Toptipsto fightoff anyattacks

Jun 30 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

TEES Valley experts give their top tips to keep cyber attackers at bay.

Ensure your computer is equipped with the latest patches and updates, says Thornaby-based insurance broker Towergate Risk Solutions Teesside. Regularly updating your computer can block attackers from being able to take advantage of software flaws that they could otherwise use to break into your system.

Jonathan Wheatley of Stokesley IT firm MC Ware suggests that firms install a strong firewall on their network and buy security certificates that safely encrypt sensitive information (eg credit card details) during online transactions. Certificates can be purchased from verisign.co.uk

Mark Easby advises companies to consider whether sharing certain personal/ company data over the internet is necessary. The managing director of Stokesley communications firm, Better Brand Agency, says: “If you wouldn’t shout it in a pub, don’t shout it online.”

Protect your computer with security software, says Michael Grayson, director of forensics at Darlington accountancy firm Clive Owen & Co. Most firewall, anti-spyware and antivirus programs are either free to download or carry a small regular subscription charge.

Never click on a link in an e-mail, says Angus Marshall, a forensics specialist at Teesside University. It’s safer to type the address in the toolbar because the link could re-direct users to other harmful sites.