Bijoy|Patel

Online: It requires a team effort from all the members of the office to keep their network Virus/Worm and Hack proof. Provided that each individual understands the importance of Company's Data and Records by not revealing it to unauthorized persons, the data is safe and secured. Also, limiting the surfing habits from your office computer to only required websites, decreases the rate of chances of your Computer/network getting Hacked or being infected with Virus/Worms.

Offline: If in your office you are not connected to any networks, your machine is safe against any Hacking but then make sure that you are the only one using the Computer by making it password protected. In case the Computer is shared among many users, try and distinguish and thus safeguard your workspace by creating respective User ids and that too password protected.

@office

Online: Getting online through Internet and/or through some network opens the gate of Hacking. Your Computer gets more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses with your going online. In case you surf safely there isn't any problem. Gateways for Viruses/Worms/Trojans are majorly through porn sites, hacking based sites, unrecognized sites offering any type of free downloads. unrecognized adult chat rooms and chatting/getting e-socialized with unknown person through IMs or social sites.

Offline: As far as you are not connected to the Internet or any network, you are safe against being hacked by Computers. But then the threat of Virus/Worm attack always remains. Entry point for Virus/Worms, offline are through pirated movie cds, pirated softwares and their cracks, unrecognized software cds, pirated games and their cracks and if you attach a flash drive/cd/hdd which is already infected with Viruses/Worms.

@home

On Computer Security... by Bijoy Patel

Tips for safeguarding your Computer against Virus attacks and Hacking.

i> Divide your Computer's workspace with individual login id instead of using a general id for all users. Also, password protect those User IDs for privatizing the workspace and thus securing the work area.

ii> Use popular firewall softwares while in a network or the internet. A firewall does not guarantee 100% security but than it increases the tediousness of the Hacker in case he/she is trying to invade your Computer.

iii> Use popular antivirus software to protect against Virus/Worm attacks. Keep updating your Virus definitions regularly through Internet. In case you are not using the Internet, get your definition updates from your Computer/Software vendor.

iv> In case you spend much time surfing over the Internet, also install Spyware, Malware, Adware softwares and also pop-up-blocker software commonly available over the Internet. These would save your time spent in reading and closing unwanted web pages.

v> Avoid surfing porn sites or sites which are trivial. Porn sites are one of the major base station of Viruses and Hackers. Also avoid downloading and installing softwares from the Internet which are not known to you.

vi> Beware of Social Engineers. They are persons who pretend to be technical persons working with your company and they call up asking for personal information like passwords, IP address etc. Your Computer may be having the strongest of firewalls but Social Engineers make their immediate entry into your Computer/Network through their art of talking.