Most informed adults are pretty careful about where they go and what they do online, but most kids don’t think twice about the potential dangers lurking on the internet. As a result, many home computers are compromised because of children’s actions on the internet – and we never know about it until it’s too late.
Using a good internet security suite will protect your PC against most common internet security threats (if it’s updated daily). Ensuring that your system is up-to-date on the latest patches and security “fixes” will protect you against all known system exploits up to the date of the last “patch”. Taking these proactive measures is really important, but will guarantee that your system won’t be exploited.
Maintaining effective security on a PC also requires that the user takes care to avoid bringing in unwanted guests such as spyware, malware and intruders. A big part of internet security involves being overly cautious about which web pages you browse to, which hyperlinks you click on, and what files you download or open.
Adults tend to stay pretty informed and aware of the potential dangers that exist on the web and in emails. We have learned to be overly cautious, and avoid downloads and hyperlinks that might lead to trouble. Kids, on the other hand, usually have little concern for safety – particularly when a flashy pop-up ad or interesting email sparks their curiosity. As a result, children don’t think twice about clicking on a hyperlink to see something “cool”, or to get a free game or ringtone.
We cannot monitor everything kids do online, and the computer they use to access the internet is usually heavily infested with spyware and malware. Although internet security suites will protect the computer against the most common threats, even the best antivirus and anti-spyware products cannot protect against everything.
Here are some things you can do to help ensure the computer your child is using is safe, and that your family stays safe:
- Teach kids about internet security
- Get children their own computer – don’t let them use yours
- Give kids a “limited” computer account
- Ensure the computer is up to date
- Use a good spyware detector and remover
Explain that spyware is bad, and that it can cause the computer to do bad things. You cannot see it, and you don’t usually know it’s there until the computer slows down to a crawl. Spyware can lead to identity theft and monetary loss, and it can “crash” a computer. Spyware can also make your PC do bad things like host illegal websites, send illegal spam emails and attack other computers. Spyware comes from downloaded files, attachments, clicking on pop-up ads and clicking on hyperlinks.
Because of the potential danger of identity theft caused by secret spyware and malware, it is not wise to do any online shopping, bill paying or banking on a computer that kids use. Keyloggers (a form of spyware) are far too common these days, and if you have one of these hiding on your system, it will quickly pass confidential information to a thief. Before you know it, your bank account could be wiped out, or your identity could be stolen.
If you’re using Windows 2000, XP or Vista, set the kids up with their own user account that has limited rights. Don’t tell them the password to the account that has administrator rights. This will not keep them from downloading software, but it will prevent installation. Downloaded software is one of the leading causes of virus and spyware infections. Surfing the net with a “limited” account will also prevent a lot of spyware and malware from automatically installing when you land on a tainted web page.
Make sure your security software suite is set to automatically update daily, and that your subscription has not expired (an expired subscription is the reason for many problems). Also make sure you have set the Windows Update Service to download and install updates automatically – at least once a week. Make sure you are using the latest version of web browser too!
Although internet security suites have antispyware capabilities, no single product can ensure protection against all the new spyware variations that hit the internet every day. For this reason, it is best to use a secondary spyware remover for weekly system scans. The product I recommend is SpyCop, because it contains the world’s largest spyware database and will detect and remove spyware that other products cannot find. Use your secondary spyware remover in “manual” mode, so it doesn’t conflict with the “always on” protection of your primary security product.
For more information on SpyCop - spyware detector and remover, or to download a free trail.
For more information on computer security suites.
