Home Computer Security
    http://edu-observatory.org/cfs/hcs/Week1.html 


  INTRODUCTION
  
    Problems continue to be found in operating systems, applications
    software, networks and technology. And an onging battle between 
    the good guys fixing the problems and the bad guy exploiting the
    problems. Your role is important in this ongoing drama!
    
    
            
    
  HOME COMPUTER SECURITY -- DO A SECURITY CHECK
  
    [ ] OK - Install and Use Anti-Virus/Spyware Programs¹²
    [ ] OK - Keep Your System Patched (up to date)
    [ ] OK - Use Care When Reading Email with Attachments
    [ ] OK - Use a Firewall Program on each Computer (software)³
    [ ] OK - Make Backups of Important Files and Folders
    [ ] OK - Use Strong Passwords
    [ ] OK - Use Care When Downloading and Installing Programs
    [ ] OK - Install and Use a Hardware Firewall³
    [ ] OK - Install and Use a File Encryption Program and Access Controls*
   
    *In memory of hard disk encryption?
       http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=4006


    ¹If you run Microsoft Windows® you're going to need antivirus
    software. Most new computers come bundled with a free antivirus
    solution, but sooner or later you have to start paying to get the
    latest virus-definition updates. When the subscription lapses,
    your protection evaporates. Don't let that happen! 

      This is some of the good stuff:
      o http://free.grisoft.com/ (free) AVG
      o http://www.srnmicro.com/downloads/ (free)
      o http://www.pandasecurity.com (free)
      o http://www.avast.com/eng/free_software.html (free)
      o Prevx (commercial)
      o http://www.nortonsecuritystore.com/ (commercial)
      o http://www.mcafee.com/us/ (commercial)
      o http://shop.trendmicro.com/ (commercial)

    ²If you run Microsoft Windows®, scan for spyware every day the 
    computer is used. A leading anti-spyware vendor, Webroot, says that
    89 percent of consumer PCs are infected with some sort of spyware
    -- your computer is probably infected! If bad guys wanted to infect
    a computer with spyware... just make it available for download and 
    call it "anti-spyware"! How would you know? Happens all the time!
   
      This is some of the good stuff:
      o http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10045910.html (free) Ad-Aware
      o http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022-10196637.html (free) Spyware Blaster
      o http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-spyware/us/frt/0 (free) AVG Anti-Spyware
      o http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html (free) Spybot Search and Destroy
      o Prevx (commercial)
      o Spy Sweeper (commercial)
      o Pest Patrol (commercial)
      o Webroot (commercial)

   
    ³Test your firewall(s)
      http://www.grc.com/default.htm
      Scroll down and click on "ShieldsUP!"   
      Read the details.... then
      Click "Proceed"
      Click "Common Ports" and "All Service Ports"

    [ ] OK  - Firewall Test - All green?
    

  REFERENCES
    http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
    http://www.cert.org/homeusers/
    http://www.cert.org/homeusers/goalof_computersecurity.html
    

    
     
    swormley1@mchsi.com