyware, web browser and many more must be updated or upgraded (if older version) in order to catch up with the various online security threats.

So make it a habit to update your systems regularly.

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The Essential Programs

If you really care about your online security and privacy, you should have these 4 basic programs running on your system:-

• Antivirus
• Anti Spyware
• Firewall
• Privacy Cleaner

Getting A Free Protection Package

Unless you can afford the pay version or using a pirated copy, you can still opt for the freeware package - which I am recommending here.

The following are highly-rated essential programs you should consider if your current PC system are not yet protected.

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Switching to Firefox

Despite IE being the dominant browser for Microsoft Windows OS users, many web professionals and prudent users are switching to Firefox. Firefox is the award-winning alternative web browser that offer faster, more secure and more efficiently browsing experience. It is an open source development program that is completely independent from Microsoft IE or other Windows components. As the result, it is less vulnerable to Microsoft Windows' security problem.

Firefox's security features include:

• Pop-up blocking
• Anti-phishing - prevent web forgery attempts
• Clear private data option
• Add-on security "Extensions" - eg. NoScript

Firefox is highly recommended if security and privacy issues are your main concerns. So go get Firefox now!

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Instant Messaging Security Threats

Instant messaging networks such as MSN or Yahoo Messenger provide the ability to not only transfer text messages, but also the transfer of files. Consequently, all these instant messengers can transfer worms and other malware.

Instant messengers can also provide an access point for backdoor trojan horses. Hackers can use instant messaging to gain backdoor access to computers without opening a listening port, effectively bypassing desktop and perimeter firewall implementations. Furthermore, finding victims doesn't require scanning unknown IP addresses, but rather simply selecting from an updated directory of buddy lists.

In addition to client-initiated file transfers, all the major instant messaging networks support peer-to-peer file sharing where one can share a directory or drive. This means that all the files on a computer can be shared using the instant messaging client, leading to the spread of files that are infected with a virus or other malware. As we shall see, this characteristic also makes information being communicated along IM vulnerable to unauthorized viewing.

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Macro Viruses

Office suite programs such as MS Office (Word/Excel) and OpenOffice.org contain a small program called Macro. A Macro is a series of commands and instructions that you group together as a single command to accomplish a task automatically.

Unfortunately, Macro can be used to execute malicious commands. These have resulted to what it is now called Macro viruses.

You can protect yourself by setting the Macro security level in the Options menu in either MS Office or OpenOffice.org to medium or high. High disables all unsigned macros, and medium prompts you before running a macro.

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