Unit 8Are You Well Protected?1Winter is the official start of the cold and flu season.Though, technically speaking, things gotstarted a little early.Close to a million computers,mostly home PC users, have been infected.2For many of us our computers are our business. We keep in contact with customers and clientsvia email, do extensive internet research, and transmit important files electronically.3 We knowwhat to doto protect our bodies from viruses.There are somesimple strategies and even free precautions we can take to protect ourbusinesses by keeping our PCs virus free.4Adopting the following six checkpoints will help keep your computerhealthy andyour business uninterrupted.Use a Firewall5 At its most basic level a firewall is a software security system that actsas a barrier between your computer and the outside world (the Internet) by monitoring all incomingnetwork traffic. A more advanced firewall will also monitor outgoing traffic. How you use yourcomputer will determine whether basic or advanced firewall protection is needed.6What a firewall does is make your computer invisible while on the Internet. If hackers cannot seeyou, they cannot attack you.7 Windows XP has this software installed; however, it may need to be enabled. If you have XP andwould like to enable the firewall, directions are on the Microsoft website.8For non XP users,firewall software can be purchased.McAfee and Zone Alarm are two verypopular products.Zone Alarm has a free downloadable firewall, basic version,available on theirwebsite, www.zonealarm.com.9Before installing a firewall, you may be interested in learning your computer's vulnerability.This issomething that can be checked for free and in just a few minutes. Visit the website of Gibson ResearchCorporation, www.grc.com, and under Hot Spots, click on Shields UP. It takes a little bit of scrolling toget to but is well worth the extra seconds. In minutes your PC is scanned and its vulnerability rated.Antivirus Software10Antivirus software is the "shot"after the epidemic. This software protects your computer fromknown threats.Many PCs come with antivirus software already installed. Some of the more popularversions are Norton, PCCillin and McAfee.11 If you have it pre-installed or have purchased it, great. Please be sure to keep it constantly updatedwith the latest virus definitions. This is important because these definitions are formed in response tothe latest viruses. If you do not have this protection, please consider getting it.12 Once this software is installed on your computer, you will be automatically notified when newvirus definitions are available. Then it is just a matter of a few clicks to download the new definitions.13 Likewise you will be notified when your antivirus software is about to expire. The software needsto be updated annually. The initial purchase, renewal, updates and installation can all be done online.Spyware Eliminator4 why am I getting all of these pop ups? Certain websites that you visit or free software (shareware) thatyou download, and, in some cases, hardware purchased from major manufacturers will also install trackingdevices on your computer (spyware). Spyware is annoying but not illegal.15An internet search will reveal the many choices available for spyware elimination software.Theimportant thing is to get one and use it consistently. Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices.l6 I really like Spybot Search and Destroy. Besides the fact that it is free , once spyware is identified,the software will provide a detailed description of just what it is. This is helpful just in case it identifiessomething that you do not want to get rid of.Backup, Backup, Backup17 How oftendo you backup? What files / programs do you backup? What media do you backup to?18 Weall know the importance of backing up our information yet somany of us do not do it.There may be a ton of reasons why it is not done but the one reason it should bedone on a regular basis is that it can be a timesaver,possibly a business saver if your computer system is corrupted for anyreason.19 If you happen tobe using Windows XP Professional,the backup procedure is quitesimple. For users of XP Home Edition, it is a bit more involved. Complete instructions, however, are on the Microsoft website.20Typically data fileare what most people need to back up and having well organized fileswill certainly simplify the process.21 Whether you backup to disk zip disk, DVD, writeable CDs, external file drive or utilize one ofthe online services,it is important to get into the habit of backing up on a regular basis.Weekly Updates of Windows22Windows users are automatically notified of current updates for the Windows operatingsystem when your computer is turned on. with just a few clicks your operating system is updated.23However, when certain patches become available for your particular applications software (XP, 2000, NT, etc), as was / is the case with the recent worm viruses, a visit to Microsoft's website is necessary.24 Once there，Microsoft will scan your computer, tell you what updates are available,andyou then have the option of installing them on your system. In some cases, you will need yourinstallation CDs to complete the download.25 With the recent run of viruses and with more expected, it is imperative to check for theseupdates weekly on the Microsoft website as well as do the automatic updates.Be Careful of Email Attachments26 Email is such a widely accepted method of communication, and this has not gone unnoticedby hackers who use email as a means of mass virus spread.27For this final checkpoint, your due diligence is the only software required.28 Always delete any email from unknown senders and be very careful of any attachments youare not expecting from any known senders.As we have seen, hackers can quite easily access Outlook address books to spread viruses.(984 words)Multiple ChoiceChoose the best answer from the four choices given below according to the text.1.Which of the following functions of computers is not mentioned in the text?A. We keep in touch with customers via email.B. We search for some important information on the Internet.C. we communicate with our friends in online chat rooms.D. We transmit important files electronically.2. A firewall can______.A. make your computerinvisible while on the InternetB. act as a barrier between your computerand the hackersC. only be bought from some software companiesD. monitor outgoing network traffic3.Once some antivirus software is installed on your computer, you should______.A. notify the software company when new virusdefinitions are availableB. keep it constantlyupdated withthelatest virus definitionsC. not worry about its expiration any longerD. do the initial purchase renewal,updates and installation4. Which of the followingstatements is not mentioned according to the text?A. A visit to Microsoft's website is necessary when you need certain patches for your particular applications software.B. Windows users are automatically notified of current updates for the Windows operating systemwhen the computer is turned on.C. One has to check for the updates online each week because of the recent and future viruses.D.On the Microsoft's website you can install the updates free of charge.5. What is the main idea of the text?A. We should take some precautions to keep our computers virus free.B. Antivirus software is needed badly on each computer.C. Everyone knows the importance of backing up our information.D. Hackers use email as a means of mass virus spread.