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Internal
Security
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The
first doorway into your site is through the computer(s)
you use to update your web site.
Protecting this access point is as simple as enabling password protection
on your desktop or forcing login when your local files are uploaded
to your web server.
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Make
sure your username and password are at least eight characters
in length and are a combination of letters and numbers to
make them difficult to guess.
You'll likely have little to worry about when it comes to people trying
to attack or deface your department's web site using a computer within
the department, but it doesn't hurt to get into the practice of taking
nothing
for granted.
Especially
if your computer is connected to a larger city or county network.
In addition to securing your local computer against unauthorized physical
access, you must also protect it against unauthorized virtual access in
the form of viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.
This isn't so much a web site security issue as it is a requirement for
responsible computer use. The reason the high-profile viruses of the past
few years have had such devastating consequences is that too few computer
users take even basic precautions against being infected by malicious code
and then passing that infection along to others.
In your position, you can't afford not to utilize the latest virus protection
and firewall programs. Thankfully, they're very affordable and many are
free. |
Get
Virus Protection
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If
the computer you use for web design isn't protected from
viruses, worms, and trojans by the latest security software,
your first order of business is to protect it.
No matter how secure your web site is, the computer you use to update it is vulnerable
to a wide variety of malicious programs that can corrupt your data and spy on
your activities.
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| If
you don't have a network administrator, you'll need to install
virus
protection software yourself. There are several
available to choose from, just make sure that
you're diligent in downloading the latest patches and updates
and
in keeping your subscription current. |
Get
a Firewall
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| Every
minute that your computer is connected to the Internet,
either through a dial-up (modem) connection or through
a broadband (DSL or cable) service, it is at risk.
Virus software can scan your computer and your email for threats and
neutralize them, but can't protect you from direct attacks against your
computer while you're connected to the internet.
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A
firewall is a piece of software that monitors all incoming
network traffic and allows in only the connections that are
known and trusted.
More advanced firewall
software also monitors outgoing traffic to protect
you against programs that can infiltrate your computer and send private
information (like credit card numbers) back out over the internet.
As more internet users are upgrading to DSL or cable modem connections
and leaving their computers always connected to the internet, a firewall
is vital to ensure the protection of your data.
(If you've never used a firewall, after installing it you'll be amazed
by how many computers are trying to connect
to you over the internet every minute you're online. ZoneAlarm blocks
almost 1,000 pings (attempts to determine if my computer is connected to
the internet) and almost 100 direct attempts to access ports on my home
computer every day.) |
Pop
Up Blocker
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Although
pop-up ads aren't a web site security risk, they do
make life difficult if you spend significant time on
the internet.
Alexa, a division of Amazon.com, offers a free
toolbar that not only blocks pop-ups, it also adds a Google search box, related
link suggestions for web sites you visit, and a one-click link to Amazon.
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Next:
Protecting Your Server > |
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