As we open our blog covering online businesses, I can think of no better place to begin than internet security. The internet is a vast electronic jungle, and if you enter without some form of security, it becomes a matter of WHEN, not if, your system will be attacked by some malicious software or virus. I have been online operating websites for many years and have seen this problem grow exponentially, so in this, my very first blog post, I feel it is important to raise the awareness of others regarding this issue.

What exactly is a computer or internet virus?

These are programs or cleverly designed software codes that will attack your system, loading themselves onto your hard drive to execute commands generally designed to wreak havoc and disrupt the peaceful operating environment as you have known it.

Many of these programs or codes will replicate themselves and spread throughout, often times causing systems to “crash” after using up all of the available memory. Some are designed to wipe away all data contained on your hard drive, including the operating system itself. Complete devastation is the objective.

The number of viruses has steadily grown from the 1980s, when estimates placed the count at a few hundred. Today the number probably tops 250,000, but no one knows for sure. New viruses are discovered daily.

Your line of defense must include antivirus software, which should be updated several times weekly. Additionally, a firewall should be employed as well. A firewall for PCs is a software package that prevents unauthorized access to your computer through the Internet. Firewalls may also be hardware devices that are configured to deny access from internet traffic based on a predetermined set of rules. The hardware versions are heavily employed by industry networks.

Each computer connected to the internet is assigned an IP (internet protocol) address. This number represents where you “live” on the internet. An IP address may read something like this “108.722.81.10″. This is your unique number and you may be scanned by any other computer anywhere in the world. Hence the reason you need security.

If you are reading this and are uncertain of your security setup, after reading go and find out. You may conduct a free test of your computer by visiting http://security.symantec.com. This is a service provided by Norton, who produces a host of internet security products.

If you find that you need a security product, do your due diligence and check around. There are quite a few on the market. Norton and McAfee are two of the heavy hitters.

Whatever you do, be certain that your security team travels with you at all times while on the internet. It’s a jungle out there!

Be safe, not sorry.

In the event that you do not have the recommended protection and to assist you with the selection process, click here http://internet-security-suite-review.toptenreviews.com/ for the top rated packages in the industry with reviews for each. If you have security software, remember to update it at least twice weekly.

In addition to antivirus and firewall protection, you should keep your OS (operating system) up to date as well. “Patches” for weak security spots discovered in operating system software are issued somewhat regularly. These updates should be sought out and installed (if available) once weekly. Check to see if your OS is set for automatic updates. You may otherwise manually check for these updates at the publisher’s website.

Windows users may visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, Mac users tohttp://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/ and Linux users to http://www.linux.com/. I also recommend that you perform a system back-up before and after updating. This provides a restore point or fallback position in the event things fail to go as planned.

You should understand that no software package, including adware blockers, anti spam, anti spy, or OS updates will provide you with a 100% protection shield. These measures collectively however, will get you in the 80% to 90% range, which is still a far cry from the sure bet failure you’ll experience without them.

A few other tips and practices to consider:

• Do not open email attachments from unknown sources

• Do not click on links contained in email messages from unknown sources

• Do not provide personal information requested online (SS #, Bank Acct #, passwords)

• Turn off that modem, router, or otherwise disconnect from the internet when not in use

• Back-up your system regularly (once weekly as a minimum)

• Scan your system regularly with your security software

• Secure sensitive files to a flash drive or other off-system storage device

• Switch usage between web browsers regularly and keep them updated

• Set passwords that carry a degree of difficulty (no names and birth dates)

• Change the name of your system’s administrative account (everyone uses “administrator”)

• Be cautious in what you download

• UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!

I realize that many of these tips seem like everyday common sense, but malicious computer users continue to employ these dirty tricks for one simple reason. They continue to work.

There are many, many other techniques and methods to enhance your online protection (too numerous to cover here), but these basic steps will at least allow you to sleep at night. Exercise caution and enjoy the vast cyberspace where we work and play. This electronic real estate is wonderful, but you must travel with your security team at all times.