When Danger Comes Knocking

Cyber criminals are constantly developing new and better threats. They discover and exploit holes in software, and build off of and disguise existing threats. Just having a computer on the network makes it a potential target.

• Known Threats

Software updates and Patches

Operating system and software developers work towards plugging those holes and making their software safe from those attacks. These fixes come in the form of updates, patches, and new versions. The updates are only beneficial if they are actually installed on the computer. It is up to the computer user or system admin to make sure that the auto update is turn on or that there is some method to routinely install these updates.

Antivirus software

Antivirus software attempts to identify and stop the threats from infecting the computer. This is another essential component to keeping a computer safe on line. Just as with other software, this too must be updated routinely.   New definitions are pushed out, often daily, as new threats are identified. Antivirus companies require a subscription for these definition updates to be received by a computer. The following picture is the interface of the antivirus installed on my computer. My primary device is a corporate owned laptop. This antivirus software is an enterprise level antivirus protection that my company recently moved to from Symantec Endpoint Protection. System Center Endpoint Protection is a Microsoft product.

System Center Endpoint Protection

Be careful when selecting an Antivirus product as there are fake ones out there as explained in this clip.

Backup and Restore point

Even with all this protection, it may be possible for an attack to find its way through and infect your computer. Having documents and files backed up to an external drive provides a way to keep them safe should something happen to the computer. Operating systems often have a built in mechanism to restore the computer to a point from an earlier time. This function can be used to restore the computer to a point before it got the virus and then updates should be used to protect it from being re-infected. The following video is a walk-through of using a restore point in Windows 7.