Self-help

The internet isn't "out there" - it begins at your desktop.

It's a sad but inescapable fact that your home computer, Bill Gates, national government or ISP won't address all internet security problems on your behalf. Life online, like life on the streets, involves responsible behaviour by citizens - few of whom would leave their doors unlocked or hand their wallets to total strangers.

In the near future we'll be highlighting basic steps that can be taken by users. In the interim, most of the industry and government sites identified earlier in this guide - for example the US National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) - offer advice about precautions.

The System & Network Security (SANS) organisation for example offers a list of the 'Top 20 security flaws' (especially those on Microsoft and Unix systems) and what to do about them.

The NIPC's 2002 Password 101 reminder encourages consumers to

Use strong passwords. Choose passwords that are difficult or impossible to guess and use different passwords in different accounts.

Make regular backups of critical data. Backups must be made at least once each day. Larger organizations should perform a full backup weekly and incremental backups every day. At least once a month the backup media should be verified.

Use virus protection software: having it on your machine in the first place, checking daily for new virus signature updates and actually scanning all the files on your computer periodically.

Use a firewall as a gatekeeper between your computer and the internet.

Do not keep computers online when not in use - either shut them off or physically disconnect them from the net connection.

Don't open email attachments from strangers, regardless of how enticing the Subject Line or attachment may be. Be suspicious of any unexpected email attachment from someone you do know, as it may have been sent without that person’s knowledge from an infected machine.

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