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There are many programs or combinations of programs
that can help keep the bad guys from messing with your computer and its
data. We can call this category of program Security
Programs.
Security software is one of the categories of special purpose programs we can group together as
Utility Programs. Some of these just tweak the
user interface and some perform highly technical tasks.
Security Programs
To do a good job of keeping your computer safe from random visitors or
from crime syndicates, you need several types of programs.
Types of security programs:
- Anti-virus: Continuously watches for incoming
attacks. Scans regularly for hidden malware. Repairs many kinds of
damage.
- Firewall: Controls who gets into your computer from
the Internet
- Anti-spam: Examines incoming email and sends known
or suspected bad messages to a special folder, Spam or Junk.
| Purpose: | To avoid
or repair damage from malware (a virus, trojan, worm or other
intrusive software) |
| Major Advantage: | Protection is easier
than recovering from a malware disaster |
| Major Disadvantage: | Must be configured
correctly to work effectively.
Must be updated regularly with new virus
definitions
|
Examples of security programs, some of which include several programs:
Norton Security Suite, Microsoft Defender, Avira AntiVirus, Windows
Firewall, Norton 360, Trend Micro Internet Security Plus, Zone Alarm
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Utility Programs
There are many categories of utility programs, including security software.
What is counted as a utility program depends on who is doing the counting!
The usual definition is that a utility program not application software that the
user uses to create a document or image or to play a game or to surf the
web. It does something to way the computer looks or behaves, often in the
background. [Some web sites that sell software include a lot more in their
Utility category, including games(!), money management software, genealogy
software, course management software, and many more.]
| Purpose: | To customize the way the computer
behaves, making it more efficient or easier or safer to use. |
| Major Advantage: | Better features or better user
interface than what comes with the operating system.
Special features for
keeping your computer running well.
Configuring your computer to suit the
way you work.
|
| Major Disadvantage: | Many are very
technical and require some expertise to use. |
Examples:
- Parental control programs block access (especially
for children) to web sites that are not suitable or are more likely to
result in malware attacks - NetNanny, K9 Web Protection, some operating
systems include some features.
- Encryption programs encode your data so that
to read it the user must have the right key code. Some operating systems
include some type of encryption. Could be for the whole disk, selected
folders, or selected files.
- Password management software remembers all of your
logon and password information so that you only have to remember how to
get into the password software - one thing! The file that records
your passwords is encrypted. - Password Safe, Roboform.
- Back-up software can automatically save a copy of
your data or the whole computer's contents to DVDs, tape, or to a data
site online. To be prepared in case a disaster happens, whether it is a
security issue or a dead hard drive issue, you need a back-up copy of
your important data. - Windows Disk Defragmenter, Norton SpeedDisk.
- Disk defragmenting software rearranges files
so that all parts of the file are next to each other. The computer will
scatter pieces of a file all over the disk, wherever there is some room.
Defragmenting makes it easier for the computer to find and display the
file.
See System Software: Utilities for
more discussion.
   
~~ 1 Cor. 10:31 ...whatever you do, do it all for the
glory of God. ~~
Last updated:
03 Oct 2011 |
2 - Applications:
Security & Utility Programs
