Contact Tony Bradley, CISSP-ISSAP

F.A.Q.

1. Q. How can I tell if I have a virus?
   A. The easiest way to tell when you have a virus is to install and run anti-virus software. If you do not have any installed, or if it is not kept up to date and you feel your machine may be infected you can update your anti-virus application with the latest virus information from the vendor.
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2. Q. I received this email. Is it a hoax?
   A. There are certain key things that should raise your suspicion: Does the email urge you that you *must* forward it to everyone you know? Does the email offer you money in any way? Does the email claim to be the latest Microsoft patch or a virus alert from IBM? If you have reason to believe an email is a hoax, you can check this Hoax Encyclopedia.
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3. Q. What should I do to protect my home network?
   A.

   1. Install an anti-virus program (and keep it up to date).
   2. Do not open attachments on suspicious emails.
   3. Periodically check with your vendor for patches or updates and keep your system protected against known vulnerabilities.

   Please check out my Security Basics in a Home Computing Environment for a more in depth guide to home network protection.

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4. Q. Am I really at risk as a home user?
   A. Simply put- yes. If you connect to the Internet, or to other computers that connect to the Internet, or share files from other computers- you are at risk. Dial-up users have slightly less risk do to the limited timeframes they are online and the slow speed of their connection. More and more home users are using broadband connections (cable modem or DSL) and have their computers connected to the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week making them easier targets.
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5. Q. Are there simple or cost-effective ways to handle security on a corporate level?
   A. The simple, cost effective way to handle security is through good policy and education. Many virus or worm outbreaks could be avoided if users were educated not to open suspicious attachments. By ensuring that access permissions on the network are properly set to allow only those who need access you can prevent many hackers from snooping around. Do your research and look into free security tools that may help you protect the network without spending money.
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6. Q. What is the platform most protected from security vulnerabilities?
   A. All platforms have their pros and cons. The security flaws in Microsoft products tend to get the most media attention, but new flaws are discovered daily in almost all applications and operating systems. Each platform is only as secure as the person running it. Regardless of the platform you choose you need to be mindful of the new vulnerabilities being discovered and diligent about applying patches and updates to protect your system.
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