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Home Computer Security: How to Make Your Home Machine More Secure

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Title: Home Computer Security: How to Make Your Home Machine More Secure


1
Home Computer Security How to Make Your Home
Machine More Secure
  • Laurie Walters
  • lwalters_at_psu.edu
  • Security Operations and Services
  • ITS_at_PennState

2
Just Minutes to the Internet
  • The iMac is the quickest way to get on the
    Internet. Its so easy to set up and use, youll
    be online and surfing the web in minutes
  • -http//www.apple.com/imac/

3
The Problem.
  • There is a tradeoff between ease of use and
    security for computers
  • To sell more products, companies have to make
    computers easy to use.
  • However, todays powerful computers plugged into
    the internet shouldnt be treated like any other
    new household appliance.

4
The Even Greater Problem
  • Internet being scanned constantly by
    self-replicating worms and deliberate attacks.
  • Hackers want to exploit computers with lax
    security to take advantage of hard drive space
    and relatively fast connections.

5
Common Security Problems for Home Machines
  • May include
  • virus infections,
  • backdoor/trojan infections where an unauthorized
    person remotely has complete control of your
    computer.
  • privacy invasions
  • warez (file-trading) servers installed,
  • your computer is used to attack other computers
  • destruction of files (data, operating system,
    etc)

6
Am I at Risk at home? Why?
  • Cable modems / DSL have a fast, always on
    connection that hackers can return to again and
    again. This atmosphere also provides a good
    breeding ground for self-replicating worms.
  • Camping out on a PSU modem keeping the same IP
    address allows hackers to scan your system and
    return at a later date to infect it.
  • Short dial up modem sessions Occasionally,
    security incidents occur on dial-up machines with
    both worms and hacking incidents.

7
How to Make Your Home Machine As Secure As at Work
  • Make sure your machine has good passwords
  • Patch your machine regularly
  • Use an anti-virus product
  • Use a router-based firewall or install a personal
    firewall
  • Use a VPN to connect to PSU resources
  • Know what is running on your system
  • Use good internet hygiene

8
Make Sure Your Machine Has Good Passwords
  • Most operating systems require a password to
    protect your computer from unauthorized access.
  • Passwords should not be dictionary words and
    should consist of 7 characters of mixed case
    including numbers, letters, and symbols.
  • http//www.alw.nih.gov/Security/Docs/passwd.html

9
Operating System Password Requirements
  • Windows
  • Passwords required for Windows XP Pro and Home
    versions, Windows 2000, and Windows NT.
  • Note With Windows XP Home edition you may have
    to boot into Safe mode to assign an
    administrator password
  • Passwords not necessary for Windows 95, 98, or
    ME.
  • Linux / Unix
  • Passwords required for all flavors.
  • Macintosh
  • Passwords required

10
Patch Your Machine Regularly
  • Computer vendors provide regular updates for
    their products that can protect against known
    security vulnerabilities.
  • Use automatic updates where possible (e.g.
    Windows update) or download updates from vendors.
    Try to download major / critical patches to
    removable media such as cd and install them
    before putting computer on the internet for the
    first time.
  • When you hear of a new major vulnerability or
    patch, try to install it as soon as possible.

11
Install an Anti-virus Product
  • PSU has purchased a site license for Symantecs
    Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition
  • Consulting and Support Services (CSS) provides
    user support for product
  • Norton can be downloaded at http//computerstore.
    psu.edu/
  • Update virus definitions weekly or more often if
    you hear of a new virus
  • Set virus protection to automatically download
    virus definition updates if possible.
  • Perform full Scan system at least monthly (if not
    more often)

12
Install a Personal Firewall
  • A personal firewall is a software-based filter
    between your computer and the outside world that
    is installed on your computer to protect it from
    unauthorized access by other external users.
  • Personal firewalls are configurable to specify
    which incoming and outgoing programs, ports, and
    IP addresses can be accessed.
  • Recommended personal firewalls that are free for
    personal use
  • Zonealarm
  • http//www.zonealarm.com
  • Tiny Personal Firewall
  • http//www.tinysoftware.com

13
Inexpensive Routers with Built-In Firewalls
  • A firewall that is firmware or hardware based is
    a separate device that physically sits between
    your computer and internet connection.
  • This type of firewall is generally more secure
    than a personal firewall and saves processing
    time on the computer that the personal firewall
    would otherwise be using.
  • Router-based firewalls can range in price from
    relatively inexpensive (60) to thousands of
    dollars.
  • This type of firewall device is highly
    recommended for home use and can protect many
    types of connections including dialup modem,
    cable modem, DSL, etc.

14
Two Inexpensive Router-based Firewalls
  • (Recommended by Skip Knoble hdk at psu dot edu).
    Thank you Skip!
  • Linksys Cable/DSL Router at Micro Warehouse (60)
  • http//www2.warehouse.com/product.asp?pf_idDEB27
    30blindviewcatpcThis is for Cable/DSL and
    quite usable for home use (1 to 4 ports).
  • SMC 7004ABR (80)
  • http//www.smc.com/index.cfm?actionproducts_show
    _descriptionproductCodeSMC7004ABR from
    http//www2.warehouse.com/product.asp?pf5FidDEB3
    144catpcblindThis is for Cable/DSL and also
    has an RS-232 port (for Internet connection via
    modem).

15
Use a VPN to Connect to PSU Resources
  • A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an encrypted
    tunnel between your computer and a remote
    machine.
  • There are several benefits to using a VPN,
    including encryption, authorization, and privacy
    (e.g. data between your home machine and PSU
    cannot be intercepted).
  • The PSU VPN service enables your remote computer
    to appear to be a part of the psu.edu domain.

16
Installing the Penn State Anywhere Virtual
Private Network (VPN)
  • VPN is provided free of charge to anyone with a
    valid PSU access account.
  • A simple download and configuration of the VPN
    client software is required in order to use the
    service.
  • See http//aset.psu.edu/vpn/index.html

17
Know What Is On Your System
  • You should periodically determine what all of
    your running processes are on your computer, and
    if they are valid.
  • You can analyze what processes are on your
    Windows system by downloading a tool such as
    TCPView, Fport, Inzider, or Active Ports. They
    can be downloaded from the links at
    http//www.personal.psu.edu/lxm30/windows/utils.ht
    ml
  • On a unix system, you can analyze running
    processes by typing the command lsof.

18
Use Good Computer Hygiene
  • Dont create non-password protected file shares
  • Think before you click
  • Be careful with e-mail attachments
  • Be careful about what web sites you go to.
  • Be careful when prompted to download software
  • Use good passwords and change them periodically
    for both machine and web sites you visit!
  • Look for padlock at bottom of web pages when
    submitting sensitive information.
  • Install minimal applications and services
  • Backup data frequently
  • Remove internet access when it is not needed

19
Presentation Available At
  • http//www.personal.psu.edu/lxm30/windows/windows.
    html

20
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