Computer Security
by
George Horton
Computer and Internet Security have become the buzzwords of the 2000’s and the
World Wide Web is the battleground. We have witnessed a rapid erosion of online
privacy, and the diminishing respect for the sanctity of the user.
We are such trusting people that we allow too much freedom to those who would do
harm. Not just the ones that do it intentionally, but also, with so many new
people and content coming online every minute, the chances of somebody making a
mistake are pretty good.
Your Internet connection's IP address for example is uniquely associated with
your "machine name": i.e. (rhbsqc84n123.nbnet.nb.ca), and is assigned to your
machine when you log onto the network. This string of text is known as your
Internet connections “reverse DNS” The beginning of the string (rhbsqc84n)
uniquely identifies your Internet connection. The concern is that any web site
can easily retrieve this "machine name” whenever you visit, and it may be used
to identify you on the Internet. In that way it's like a "supercookie" over
which you have no control. You cannot disable, delete, or change it. Using the
reverse DNS anyone can discover your geographic location and if you allow
printer and file sharing on your network, then it is possible to take over your
machine. Just something to keep in mind as you wander the Internet.
“Why me? Nobody wants my stuff. I don’t keep anything on my computer.”
Well…you may think that, but your computer can be used by someone else to attack
other computers without your knowledge, and the Trojan worms are so persistent,
that without adequate protection, you will have to reformat your hard drive and
lose everything. If you are going to be on the internet then you should acquaint
yourself with the basics of internet and computer safety. It is not just to
protect you and your family, but in the near future you could be held
accountable if your lax security enables a hacker to use your machine to attack
other machines. Without a firewall, minutes is all it takes for someone to take
control of your computer.
Remember that the internet is anonymous only as long as you don’t give yourself
away.
Many people at work and at home are leaving their machines and lives open to
internet abuse. When using chat and file sharing programs, information about
your name and location can be discovered by unscrupulous people pretending to be
friendly and honest. So do not give them your personal information.
Be careful when you use those programs that connect you to a network for file
sharing and chatting. You could be traced.
Use a hotmail or yahoo mail account for messaging and ICQ and go easy on your
profile information, don’t give too much away. Save your home email for people
you know. With your email address or your name someone can use 411 information
to find out where you live, and from there find out who you are.
Do not believe everything you hear and read while you are online. Be suspicious
of websites and people that ask for too much information. Keep in mind that
someone else entirely may be listening in or viewing what is on your webcam,
email, webpage’s you visit, and what you are sending to your networked printer.
And one more thing. Everything you do online can be recorded and stored…forever.
Surf safe out there.
www.kcnb.ca
Your community link to the web