Commentary: As a computer nation, we are insecure
Consumer Reports recently published a study indicating that 20 percent of households in the United States are currently defenseless against online attacks in the form of viruses, phishing scams and spam e-mail because they do not have an anti-virus software installed on their computers. The study also found that 35 percent don't use software to block or remove spyware.
It is estimated that virus- and spyware-related damages to personal computers cost Americans billions of dollars annually. Fortunately, there are several options for avoiding cyber attacks.
The two top manufacturers of anti-virus software are McAfee and Symantec. Their products range from approximately $40 to $70, depending on the package selected, and can be purchased at most computer retail stores as well as online.
Alternately, Grisoft's AVG program is highly effective in terms of virus detection and can be downloaded for free at the manufacturer's Web site, www.grisoft.com.
Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, also free, detects spyware from pop-up ads very well and can be downloaded at the manufacturer's Web site, www.lavasoft.com.
The difference between the programs insofar as attack detection is minimal; however, preferences such as the user interface may affect your buying decision. For the typical Internet user, having these two free programs installed should be ample defense in the war against cyber attackers.
While improvements are being made every day in terms of punishment for offenders as well as technological advances to thwart attacks, cyber predators are not slowing down their efforts. According to the same survey, the odds of becoming a cyber victim are still about one in three, which has not decreased since last year.
Ultimately, it's up to each person to protect their computer and personal information from online attacks. Given the free programs that are available as well as relatively low-cost packages, there's no good excuse to leave a computer exposed to cyber threats.
Larry Fiorino, the founder and chief executive of G.1440, a Baltimore-based e-solutions firm, writes Web Sightings every week for The Daily Record. The opinions expressed are Mr. Fiorino's and not necessarily those of The Daily Record. He can be reached at 410- 843-3800.
Copyright 2006 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
It is estimated that virus- and spyware-related damages to personal computers cost Americans billions of dollars annually. Fortunately, there are several options for avoiding cyber attacks.
The two top manufacturers of anti-virus software are McAfee and Symantec. Their products range from approximately $40 to $70, depending on the package selected, and can be purchased at most computer retail stores as well as online.
Alternately, Grisoft's AVG program is highly effective in terms of virus detection and can be downloaded for free at the manufacturer's Web site, www.grisoft.com.
Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, also free, detects spyware from pop-up ads very well and can be downloaded at the manufacturer's Web site, www.lavasoft.com.
The difference between the programs insofar as attack detection is minimal; however, preferences such as the user interface may affect your buying decision. For the typical Internet user, having these two free programs installed should be ample defense in the war against cyber attackers.
While improvements are being made every day in terms of punishment for offenders as well as technological advances to thwart attacks, cyber predators are not slowing down their efforts. According to the same survey, the odds of becoming a cyber victim are still about one in three, which has not decreased since last year.
Ultimately, it's up to each person to protect their computer and personal information from online attacks. Given the free programs that are available as well as relatively low-cost packages, there's no good excuse to leave a computer exposed to cyber threats.
Larry Fiorino, the founder and chief executive of G.1440, a Baltimore-based e-solutions firm, writes Web Sightings every week for The Daily Record. The opinions expressed are Mr. Fiorino's and not necessarily those of The Daily Record. He can be reached at 410- 843-3800.
Copyright 2006 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
posted by cadic at 4:11 AM
2 Comments:
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In regard to the introduction of security, me avast! 4 and AVG is used and my personal computer is defended. Furthermore there is relation such that Internet Explorer is not used other than WindowsUpDate.
In other words, as for Web Browser it is to use safe things such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera etc. Although we to limit also E-Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird, being everything free, completely there is no damage due to Virus.
In other words, safety is not something which is obtained with the money, you can say that there are also times when it can by knowledge.
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