Absolute PC Security and Privacy.pdf

You’d think commercial software would be free from viruses, and, nearly always, you’d be
correct. Incidences of commercial programs being surreptitiously infected are few and far
between. So while it’s technically not quite as safe as computing solo, installing a new shrinkwrapped
software program on your PC probably isn’t going to put you at any substantial risk.
In other words, it’s okay to install new software on your PC—as long as it’s from a major
manufacturer, and you purchased it at retail, in a shrink-wrapped box. You increase your risk
substantially by downloading software from the Internet, especially programs from companies
(or individuals) that you’ve never heard of before. (See “Downloading Freeware and
Shareware,” later in this chapter, for additional perspective.)
Moderately Safe Behavior
If you’re comfortable with using your computer to run commercial programs, and that’s all,
there’s no need to read further. Your system will be safe from infection until the day it dies.
However, if you don’t mind accepting a little risk, you can connect your computer to the
Internet and partake of many of the benefits offered by online computing. These activities
aren’t completely risk-free, but if you watch yourself, you can have a good time without
picking up any infections.
Web Surfing
Surfing the Web is a relatively passive activity. You input a Web site address, you click a few
links, you surf from site to site. No big potential for harm here.
Except…
There is the possibility that a Web page can contain embedded ActiveX or JavaScript code
that could launch a virus infection. You’ve actually seen some of this code at work if you’ve
ever visited a Web site that automatically launched an annoying pop-up window, or tried to
establish itself as your browser’s home page.
So it’s possible that you can surf to a Web page, have some malicious script launch in the
background, and then find your computer infected with a virus. However, it’s not likely, for a
number of reasons.
First, before any infected file is downloaded to your computer, you’ll see a dialog box asking
if you want to download the file. Answer no, and the file won’t download—and your system
won’t be infected. You’re only infected if you’re incautious enough to accept an unrequested
download.
Second, Microsoft and other browser developers continuously update their software to plug
any holes that allow rogue programs to be run in this fashion. While new holes are being
discovered every day, virus writers seldom have time to exploit the holes before Microsoft
issues a new browser patch. As long as you keep your browser up-to-date (which means
downloading and installing all the software updates), there probably isn’t much risk that
you’ll catch a virus by Web surfing.
Third, and probably most important, if you catch a virus from a Web page, you know who
gave it to you. In an environment where virus writers operate with the utmost secrecy, it’s