When a computer connects to a network and begins communicating with others, it is taking a risk. Internet security involves the protection of a computers internet account and files from intrusion of an outside user.. Basic security measures involve protection by well selected passwords, change of file permissions and back up of computers data.

Internet security professionals should be fluent in the four major aspects:

• Penetration testing
• Intrusion Detection
• Incidence Response
• Legal / Audit Compliance

Details of routers

Network Address Translation (NAT) typically has the effect of preventing connections from being established inbound into a computer, whilst permitting connections out. For a small home network, software NAT can be used on the computer with the Internet connection, providing similar behaviour to a router and similar levels of security, but for a lower cost and lower complexity.

Firewalls

A firewall is a software program that has the ability to block any unauthorised ports on the computer. Firewalls are set up to record data of connection details. There are three different types of firewalls. A stateful firewall is a more secure form of firewall, and system administrators often combine a proxy firewall with a packet-filtering firewall to create a highly secure system. Most home users use a software firewall. These types of firewalls can create a log file where it records all the connection details (including connection attempts) with the PC.

Anti-virus

Programs can be made to help your computer, but some users can also create programs with intentions of destroying the computers data by being deceptive. Such things like this are known as Trojan horses, worms, viruses and spyware.

• Trojan horses are programs which pretend to do one thing, but in reality snoops out your personal data, or can end up damaging it. These types conceal their identity or true intentions and are usually quite hard to detect.

• Worms are programs which are able to replicate themselves over a computer network and in turn perform malicious actions. As a result it has the ability to affect other programs on the computer.

• Viruses are programs which are able to log into the personal files on a computer it has affected and as a result, can end up removing all of them. It can have serious side effects on a computers system.

• Malware can be classified as trojans with a limited payload and are often not detected by most antivirus software. They may require the use of other software designed to detect other classes of malware, including spyware.

Software programs such as antivirus software are the most useful in protecting your computer from harmful viruses. These programs are used to detect and eliminate viruses, but unfortunately are not as intellect to eliminate all viruses known! Anti-virus software can be purchased from any software vendor.