Internet Security - Test

This is a small game to play and see if you could be a target to phishing scam, it was developed by Carnegie Mellon University and you can access it here on their website. Help fight the phishing SCAM by getting your employees to play the game!

Ten steps to Internet Security.

Step 2 - OS patched.
Having a Genuine Operating Software and turn on auto patch is also mandatory. It will prevent your computer from being infected with propagating worms using old vulnerabilities

Step 3 - Care with attachment.
Don't open attachment you do not expect or if you don't know what they are, even if the sender is known to you. Viruses are sent using a spoofed email address and might look like the come from a friend

Step 4 - Install and use a firewall
If possible use a hardware firewall, virus are known to have the power to disable software firewalls so infected machines can then be hacked

Step 5 - Make REGULAR backups
You should regularly use an automated backup, like smart sync for PC or Time Capsule for you Mac.
This will create a copy of your important files. In addition, a Business should also have an Off Site Backup strategy where you contract a company to make Backup of your Data and take them off site and stored them in a fireproof safe.

Step 6 - Use strong passwords
Use a password that contains a min of 8 characters with symbols and numbers. This would slow down a password cracker. Passwords that are shorter than 8 characters can be cracked in a matter of minutes.

Step 7 - Care when downloading
Use extreme care when dowwloading files and installing programs. Only use trusted source, do not install cracked software, they usually come with keyloggers to steel your business passwords or bank details.

Step 8 - Use legal software.
Apart from the risk you are running being raided by the BSA, using illegal software is plain wrong, gives the wrong message to your employees or colleagues and promote a company culture where everything is acceptable, This could easily backfire on you when your employees will think it is ok to copy your customer lists etc... The other side of the coin is the risk of criminal activity embedded in these cracked software, you could be setting yourself up for a serious risk of data theft from your company.

Step 9 - Encrypt your Files
Nobody believes their data is at risk, until they leave their laptop in a taxi or at the security check at the airport. By then, you probably hate the feeling that you have no recent backup but worse, you might have lost some extremely confidential data and you never know who will find them. Install and use a file encryption program, encrypting at least your document area.

Step 10 - Be informed.
Read publications on Internet Security, be aware of the dangers, know the risks and the threats, they are changing all the time. Use the latest browsers like Firefox 3.0 which has automatic detection of phishing scam and other malware.