Internet Security and Your Computer… Are You Safe?

Let’s face it… when it comes to surfing the Internet it can very much seem like the “Wild Wild West” even to those of use who consider themselves “Computer Savvy.”

Every time we look around another story surfaces where a computer has been hacked and personal consumer information has been disclosed and sold to God knows who.

I know it definitely opened my eyes to a few items with regard to securing your computer.

I was under the impression that Adobe PDF’s were extremely secure and I made sure to attach PDF’s to emails I send out whenever possible.

But Dan noted that Adobe PDF’s have been ranked as the #1 Vulnerability by the US Government when it comes hackers being able to access high profile networks… including those of the government!

Once a hacker injects a code into a PDF and you consequently open that PDF (or any document), the hacker has the opportunity to take control of your computer and add it to the hacker’s “Zombie Network.”

Your IP Address can then be sold on the Black Market to “Spammers” who can then Send Spam Emails All Night Long… Using Your Computer!

Dan says that most important thing you can do to prevent the hacking of your computer is to “Update, Update, Update!”

Once a threat has been identified, software companies will take measures to mitigate that threat by providing updates to their software.

“If you don’t update update, you’re running software with known security vulnerabilities.”

Here’s a few things you can do right now to help eliminate computer hacking threats:

• Update all your programs. When a programs notifies you that there is an update available, take the time to download and install the update. It’s typically a very simple process with the software walking you through.
• Turn off your computer at night. Dan says, “They can’t get to you if your not on the network.”
• Install a firewall on your computer either hardware or software based.
• Install anti-Virus and anti-Trojan software and make sure it’s updated.
• Keep a look out for suspicious email and it’s definitely a good idea to not open any email attachments that you’re not expecting.

Until next time.

Keep Totally Secure,

Mike