Internet Security

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Useful information comes to your computer from the internet, and at the same time, the greatest risk to your computer comes from the Internet. Therefore, properly applying computer security reduces these risks.

• Why there is a need for Internet security >>>
  • A well known term, "information super-highway" was used to describe the internet back in the earlier days. Now, take this seldom used term, and visualise the Internet as a motorway, a highway - this road carries constant traffic and leads to great places to visit, however, this traffic also contains bad road users.
    
    Unauthorised access from the Internet comes in many forms, including...
  • people wanting to break into other peoples computers for fun or worse
  • the active virus or three that is out there scanning for potential unprotected targets
  • other routes depending on what software you and others use on the Internet connected PC

• If a computer is not protected, then bad traffic activities will lead to... >>>
  • Your computer behaving badly (the ubiquitous computer crash)
  • Theft of personal information
  • Uncontrollable automatic restarting of your computer
  • Uncontrollable disconnection from the Internet or services like instant messaging.
  • Unexplained high phone bill due to for example bad software transparently contacting premium rate internet servers.
  • Svchost errors or other unexplained errors
    or worse symptoms (e.g. loss of data).

• Reduce the risk that you have on a direct internet connection with a software firewall >>>

  • The subject of security and software has a learning curve. For example, a software firewall is only one crucial element for security protection. Your time is short, use our experience to get your equipment set up properly.  To arrange an appointment with an on-site computer security specialist, simply click here.

• Broadband Users - We wouldn't recommend anything less than maximum security >>>

  • We supply and install hardware equipment that allows you to use multiple computers in a secured network space.
    
    These hardware router firewalls offer far better front-line protection than the software firewall, however, we recommended using both on a broadband connection where possible.  With only a software firewall in use, direct probing from other internet connected computers and yours happens without your consent. The hardware firewall stops this by transparently separating your computer from the internets view. Also, software firewalls become more responsive to help stop malicious software in your computer from initiating a connection to the internet.

    Some features of hardware firewalls are...

  • The hardware firewall is a strong front-line internet security device.
  • A hardware firewall drops or ignores unauthorised traffic from the Internet.
  • Computers in the network can share data, talk to one another, or use the Internet independently (one PC is not a master to the others).  For an example of a setup, click here
  • The performance of software based firewalls will significantly improve due to reduced decision making. The primary role shifts to monitor applications that send outgoing information...
    
    For example... We studied a popular software firewall Alerts and Logs page and saw a full screen of unauthorised attempts for 10 seconds of connection time. This reduced to none after setting up a hardware firewall.

  • A good software firewall is still a crucial element of security protection. because it helps stop unauthorised applications from sending outgoing information without your knowledge. This type of firewall offers protection above the built in operating systems firewall.

    NOTE: for those self-installing wireless router hardware ... we have found many routers and wireless internet access points set up below acceptable security levels. Feel free to talk to us about independently checking your existing security levels.

    The subject of security has a learning curve, and we are only touching on issues here. Your time is short, use our experience to get your equipment set up properly.   To arrange a personal  appointment with a computer security specialist, simply click here.