Internet Security Software

Internet security software is available to protect computer users from hackers who would do harm to businesses and individuals that use the Internet, and this kind of protection is available from many sources. Credit card companies and their customers are especially conscious of the necessity for securing websites to prevent identity theft. Fortunately, there are a substantial number of suppliers who can provide this important protection. Every time a credit card is swiped at a store, the information from the card is encrypted and can only be decoded with a key that is owned by the credit card company. Of course, outside these computerized uses of a credit card, the consumer is responsible for protecting himself from illegal use of his credit card by not giving the number to unauthorized persons, by not leaving it at a purchase site, and doing what he can to protect it from theft.

There are other reasons for any computer user to buy Internet monitoring software, and install it into the computer. There are people who find pleasure in damaging other people's property by putting viruses into the systems, usually via innocent-looking e-mails, that will destroy someone else's data. This happens all too often, so anti-virus protection is a must. This software stops viruses from entering an individual's computer and doing damage. Some of these viruses have been so destructive large companies have had their databases ruined, and when that happens the media is alerted so that everyone gets the message. The only good thing coming out of these massive invasions is that more people are armed with information that will help them avoid the problem.

Spyware that allows someone to enter another's computer and look around at what they are doing, steal important information, and cause mischief has become a growing problem for Internet users too. Internet monitoring software that blocks this activity is now available. The right of privacy is basic to Americans, and it is very troublesome to think that right is lost in this way. Law enforcement agencies have the right to look at computer activity of those they suspect of criminal activity, but the rest of us should be able to conduct our personal affairs without being under someone else's scrutiny. Fortunately, the computer program creators have come up with tools that help computer users to protect themselves.

Encryption software that protects sensitive information is available to small consumers as well as large companies. If a person needs to send important information that shouldn't be read by anyone other than the recipient, there is Internet monitoring software that does the job. For most people, this particular software is not a priority, but it's important to know it's there if needed.

In the wake of natural or man-made disasters, another Internet security software that would be very valuable is disaster recovery software, and that is now available. Small and mid-size companies could benefit from this particularly, because there is not an off-site data backup they will be able to access after the hurricane floods their offices or the tornado destroys their building. Daily backup of systems should be routine for companies of any size, but even those disks or tapes can be destroyed in a disaster, so this recovery capability would be vital to continuing the business.

Still another type of Internet monitoring software is known as the firewall. This software monitors the connections between the machine and other computers on the Internet and/or LAN. Extensive logging shows detailed history of the computer's activity. The content management portion of the program allows the user to create a list of sites that would be blocked while surfing the Internet. This is particularly valuable to parents who want to limit the sites their children have access to, as well as companies that wish to limit the Internet activity of employees. The protection from this Internet security software is always there, once it's installed, so there is a secure environment where needed. Safety in all areas of life is important, but there is nothing so safe as putting ones life in the hands of God. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

Most Internet browsers have at some time been annoyed by pop up ads or spam. For those who don't already know about it, there is Internet security software available to block those mild but annoying intrusions too. The annoyance is relatively small when the pop up box includes the delete "x," but some are without that and the computer user must enter the site before being able to zap it off the screen. That constitutes a major interruption, and most people will prefer blocking it altogether. All in all, whatever kind of security violations a computer user wishes to protect against is available, and the costs of most of them is not prohibitive.

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