TeamAltman :: Cybercrime and Tips to Protect Business and Home Computers
So what are some simple things that a business or home user can do? The first thing is to shut down your computers when not using. This will keep any infected machine from being used when not in use. If your business operates from 8am till 8pm that is only 12 hours. What about the other 12 hours?
Most business should also have some sort of security system set-up that will include a firewall at a minimum. Larger companies that are using wifi run a risk of intrusion and should consider using a Virtual Private Network to log into from the wifi computers. Never except free software from anyone that you know unless you can 100% confirm that the product is free of hidden programs. [6]
Never open email unless you know the sender. Some email addresses can be copied and the senders can pretend to be another company. I have personally received an email or two from a Bank of America email, but was in fact a hijacked email. It did look real, but something felt funny. These are normally referred to as Phishing Scams. Use your intuition. Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s website for additional details on Phishing Scams http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm [7].
Something simple that can also be done is setting up a secure router. You can assign each individual machine to connect to the router using the MAC address. Each machine, all computers, will have a MAC address and this will prevent others from accessing your wifi of your home or business. [8] This will also prevent employees from using personal laptops in ways that are mischievous or against company policy. Often people drive around neighborhoods looking for free wifi to access. At a minimum set up a password on your router.
Cyber Crime is a serious issue at this point in time. There are many more things that we can do as consumers to protect ourselves when accessing the web and using wifi. Use common sense, ask questions, research your best options, or try to talk with a computer friend. There are plenty of resources and most often there are nerdy friends nearby willing to give you a hand.
References:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybercrime
[2] http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberhome.htm
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHmFiueQm5A
[4] http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100302/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_botnet_busted
[5] http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Managing-Cybercrime-Sam-McQuade/dp/020543973X/ref=pd_sim_b_4
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_%28computing%29
[7] http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm
[8] http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessproducts/qt/macaddress.htm
