Your home computer is a powerful machine when connected to the Internet. But it also can disclose many of your secrets if you are not properly prepared and informed. How security-savvy are you? Many users simply aren’t.

The National Cyber Security Alliance, a central clearinghouse for security awareness and education, earlier this month teamed with the Department of Homeland Security to create a list of emerging online threats in the hope that more U.S. consumers will prepare themselves for attacks. According to the report, there are four main emerging threats likely to grow in the coming year: hackers using instant messaging to spread viruses and worms; phishing becoming more widespread; virus attacks on cell phones and PDAs; and hackers targeting online brokerage accounts.

At the core of any computer security strategy, as a PC World special report recently noted, must be “common sense, healthy skepticism, and a willingness to learn.” The most basic security should begin with your computer’s desktop and its Internet connection.

More of our personal data is stored in or accessed from our computer, now more than ever before. Indeed, perhaps data evidence of your entire life is online or on your desktop — both prime targets for those willing to steal such facts, facts of which you make readily available through unsafe security. Yet most people lack even the basic understanding of how to keep their computers safe and secure. By following a few simple rules, you can dramatically improve the overall security of your computer.

First, a quality firewall should be installed. Simply put, a firewall is hardware or software (both performing the same functions) used to prevent unauthorized access from a computer system or network of computer systems. An Internet firewall helps screen out hackers, viruses and worms before they reach your home office computer or network from the Internet. A hardware firewall likely is included in your router if you are using one, while you may or may not have a software firewall installed. Although this does provide a significant amount of protection, it is not all that is required. Someone may know a way “around” or “under” your wall.

As well, your installed software should be updated regularly. Updating your software is becoming easier these days, especially for your operating system. There are many ways to update the many software packages you may have or use. Generally, the software manufacturer will provide you a way to attain the updated software via the Internet automatically.

Of note, earlier this month Commtouch announced (via The Hosting News) spam and computer virus statistics for the month of January 2006 alone, about which the company’s president and CTO, Amir Lev, commented, “The number of massive attacks grew in January. In large part due to the speed of distribution, they succeeded in reaching many of their targets despite the presence of traditional anti-virus programs.” Nineteen significant new e-mail-born virus attacks took place, of which a troubling 8 (42 percent) were graded “low intensity,” 7 (37 percent) “medium intensity,” and 4 (21 percent) were massive attacks — a rare phenomenon for a single month.

Yes, you yourself may unwittingly allow someone access to your computer’s information by simply accepting an instant message attachment, opening a malicious e-mail, or visiting the wrong Web site. Spyware, viruses, trojans and others are ever more adept in their methods of trickery and maliciousness. Computer viruses can have serious effects on your computer. They can slow your at-home work, destroy important documents, and oh-so-much more. An e-mail may come from a dear and trusted friend…without him or her even knowing the sent message contains a dangerous virus. And spyware can steal valuable information from your computer, take control of your Internet browser or interfere with your work by sending you large amounts of advertising. This is where the next layer of protection comes in: antivirus and antispyware software.

You can help protect your home computer by using antivirus and antispyware software and keeping them current. If you don’t already have antivirus software installed on your computer, several choices are available for trial or purchase online. Often these packages come as “suites” and include a firewall and spyware scanner. Although most of these programs are effective in their promised tasks, it is unwise to be lulled into a false sense of security by them, as they are simply one layer in what should be a multi-tiered protection plan for you and your computer. Keep your antivirus and antispyware current — new threats come out daily, so check their updates manually to be sure they have occurred. (For more tips on helping protect your home office from spyware, see Microsoft’s 5 tips for spurning spyware and browser hijackers.)

In addition to these simple steps, Microsoft provides additional safeguards in its “home office security checklist,” steps which are absolutely apt — perhaps essential — for anyone using a personal computer at home:

• Be careful with e-mail and instant messages (IM). Even if an e-mail or IM message appears to come from someone you know, an attached file could contain a virus, so be sure to contact the sender by some other means to gain added assurance that the attachment is valid. Also, never reveal personal or financial information in a response to an e-mail request, no matter who appears to have sent it. If you are working from a home office, it may be the target of a phishing scam.

• Back up your computer. Data backup should be as much a priority in your home or home office as it is in a large corporation. Create and maintain a backup schedule so that you don’t lose important files. For more information, see Microsoft’s backup basics. For additional tips on backing up for small businesses, see Are you still not backing up your data?

• Use strong passwords and change them often. In your home or home office, your passwords are the keys to unlocking all of the financial and private information of your family and/or business. Strong passwords give you better security against intrusion by hackers and thieves.

Keeping a home computer safe from the swarms of pests that infect the Internet has become a major chore for many users. You need software for protection from viruses, spyware, spam, phishing frauds and assorted electronic assaults — and users need to keep the programs up-to-date to stay ahead of the vulnerability attackers. But having and understanding the basics — at least the three core protections: firewall, antivirus/antispyware and frequent operating system updates — will begin to make your computer safer, more secure and more enjoyable.

Click here for PC Magazine’s recent special report, called Maximum Security: 94 Essential Tips for Staying Safe.

Sources

Glossary of terms

Stay Safe Online

National Consumers League, Internet Essentials

Microsoft, Security at Home

Microsoft, Safe Online Shopping

References

U.S. Warns of Coming Online Threats
by Elizabeth Millard
CIO Today, Feb. 16, 2006

Maximum Security: 94 Essential Tips for Staying Safe
by Michael J. Steinhart
PC Magazine special report, Nov. 2, 2005

Spam and Computer Virus Statistics Released for January 2006
Commtouch corp. announcement/press release (via The Hosting News), Feb. 16, 2006

Home office security checklist
Microsoft, Published: Dec. 21, 2005, Updated: Feb. 14, 2006