Workstation security
should be a subject that is near and dear to your heart as a computer
user. Last month, I talked about the importance of ensuring that
you install and maintain updated antivirus software on your workstation.
This month I have
another topic to discuss with you that pertains to workstation security
issues that you should be aware of— Trojan Horse programs.
What are Trojan
Horse programs and how can you become infected with one?
Basically, they are malicious, security-breaking executable programs
that are disguised as something innocent or benign, such as an electronic
greeting card, a game, screen saver, or MP3 music file. When you
open the hidden Trojan Horse executable that is contained within
the greeting card, game, etc., these Trojan Horse programs begin to
unleash a slew of problems, such as erasing or modifying your files,
allowing someone to remotely control your computer and use it in denial
of service attacks against other entities, and allowing someone to
record your “keystrokes” when you enter your passwords, credit card
numbers on internet sales transactions, read your email, and record
the sites you visit on the Internet while “surfing.”
How can you
prevent this from happening to you?
The most important step you can take is to maintain an updated antivirus
software program on your workstation. Antivirus programs
are equipped to detect almost every known Trojan Horse program that
currently exists. As new Trojan Horses come out, the antivirus vendors
update their programs to protect you against them. A second important
step that you should take is to virus scan any downloaded files and
programs before you open and install them on your workstation. This
will allow your antivirus software to warn you that there is a problem
with a file and ensure it is deleted and not allowed to harm your
workstation.
Trojan Horses
can run on your workstation undetected. In other words, you will
never know that you’ve been infected with one until you get a call
that your workstation has attacked someone else’s workstation or your
credit card has been used to make unauthorized purchases!
So, be sure to
maintain updated antivirus software on your machine and next month
I’ll be talking about the risks associated with keeping your workstation
signed into the Georgia State University network 24 hours a day--in
other words, not logging off the network when you finish your work
or studies each day.