Virus protection and security issues
NOTE:
Good Enough Information Systems has changed its name to RealWorld Systems, and has a new web site at www.realworldsystems.net. We are partnering with a U.S. company that works with nonprofits and government in the States.
Most of the content of the goodenough.ca site is out of date. Since the collapse of the dot-com sector in late 2000 and early 2001, many services have shut down, merged or begun charging subscriptions. We are keeping this information the web for a while, since several of the services are still relevant and/or operating, but for up to date information on web services for nonprofits, visit Tech Soup.
We will not be updating the information on this site. However, we will be continuing our technology articles for Charity Village and other publications. See our list of articles and columns at www.realworldsystems.net.
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There are several precautions you can take to protect your organization and your computer from the dangers on the Internet. Email, viruses, file attachments and other security breach sources must all be considered. The most effective of the virus protection software utilities prevent initial infection rather than simply cleaning up after an infection has already occurred. If you don't already have virus protection software on your machine, you should, and remember to keep it up-to-date.
For more detail on security issues, see our Charity Village column on the topic.
What we recommend:
McAfee.com offers an online subscription service called McAfee Clinic which some of us use in combination with its technical support tools. With a monthly subscription to McAfee.com Clinic, you can scan for viruses, clean your hard drive and update your software.
Also worth looking at for good advice is ZDNet's Security Resource Center
Shields Up! This is a free assessment service that tests your computer or network for security holes. It includes a port probe to show you what data your computer is displaying and what information can be accessed by anyone across the Internet. Try it out for thrills.
Encryption Plus Folders offers a free encryption program that secures a full file folder without advertising or nagging to upgrade to the paid version. (The paid version ($50 US) will encrypt any number of folders.) We use it at goodenough.ca; it seems easy to install and use. Be careful with encryption programs, though - if you forget your password, or uninstall the program without decrypting your files, you have lost your files forever. Encryption will protect sensitive client or donor information from being exposed to hackers getting into your network, or to people who are using your computer when you’re out of the office. It’s especially good for people using home computers or laptops – laptop theft is increasing rapidly, and thieves are beginning to realize that the information on the laptop is often the most valuable thing about it. And home computers are usually poorly protected from external or internal threats.
Two free services that allow you to store passwords securely are:
1. Gator.com fills out forms and remembers passwords. Gator claims that it is completely secure, but we don’t know enough about its technology to know for sure. It’s easy to use, but has a couple of irritating features – you will have to write down your passwords somewhere else if you ever want to use them without Gator. Gator saves the passwords in a hidden format so you can’t see them. Gator also pops up onto your screen occasionally to offer unwanted coupons for advertised services. It sure beats remembering your passwords, though.
2. Password Safe is a free program from one of the best security firms in the world - Counterpane Labs. It’s the only password saving program that cryptographers seem to like. It stores all of your passwords securely encrypted on your computer, using the Blowfish algorithm. A single password unlocks them all. It’s a beautiful little program that we recommend highly.
Articles
Tough love: Keeping your Firm Virus-free in ZDNet is a good article on the processes that businesses can use to protect themselves from viruses.
For a basic PC protection guide, see PC Security Basics
By David Raikow in ZDNet.
Last updated on November 23, 2001
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