Patching Your Computer |
Article is yet to be rated |
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| Author:
| hartmch
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| Submitted: |
28-Apr-2007 19:41:03 |
| Imported From: |
The CyberArmy University (original author: )
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| This tutorial explains the importance of constantly patching your computer for security, as well as a number of statistics and places to get information about patching bugs.
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"Failing to responsibly patch computers led to 99 percent of the 5,823 Web site defacements last year." "85% (primarily large corporations and government agencies) detected computer security breaches within the last twelve months." "After significant analysis, the Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) found that the "Code Red" worm affected more than 359,000 servers in less than 14 hours." These are the headlines that we see daily on the news. Yet most people are too lazy or unaware to take the necessary steps to secure their computers. Every day new bugs are found that allow intruders to gain access to your computer. It is becoming increasingly important to take the proper steps to secure your computer. Throughout this article I will try to make you aware and motivate you to take the steps needed to secure your computers.
The majority of home users use a version of Microsoft Windows. If not properly patched they can be huge targets for computer vandals. You may think that you have nothing that they would want. In fact though many computer criminals use remote computers they have infected to launch attacks on other major servers. For this article I am just going to focus on the OS, but you should also check for security updates on programs you use (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Outlook, ETC). A good place to check for any security problems is www.securityfocus.com or www.securiteam.com.The first step you should take when securing your computer is to download the latest service pack for your operating system. Next go and check what security updates have been released since the last service pack. (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=/technet/security/current.asp?frame=true).
These updates are released on Wednesday night so be sure to check back weekly to see if you need any more. More information on Microsoft Windows security can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/security/.
There aren't many home users who use Linux. It is growing in popularity but most casual users don't even know what it is. Linux is an open source operating system with many different programmers contributing to it from around the world. Just like any operating system it can be very insecure if the proper steps aren't taking to secure it. If it's properly patched and hardened, it can be one of the most secure home computers or a very secure server. To find the patches that you need, you should go to your distributions website. A list of the security page for many different distributions can be found at http://www.reallylinux.com/docs/security.shtml.
Note: by hartmch
This article was originally published by CyberArmy.net in the CyberArmy Library.
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