The Internet – Is it safe? Are you aware?
By diablog
Have you ever wondered, with just one wrong mouse click, you could make it possible for someone to read all your emails, documents, instant chat messages, bank details, and even possibly change any settings in your computer? Your computer may even be used for computer crime for which you may be blamed.
Did you also know that such incidents are now happening everywhere around the world, even your school computers! Everything from Windows 95 and Macintosh desktops to Windows NT and Unix Servers, are being constantly used to attack other computers and divulge information whilst being connected to the Internet. People hoping to take advantage of them constantly scan for computers around the world that have an exploit they can take advantage of and nobody has a clear and precise answer on why they want to do that. But, it is clear that most just want to get information and do illegal activities in the Internet. We cannot totally wipe these groups of “nothing-better-to-do” folks, just like your everyday crime around your neighborhoods area. They are bound to happen on a daily basis - it only takes one person to write a destructive program to enable many people without technical knowledge to cause problems, just as all of us using word processors and web browsers without knowing how they work or being able to write one ourselves.
So, who can stop it? The answer; simply its YOU! Yes, YOU! and YOU!
Did you know that your behavior impacts your neighbors' security and their behavior yours? The only person ultimately in control of a computer is the operator in front of the keyboard. That person is YOU! Ask yourself this - who presently has the freedom to run any software they want, and communicate with anyone around the world? Isn’t it obvious? It is YOU! Therefore, each of us must do his or her part to help ensure the integrity of our network by operating our computers safely, even when we are chatting in DALnet. Remember that DALnet is a non-profit organization that serves the community with the interests of bringing different people around the world chatting in one community. We ought be appreciative that we can use bandwidth sponsored by ISPs that willingly linked to DALnet, and of the tremendous effort given by the Server Admins, as well as the IRC Operators, in maintaining the network 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
With a few simple clicks and keystrokes, our computers can do almost anything we tell them to do. However, a certain amount of awareness and skill is necessary to operate such a complicated device safely on the Internet.
So, how do we keep it save? Here are some of my suggestions.
1. Run anti-virus software and update it weekly (eg. Norton Anti-virus, McAfee etc)
2. Treat email attachments and other unknown programs with caution.
3. Beware of hoax virus email telling you to delete files that aren’t needed.
(Recently in April 2002, there was a hoax on a file called, jvdbmgr.exe, and many just deleted it frantically thinking it was really a virus. I recommend Symantec, a recognized virus response company to check any known viruses. You may visit them at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/.)
4. Ask in the official DALnet virus help channel, #NoHack about virus or firewall related matters.
5. Use the Windows Update Site monthly on every new installation that you had made.
6. Choose strong and good passwords for all programs in your computer and keep them confidential. DALnet passwords guide will assist you on how to choose a good password.
7. Never type your password in an untrusted website or public computers.(eg. Cyber-Cafés, schools, libraries)
8. If you must use the Microsoft File Sharing programs, used it with care.
9. Refuse to run any unknown programs on your computer. Tame your temptations! Especially files ending ".exe", ".com", ".bat", ".scr", ".pif", ".shs", ".js", ".hta", ".vbs", or any ending that you aren’t familiar with.
10. Disable any music or peer sharing services when not needed. (eg. KaZaa)
Bottom line is, the risks associated with these virus or security threats to your computer can be decreased, and only YOU can do it. There are 200 million people connected to the Internet daily, and we cannot control their actions. Remember that those nothing-better-to-do folks cannot be totally eliminated because security is never absolute.
The more we wish to maintain our current freedom in communications and computing, the more necessary it is that we individually take steps in taking care of ourselves and reduce the need for outside controls and limitations. Precautions are vital.
The key word is, only YOU can help us stop them! Lets help keep DALnet and the Internet safe for chatting.
©Diablog 2002
