Security

Why do I need Security protection?  

Today, we take it for granted that we put locks on our doors and have alarm systems in our office to protect against theft and damage to our property. For the same reasons we also need to protect ourselves against criminal activity coming in via the internet. Criminals are now finding it more and more lucrative and less risky to indulge in crimes via the internet. Although the internet is indispensible it is a an entrance to your business from anywhere in the world, and if left unprotected is likely to result in some kind of loss or damage.

What kind of crimes are we talking about? 

Criminals attempt to gain access to computers with programs that secretly detect what you are typing and then they try to steal access codes and passwords to banking sites and financial information. This information is then used to access your account and steal money. Another sneaky method is to send you an email directing you to a clever but fake website asking you to verify account and passwords, which are then stolen and used to steal money from your account. This is called Phishing. Another common scam is to have a fake security alert that warns you that your computer is infected and directs you to a website asking you to pay money to remove the threat. The unfortunate thing is that security alert itself is an infection and paying money only gives criminals your credit card details. They then use these details for further crime and you are left with an infected computer.  Given the success of these scams you can expect even more elaborate and imaginative ways to scam and steal your money and threaten your business.

How do these threats get into my computer?   

The IT industry has given these threats common names such as viruses, spyware, Trojans and key loggers which are basically mini programs that run on your computer and interfere with normal operation and secretly send information to the criminals. A common source of threats is via web pages on the internet. Many web pages use mini programs to enhance the web site such as pop up windows, animations, drop down boxes and games. Criminals hide malicious codes in these programs which are then installed on your computer without you even being aware of it. You may even receive an email that looks legitimate but is sent by criminals which includes a link to a website that then downloads the infected program. This may happen in the blink of an eye. An email that says "your DHL parcel has arrived" is a common heading used to deceive.

How bad is it really? 

About ten years ago viruses were written by amateurs, were fairly slow, easily detected and usually came from one source.  These days they are developed by professional criminals and are much harder to detect and incredibly sneaky. In the year 2000 there were approximately 10,000 new threats per month. Now in 2011 there are 1 million per month or an unbelievable 1000 new threats per hour. Security companies are fighting and increasingly difficult battle to keep these threats at bay.

What is the best security protection for my business ?  

Simple security methods such as using complex passwords, not opening suspected SPAM emails and being generally aware of threats, goes a long way to keeping the criminals at bay.  You also need to have the best security software which has the best prevention and detection rates. It also needs to have protection against threats from email, SPAM, and websites and needs to be kept up to date with the latest threats.  If you are going to spend money on security systems you may as well get the most effective system on the market, which is why we use and recommend Trend Micro products.  The business grade 'Trend Micro Worry Free' for businesses with 5 - 50 computers is the most effective security protection on the market today.   The secret behind Trend Micro's success is their security protection network which detects threats from any computers with Trend Micro installed and then immunises all other computers against the same threat. That is the only way to keep up with the hundreds of new threats being introduced every hour.