The Myths and Facts of Computer Protection

Separating the facts from the fiction...

Over the years, we have held discussions with users that range from owners of business networks to owners of a single personal computer. In these discussions, we were surprised to hear what owners and users had to say about their security and how they thought they were completely safe on the Internet. To alleviate this misinformation, below is a list of the most commonly heard assumptions on computer security and their validity.

Myth:	There are so many users on the Internet that the chances of being a target are slim to none.
Fact:	Granted, there are millions of people constantly on the Internet, but that doesn't mean you have a lower chance of being a target than the next person. There are tools freely dispersed throughout the Internet that let anyone quickly (and easily) scan large amounts of computers for vulnerabilities.

Myth:

No one will try to break into my computer because it has nothing of value.

Fact:

Unfortunately, you have more information than you may think on your computer. Do you do your banking online? Do you send and receive emails that contain sensitive or personal information? Have you ever entered personal information such as a social security number, credit card number, or even a username and password into a website? Well, there are tools available on the Internet that allow people to discover and identify this information on your computer if they can get access to your network. Also, if you are in that small percentage bracket that does none of the above, think about this: if an intruder was able to break into your system and gain control of it, they can use it to attack other computers. Sadly, even though you weren't responsible for attacking other computers (or even having the knowledge that your computer was attacking other computers), you will be held liable for all of the damages that your computer causes.

Myth:	I have an anti-virus scanner, so I am secure.
Fact:	This is partially true. While having an anti-virus scanner is a crucial element to securing your computer, it is not enough.

Myth:	I have a firewall, so I have nothing to worry about.
Fact:	This is also partially true. Firewalls are imperative for any computer, but they are only a single piece of the puzzle to securing your computer(s).

Myth:	Computer Security is only for the experts.
Fact:	Not true. There are many security tools that have been developed with simplicity in mind. Some of these security tools have even been developed so that all the user has to do is install it, and it does the rest itself!

Myth:	Securing my computer/network is too expensive.
Fact:	While there are expensive security tools available, there are also an whole bunch of effective tools that are cheap (and even free) that anyone can use to secure their systems.

Myth:	Securing my computer/network will make it more difficult to use.
Fact:	This is probably more true than it is false. While security tools do have the potential of dramatically changing the way you currently use your computer, they can also have simple modifications as asking you if you want certain programs to run or connect to the Internet. It all depends on the tools and their features that you choose to install.

Myth:	I can't secure my computer/network because it is too complex.
Fact:	Once again, with the tools that have been developed, you can increase your security awareness by simply installing applications or pushing a button.

Myth:	I know what I installed and what is running on my computer, so I have nothing to worry about.
Fact:	Don't be so sure that you know what is running on your computer. In fact, we think it would be a good assumption to think that the majority of computer users do not know about everything that is running on their computer. There are very clever people out there that have discovered how to masquerade and hide programs that they don't want users to see.

Myth:	I only need to worry about security when an incident occurs.
Fact:	This is always a difficult assumption to hear from others. It is imperative that you take a proactive approach to security and not a reactive one. If you worry about security when an incident occurs, it is too late. You will have absolutely no idea what critical files or information was deleted, modified, or even stolen.

Myth:	Computer security is only relevant to large businesses and corporations.
Fact:	Also, not true. With the continuously-evolving tools that are widely available on the Internet in combination with the rapid technological advancements in computer speed and performance, people are finding more and more ways of spotting insecure machines on a large scale.