Why do I need security?
Home computer safety
Many home computer users ask this question, it's an interesting one because the answer depends very much on your point of view.
You don't!
One view is that security for home users is a non-issue, I disagree. Some argue that there's nothing worth protecting on a home PC, again I disagree. Others believe that their home machine is secure already, I hold the view that it's unlikely to be. So why do I have these paranoid views? Read on.
You do, because...
- Security issues for home users are just as real as security for business users, perhaps more so because home users don't have the resources behind them to ensure proper security. One of the main reasons for creating LockDown.co.uk was to provide these resources.
- There is information on your computer that is worth protecting. How about the Credit Card number you typed into that letter when you ordered a new pair of shoes? What about that private Word document to the solicitor? How about that email to your girlfriend that you'd hate for anybody to see, especially your wife! There's also those .JPG images that you downloaded from that website that your mate Joe told you about, you wouldn't want the kids to find those now would you.
- Everybody has a right to privacy, and most computers and computer software in use today isn't designed with this in mind.
- Your computer isn't as secure as you think, or just do a few searches for words like "exploits" and "hacking" at AstaLaVista or Googleto see what I mean.
Friday 10th July 2009 04:01
