HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Feb 9, 2004 Some experts estimate that unguarded computers, those without firewalls, left connected to the internet are hacked or infected in less than 24 hours. I note that there are attempted log-ons, blocked by my firewalls, to my computer several times a day. The problem is worsening exponentially. And an additional problem, also growing exponentially, is the ubiquitousness of wireless networks. Homeowners are finding these a cheap and convenient way to share an internet connection and use their laptops anywhere in the home, and “hotspots” where one can use a laptop with a wireless connector are becoming almost universal in hotels, Starbucks Coffeeshops, and other establishments in most cities. 1) Rather than leave your computer turned on and connected to the internet, simply shut it down when you aren’t using it. If you aren’t on, you can’t be invaded. 2) Turn off file and print sharing when you take your laptop on the road. 3) Upgrade youar network hardware from WEP, a security protocol with some known vulnerabilities, to WPA-based encryption support. 4) Change the SSID of your wireless network from the factory setting to one of your own choosing, and don’t make it easily identifiable. 5) If feasible, turn off the beaconing feature which broadcasts your SSID to anyone within range every few milliseconds. 6) Set your wireless router to block anonymous internet requests. 7) Consider encrypting the data on your laptop in case it is stolen. You can download a free (free!) encryption program such as Maxcrypt from www.snapfiles.com, former www.webattack.com, and set it to encrypt automatically on shutdown all your document folders. And on startup you will need to enter your username and password to decrypt the folders, so don’t forget that password! But don’t write it on a piece of tape and stick it to the bottom of your laptop! 8) Unless a dyed-in-the-wool IBM PC user, consider switching to a MAC system, which is much less hacker-prone. Except for buying the Macintosh, all the other security items are essentially free. You can’t beat that, can you? ------------ About the author: 62-yr-old physician, still practicing, retired from 41 years intermittent military service as of June 1, 2003. Just write for the fun of it. Currently writing a novel. Email Brooks A. Mick: brooks15@cox.net Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
