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Web2.0 has arrived and it is making internet the peoples media. With every development & evolution we face pros & cons issues. As businesses shift more of their data & applications to the internet, businesses are facing the security issues. Of course, it is very very important to address the security issues right from the beginning.

Increase in computer power & internet speeds increasing, convergence of technologies in smaller palm top computers,we are seeing an increase in application of computers for everything from communication to online banking, and investing in shares, trading forex, CRM & Marketing Solutions, shopping online, entertainment.
As we use these applications on a more regular basis and on the internet, we make ourselves vulnerable. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply looking for your business data & secrets.  Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.

Security threats need to plugged & taken care at two levels

1. Data Level :
Choose a wel established web hosting company high quality secure servers, with anti-virus solutions installed at all the servers. Make sure with a well defined privacy policy.

2. Operations Level

Install antivirus software and set for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions.

Develop a encrypting & backup plan for your sensitive data related to your business.
Make regular & scheduled backups of important information and store in a safe place away from your computer.

Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

Installing a firewall will provide a reliable protection. Withou a firewall, your system cecomes more vulnerable to attacks from viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. For mission critical applications & sensitive data on internet, consider installing a hardware based firewall protection.

Set your browser and email for optimum security. Active-X and JavaScript are used  to inject malicious programs into your computer. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they can be used to track your web preferances on the Internet to build your profile.

On your browser, set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low.

Do not open unknown email attachments. It is not enough that you recognize the address from which it originates because quite often viruses can spread from a familiar address.

Do not download & do not run programs from uncertified & unkown sites. Do not download software or pdf documents from unknown sites. Bw ware of funny or amusing jokes & don’t send them to your friends. They can contain a Trojans horse waiting to infect a computer.

Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.

Turn your computer off and disconnect from the internet/network when the computer is not in use. Most hacking attempts & attacks on your computer will be done successfully when your keyboard is idle. If not using computer, make sure you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

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