Using & Implementing OpenDNS

Before we dive into why you should use OpenDNS, we’ll need to explain what “DNS” is and how it affects your internet safety. Basically, when you go to a website like www.google.com your computer doesn’t know where it points to and will then ask the DNS server for the IP address (97.125.91.104). Most likely, you’re using your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) DNS server. Unfortunately, this can be the weakest part of your network/computer security. Your ISP’s DNS server has no security controls and could possibly even affect your internet speed. (more…)

Securing your Windows PC

The most common question we get asked is, “What antivirus program should I use?” The answer typically depends on the user; however, in most cases our solution is a free one. Here’s why: When a user pays for their antivirus protection, they often don’t realize that the virus definitions will expire after a certain time period… and users being human… they forget to pay or simply can’t afford it. Unfortunately, when I get an infected computer it’s often a new computer that came with a trial version and people just think that since it’s installed it should protect them after the trial period. When I inform our clients they’re often embarrassed, but I believe it’s most likely because they’re misinformed about how an antivirus (or a virus) works.

The first thing to know is that antiviruses detect viruses by either a definition or a heuristic test. Once the antivirus program expires, the virus definitions no longer update but it still may catch viruses through heuristic detection. In the most basic way, “heuristic testing” basically means that an antivirus looks for what “acts” like a virus. So, with this known, you may have guessed that the best antivirus program would be one that offers both forms of detection. Any program that does more than that, such as firewall protection or spyware detection is great. (more…)