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Is there a 'quick fix' to protect against computer attacks?

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --   Computer security is a daunting task especially when you consider the following three points:

1. To attack network computers, hackers exploit known software flaws because many of the flaws will likely take months or even years to fix.

2. Often, software security patches fail to eliminate the vulnerability, which allows hackers to quickly renew their attacks until a new patch is released.

3. Just by visiting "untrusted" or infected Web sites, computer users cause malicious computer instructions (such as "Trojan Horses" or "Worms") to execute on computer systems and spread over entire networks.

However, there are several steps people can take to protect their computers at home and in the office:

1. Keep your antivirus software and virus definition files current.

2. Leave office computers turned on, but logged off, when you leave at night to allow security updates to be applied to your system.

3. Contact your workgroup manager immediately if you receive suspicious emails with attachments or links to any unfamiliar Web pages.

4. At home, either disable instant messaging software or reduce the probability of instant messaging attack by using government licensed antivirus and client firewall software. Government civilians and military members are authorized to download this software from http://www.cert.mil/antivirus/antivirus_index.htm and use it to protect home systems.

Remember, we are only as strong as our weakest link. A single unprotected computer can cripple an entire computer network impacting our primary means of day-to-day communications.