Countermeasures for malicious internet users and/or activities

The most significant aspects of information security are confidentiality,integrity and availability. 

Before we kick start, i would like to define some cool keywords used:

Intrusion-An incident of unauthorized access to data or an automated information system.

Firewall- Is a program or hardware that monitors your computer communication between your network and the web to help stop intrusions. it controls all the inbound and outbound activities.

Attackers- also known as a cracker. It is a person who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to data.

ip address- Often called an internet address, it is an address uniquely identifying any device on the web. It is made up of four octets (32bits).

·         Install an antivirus software- Viruses has been around many years from now and doing dangerous activities like stealing passwords and they are still here doing the same thing but in a more sophisticated manner. In order to protect you some companies decided to be good to offer some of their solutions for free. Please read the terms and conditions before you download these free soft wares

Avast

 

                         

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

AVG

 

                                                                                                                 http://www.freeavg.com/?lng=in-en&cmpid=free

Microsoft security essentials

            

 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

Bit defender

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html#more_features

·         Install a firewall-The main play of the firewall is to regulate the communication between your system and the internet to help avoid intrusions.

There are whole lot of best free firewalls out there. Here is the list of some personal firewalls that I recommend:

Zone Alarm Firewall

 

  http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

Comodo Firewall          

                                                     

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                               

http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/firewall.php

Windows 7 Firewall Control Free (32-bit version)

  http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64950-order,4/description.html

·         All of your applications must be up-to-date and fully patched together with the operating system.

·         Avoid opening applications with suspicious origin or without the origin.

·         Disconnect your computer from the network when ever it’s not in use.

·         Avoid opening links from spam or any attachments in your mail- There may be dangerous programs in those links or attachments that will be activated only if you open them, and those programs may steal your passwords and other sensitive personal stuff.

·         Disable Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX.

·         Always remember to backup your important data, either on a CD, external drive, or secure online backup.

·         Close all ports that are open and not in use as it may be a way used into your system by attackers.

·         Disable scripting features in email programs.

·         Do not publicly dish your sensitive personal information on the internet or may it be any social network, website.

·         Hide your ip address whenever accessing online banking, online shopping sites. Here are the tools to help you hide your ip address to avoid being traced back, for protection from identity theft and eavesdroppers at Wi-Fi hotspots:

Tor- https://www.torproject.org/ Read more about Tor network…

Hotspot shield- http://hotspotshield.com/