Below is a collection of computer security articles from various sources, that may be of interest to small business computer users. This material is continuously updated, and we try to ensure that it is relevant to business people, not computer technicians.
Links to Articles
The bad guys are smarter than ever (A MUST READ)
April 2005 - A story published in the Bulletin with quotes from some very senior Microsoft executives that makes it clear that keeping on top of computer security is well beyond the
average computer user.
Benefits and Risks of Free Email Services
April 2005 - Many service providers offer free email accounts (e.g., Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail). Although free email services are convenient for sending personal correspondence,
you should be careful how you use them.
IT vigilance urged to fight malware
April 2005 - David Aucsmith, architect and CTO, security Business & Technology Unit talks about where internet crime is heading. Find out why keeping up with the bad guys is a full
time job, even for the experts.
Keeping Your Computer Secure has Broader Ramifications
April 2005 - The computer is a unique “appliance” in that there is a responsibility to also keep it secure. You may not have to worry about someone secretly using your drill to make holes where they shouldn’t. Odds are good that you making popcorn in your microwave will not set off a chain reaction that makes every microwave in your county inoperable. Your VCR is not connected to every other VCR in the world. The computer on the other hand for most people is connected to the Internet. That means that it is part of a network of millions of other computers. Home users in general don’t know enough about information security and aren’t aware of the need to patch and update consistently. They treat the computer like the other appliances in their house- use it until it breaks and then pay a professional to
fix it or throw it out and buy a new one.
Rootkits - Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
April 2005 - Rootkits are part of the next wave of internet crime that will be hitting your computer some time soon. Find out what a rootkit is and why they represent a huge threat to computer users.
"After having gained some level of access to a computer, the intruder installs a rootkit which can help him maintain his ability to access the hacked computer, help him attack the hacked computer or use it to remotely attack other computers and help to cover his tracks. Most rootkits have the ability to collect usernames and passwords giving the hacker
alternate methods for entry should the username and password he is using get changed."
'Researchware' watches where you click
It's just a small download, promoted as a free antivirus program. But the software is really designed to sit silently on consumers' computers, watch everything they do online, and send the critical data back to the program’s creator. The program has swept the Internet in the last year, with millions of people downloading it.
The newest spyware? Nope. Welcome to the Internet's newest marketing tool,
"researchware."
The end of computing culture as we know it?
March 2005 - This press release by UK security company mi2g, is a reality check for anyone who thinks that a small business computer user can keep on top of computer security.
"The latest digital risk data from the mi2g Intelligence Unit shows that, within the coming two years, homes and Small to Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) may be unable to protect themselves from the relentless rise in spam, sophisticated viruses and worms, spyware, manual and automated digital attacks, complex phishing scams, denial of service incidents and zombie harvesting techniques deployed to create elaborate botnets - networks of
compromised machines used for nefarious purposes."
The Risks of Using Instant Messaging
January 2005 - Instant messaging is booming. Almost everywhere you look, people are typing messages to friends and work colleagues at a frantic pace. What you may not know, is that using instant messaging within a business is very risky. This article was written for corporate business, but is just as relevant to small business. It
explains what instant messaging is, and what are the risks.
Microsoft restricts fixes
JANUARY 2005 - MICROSOFT plans to severely curtail the ways in which people running pirated copies of its dominant Windows operating system can receive software updates,
including security fixes.
10 commandments of security for small business
December 2004 - Small to medium-sized businesses rank office computer security among their biggest concerns, according to a recent survey by the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA). The ITSPA survey indicated that solution providers spent nearly 25 percent of their professional time resolving security issues for small businesses. Members also said that on average, their clients have been hit by hackers or viruses more
than seven times in 2004.
Netsky: Worst virus of 2004
December 2004 - The number of new viruses discovered in 2004 climbed by more than
50 percent over the previous year, anti-virus vendor Sophos reported this week.
Latest Mydoom virus may signal dreaded 'zero day' attack
November 2004 - The latest version of the Mydoom virus
suggests to security experts that a much-anticipated "zero day" attack may have already arrived.
The State of Computer Security
September 2004 - This report is an excellent summary of what
is what with computer security. It covers Viruses, Spam, Phishing and Adware in easy to understand language.
Articles in Adobe Acrobat® Format
Computer Security for Small Business
A comprehensive plan for managing computer security in a small business. It answers some important questions:
- Why should I care about computer security?
- Why Would Anyone Attack Me?
- So what do I need to do?
Why Kids and Business Computers do not Mix
If you have a computer that is used for business and you allow children or other people to
use that computer, you should read this article.
2004 Australian Computer Crime and Security Survey
The Australian Computer Crime and Security Survey provides a unique insight into the computer security operations of Australia's private and public sector organisations, ranging from large corporations to single person enterprises, spanning a range of industries and businesses. The results show that many of the problems faced are common amongst
respondents.
