Pertingo Computer Support

This week, Symantec acknowledged that a hacker had stolen a portion of the source code to their flagship Norton Anti-Virus. The announcement downplayed the danger associated with the theft while offering tips to stay protected while using Symantec products. The whole thing brought to mind one of the questions most often posed to me by my Indianapolis small business computer outsourcing customers. They want to know how to be sure that their computers are safe from viruses, trojans, worms, and other malicious software.

My short answer is that you don't know. The people who write malware are some of the most intelligent programmers in the world. They spend long hours working thru software applications to find odd behaviors that they then try to exploit to their advantage. This group used to consist primarily of young boys with little better to do. Today, hacking is big business and getting bigger. A talented programer with a tiny conscience can make a lot of money on the wrong side of the law. So the long answer isn't much more enlightening, but it is a little more hopeful.

Another change in the professionalization of hacking is that hackers, for the most part, aren't interested in the data on your computer. They want to use the storage, processing, and bandwidth of your computer to go after more lucrative targets. That's the good news. If your computer has been hacked, you probably don't have to be overly concerned with your personal data. The bad news is that so much bad software is out there, not to mention infected websites and emails, that you will become infected sooner or later. A good anti-virus program helps a lot. Sound computing practices - not clicking OK just because OK is there - help even more.

Good computer network services companies use professional anti-virus software that is centrally monitored and managed to help minimize network infections. They also work with their computer help desk customers to provide information on good computing habits. These two steps reduce your chances of infection greatly because there are so many computer owners who don't take these steps. It's like the old saying, "A locked door is to keep honest people out, but an unlocked one is inviting to the crooked."