At Inthesntech.com we are constantly monitoring our servers for security issues and keeping programs updated.  We do what we can to keep our servers and client's information safe and secure.  We put together a few tips to help our client's and everyone to stay safe online.

Online Security

Malware, short for "malicious software," includes viruses and spyware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. Criminals create appealing websites, desirable downloads, and compelling stories to lure you to links that will download malware – especially on computers that don't use adequate security software. But you can minimize the havoc that malware can wreak and reclaim your computer and electronic information.

In 2005, according to PandaLabs security, there were only 92,000 strains of malware cataloged throughout the companies history.  In 2008 PandaLabs reports there were 14 million strains of malware and by 2010 there were over 60 million!

If you suspect malware is on your computer:

• Stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information.
• Confirm that your security software is active and current. At a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall.
• Once your security software is up-to-date, run it to scan your computer for viruses and spyware, deleting anything the program identifies as a problem.
• If you suspect your computer is still infected, you may want to run a second anti-virus or anti-spyware program – or call in professional help.
• Once your computer is back up and running, think about how malware could have been downloaded to your machine, and what you could do to avoid it in the future.

Email Security 101

• Don't open emails you don't know who they came from
• Don't click on links from emails that look suspicious
  • Some newest attacks include emails from people that you may know
  • Links within these emails can open you up to viruses, malware, or web sites that are not family friendly
• If your email address has been compromised or is being used by a hacker
  • Change your password
  • Notify your contacts of the compromise
  • Notify your ISP
• Use anti-spam software with your email client
• Free email addresses through Yahoo.com, AOL.com, Live.com are prone to spam and viruses.  Gmail has many filters in place to stop viruses and hackers.
• Many ISP emails such as Road Runner (for Central Florida, cfl.rr.com) is prone to viruses and spam.  Road Runner has been known to be blocked and black listed by spam filters.

Wireless Security

Wireless internet access can offer convenience and mobility. But there are steps you should take to protect your wireless network and the computers on it.

• Use encryption to scramble communications over the network. If you have a choice, WiFi Protected Access (especially WPA2) is stronger than Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall.
• Most wireless routers have a mechanism called identifier broadcasting. Turn it off so your computer won't send a signal to any device in the vicinity announcing its presence.
• Change the identifier on your router from the default so a hacker can't use the manufacturer's default identifier to try to access your network.
• Change your router's pre-set password for administration to something only you know. The longer the password, the tougher it is to crack.
• Allow only specific computers to access your wireless network.
• Turn off your wireless network when you know you won't use it.
• Don't assume that public "hot spots" are secure. You may want to assume that other people can access any information you see or send over a public wireless network.

Security Suites

PC Magazine has a great article for the best security suites for 2011.  Below is a brief over.  To read the full review click here.