Security Recommendations

Trojan Horse Attacks...
Counterfeit websites may also attempt to trick Users into downloading a Trojan horse with the objective of gaining control of victim's computer.

The email attachment in fraudulent e-mails usually is a Trojan horse. Again, the objective of a Trojan horse may be to gain control of victim's computer.

Keep your operating system and applications updated
Use Windows Update to make sure you have the latest security patches installed. Also check for updates to your application programs, especially Microsoft Office.

Use a hardware and/or software firewall
A firewall can protect your computer from malicious traffic. A hardware firewall/router (such as the many offerings of companies like Linksys, D-Link, SMC, and others) acts as a barrier between the outside world and your computer. A software firewall, such as ZoneAlarm, performs that function to a lesser degree but can also block malicious programs on your computer from sending data out to the Internet. Windows XP includes a simple firewall, but it is disabled by default. The free version of ZoneAlarm does a very nice job.

Do not run untrusted applications
Running any program that arrives via email or that was downloaded from the Internet can be dangerous. Only run applications that you wish to grant complete access to your computer and the data contained on it.

Use an Anti-Virus program
If you follow all of the above recommendations a virus will have difficulty infecting your computer. However, since a computer virus can be a vehicle for a criminal to gain total control of your computer and thereby any information stored on, sent by, or received by your computer, it is prudent to install antivirus software from a reputable source and run it regularly. Since new viruses are discovered daily, it is important to keep antivirus software and the virus definitions it uses for detection up to date at all times.

Educate yourself
Become a smarter computer user with regard to security issues. Here are a few places to start:

www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html CERT Home Network Security www.microsoft.com/security/home/ Microsoft Security Basics for Home Users www.isalliance.org/resources Common Sense Guide for Home and Individual Users www.nsa.gov/snac/ NSA Security Recommendation Guides grc.com/default.htm Gibson Research. Info on Spyware , Shields-UP/port scan. www.antiphishing.org/ Anti- Phishing Working Group www.securityfocus.com/ Security Focus community homepage pcvirus2000.web.cern.ch/pcvirus2000/ CERN antivirus support website security.web.cern.ch/security/passwords/ Password Recommendations at CERN security.web.cern.ch/security/Recommendations CERN Computer Security Recommendations