Computer Security
Part 2 from Home Security for your Home Based Business
In this second article on home-based business security, we follow the issue of physical property and assets security with that of computer security.
The plethora and ingenuity of attacks coming through our computers can seem overwhelming to those of us without technological expertise. Reports in the news of new and massive virus attacks often create nervousness, even a sense of helplessness.
But, some sort of action is required as the threat is real and if it strikes you in your home office or business, disruption could be significant. When it comes to what that action might be, as with many things in life, the best policy is to keep it simple and as low cost as it can be for the situation’s requirements. Again, sustainability is your aim.
What are those requirements? It’s nice to have a computer expert to provide that information so I’m including a link here to a free ebook that gives you exactly that.
Winning the Online Battle – How to stop spam, viruses and hackers dead in their tracks is by Greg Reynolds, a 23-year veteran of the computer industry. Needless to say, Reynolds has worked for some of the largest companies in America and now runs his own computer business. See the link at the end of this article to access this free anti-spam ebook.
There are other sites you can look at for computer protection advice. For these information sites and more check this http://www.SelfInstallHomeSecurity.biz/links to see my information links and then select the Computer Security section.
One other computer security technique that I picked up from an expert a long time ago is to avoid keying in valuable information on any site. To do this, you need all of this information already on a file from which you only need to copy and paste giving you secure use. The point is to avoid technology that can “read” your keystrokes as you key in any of this valuable information. Copy and paste avoids those giveaway keystrokes.
To set this up, you need to have your computer in a secure state with up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-adware and anti-malware systems. When you feel sure you have cleaned your computer out and you aren’t harboring any nasties including Trojans, ensure you are off-line - not connected to the internet – and set up a simple word document where you store your vital information. Use this as your base “copy and paste” document for everything thereafter.
You might include:
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your personal information - name, DoB, address, phone numbers, fax;
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one or two Q&A examples, often required by sites where you sign up as a member – your mother’s maiden name, your first car;
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a bunch of password options you can use over time for various functions and sites;
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even your banking information and credit card details if you like to purchase goods online or are running a PayPal account or merchant payment processor on your website;
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a list of all the letters in the alphabet and numbers 0 to 9 are also useful (though avoid putting this and other information in consecutively). You can use these down the track with your copy and paste function to create new information without exposing that information by using keystrokes.
The key here is to set this up when you know your computer is in a secure state. Thereafter, you need only copy and paste all sorts of information for use on other websites, email systems or even your own word document without risking exposure.
Also note: avoid listing this precious information against obvious and key words like Login, Username, Password, ID. Some hackers can search for specific words.
Suggestion:
Make it part of your annual planning assessment process to run a Quick Check of your security risk levels in relation to your home office physical assets security and computer security as outlined in parts 1 and 2 of this Home Security for Home Based Business article series.
Set these up and adopt a sensible, professional mindset (see part 3 of this series) and you should find yourself markedly reducing the risk of intrusion and theft in your home business. It is worth remembering to take yourself seriously. Thieves and attackers take their property and people targets seriously, assessing them against a set of criteria. Do the unexpected, take a leaf out of their book and be a step ahead of the game.
This article series also includes: Part 1, Home Based Business Security and Part 3, Personal Security and Your Psychology.
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The author, R.T. Hág, is a qualified, certified private investigator and is Director of Big SihS, the Self Install Home Security online store.
For home alarms, fake surveillance cameras and more at budget-savvy prices: http://selfinstallhomesecurity.biz
For a free ebook, by 25 year expert, on managing spam, viruses and hackers: http://www.SelfInstallHomeSecurity.biz/securityupdate
Copyright © R.T. Hàg 2008 All rights reserved worldwide.
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