Get secure

If you’re unsure if your computer is an open door or an impregnable fortress then read on.

Do you know what your children are doing?

Chatting online

The Internet is a great tool for meeting all sorts of interesting people. Instant Messaging (IM), Chat Rooms, Internet Forums and email allow you to interact with people all around the world. On the whole this can be a great experience and new friendships can blossom. Sadly, there is a dark side to this online world that children and parents need to be aware of.

Recent media reports have highlighted the dangers of paedophiles using chat rooms and online services to gain access to young children.

Are they who they say they are?

One of the great things about the Internet is anonymity – you can create your own online persona and have fun. However, some people abuse this fact and go online into children’s chat rooms and pretend to be something they are not.

As a parent you need to be aware of what your child is doing and who they are chatting to. We’ve put together a few tips below to help keep your child safe:

• Keep your PC in a family area so that you can see what’s happening.
• Ask your child who they are talking to.
• Make sure they know not to give out their name and address or other personal details.
• Install Parental Control software.
• If your child wants to meet their new net pal, make sure you go with them and meet in a public area.
• Surf the net together and take time to learn about this new technology.
• Keep a positive spin on the subject – don’t scare your child.

Further Information

You can find useful information about online safety and advice for parents on the following web sites:

www.direct.gov.uk

www.getnetwise.org

Firewalls

Overview

You wouldn’t leave your door unlocked and allow strangers to roam your house at will would you? The same rule applies to your PC – you don’t want to leave it unlocked so that anyone can browse your files and use your PC for illegal activities. That’s why it’s important to use an Internet Firewall.

What is a Firewall?

Imagine that your PC is a corridor with lots of unlocked doors. The rooms behind those doors contain all your files, emails, pictures and music. When you connect to the Internet, your PC is visible to the world and anyone with the right know how can walk down that corridor and have a nosey in all your rooms. Not a pleasant thought.

By installing a Firewall you are locking all the doors to your PC and preventing anyone getting in and snooping around. Most Firewalls can even keep an eye on what’s leaving your computer, for example, your personal details, credit card numbers and passwords.

So, as you can see, a Firewall is a great tool to have installed on your PC.

How do you get a Firewall?

Microsoft has kindly included a basic Firewall inside Windows® XP and Windows Vista™. This will give you moderate protection to get you started. However, we advise that you install something a bit stronger to ensure you have maximum protection.

Most broadband routers have Firewalls built into them which form your first line of defence. We also advise that you install a software based Firewall on every computer in your home that is connected to a network, or the Internet.

Internet Security Software usually includes Firewall software as part of the bundle. The most popular being Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Internet Security.

Identity Theft

Overview

Your computer is a valuable tool – it helps you to carry out the daily business of your life, provides entertainment, education and more. But did you know that your computer is also a store house for a wealth of personal information about you?

Be aware!

The average computer will have records relating to your identity, your bank and credit card details, passwords and more. All of these are open to malicious third parties who make it their business to find this information and use it for their own criminal activities.

Sounds scary? It should – because over 100,000 people a year suffer from identity theft in the UK. It’s important that you are aware of this fact and take steps to keep yourself and your data safe.

Criminals go Phishing

Phishing is the term used for criminals who pose as legitimate companies such as banks and send emails to people asking them to update their account details and passwords online. They are forwarded to a genuine looking web site which people use to fill in their details. The criminals can then collect the identity and use it to access your bank account, obtain credit in your name and much more.

You may also receive bogus emails masking your Internet Service Provider’s identity, explaining that they are experiencing problems with your credit card payments. The email then sends you to a fake website where you are prompted to enter your details again. If you’re unsure of the validity of the email, contact your ISP straight away!

Tips for staying safe

• Don’t trust emails asking for your bank details and passwords. Contact the organisation in question and verify that the email is genuine.
• Install a Firewall and ensure it is configured correctly.


• Don’t click on any hyperlinks found in suspicious emails.


• Only shop at secure webistes (A padlock or key indicates this in the web browser)


• Always type in the web address for your bank manually.


• Never give out personal details to anyone you don’t know and trust.


• Ignore emails that say please visit www(DOT)xyzxyzxyz(DOT)co(DOT)uk

Further information

You can find further information in the following web sites:

http://www.banksafeonline.org.uk
http://www.identity-theft.org.uk
http://www.getsafeonline.org

Spyware

What is Spyware?

Spyware is software downloaded through web sites and file sharing software, often without your knowledge. It can feed adverts to you, and collect personal information about you such as your passwords, bank account details and more. It then secretly passes this information to a third party using your Internet connection.

There are tell-tale signs that indicate that your PC may be infected. These include:

• Pop-up adverts, even when you are not using your web browser.
• Settings have changed (such as your homepage) and you can’t change them back.
• Your computer regularly slows down and crashes.

Tips for preventing Spyware

We’ve put together some simple tips to help keep your PC safe and secure while online:

• Use Windows Update to install the latest security patches.
• Make sure Internet Explorer is secure – use the Medium to High security settings.
• Use a Firewall.
• Browse and download from trusted web sites.
• Install an Anti-Spyware program.
• Don’t use file sharing software.
• Only install software you have bought from a trusted source.

Viruses

What are viruses?

The term computer virus is often used to cover an infection by one of three types of program:

• A virus
• A Trojan
• A worm

Each of these is designed to cause anything from a minor annoyance to a major problem. Viruses tend to focus on destroying data and corrupting your software making your computer unusable.

Worms and Trojan are sneakier and infect your computer without your knowledge. They can then sit in the background collecting information about you and sending it on to a third party (usually a criminal organisation). They can even use your email address book to send themselves to your contacts.

Tips for keeping your PC safe

• Don’t open email attachments unless you are expecting them – especially from people you don’t know.
• Don’t use file sharing software – they are one of the most common methods of spreading viruses.
• Install the latest antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Install the latest Windows Updates.
• Don’t use floppy discs or CDs from sources you don’t know or trust.

Wireless Security

Not worried about security? You should be

If you have a wireless network in your home, you will already know of the benefits that it can bring to your life. What you may not be aware of however, is that by having an unprotected home network you could be putting your privacy and security at risk. In this article, we’ll tell you what can happen to unsecured networks and show you how to check if your network is secure or not.

Any computer with a wireless card can scan for wireless networks within range. By using freely available software on the Internet, criminals can also:

• View hidden networks
• Crack simple wireless security
• Gain access to your files
• View web pages you have been visiting
• Surf the net

You may not want everyone to know that you visit websites about model railways, even though having that information is harmless, but what if you book your holidays online? Cyber criminals would know exactly when you would be away, which makes your house a prime target for thieves. Someone stealing your bandwidth and using your Internet connection may not seem all that evil, but what if they were visiting illegal websites? That information would be traced back to your Internet account and you could be held liable. These are just a couple of examples of what can happen to unsecured networks and there are many more. The bottom line is, make sure your network is secure. You can check to see if yours is secure by following our guide below.

The quick check

A simple and easy way to check the security status of your wireless network is to right-click on the Wireless Network Connection icon in the system tray and then select View Available Wireless Networks {Windows XP} (Fig. 1) or Connect to a network {Windows Vista} (Fig. 2). If you are using WEP protection then we suggest you change this to WPA as soon as possible. WPA is much more secure than WEP.

Fig. 1- Windows XP

Fig. 2 - Windows Vista

In the window that opens you will see a list of available networks. It will also say if the network is secure or not. With Windows XP, you should see a lock and it will tell you what type of security is enabled (Fig. 3). In Windows Vista, you will need to hover the mouse over your network to see the details (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3 - Windows XP

Fig. 4 - Windows Vista

How to enable security

To do this you will need to log into your router. This would have been done when you first set up your router. You will be able to find the information on how to do this in your router’s manual, or on the manufacturer’s website. You will also have a default username and password, often something like Admin and Password. You should change this once you have logged into the router to prevent other people from logging back in to it and disabling your security.

Once you have logged in to your router, you should be able to find a wireless security section. Again, there should be details in your router’s manual. You should set your security to either WPA (sometimes called WPA-PSK) or WPA2. These are superior to WEP which we don’t recommend that you use as it can be hacked in minutes using free software available on the Internet.

If you are thinking about setting up your first wireless network and are confused with all the jargon and security issues, then The TechGuys offer a wireless network installation service. Speak to a TechGuy in any PC World store to arrange yours.

I think it’s secure

If you are unsure how to follow this guide or you want us to check the security status of your wireless network, simply pop into your local PC World store and we will talk you through it.