PC Maintenance and Security Tutorials

1. Displaying hidden file extensions.

The first tutorial I chose to view was “DIsplaying hidden file extesnions”. I have worked in IT and learned the meaning of many file extensions, but I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify some of my understanding. I would like to share why exposing file extensions is important. The tutorial explained how a virus can disguise itself as a document by changing the file extension. Documents end with the file extension “.doc’, while viruses end with “.exe”, which is the extension for applications. By adding “.doc” to a virus file, one can make the file appear as a document when really it is a virus. In order to keep ourselves from mistakenly opening one of these disguised viruses, it is possible to have windows always display file extensions. With the proper settings opening viruses is easily avoided. I was surprised to learn that by simply showing the file extensions a disguised file can be exposed.

2. Explaining what firewalls do and don’t do

The second tutorial I have examined is “Explaining what firewalls do and don’t do”. This is tutorial pointed out the key differences in hardware and software firewalls. The point of interest to share is that a hardware firewall does not protect you from virus installations. After hearing that, computer users will be convinced of the value of a software firewall on top of their hardware firewall. This tutorial surprised with its emphasis on having two lines of firewall defense. It is necessary to have both a hardware and a software firewall.

3. Explaining what intrusion detection software does

This third tutorial is my favorite. Anti-virus software can sometimes miss dangerous entities on your computer because they use a database. If a program installed on your computer is not in the software’s database, then it will not be spotted and your computer will continue to be at risk. Everyone should know this and then be aware of intrusion detection software, which scans the computer for suspicious activity. Intrusion software can tell when files are being altered, the registry of a computer is accessed and when key programs and processes are being stopped. Intrusion detection software also notices drivers that are installed on the computer. I was surprised to learn that intrusion detection software is an important line of defense beyond the anti-virus.