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Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses

As newer threats like phishing and identity theft dominate the Internet security conversation, it’s easy to become lax about virus protection. However, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses haven’t gone away. In fact, they’re only becoming more dangerous. According to Symantec’s new threat report, virus writers are driven more by profit than notoriety, “focusing on fraud, theft, and other criminal activity.”

What you can do:

• Install a good antivirus solution
• Use a personal firewall that has intrusion detection capabilities
• Keep your security programs, operating system, and browsers up to date
• Upgrade to the best new security software when it becomes available

Email, IM, and file sharing

While viruses actually cause the damage, email, instant messaging, and file sharing programs have traditionally been used to spread these threats from computer to computer. That trend remains intact. From viruses hidden in IM attachments to email-borne worms, virus writers continue to use our most popular communication tools to spread malicious software across the Internet.

Email programs are the most common means of propagation, delivering around 75% of the 50 top virus-like threats. Among instant messaging programs, AOL® Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Instant Messenger, and MSN Messenger spread the most viruses. Meanwhile, popular file sharing networks like Kazaa and Gnutella have become a popular vehicle for circulating malicious code, spreading almost one quarter of the 50 most common threats.

What you can do:

• Install an antivirus program that automatically scans email and IM attachments
• Maintain up-to-date firewall protection
• Use a good spam filter—whether it’s a stand-alone program or a tool your ISP provides
• Make sure you know who sent an IM or email attachment, and why they sent it, before viewing, downloading, or opening it. If in doubt, don’t open an attachment.
• Don’t click on links in emails or IM messages from people you don’t know
• Run an antivirus scan on any file downloaded from a file-sharing network

Home network security

Like virus protection, network security measures are often an afterthought in the face of new Internet threats. But overlooking network security is a mistake, especially for wireless home networks. According to Symantec’s latest threat report, the number of wireless network attacks increased by about 30% in the first half of 2006.

Left unprotected, wireless networks are an easy target for neighbors looking to piggyback on your Internet connection–not to mention cybercriminals who could use your network as cover for committing further crimes.

What you can do:

• Install personal firewalls on each of your computers
• Place a firewall at the gateway to your home network
• Change your network’s name from the default
• Use the most powerful encryption available
• Limit your wireless router’s range to the smallest convenient distance
• Use address lists to restrict network access to only those computers you authorize

Conclusion

Traditional threats, like viruses and hackers, are targeting home computers and wireless networks in ever more dangerous ways. So, even as you focus on emerging threats, don’t forget the basics—a good firewall, strong antivirus software, and smart download practices.

Related Links

Product: Norton Internet Security: Spyware Protection - Anti Virus Software
Report: Symantec Consumer Threat Report
Article: Managing Today’s Internet Threats
Norton Downloads
Viruses & Threats: Conficker Worm (aka April Fools 2009, April 1st Virus)