Protecting your PC

Protecting your PC

Your Supanet broadband connection allows you to be "always on" the internet. Whilst this means no more waiting to connect, it also leaves your PC at risk from certain internet problems. The good news is that you can protect your PC quickly and relatively cheaply.

Hacking

Your PC contains approximately 65,000 port addresses. These are communication channels used by your PC to "talk" over a network. These ports can potentially allow unauthorised users (hackers) to gain access to your computer and your personal files (commonly known as hacking).

Hackers can perform what is known as a 'Port Scan' which checks your PC's port addresses looking for one that is poorly configured and will allow the hacker to communicate with your PC. With your "always on" internet connection your PC is at greater risk from hacker activity because the PC will generally be left connected to the internet for longer periods of time. This gives hackers more time to find vulnerabilities on your PC.

You can protect your PC from hacking activity with a software application known as a firewall. Firewall software closes all the ports on your PC and only allows software and hardware of your choosing to access specific ports. Any unauthorised port activity is blocked so securing your PC from hacker activity.

Supanet's Anti-virus product contains a built-in firewall to protect you from incoming and outgoing connection attempts, whilst its user-friendly interface helps you configure the software to meet your needs. Visit our Internet Security information page to find out more.

Viruses

Whilst using the internet your PC is also at risk to viruses. A virus is a program that takes control of the your PC, does things without your permission and has the potential to destroy your hard disk. Viruses are capable of self-replicating and spread by attaching themselves to other files. Other types of malicious code include Trojan horses and worms:

Trojan horses capture information from a user's PC and could allow a hacker to gain entry to that PC.

Worms replicate and work their way through a network. They infect network computers, slow them down and consume disk space but won't delete or alter files.

The above forms of malicious code are hidden in emails and downloadable files on websites and file sharing applications, and can often run silently without you even knowing you are infected.

With your 'always on' internet connection your PC will be at greater risk to these forms of malicious code due to the likelihood that you will be downloading a great deal more files from the internet than you previously did with your analogue modem dial-up connection.

Anti-virus software protects your PC from known viruses, Trojan horses and worms. The software works by scanning files on your PC looking for a virus's signature, a unique string of bytes that identifies the virus like a fingerprint. If a virus is found the software then "disinfects" your PC.

Anti-virus software can usually perform tasks such as scanning all the files on your PC, scanning email and attachments and scanning downloaded files.

Makers of good quality anti-virus software keep track of the latest viruses and issue regular updates which you should download so as not to fall prey to new viruses.

Supanet are providers of the simple, easy-to-use Norman Security Suite antivirus and firewall software. This comprehensive, low-cost product provides all-in-one protection against viruses, worms and trojans. Visit our Internet Security information page to find out more.

Software vulnerabilities

From time to time software vendors will release updates that fix security vulnerabilities and other known problems in their software. It is important that you check for these updates and install them as necessary. The latest software applications usually have the ability to download these updates automatically and prompt you to install them.

For more help with protecting your PC click here.