Anti Hacking Tips For Home Based Online Business

Michael Bloch

In previous articles, we've looked at protecting your online business in relation to credit card fraud and web site hacking (links to these at the end of this article), but another very important aspect of online security focuses on your most important tool - the computer itself.

Many of us work from home and why not - it's comfortable, we can dress the way we want, save time and money in travel and be close to our loved ones. But if the computer you use to run your online business is the same one your children use for homework and general surfing, this is potentially a very dangerous situation.

The following are a few anti-hacking tips that will help in keeping your systems secure.

Install anti-virus software and ensure that it's regularly updated - this is of the utmost importance. Many times I have come across people who believe that because an anti-virus program is installed they are protected, yet the last time the virus data file was updated was a few years ago. Even missing one update could bring down your computer and the business you have struggled so long to build.

Password protect the settings on the software so no-one else can alter protection levels. Most anti-virus programs also offer some protection against Trojans, which aren't actually a virus, but a small program that allows others to control your computer.

You can download free anti-virus software from http://www.grisoft.com

Anti-virus software isn't enough - it's also a good idea to install firewall software which will help prevent unauthorized incoming and outgoing communications from your computer while connected to the Internet. Password protect your settings so they can't be interfered with.

You can download free firewall software from http://soho.sygate.com/products/shield_ov.htm

Turn off your preview window in your email program. Some viruses, called worms, can infect your system without you clicking on attachments - just by you having your preview window open. Some worms can cause your sensitive information and documents to be transmitted to millions of people. Be very cautious in opening attachments, even if it appears to come from someone you know - their system may be infected.

Disconnect your computer from the Internet when not in use. The longer you are connected to the Internet, the more opportunity you give for persons to gain unauthorized access.

If your computer is used by others, carry out regular audits of the software on it and research any software that you discover that you haven't installed yourself. It's safest to make it a policy not to allow any software to be installed without your permission.

Monitor your children's computer usage carefully. They may seem to be "experts", but more often than not they will have very little idea of the ramifications of some of their actions whilst on the Internet. Close supervision is especially necessary in chat rooms as these are places where Script Kiddies and other undesirable elements of the online community are very active.

If you must store usernames and passwords on your system, ensure they are contained in a document that is password protected. It is safest not to store any passwords on your computer. Don't let Windows "remember" passwords for you. Passwords should always be more than 8 characters long and contain a mixture of numbers and letters.

Ensure that you log out of online services properly. Failure to do so can allow others who use your computer to gain access to those services and you can be blamed for their activities.

The fight against viruses, script kiddies and other online parasites isn't getting any easier for online business, increasingly I find more of my time taken up with attending to these issues.

We can only hope that in the future detection methods become so efficient and punishment becomes so harsh that these kinds of incidences stop occurring. But if the history of our species is any indicator - that's highly unlikely to happen.

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