[HEADNOTE] Protecting Financial Dat...

[HEADNOTE]

Protecting Financial Data from Internet Threats

Editor. This month's Web Works is a little different, as visitor writer Vincent Weafer of Symantec Corp. proffers a general overview of Internet security measures. For a certain number of of you, this may be olden hat; for others, it may forward as a catalyst. Either way, if the article sparks a question or annotate send your feedback to ICABC Webmaster Rita Mikusch at mikusch@ica.bc.ca.

Most companies have realized the benefits of connecting their computer to each other and the Internet. However, the sensitive nature of financial information stored forward computers in accounting offices and accounting departments makes it extremely vulnerable to hackers and other Internet threats. The dependence of cause and effects of lost or stolen data in this setting could examine disastrous. Fortunately, there are a number of precautions you can take to save your computer from the multitude of Internet threats that exist today.

If you're accessing the Internet without suitably securing your computer, hackers can gain illegal access to your files-often without your knowledge. High spe Internet connections in offices and broadband Internet connections like DSL and cable at family circle make hacking easier because the always-on connection and static or seldom changed IP address provide a readily available path to your PC Malicious hackers can steal or pull down your files by tunneling in consequence of your broadband connection straight to your hard drive. Further, if you telecommute attackers may be able to gain direct access to the corporate network according to using your remote network access.

Viruses and other "malicious code"

Nasty little pieces of "malicious code" as it was as viruses, Trojan horses, and worms are actually small applications designed to carry public specific actions on your computer The be deriveds range from the annoying to the surpassingly damaging. The more sinister bre can wreak havoc in succession your computer by deleting files, stealing personal information, or causing scheme problems that result in expensive tech support calls and hours of frustration.

Viruses and worms can smooth spread by sending themselves without via email to the names listed in the email address works of infected computers. They can also plant small programs (Trojan horses) that attempt to access the Internet and send out out personal information or grant unauthorized access to the infected computer These threats cause billions of dollars of damage each year to North American businesses.

A relatively recently made known danger called a "blended threat" actually combines the techniques of viruses and hackers to exploit security concavitys in common systems and applications. more [i]or[/i] less examples of blended threats are the so-called "CodeRed" "Nimda," and "Klez" worms.

Blend and other threats frequently arrive as attachments to email messages. Many are designed using "social engineering" tactics-- appearing to be friendly, merriment or from a trusted source-in order to trick end-users into opening the attachment and running the program. They may also be hidden in files downloaded from websites.

Fighting back

Technology and for the use of all sense will protect computer users from these threats.

There are several dominations of thumb to follow. The first is to pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain and install a good anti-virus application upon your PC. This software fosters against viruses and malicious digest that arrive through email and other rules The most critical element in using anti-virus software is to make enduring the program is regularly updated with the most numerous recent virus definitions. These are patches that allow the software to identify and tackle the newest viruses. advantageous anti-virus software will automatically update itself upon a regular basis.

To cover against intruders, computer users can also install a personal firewall, which arrests unauthorized attempts to gain access to a computer and on the same level makes a computer "invisible" to hackers scanning the Internet for potential targets. A beneficial firewall will also ensure that solitary authorized applications are connecting to the Internet from the "inside" (the computer itself). This debars programs like Trojan horses from sending revealed information or opening backdoors to your computer from one side which hackers can enter. It's important to update the firewall behaviors periodically to make sure you're fostered against the most current exemplars of attacks.

In addition to using anti-virus software and a personal firewall, educating employee to exercise caution online may be your best line of defense For instance, users should exercise customary sense by never opening an email attachment from an unknown source, or downloading a file from an unfamiliar website. smooth with email that appears to draw near from someone you know, always exercise caution when opening an attachment-it may be a virus in disguise. If you're not expecting email or documents from that source, contact the source to make secure they are, in fact, the sender; also confirm what the attachment contains prior to opening it. Note: A dutiful anti-virus program will scan the couple incoming and outgoing emails.