McStyles Software

With every invention known to benefit man, there is always a counterforce trying to destroy or take advantage of its benefits to the user. By now, if you’ve ever used or owned a computer, you’re aware that you have to constantly protect yourself from viruses.

Many viruses are written by computer hacks just to see if they can break or mess up a system. Other viruses are mistakes written by programmers when they are trying to update certain internal programs on your system. The Windows operating system has developed this problem with its newer software but usually, they send you a notice or a software patch to correct the problem.

Every system should have some type of anti-virus software that’s on it and it should start-up with your system so that it can detect any problems right away. If you are using the Internet, virus protection is a must.

Viruses are broken down into different categories but the most damaging virus is the ones that have the .EXE extension. These viruses are deadly because they get inside the internal code of your computer system, known as registers. Once they infiltrate the registers, then your system is history.

There are other viruses called worms, which is just as obnoxious as .EXE viruses. There are other viruses that create folders that hold spy ware programs which can take control over your keyboard strokes. Regardless of the type of virus program, they all can be a headache to deal with and if you don’t catch them in time, they can be a headache to get rid of.

You have to keep up with the viruses as they are developed by intruders so your software packages should have the latest virus definitions to fight these malicious creatures. I have tried several programs, and like ZoneAlarm the best. Get Comprehensive Antivirus Protection with ZoneAlarm Antivirus

Most viruses come through attachments and downloads from the Internet. Many people don’t use the common standard of file recognition. The file recognition rule states that if you are not aware of what the extension or document is; do not download it at all.

An attachment can be a document, .EXE file, JPEG file or even a music file. These files can be small in nature but also very powerful because once you open these files, they can have an adverse impact on your system that you may never recover from.

A great example is the “Typhoid Mary” virus which was an email attachment that attached itself to address books of users in Microsoft Outlook, Eudora or any other email client. The purpose of the virus was to infect these address books and attach itself to emails that were sent out from the system. That means that if you sent an email to a person in the address book and they received it then their address book became infected also. The rule is to never trust a suspicious email which in the subject line looks odd. You should delete that email immediately. You should have a virus scanner to run through all emails as they go out and come into your system.

Downloads are another issue that can give a system problems. If a site is telling you to download software to view a web page, don’t do it at all. The file may contain a certain virus that can embed itself into the applications part of your system and make applications real hard to open and use. Some of these viruses ca record your computer IP or keystrokes and steal personal information that you don’t want to be known to hackers.

Unless you really know the company that the software is coming from, do not download software from the web. The best bet is to leave it alone and go with a reputable company that you know have safeguards and security certificates regarding the download of software.

When dealing with attachments and downloads, take extreme care so that you don’t damage your system.

There’s nothing worse than getting on the internet and using your browser only to get 10 pop up windows in a row. It seems like someone on the other end is controlling your windows and what you see. If you do have that problem, then somewhere along the way, a spyware program that throws pop-up ads on your screen was downloaded or your system was infiltrated by a hacker.

These spyware programs install themselves into your system when you download file-swapping programs. These programs can also track and record keyboard strokes that you use and depending on where you go on the internet, it throws pop up ads into your browser. Spyware can find holes in your browser and will not let you see the site that you want to view until you answer their pop up ad. How annoying and time consuming!

Some spyware programs will develop a folder in your Windows Program Folder called “Common Files”. Even if you go to delete these files from the folder, they seem to multiply or stay there. That’s because they have embedded themselves in the Windows System registry and in other unknown places through your directory. To get these files out, you have the clean the registry, reload it and get rid of the spyware programs all at once!

ZoneAlarm has a spyware protection program that is very efficient. If you don’t have this or another Anti-spyware program (and you should), Ad-aware is a good program that scans your files to find spyware. Now there are two versions, the one that is free that provides limited protection and the program that you pay for that gives you full protection. Stopzilla is another good program that sweeps the folders and the registry of where these programs hide themselves at.

The average user doesn’t have time to clear out 15 pop up windows. Go and check your internet suite package to see if you have the spyware protection on and if not, make sure that you initialize it to stop those annoying pop-ups!

Most of us have been in relationships that haven’t been too good. Somewhere, something got in the way (sometimes it’s another person) which caused everything to go haywire, If you’ve ever had the feeling of things in your life not being in sync, losing sleep and wondering about what got in the way, you try to find out what it is and patch it up before it’s too late and everything is lost.

I won’t break out into a love song but the same goes for your computer system.

Operating software has come a long way in the last twenty years. It has allowed the average computer user to do dynamic things that were unthinkable 15 years ago. Any software can be penetrated and there are holes within the software, especially in Windows and Microsoft programs. Microsoft has online updates and has a routine that can scan your system and automatically update your computer.

You should not ignore these critical updates. Microsoft has a set of engineers that purposely try to hack their own software to see where security holes are so that they can recommend security updates. I know that most people ignore their update flash because they don’t have the time to download the updates, they are in a hurry or it might interfere with the game of Solitaire that they are playing on the computer.

You should run the Windows update program once every week and if Microsoft provides you guidance to run a special program you should run it.
After you run the programs, you should make a backup or rescue disk. This is a lost art because people have become so comfortable with their systems and they don’t think their data can be destroyed. You must have a backup disk available if you want to put your data back on the system after a crash.

Windows XP has a great restore program and I recommend that you study it. If you have a crash that isn’t too drastic, the restore program will actually ask you questions, provide you a restore point (which is primarily a past date) and the system is automatically restored to that point. Keep in mind that it’s good after a restore to run virus protection routines manually.

Your virus protection software also has the option of creating restore disks too.

Patch up your system so that nothing comes in and tears it apart!

Many computer users don’t understand the categorization of computer viruses. They are many different viruses and these viruses are generally found in three categories. Some people say that their computer got hit with a Trojan Horse, b32 Worm, Phyllis, or Bomb virus but these operate differently and aren’t the same as many users think that they are. In any event, you want to try to protect yourself as much as possible against any type of program that can do harm to your computer.

The most common and basic categorization for viruses is pretty simple. The computer virus has been around for years, even in the old ARAPNET programs that the government would use before the internet became part of the public sector for all to use. A computer virus, attaches itself to a program or file, much like we carry germs from a cold or flu, and spreads that virus from one computer to another. I’m starting to think that we as humans have many similarities to a computer!

Well, if you’ve ever had someone spread a cold in your office or home, you know that it can leave an infection. If you have children, then you know if one child gets it, the other child, depending on how strong their immune system is, may not be far behind in catching the same virus, be it cold, strep throat or sore throat.

Computer viruses have a range of effects. Some are not so bad while others can be damaging. It’s like the difference between a cough and rheumatic fever. That’s the range of computer virus classifications.

You have to watch out when you get an executable file (a file with an extension of EXE). This means that the culprit or virus is lurking somewhere in the jungle of programs that you have on your precious system but the virus cannot effect your system unless you open it. If you open it, then chances are if you do not have virus protection software, the virus will spread to other programs, including your emails and email attachments.

Anti-Virus software is the remedy for computer viruses and usually wipes them out with ease. I think I will go run my anti-virus program so that I can be a good example of keeping the germs out of my computer. Hope that you will do the same!

Back in 1974, the funk group, the Ohio Players made a song called “Funky Worm”. What inspired the group to write this song may have been prophetic vision or just plain luck. The “Funky Worm” was similar to what a worm virus does to a computer system

The Funky Worm was a bad concept. The “worm” had the ability to render destruction while being cool and hidden at the same time. Whoever at the internet association must have been a band member of the Ohio Players or a big fan of the group.  Anyway, a computer worm is one bad thing to have on your system.

A worm is a sub-class of a computer virus and they usually spread from system to system. This is the difference. A computer virus usually needs the help of a person (many times through ignorance) to spread amongst computers. A worm does not need that assistance; therefore, that’s why it has its name.

A worm actually has more knowledge of public transportation than the average American citizen. You see, your computer has ports that send data and transmissions out to other computers. Worms hang out at the port like bums trying to get a ride from New York to Florida via these “roads” or “lines of transportation”. It doesn’t even have to pay a fare. Why drive (like a computer virus) when all you have to do is stand at the port and get on the next thing smoking to South Beach?

A worm can duplicate itself on your system so that means that it has the capability to send out children that look just like it! Once again, it seems like these viruses and worms go straight for the email address book. Worms can use emails to send a copy of itself (uninvited of course) to every person that you have in your virtual phone book. Therefore, they have a guest that they don’t want either!

Worms can also crash web servers by duplicating themselves. It can stop geographical systems to stop working. They wreak havoc on system memory and if you are on the internet, take up bandwidth. Worms are definitely BAD!

Again, good virus protection software can catch a funky worm any day of the week. The key is to keep your subscription updated.

Is it by chance that the Ohio Players had this in mind when they wrote that song?

The only thing good about SPAM is that you can have it with anything. It’s really good with potatoes, grits (if you’re Southern) rice or on a piece of bread cooked real good. SPAM has been around for years.

So it baffles me that the computer gods would define something good as SPAM as unwanted, unsolicited email that can include viruses and that is malicious. I’m stumped at that one.

Unsolicited email is also a problem and they can hide viruses too. All of a sudden, you are retrieving your email and you get a subject line called “Cup Cake Brown”. Now who in the world would address themselves as “Cup Cake Brown?” Then all of a sudden, you see these weird characters that look like this:

&866*)*-

Or you’ll see a statement in the subject line that looks like this:

You Need to Do This

Fear not computer user…you are being SPAMMED!

What happens in this case is that software programs are built to emulate and randomize email addresses. If the software is in the ball park of what your email address is, then you automatically get send email that you do not want. This is annoying because some e-mail clients don’t really focus on defeating the problem.

All e-mail clients are installing SPAM controls into their software. Some are weak and some are okay. Usually, web-based SPAM programs included with Yahoo and Hotmail will send your SPAMMED email to a Bulk Mail folder so that you can inspect it before deleting it. E-mail clients, such as, MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express have routines that you can customize to keep unwanted email out of your system.

Opening these emails will cause a boat load of problems and actually sink your system. There is a federal law against SPAMMING that if you get caught, you can be fined or face heavy jail time if you a ruining someone’s data. SPAMMING is a serious offense.

You also have to watch out what you subscribe to on the Internet. Again if the company is not reputable, don’t sign up for newsletters or emails unless you know the company has a reputation and is viable. Don’t let SPAM email turn your stomach!

For those that have decided to walk into the world of technology, they may be overwhelmed by the types of knowledge that are available.  There are several code languages and words as well as different areas that you can move into.  If you are a beginner in technology, you can find programs that will help you to move past the first level.  Learning basic PC skills through IT Certification is an easy way to begin to understand the several levels and languages of technology.  However, before deciding to get IT Certification for basic PC skills, you will want to narrow down which types of PC skills you will want to get. 

The first types of basic skills that you will be able to get are related to PC fundamentals.  A PC is short for personal computer, meaning that you will learn everything about the computer that you need to use.  This will teach you the basics of how to use a computer.  It will also allow you to understand how the computers can function and what types of things they can do.  If you have never used a computer before, you can also become certified with a keyboarding class.  This not only helps to learn the basics to make typing easier, but can also allow you tips and techniques to build your speed when typing.  This certification is also good to look into if you are in a work area that requires a certain speed when typing. 

If you have already moved past the basics of PC skills, then there are other classes that you may be interested in.  Several vendors that offer the IT Certification will also provide classes on expanding basic knowledge for certain types of software.  One of these areas will focus on learning how to file different types of information with the best programs.  You may also be able to learn easier ways to compute, with specific tools given in relation to programs available on your computer.  There are various types of software and hardware that make saving and receiving information easier to put into the computer and save. 

Basic PC skills may also offer beginning areas that will lead to the other courses being offered.  For example, if you are interested in graphics, the basic PC skills can offer you introductory courses to what is available.  You may also be able to find quick guides for things such as how to use a digital camera or how to use other external sources for your personal computer.  These can all help you to begin to move into the world of technology. 

Within each of these types of classes are also several ways that you can study the courses and take the exam to move to the next level.  Vendors will offer quick guides for technology areas that don’t take as much.  They will also offer self learning courses that will allow you to read the material and take the test without any help.  For those that are more interested in a different type of learning, online courses or courses at a local community college or university are also available.

If you are noticing the changes in technology, as well as realize you need this skill, then getting IT Certification for basic PC skills is a good place to start.

The main purpose for IT Certification with desktop publishing is to show that you have adequate skills to take on consulting projects in the area of computer graphics or layouts. The first type of concentration you can have is with delivering effective presentations for your business area.  You can do this not only by creating documentation, such as newsletters and flyers, but also by using technology effectively when you have to give a report or a speech.  Desktop publishing can make sure that the presentation of your material is organized and has the visual materials to represent what you are speaking about. 

The details of desktop publishing rely on making a presentation that is varied.  This will include varieties of layouts.  For example, if you want to present text by a graphic, or if you want to change the text in the presentation, you can use these publishing tools.  You will also be able to manipulate things like color in order to prepare an effective presentation of materials.  Not only can you get a beginning certification in this area, but you can also advance in these certifications, allowing you to take several levels of the class. 

The first type of desktop publishing that is available is known as Adobe.  This program has a large variety of software that can be used for your purposes.  They are known for providing those using the material with a professional looking layout that can then be posted on the Internet or sent to someone through virtual use.  For example, you can create flyers that can then be posted on an Internet site or sent to someone to give them information.  You can also create images for a Web site.  Adobe will also allow you to present things such as catalogs to present your information to others in a professional manner. 

Adobe Certification is divided into three areas.

The first is known as Adobe Acrobat.  This particular type of presentation software focuses around presenting text in a professional manner.  You can not only present your text over these files on the Internet, but can also send them to others to edit.  Through the tools that are available on Adobe Acrobat, you can use professional tools to revise and improve your text. You can also turn security features on in documents that you create in Acrobat.

The second type of Adobe Certification is known as Adobe Frame Maker.  This not only allows you to apply text to a certain area, but also allows you to add in varied formats, graphics and objects.  FrameMaker will also give you the ability to have page layouts that differ from regular presentations. 

The last type of Adobe Certification that you can focus on is known as Adobe Page Maker.  This has all of the above qualities of the other ones, and also provides you with ways to present your material in a publication manner.  This allows you to convert your text to HTML, or computer language format.  It also provides color and text manipulation.  This program is often used for things such as publishing e-books.

The Computer Systems Auditing field has really exploded in the last 15 years and this is due to the rise in systems being used at the small business level, handling three times as much data as before. If you are a small business with a network, you should have some type of computer audit program in place.

A computer security audit is a systematic, measurable technical assessment of how the organization’s security policy is employed at a specific site. Computer security auditors work with the full knowledge of the organization, at times with considerable inside information, in order to understand the resources to be audited.

Security audits do not take place in a vacuum; they are part of the on-going process of defining and maintaining effective security policies. This is not just a conference room activity. It involves everyone who uses any computer resources throughout the organization.

Computer security auditors perform their work though personal interviews, vulnerability scans, examination of operating system settings, analyses of network shares, and historical data. They are concerned primarily with how security policies - the foundation of any effective organizational security strategy - are actually used. There are a number of key questions that security audits should attempt to answer:

• Are passwords difficult to crack?
• Are there access control lists (ACLs) in place on network devices to control who has access to shared data?
• Are there audit logs to record who accesses data?
• Are the audit logs reviewed?
• Are the security settings for operating systems in accordance with accepted industry security practices?
• Have all unnecessary applications and computer services been eliminated for each system?
• Are these operating systems and commercial applications patched to current levels?
• How is backup media stored? Who has access to it? Is it up-to-date?
• Is there a disaster recovery plan? Have the participants and stakeholders ever rehearsed the disaster recovery plan?
• Are there adequate cryptographic tools in place to govern data encryption, and have these tools been properly configured?
• Have custom-built applications been written with security in mind?
• How have these custom applications been tested for security flaws?
• How are configuration and code changes documented at every level?
• How are these records reviewed and who conducts the review?

These are just a few of the kind of questions that can and should be assessed in a security audit. In answering these questions honestly and rigorously, an organization can realistically assess how secure its vital information is.

As a small business, your audit checklist might not be that detailed but these are some of the questions that you want an outside auditor to ask just in case you decide to have your system audited.