Internet Security and the Desktop Computer
Internet and Computer Security Issues
The purpose of this site is to inform the public about computer technology, its features, its vulnerabilities, and issues of computer security to hopefully improve the current state of data privacy and Internet security around the world.
The computer alone is not a device that proposes much threat to security policy or security issues & concerns. However, paired up with the Internet, the desktop computer can become a crippling device capable of extreme devastation to organizations, businesses, universities, or the simple home user if used with malicious intent. Many people, known as Hackers, want nothing more than to break through your computer security and expose your sensitive information. With widespread use of personal computers, the pool for "hackers" to target grows every day. According to a 2001 US Census Bureau Population Survey, 61.5 million households in the US owned a computer, and 55 million of these computers had Internet access. Assuming there are multiple users on each computer this puts the number of home Internet users in the US into the hundreds of millions.
It seems that every week, we hear about another worldwide computer Virus, Trojan, or Worm wreaking havoc on machines across the globe. Here are some examples:
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The computer has become a vital piece of our culture and business environment. Taking a proactive approach to Internet security is the only way to keep your data and personal information private. We have termed this approach the "information security process." You cannot keep your desktop computer safe without a take-charge attitude towards data privacy. Being knowledgeable of your system's security features, virus protection software, and basic computer functionality is beneficial to enjoying your computing experience and will save you money in the end by avoiding viruses and security breaches.
Most people cannot really say that their system is perfectly "secure." Many users have not been concerned with Internet security in times past and tended to find out the hard way how devastating a virus, worm, or Trojan can be once their system is infected. While current trends are seeing increases in antivirus software sales, it is important for the consumer to buy the right type and know about its limitations. The need for anti-virus software is more important than ever as the number of new Internet accounts increase exponentially. Most of those new accounts are broadband connections that are "always on". Many people overlook the Internet security issues associated with these types of connections, and feel like as long as they have an anti-virus software installed that they will be free from harm. This is a computer security myth. Even with antivirus software in place, a computer could still be compromised. The only way to be completely safe is to be knowledgeable of threats online and structure your desktop computer to optimize data privacy and information security features. New computer technology is making this easier than ever. However, don't be a sitting duck out there on the Internet. Stay informed and focus on security.
For more information please check out our Security
Related Topics Section
Moon Valley Software offers the following tools to make
sure your desktop computer is as safe and secure as possible. These
free full downloads are freeware distributed to help people create a
computing environment that maximizes information security & data
privacy. Click on the
Find out more link to read about
each programs unique features.
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In order to keep you informed on Internet security, the following pages offer some very helpful information on computer security and computer technology:
Security Related Topics:
Security Related Products:
Icon Lock-iT XP is the new, more powerful file locking and encryption utility for Windows 2000, NT and XP. Recommended for shared and stand-alone computers using Windows 2000, NT, or Windows XP; Icon Lock-iT XP encrypts, locks and password-protects files and folders.
Features include:
- New transportable self-extracting executable for the mobile office.
- Advanced locking features make sure your files stay where you left them while the latest and greatest encryption technology keeps your private or sensitive info secure.
- Configurable user accounts enforce file ownership and let you decide who can and cannot lock files on your computer and elsewhere.
- Lock files and folders to prevent them from being moved, copied or deleted.
- Encrypt files and folders to prevent them from being opened or read.
- New, stronger encryption - conforms to new Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
- Self-decrypting executable for ease of transportability.
- Hide the contents of sensitive directory structures into a single file.