Laptop users must work to keep personal data safe

In order to secure a laptop, users must have their software updated routinely in order to plug any newly discovered security holes. Also, laptops should be loaded with good anti-virus software. Finally, laptops should be secured behind a firewall that prevents malicious users or programs from gaining access to the machine and attacking security holes.

• Severe financial damage has been caused by computer security breaches, but estimating reliable costs is quite difficult.
• What are the basics one should follow to protect desktop systems and laptops?
• When a software company discovers a vulnerability in its software, it typically releases an update that can be downloaded over the Internet.
• Viruses, as well as worms and Trojan horses, are malicious programs that run on your computer.
• If you have an always-on broadband connection, chances are your company's computer network is randomly probed by criminal hackers.
• Once they stumble on a valid computer address, they try to exploit vulnerabilities in software or decipher passwords to gain access to your network-and ultimately individual machines and everything on them.
• Firewalls permit or block traffic or, in other words controls traffic in a network.
• A firewall may be integrated into the router or DSL/cable modem supplied by your ISP.
• Then there are software firewalls, such as the Windows Firewall which are built into Windows XP Professional with SP2.
• This means that, by default, all the connections - including LAN (wired and wireless), dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections - are protected by the Windows Firewall.
• One of the most basic of all is protecting critical business data.
• There are two basic kinds of backups: a full backup and an incremental backup.
• With Windows XP and Windows 2000  as well as Windows Small Business Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Server  it is possible to assign users different permission levels based on their roles and responsibilities within your organisation.
• Beyond malicious activities instigated by outsiders, businesses can be put in a vulnerable position by employees who engage in illegal and/or undesirable Web activity during work hours and on company-owned computers.