Three Real Internet Dangers and Best Practices

October 2002

Hackers, Viruses, and bad Download Software are real problems that have plagued CIM-Data brokers who have installed or used Internet connections improperly. We have repaired entire networks destroyed by hackers, Viruses, and bad software downloads. THESE ARE REAL THREATS and are expensive to repair. In some cases, the server and all workstations have to be reloaded entirely from scratch. Prevention is far less expensive.

1. Hackers are potentially the most damaging threat to your network. They can do things in your systems for weeks or months without being detected. The only safe Internet connections we have seen are dial-up connections to CSIONet. Everything else requires a firewall. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that makes it nearly impossible for a hacker to get into your network. Hackers are real threats. It may take up to a year or maybe only a few hours for someone to discover an unprotected computer or network. Once in, a hacker has unbelievable access to files and you are totally vulnerable.

Some of our offices have figured that since only one of their computers were attacked, that is all that they risk. Not True! A good hacker only needs a single computer to get into your entire network.

2. Viruses are the most prevalent problem. Recent Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses have become so powerful, that they can go in, grab administrator passwords, and send them back to hackers. Other Viruses can travel from one machine to another in your network in a microsecond. Once one machine gets infected, all the others can get infected, bringing down your entire network.

Your only real true prevention is to install up-to-date virus software and Virus definitions on ALL computers whether or not they are connected to the Internet. If you have old virus definitions, you may not be protected from new viruses.

3. Downloaded Software represents an important problem. We have seen many of these programs interfere with legitimate business software or make workstations unstable. The only prevention is to make it a rule, that no one is to download programs unless from an approved site, such as Microsoft.

You can run safely and trouble-free on the Internet for years if you are wise enough to take proper precautions before installation and keep good habits after installation. If in doubt, seek the expertise of an experienced technician to guide you in your new endeavours. Good Luck!