Robots, Spies, Viruses

Huh? What? Well, if you are an Internet-loving dude, you probably have an idea what these are and is worried. If not, and you are using a computer, especially one that is connected to a network, which is connected to the Internet-loving dude, then you should be too. Why so? It is because we are constantly under attack—by malware!

Bots, spyware, viruses, worms, and trojans, among others, are forms of self-propagating malware. Malware is short for malicious software, a class of program code that is designed to damage, disrupt, or steal data. Then there is phishing, whaling, and email spoofing which generally attempt or entice you to reveal confidential information. Finally, the ever annoying spam emails and ad pop-ups usually promising to make a Venus or Adonis out of you.

You are secured you said? Good if you are, but check again. The only truly secure system is one that is powered off. Recent studies by a number of Internet security firms show that as high as one in two computers is infected by malware. Prior to the year 2000, malware damage is about $3 billion according to Computer Economics; it is now at $13 billion. Google Research also reported that one in every 10 websites is infected with malware.

Also alarming is the fact that hackers, who used to be individuals creating malware for their own personal malicious purpose, are now mostly organized, therefore larger and more sophisticated. Although bots can be good like the Google web crawler, they can also be the most dangerous. A malicious bot is self-propagating and designed to infect your computer and connect back to central servers that act as command and control center for an entire network of compromised computers called botnet. The ultimate target? Your wallet, of course!

Broad-based remote-control attacks can also be performed by botnets against targets. The worst part is that you may not even know that you are part of it. Notice the spam mails that you are getting where the sender names look valid? They are, and from real people, too. They’re just not aware that they are sending spam mails. So, what to do?

There is no denying that the Internet provides more good than bad. The advantages from emails alone would trump the risks posed by malware. But all that we can do is lower the risks. So here are seven precautionary measures. There’s more but just this seven alone would make your computer safer by as much as 99% to malware attacks.

Make sure that you have an anti-virus software. Typically, anti-virus software that you pay for can provide more timely protection against fast-emerging vulnerabilities. But anti-virus software available for free is still better than none at all. If you don’t have an anti-virus software right now, chances are your computer is already infected.

Install real-time anti-spyware protection. For business, it would be worth it to get business-grade anti-spyware software. For personal use and if you don’t have the money, free anti-spyware programs would suffice.

Install a firewall or at least turn the built-in Windows Firewall On. A firewall blocks unauthorized communications between your computer and the Internet. It offers another layer of protection for your computer from viruses and spyware. Computers with high-speed Internet broadband connection are the main targets of hackers.

Do not click on email links or open attachments unless you are absolutely sure they are safe. Do not be fooled by a well-crafted email message or offers of free something. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Be wary of links and attachments. They can infect and corrupt your computer and in the process destroy critical data in seconds. A safer option would be to, using your browser, manually navigate to the site where the link belongs.

Disable image previews in Outlook. An email message in which graphics code is used to enable the malware execution can already result in a virus infection. Prevent automatic infection by disabling automatic image previews (under the Tools menu in Outlook). You can always view the images later anyway if you are sure it is safe.

Disable the autorun feature. Many viruses replicate themselves through the popular USB thumb drives and other media. With autorun switched On, simply inserting an infected USB drive might already infect your computer. If it's got a virus, your data are fried. Disable the autorun feature.

Surf smart. Do not go to websites that look dicey (against your will, consider websites with half-naked sexy bodies as also dicey). Don’t blindly follow links in web pages. Say no to pop-ups. In fact, just say no unless you are sure it is safe.

The Internet not only contains a wealth of information and where ideas are freely exchanged, it is also a playground and a meeting area for friends. It is a place for business, a mall, and a market.

But, as you travel its highways, malice will always be afoot. Robots, spies, viruses, and other nasties abound. As the value of information steadily increases, so will sophisticated thievery. Paradoxically, something increasingly becoming valuable is also now seemingly more thief-accessible.

Protect your data. Protect yourself.

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(Prof. Danny Piano is also a director of the Olongapo City IT & Telecommunication Board)