Computer Protection
More than 30,000 PCs per day are being recruited into secret networks that spread spam and viruses. Some of the best-known recent viruses include:
- Love Bug
- Melissa
- Bubbleboy
- Code Red
- Nimda.
Viruses normally spread via e-mail (in attached files) by web browsers and by sharing files on discs and CDs. Some are self-contained programmes, while others are planted into standard applications (such as Microsoft Word and Excel) and ‘piggyback’ parts of their functionality.
- The respected Sans Institute, publishes a Top 20 list of hackers' favourite security vulnerabilities to help organisations find out if they are closing the most commonly exploited loopholes.
Your home and work computer system, which can be vital to you and your business, is also under threat from:
- Theft
- Unauthorised access
- Inappropriate usage
- Systems failure
- Email policy
- Fraud and scams
- Business continuity
- Incident Management
Further Information
Fact sheets on a wide variety of subjects relating to computer security can be found at the Department of Trade and Industry website
IT Safe – The UK Governments plain English advice to help protect computers, mobile phones and other devices from malicious attack.
Latest information
How can I help myself and my family prepare for emergencies?