Please don't hack into my PC...

[aznsurfer]

Hey geeks,

I don't want to be brainwashed and just believe what I hear but let's talk about security for a moment. Why should everyday users like myself be worried about security?

What is the worst case scenarios? Are we just all paranoid? Does it go beyond viruses in attachments that causes havoc on ones PC?

I mean how real are the issues? Is it like in the movies where people can just somehow log into your machine and steal stuff?

Hackers out there give me some scenarios that I should be aware of and how to prevent it.

What's a firewall and how do I know if I have one?


_______

 

[rudder]

no worries if you use dial up. If you have a cable modem for instance hackers could use it for DoS attacks.

 

[Sluggo]

You are surfing around the internet, your computer shuts down on its own, when you re-start it begins to systematically erase the HDD.

 

[Scootin159]

There are millions (or maybe even billions) of computers on the internet. Odds are that they aren't going to be interested in bothering with yours, unless you ask for it. Most hackers have targets & go for them.

Viruses are another story though...I would be sure to have a virus checker on any comptuer with an internet connection, but that should be enough (unless it's real sensitive data).

As for the home user....Just keep your virus checker & windows updated & you should be good to go.

 

[rgwalt]

If you are on a dedicated connection (cable modem, DSL, or a campus network) you should consider installing a firewall program such as zone alarm OR getting a hardware router, such as the model made by Linksys or SMC. The hardware router will do the same job as a firewall program from protecting your computer.

Ryan

 

[Imdmn04]

im not too worried about an attack since i have everything backed up in cdrs and on another hd. i wouldnt lose too much sleep over it.
but if you have important financial data on your computer, then you should get a firewall just in case of anything. because sh!t happens

 

[Sestar]

<< If you are on a dedicated connection (cable modem, DSL, or a campus network) you should consider installing a firewall program such as zone alarm OR getting a hardware router, such as the model made by Linksys or SMC. The hardware router will do the same job as a firewall program from protecting your computer. >>



No, no no, Hardware firewalls are more important then software firewalls(though running both is good ).

 

[luvya]

I don't even have an anti-virus software running in my PC. I take everything for granted

 

[Yzzim]

I don't run an Anti-Virus program either...though the last time I visited http://housecall.antivirus.com/ I did find a virus on my machine

 

[GooberPHX420]

What a lot of us here on Anandtech use for a firewall is called ZONEALARM. They have a free version and it works quite well.


CLICK ME! Download ZoneAlarm here...easy to config and install. if you need help ask us on here..

 

[luvya]

<< What a lot of us here on Anandtech use for a firewall is called ZONEALARM. They have a free version and it works quite well.


CLICK ME! Download ZoneAlarm here...easy to config and install. if you need help ask us on here.. >>



does it use a lot of computer resource? If not, I might give it a try. I don't have anything sensitive in my PC....maybe my porn collection if that counts

 

[yakko]

I am coming for your computer now.

 

[Nocturnal]

in all honesty, just back your things up, dont keep your child porn on your hdd, and well, that should sum it up.

 

[luvya]

<< I don't run an Anti-Virus program either...though the last time I visited http://housecall.antivirus.com/ I did find a virus on my machine >>



Damn, same thing happens to me a trojan virus which I don't even know how the hell it got in my computer

 

[Jfur]

Every user on the Internet should care because even if your system is not specifically damaged it may be used as part of a critical infrastructure attack. It's going to be more and more common and there are millions of unprotected machines just sitting there waiting to join in. It is relatively easy to make this difficult for hackers/script kiddies.

 

[Freejack2]

There are 3 things a person should do to my knowledge.
1) Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date.
2) Purchase some type of firewall software and of course keep it up to date.
3) Regularly check for and install the latest patches and updates for your operating system.

Doing these 3 things at least make your system a hard target and unless a hacker is determined to hack into your system they will probably pass your system and go onto the next one.
Still even doing all these things there are exploits that will come out and before they can be patched against some hacker will worm their way into your system and either trash it or put a zillion back doors into your system.

As a cable modem user, yesterday, I got 82 attacks on my system that my firewall detected. I have no doubts that sooner or later someone is going to get in and either backdoor or trash my system. There are no guarantees of safety these days.