| Now that the holidays are behind us, the | | | | users' first choice. So if you decide to use these |
| cost-conscious among us will be looking for those | | | | bundled programs, you should know that older |
| "post-holiday" deals that are even better than the | | | | versions of these programs are also easily |
| holiday specials. If you are not the type that has | | | | exploited by malicious software. So after patching |
| to be at the leading edge of technology, most | | | | your operating system, you should next download |
| retailers will be trying to unload last year's models | | | | the patches for Internet Explorer and Outlook |
| to make room for the new ones. So if you are in | | | | Express. |
| the market for a new personal computer system, | | | | 4. Internet Telephony |
| this is a very good time to reel in one of the | | | | Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the |
| outgoing models at a terrific deal. | | | | technical term to describe internet telephony. |
| Before you whip out the plastic and part with | | | | Many providers offer internet telephony where |
| your hard earned money, consider this is a good | | | | you can make long distance and overseas calls at |
| time to make a short checklist of how to secure | | | | greatly reduced prices. The popularity of this |
| your brand new computer. If you go through | | | | service has increased steadily over the last two |
| some of the technology websites, you will notice | | | | years. But because this service uses the internet |
| that most of the news revolve around how | | | | to deliver voice calls, it therefore becomes |
| threats to your computer will escalate this year. | | | | susceptible to all the other security problems that |
| So protecting your brand new computer should | | | | haunt the internet. Without going into technical |
| be the first order of business. In a way, this will | | | | details, the very infrastructure of VoIP makes it |
| ensure that your computer will hit the ground | | | | vulnerable to many types of attacks. Choose |
| running, instead of just hitting the ground and | | | | your VoIP provider wisely. There are many |
| shattering into a hundred bitty electronic pieces. | | | | security hardware available to VoIP providers and |
| Here are the top seven threats you should take | | | | reputable ones are more likely to have security |
| into account as your unpack your just-delivered | | | | measures in place. |
| computer: | | | | 3. Wireless Insecurity |
| 7. Outdated anti virus program | | | | Wireless networks are great to have around the |
| Most computer systems ship with an OEM (original | | | | house. You can hook up several computers to |
| equipment manufacturer) version of an anti virus | | | | share an internet connection without several |
| program. OEM programs are watered down, no | | | | meters of cables slithering around the floors and |
| frills versions of a software vendor's product. This | | | | walls. If you have a laptop, you can also take it |
| means many other functionalities that are available | | | | with you to malls or coffee shops and enjoy a |
| in the retail version may not be available in the | | | | drink while surfing through their wireless facilities. |
| OEM version. It is very likely that your computer | | | | But a poorly configured wireless network coupled |
| retailer shipped you a system that has been in | | | | with weak passwords can easily compromise |
| their inventory for several months, so the anti | | | | your computer as others with a wireless laptop |
| virus software is many months old as well. Once | | | | snoop around for vulnerable systems. |
| you activate your anti virus program, immediately | | | | 2. Phishing Scams |
| update it. You may have to refer to the | | | | Phishing scams are on the rise and will continue to. |
| accompanying documentation on how to do this. | | | | Phishing scams usually come in the form of an |
| But before you do anything else, be sure to | | | | official looking email from a financial institution or |
| update the anti virus program because this will be | | | | online retailer that you may have a relationship |
| your first line of defense. You may also consider | | | | with. The email will ask that you update your |
| purchasing a full version of an anti virus software | | | | account by providing them with your personal |
| or an entire security suite to replace your OEM | | | | information or you may risk cancellation of your |
| version. Aside from the anti virus program, a | | | | account. The email will provide a link to a bogus |
| security suite will also include anti spyware | | | | website that will capture your sensitive |
| program, email filter and firewall. Having all these | | | | information and, well, you know what will happen |
| programs working on your computer considerably | | | | next. |
| beefs up your defenses. | | | | 1. Time Magazine's Person Of the Year |
| 6. Unpatched operating system | | | | Last December, Time magazine voted "you" the |
| Most mailicious software exploit the flaws in | | | | person of the year for making social networking |
| Windows' codes. Very likely, your computer will | | | | the global phenomenon that it was in 2006. |
| come with Windows XP and very likely too it will | | | | Obviously not tech-inclined, we will pardon Time |
| not be patched with all the security updates that | | | | for not posting a caveat that social networking will |
| Microsoft has released throughout the life of | | | | be the biggest threat to netizens this year. As of |
| Windows XP. So your next order of business is to | | | | August 2006, one in every 600 social |
| head over to Microsoft's website and download all | | | | networking-related site is infected with some |
| those security patches. An outdated anti virus | | | | form of malicious software, just waiting for a |
| program running in an unpatched Windows | | | | visitor to click on the poison link and with the |
| environment is a sure recipe for disaster. As an | | | | sheer number of social networkers, those |
| aside, the forthcoming Microsoft Vista has many | | | | virus-laced sites need not wait very long. |
| a computer security expert prepping their | | | | Right now, social networking sites are the honey |
| networks for the possible onslaught of new | | | | to which the bees are drawn and cyber criminals |
| attacks. | | | | are very much aware of this. So for them to |
| 5. Outdated Internet Explorer and Outlook | | | | divest you of your cash, all they have to do is be |
| Express | | | | where the action is and thank Time magazine for |
| Since Windows comes with their own browser | | | | it. |
| and email program, these usually become the | | | | |