Network Security Basics

Malware. An odd sounding word created to lump all malicious software programs, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and other malevolent codes into one cause-your-computer-serious-hurt category.

In 2005, Computer Economics released a report on malware. The good news was that for the first time since 2002, the total worldwide financial losses from malware actually declined to a mere $14.2 billion. The bad news was that the nature of malware was changing from overt threats to more focused, covert attacks. This definitely is not great news for the average computer user just trying to keep up with the hundreds of malware programs that bombard us daily.

It’s not an easy task keeping malware out of your computer system. In order to accomplish this, you need a strong antivirus program. One such program that can deliver the goods is ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6 from Zone Labs. Zone Labs is one of the most trusted brands in Internet Security for good reason. Their product, simply put, kicks serious malware gluteus maximus.

ZoneAlarm has received more review recommendations that any other Internet-security software suite because of its superb firewall and antivirus protection. It blocks pop-up ads, protects against identify theft and provides adequate spam filters that are flexible. It even beats the market leader, Norton Internet Security, which is often criticized for excessive system drag.

Its newest version includes these additional features:

• Triple Defense Firewall to prevent spyware from sending your information across the Internet. It also makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Net.

• Smart Defense Advisor which can automatically adjust your security settings for maximum protection against the latest virus and spyware outbreaks.

• Advanced Identify and Privacy Protection to prevent your personal data from leaving your computer without your approval.

The bonus for the average user who cringes at the idea of setting-up one of these systems is that the interface is easier to understand and use in comparison to most if its competitors. If you choose to venture beyond the out-of-the-box default settings, and install a more elaborate filtering, know that this will require some additional time to set up on your part.

Overall, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite is a user-friendly, comprehensive security solution that will have your computer safe from Internet hazards and cyber criminals within minutes of installation.

When computers first came out, virtually no importance was placed on client security. All security efforts were focused on server hardening, such as domain infrastructure, server-based data encryption and rolespecific security such as database storage. Believe it or not, most client computers didn’t have a virus scanner installed. However, today virtually every computer has a virus or malware scanner installed if it’s on the network. This change from past behavior is due in part to the behavior of attackers. They now see that unsecured client computers can provide leverage to conduct further and more successful attacks against the rest of an organization.

One of the biggest threats to computer users on the Internet today is malware. So what is malware? Malware or malicious software are computer viruses that have been around for decades. They are the most common form computer viruses. Originally written and distributed as proof-of-concept code, today they take on much more sinister motives. Some virus writers are paid to spread their code. Others conduct attacks against opposing political or religious organizations. And some attack for no other reason than the challenge. Malware attacks clients in a variety of forms: viruses and worms, Trojan horses, spyware and rootkits. Malware can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, serve up nasty pop-up ads, track what web sites you visit, and generally screw things up. Malware programs are usually poorly-programmed and can cause your computer to become unbearably slow and unstable in addition to all the other havoc they wreak.

Computers can get infected by malware in several ways. Programs like Kazaa, iMesh, and other file sharing programs seem to be the biggest bundlers of malware. These malware programs usually pop-up ads, sending revenue from the ads to the program’s authors. Others are installed from websites, pretending to be software needed to view the website. Still others, most notably some of the CoolWebSearch variants, install themselves through holes in Internet Explorer like a virus would, requiring you to do nothing but visit the wrong web page to get infected.

The safest and perhaps easiest way to prevent malware is understanding what you are installing and what you are accessing on your computer. Having a good understanding about malware with some common sense will help you save time and money in the long run.

Be cautious when browsing the internet. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Any “hot deals” had better come from a trusted source. If a warning starts flashing on your computer, look closely to see if it’s a legitimate message from Windows or just an animated image in a web browser. Don’t just click on the animation banner for the sake of just clicking it. Ask yourself what is the banner advertising for? By taking good precaution and using common sense, you can limit yourself to malware attacks.