January 5 , 2005, WBLT Volunteer TV

With the global boom in the internet and even cheaper personal computers, hacking is spreading like an online wildfire.

Volunteer TV's Bob Yarbrough spoke with some computer experts about a seemingly easy way to avoid having your PC invaded.

It's easy to forget that the on-ramp to the information super-highway is a two way street.

You have access to a world of knowledge; a world of hackers has access to your computer.

That's why computer experts say before surfing the web, install a firewall.

"If you plug a computer into the internet, it will be compromised before you can patch the system. Firewalls are absolutely imperative," says Dan Thompson, from Fountainhead College of Technology.

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to and from a computer.
Without it, bank account information, passwords, credit card numbers, photos… basically anything on your PC could be stolen.
"That may be stuff you don't want to share with everybody in the world. A lot of times everybody in the world might have access if you don't implement some sort of security measures,” says Gerald Clevenger, from Fountainhead College of Technology.
Business systems are apparently the most vulnerable to hackers.
Studies show more than 80 percent of companies connected to the web, experience at least one hacker attack each year.

"The computers have their place. They have to have someone in charge of them, someone who knows how to keep them secure and how to create policies that allows people to get their work done, but not cause disruptions,” says Richard Rackley, Fountainhead President.
In East Tennessee, the Fountainhead College of Technology offers a bachelor's program in computer security.

Experts say simply installing a firewall is the quickest and easiest way to protect your computer. Most programs cost about $20 or $30, but can save you hundreds of dollars and lots of headaches down the road.

Protecting your Computer

Some pointers from VolunteerTV.com's Webmaster

Invest in a good Antivirus Program and Firewall Program: Sure, you may drop $50 for the software, but it is a lot cheaper than having to deal with identity theft.

Update you Antivirus/Firewall Software Regularly: Security software companies create new updates daily. About once a week is safe, if you are particularly nervous of an attack you can update more frequently.

Update your Operating System Regularly: For most that's Microsoft Windows (though some use Mac, Linux or others). You should check for updates when you check for Antivirus/Firewall updates. In the past six or so months Microsoft has put out several security updates, you should probably get them. Scratch that, you should DEFINITELY GET THEM! [ Microsoft Update Website ]

Be Familiar with what is on Your Computer: If you know what is supposed to be on your computer, you will know what is not supposed to there.

Become more knowledgeable: If you have some spare time on the internet, try Googling (you can use which ever search engine you like, I like Google-- it has a funny name) some keyword like “Internet Security,” pretty soon you'll have a good understanding of what's going on in the digital world and people will be asking you for tips. [ http://www.google.com ]

Don't be afraid to ask a professional: Most people have a computer expert at work and there many stores that sell computers have people who can help you; after all that's what they are getting paid for, right? The old adage is true: “There are no stupid questions."

Copyright © 2005 WBLT Volunteer TV, Knoxville, TN. All Rights Reserved

About Fountainhead College of Technology's (FCT) Center for Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Training (IACT)

Fountainhead College of Technology, formerly Tennessee Institute of Electronics, was founded in 1947 and is committed to using it resources to significantly contribute to efforts to secure the nation's critical infrastructure. In 1999 the college began offering an associate's degree in Information Technology with curriculum developed to include information security training. In 2002 the college began development of a baccalaureate degree in Network Security and Forensics; and in 2003 Fountainhead College of Technology became the first college in the southeast to offer a computer security focused baccalaureate degree. The mission of the IACT center is to develop and maintain a strong information assurance curriculum that adheres to national standards, and to also address the cybersecurity needs of the community by offering training and support for Fountainhead College of Technology students, staff, and faculty; local law enforcement; government agencies; and information technology professionals.

For more information, please visit the official IACT website at: http://www.iawire.org, or contact Tammy Alexander, Program Coordinator at tam@iawire.org.