Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring, don’t panic!

Fortunately we’ve got some good guys on our side, and being aware of the potential risks is half the battle. Protecting yourself is quite easy and, like I said, you can do it for free. I’ll let you know what I’m currently doing at the end of this list.

• System updates - essential
  Most of you will be using a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system on your computer, it’s essential you keep this up to date. Operating systems are written with millions of lines of code. Inevitably some security ‘holes’ get through and, predictably, someone finds a way to exploit these. Microsoft issues free patches as these holes are found. Trouble is, that when a patch is released it also points out the problem to the baddies - who know that a lot of people don’t bother to install the fix.

  To make sure your operating system is up to date: Open Internet Explorer - go to ‘Tools’ - on the drop down menu choose ‘Windows Update’. This will take you to Microsoft’s site where they will scan your computer too see what needs updating. You are given the option to get your computer to check for updates automatically - this is definitely the preferred option. You can then forget about it until an occasional note pops up telling you to press a button to install the latest updates.

  The other way to make sure your operating system updates automatically is to press the ‘Start’ button (bottom left of screen), select ‘Control Panel’ from the menu, find the icon that says ‘Automatic Updates’, double click on this and select the ‘Automatic Update’ option.

• All in one package.
  Once you have chosen a package this can be the simplest solution. Cost, from £40 to £60 per year for a single computer, discounts for more than one computer. Unfortunately, choosing the package you want can get quite bewildering in itself. Two of the most well known companies Symantec (Norton) & McAfee offer a confusing array of software and bundles. Zone Alarm does very good packages - and the choices are more straightforward. There are also quite a few more to choose from.

  What you need is something that at least combines at least these software types: Anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall.

  The only drawback (apart from cost) is that various companies started off specialising in different software types and not all parts of any particular company’s bundle are necessarily the best available. However, if all of this is already giving you a headache, it’s probably the way to go since you will get good protection.

• Anti-Virus software
  A ‘must have’. It is essential that your computer has up to date anti-virus software. Several hundred new viruses are discovered each month, so that disk with anti-virus software you got with your computer 2 years ago is not doing a lot of good, unless you have kept it updated.

  Also remember that just having an Anti-virus programme is only part of the story - you should also use it to run a scan of your computer at least once a week, even if it has ‘live’ protection. The reason for this is that, despite clever technology, some new viruses may be able to get through your defences until program’s ‘virus definitions’ are updated to include the new threat.

  A good free anti-virus program is AVG. Drawbacks - none really.

• Firewall
  To combat the threats made by port scanning, amongst other things, it is important to have a firewall. Fortunately, probably the best one out there, Zone Alarm, has a free version! There is a pro version available, which offers a few more facilities, but the free one is fine.

  A good firewall blocks all programs from entering or leaving your computer - unless you have given permission. You will be alerted to any program trying to access your computer from the Internet - if a malicious program has managed to get on to your computer you will be alerted if it tries to gain access to the Internet. That’s the problem with the Windows firewall. It does block programs trying to access your computer, but it doesn’t block those trying to get out.

  To test how vulnerable your computer is to port scanning, go to Gibson Research and select ‘Shields Up’ under the heading ‘Hot Spots’. After installing a good firewall you should get some comforting results!

• Anti-Spyware
  For free anti-spyware protection you can install the popular AdAware by Lavasoft for free. Again, there are paid for versions which offer more facilities, such a real-time protection. AVG also offers a good, free anti-spyware program. Drawbacks: If you use the free versions you will need to check for updates and run scans manually. Better still, in my opinion, is Counter Spy , which costs about £10 per year and is bought online. If your budget stretches to just one piece of paid for software, this is the one I would choose. Look around their site for the 15 day free trial.
• Phishing
  Basically this is just trying to con you into giving away information. Can be done through a web site or e-mail. Anti-spyware will go some way towards protecting you from some known phishing web sites. E-mails range from the ‘I’m the long lost king of never never land. I’ve got millions of dollars to put in your bank account…’ - ok, so you won’t fall for that one. However there are many that appear to come from a genuine company - banks, ebay or whatever. The logos are all correct (easily copied from the real site). The golden rule is do not click on links in the e-mail. To make sure you are going to the real site, and not a copy that is set up by phishers, type the real address of your bank, ebay or whatever into your browser.

• What I’m doing
  We’ve got 3 computers and I’ve tried various software combinations over the years.

  Firewall: On all computers I have the Zone Alarm firewall installed. On the computer I mainly use (kids use the others) I’ve been trying the ‘Pro’ paid for version for a couple of the extra features - including anti-spyware and a neat ‘Vault’. You put such things as credit card details in the vault, which securely encrypts them. If your computer tries to send any details that are in the vault they are automatically blocked until you say it’s ok to send them. Cost was about £20.

  Anti-virus: On two computers I’m currently running the free AVG anti-virus program. On the third I’m checking out a free trial of EST NOD32 anti-virus, which has good reviews for catching new viruses before they’ve been discovered.

  Anti-spyware: Zone Alarm Pro on one, the excellent Counterspy on another and Ad-aware (free) on another.

  Now, I’m shortly coming up to having to renew payments for Zone Alarm and Counterspy. At the moment my thinking is to go for the Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite - but that’s only because I want to keep the couple of extra features that ZA Pro offers, and it’s not much more to upgrade to include the anti-virus - especially as there are good deals for 3 computers. NOTE seems like the cheapest way is to download from the US site (Don’t pick the UK site under Global Options). Prices are in US dollars, VAT is added at checkout and credit/debit card companies usually charge 2% for the conversion but, with exchange rate as is, this works out cheaper. Price currently quoted on UK site is £39.99 for one machine with a time limited special offer of the same price for 3 machines.

  If I don’t go for that option it will be the free AVG, free Zone Alarm and buy Counterspy. Total cost about £10 for one machine £23 for 3 machines. (depending on current exchange rate)

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