Does This Raise A Security Warning?
You may have heard of some malicious malware programs like the Flame, Gauss, Red October, Stuxnet virus, to name but this few? These are examples of active cyberwarfare malware which have been discovered in circulation in the cyber space. Unfortunately, while some have been deciphered, anti-malware companies are yet to discover what most of these malware programs were designed to do owing to their complicatedness and multiple encryptions which made it almost impossible for penetration. The Kaspersky Lab, a well known anti-malware vendor, stated that it might take many years and a lot of talented people to break through the warhead of some of these malware programs.
Of course it does. While we tend to think that Cyberwarfare malware and other malicious codes are specifically designed by government agencies to target information on other government agencies of probably other countries, experience has taught us that after all said and down, it is still companies and individuals that suffer the damages emanating from such attacks. For instance, the Aurora malware attack in January 2010, which was believed to have originated from China, did not target the U.S government. But instead it was targeted to Google and other big IT companies. So this confirms that you don’t have to be an FBI to be a target of Cyberwarfare, directly or indirectly, you will sure feel the heat if you don’t do your best to build an unbreakable security wall against this supposedly non-profit driven malware writers.
How to Protect Yourself and Business against Cyberwarfare
• Update all the programs in your computer
Over the years, majority of the recorded successful attacks were carried out on some old software versions. It could be the old version of an Operating System, old version of a wordpress installation kit, old version of a security suite, etc. If you are guilty of this then you may be giving yourself away to even the amateur hacker who can get you with a common security flaw in the outdated program in your computer. To avoid this, ensure that you are running the latest versions of all the utilities in your computer. Ensure that from your OS to the least of the programs in your PC are up-to-date and are configured to automatically but regularly download and install updates.• Use strong passwords
When we manage multiple login details, we are tempted to make the details to some sites the same or at least similar so they can be easy to remember. The truth is, most hackers know that people tend to coin out usernames and passwords with their names or initials.
At all cost, avoid this. Use strong passwords that are at least 10 digits, a combination of capital and small letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t worry, you can always create an excel document to keep record of your login details. It is better to pull a doc from within your hard drive each time you want to access your account online than lose your personal and business records to some online criminals.• Use the best anti-virus and anti-malware packages
The Virus Bulletin will give you an insight on the current performance of major anti-malware vendors. If you don’t know which internet security suite or the right anti-malware package to use, this site will help you make up your mind. And once done, install the security suite and make sure you are using the right settings for added security.
There is nothing foreign, just go through the features in the software and choose the operation options you prefer. Also, set it to automatically download and install updates when available. This will ensure you are always using the latest version with improved protection.
• Backup your pc
While nobody prays that you experience any major pc malfunction or perhaps fall a victim to these cyber hoodlums, it is still necessary that you backup your system periodically. There are various packages out there; most of which will allow you to schedule back up operations at your convenience when it may not interrupt your work.
• Use the NAT firewall
If you setup home network, ensure to use the NAT firewall. This will help protect the bridge created between your home network and the internet. Also, implement a strong wireless security like the WPA-PSK or WPA-PSK2 on your wireless network for added security. This will help keep spies and intruders blindfolded.
Worried about the increasing cyberwarfare reports and malicious malware warnings? The answer is simple; beef up your security, ensure your OS and other system software are up to date, be cautious of your actions on the internet and use the best anti-malware packages.
Author Bio
Steven writes for http://www.verybestsoftware.net, a review site on major security software products. When he is not connecting with fellow bloggers, you can find him hanging out on twitter @StevenPapas.
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