Advice for Internet Security Software

Security History

• The first widespread virus outbreak was on the Apple II platform back in the early 80s. In 1986, the first IBM clones were attacked with a wide-spread virus outbreak. With the Internet now active, cyber-crime was hitting computers worldwide, Mr. Bernt Fix was able to neutralize the first virus, thus starting the Internet security software industry.
  
  

Security Today

• Cyber-crime is at an all-time high and the type of Internet security software deployed to protect computers today is nothing like the first versions back in the late 80s. Cyber-criminals no longer trash the computers they breach; they take control of them. These new cyber-criminals are looking for computers they can gain control of and use in cyber-attacks. They use the hard drives of these compromised machines to hide stolen data until they sell it or the data is picked up by the buyers.
  
  

Firewalls

• The two basic types of firewalls are appliance-based and application-based. Appliance-based firewalls can be found in today's high-speed routers. Application-based firewalls can be as basic as the Windows firewall or as advanced as those that protect the computers used to house your bank records. It is best to purchase a good firewall that filters both incoming and outgoing traffic. Do not rely just on the Windows firewall. Make sure your Internet security software comes with a firewall or purchase one separately.
  
  

Anti-Malware

• In the early days, anti-spyware and anti-virus software came separately. In the past few years Internet security software companies began bundling these two security layers. This is because current cyber-criminals are now intertwining spyware, viruses, and rootkits into the same attack. Make sure your Internet security software includes advanced malware protection, or separate anti-spyware, anti-virus and rootkit protection software.
  
  

Proxy Server Access

• Proxy server access allows you to surf the Internet while hiding your personal information. Some Internet security software includes access to its private proxy servers to protect you from prying eyes of cyber-criminals. Proxy servers act as a portal for the surfing done on the Internet, covering your Internet footprint and hiding your IP address. If your Internet security software provides access to a proxy server, a pop-up box will appear when you install the software asking if you want to use its custom proxy server settings.
  
  

Flash Drive Protection

• The DOD (Department of Defense) had flash drive protection developed for the laptops used by the military in the field. The business world quickly realized flash drive protection would keep valuable data safe when representatives were communicating from outside the office, and soon flash drive protection became available at the corporate level. Today flash drive protection is available for personal use. Flash drive protection includes military-grade encryption, identify theft protection, safe Internet surfing utilities and password security.
  
  

Data Encryption and Backup

• To protect against the loss of data or a data breach by an outside perpetrator, it a good practice to use some form of data backup. It is also wise to encrypt all important data on your computer, so that if a cyber-criminal does penetrate your top levels of security, he will not easily have access to your personal data. Some Internet security software suites now include encryption and data backup.
  
  

Expert Advice

• The biggest part of protecting your computer, data, and most of all your family is to be observant. If you sit down at your computer and icons have been moved, screens are opened which you did not open, or a program is running that you have never seen before, stop what you are doing and run some deep security scans. When in doubt, get expert advice.