Security: New Security Features Protect Computers from Lost Data and Spying
Author: Scott Davidson
January 2007
by Scott Davidson
Every company that relies on information technology—and, these days, that’s every company—must have a plan for ensuring the security of its computers. Businesses large and small are in competition not only with other companies but also with purveyors of malicious software, viruses, e-mail spam and phony Web sites designed to extract crucial personal information from users that can rob them of their dollars, their identities and ultimately their brand integrity.
Software innovators, however, have been working hard to remain ahead of scammers, providing businesses new levels of protection that can be built into their servers, desktops and laptop computers. When evaluating expansions, upgrades or replacement of current technology, therefore, companies should examine the most current capabilities that provide some major advances in securing data and computer operations. Of special interest are five areas where businesses have become more empowered to secure their information technology:
- Antispyware software. Spyware is malicious software that often is covertly attached to freeware or shareware that individuals download from the Internet. With its hidden code, spyware can gather information about e-mail addresses, passwords and often credit-card numbers. New anti-spyware applications help defend against such intrusions by spotting and alerting users to its presence. Users can run scans of their hard drives to allow anti-spyware to find, quarantine and remove malicious software; and the best anti-spyware protects computers in real time as the threat presents itself. Anti-spyware also can be used to remove viruses, worms, bots, Trojans and similar invaders; but use of anti-virus software is recommended to ensure complete protection.
- Loss of computers with their data. News media have reported frequently on companies and agencies where laptop computers have been stolen or simply lost and, along with them, the crucial data they contain is lost as well. The newest technology provides hardware-based and software-managed data protection. Even if a laptop falls into the wrong hands, no unauthorized individuals will be able to access the information in it. For example, the BitLocker drive encryption system in Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system prevents a thief from removing the hard drive and booting it up or using a software hacking tool; and it detects tampering, locking the system to protect it.
- Control over installation of device drivers. Often a thief steals the data without taking the computer simply by copying it on to a USB flash drive or external hard drive. New technology is available to block the installation of removable storage devices in a particular computer by anyone not authorized to plug in such devices. This feature helps prevent the theft of corporate intellectual property and other sensitive data.
- Protection against fraudulent international Web sites. The latest Internet browsers can recognize international domain names in Web addresses, meaning they are better equipped to find fraudulent sites both domestic and overseas, alerting the user to sites that look legitimate but that actually have been created by scammers to convince visitors to enter their user ID and password information, thus jeopardizing their financial accounts.
- Enhanced firewalls. Firewalls that block malicious code have been available for some time. The most advanced firewalls extend that protection, limiting access to files, the computer’s registry and company networks only to those that are legitimately required for a service’s operation.
The World Wide Web, sometimes can be a tangled web of hazards and intrusions; but innovators around the globe are working to make it a stronger, more securely navigated web that offers businesses both reassurance and new opportunities.
Scott Davidson is the Heartland Area General Manager for Microsoft’s Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners Group, which consists of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
