Most people don’t buy computers because they like computers as such, but because of what they can do.
So PC security is a thorny issue, a big issue that needs some thought. Like any form of security, a balance needs to be struck between convenience and security. In other words, you have a machine that helps you work and/or play, but you want the administration of that machine to be as easy as possible.
The latest version of Windows is probably the most secure that’s been produced and it combines that security with reasonable convenience. While it doesn’t include anti-virus protection — a key component of security — it does allow you to get on and do those things you bought the machine for.
And anti-virus software is an essential form of insurance on top of Windows’ basic protection. The ideal AV software loads up, and you can then more or less forget about it: it works in the background, bothers you hardly at all, and has no noticeable effect on system performance.
Why do you need AV software? Read on…
Real threats
While it’s in the interests of security product vendors to promote scare stories, it’s worth remembering that there are some people out there who really are after your data for their own purposes.
Many of them are out to make money, typically by stealing pieces of your identity and using them to siphon money off your credit card or bank accounts. Today, they tend to be organised gangs operating like a business, investing in virus creation software that allows them to infiltrate unprotected computers and reap the rewards of their investment.
But there are also individuals out there with their own personal reasons for infiltration. There’s an example here of one man who stole images of women, and sent bogus messages to their friends, and then tried to blackmail his victims. After he was arrested by the authorities, he also, according to the story, admitted his involvement with an international network of hackers and his participation in credit card fraud.
The Internet is a great invention, a great place to do almost anything you want. But it’s like human nature: it encompasses all extremes. So just be careful out there.
World Cup fever
Is the World Cup getting you down? If so, spare a thought for the sites you visit.
A month before the opening match between South Africa and Mexico, the bad guys were already busy infecting popular related websites in anticipation of increased traffic. Compared to the same period last year, avast! identified a 200 percent increase in the number of infected web pages, and successfully prevented 200 000 fans from visiting them and getting infected. There’s a graph on Avast’s website showing a dramatic increase in the number of infected websites.
