June 21 2001 – Protect Your PC

Have I got bad news boy? There are script-kiddies, hackers and crackers trying tocreate havoc on your computer. So search, surf and secure, before they hit you withtheir viruses, worms and trojan-horses See 1, 2,3.

It used to be that you could only catch a virus by passing a floppy from computer tocomputer. Now the Internet has made it extremely easy to be infected by these rogueprograms. You are open to greater risk if you are “always-on” the Internet, eitherconnected by cable, DSL, or just using a second phone line plugged into your modem. This is because an intruder can use a program that scans for computer’s addressesand probes them for open ports (entries to your PC). See.

One of the nastiest and easiest methods for an intruder to gain access toyour data is by using Back Orifice. Thisprogram was written, to expose the weaknesses in Microsoft Office, by a group of hackers calling themselves the Cult of TheDead Cow.

You can do something to decrease the likelihood of an infection hitting your PC. Thefirst step is to install a firewall. Don’t think that firewalls are only for businesses. Oneof the best firewall programs is also free – Zonealarm. Othersare Norton Internet Security and BlackiceDefender. Once installed you should use LeakTest andShieldsUp! to test your system.

The next step is to install a virus checker such as Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus 2000, Mcafee, or F-Secure. Once installed remember to regularly download andapply the latest updates at regular intervals.

Now it is time to visit Microsoft or use theTools/Windows Update function on your Internet Explorer (IE) menu bar. Here youcan download the latest updates to Windows software installed on your machine. Ensure that you always apply the critical updates regularly. The email program,Outlook is notorious for security problems, so pay particular attention to noticesregarding it.

It is most important that you never launch programs or script files that arrive inyour email. Even mail you receive from someone you know should be treated withsuspicion. You can identify these files by their extension such as .exe, .com, .bat, .xls,.doc, and .vbs. Before you run them ensure they have been virus scanned, even scanWord documents (.doc). You should use the options in IE and Outlook to switch offthe ability to automaticly execute programs, scripts and even Activex. Be carefulabout hidden file extensions, like files named something.jpg.vbs. You will only seesomething.jpg and assume it is safe to click. To check these files change yourExplorer file window options to show hidden extensions. Do this by using theView/Folder option, select View and remove the tick on “Hide file extension for knownfile types”. Then save the files to a folder and view the folder to see the full filename.

With these simple precautions I can’t guarantee that you will be safe, but it will bemore difficult to get at your PC.

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Liam Hannigan is a Wellington based animator andgraphic/web designer. His short animated film “The Agave Worm” follows the fortunesof a tequila worm in the Mexican desert. The film has been well received overseaswith Liam receiving several invitations from film festival organisers around the world.