ACCTTS, LLC (C) 2001: IPTTS Info Protection Overview

Following the recent problems with Internet worms
such as Code Red . . . Microsoft have offered up
a 'Personal Security Advisor' (MPSA) system:

Microsoft Personal Security Advisor (MPSA-Demo)
is an easy to use web-based application that helps you
protect your Windows NT™ 4.0 or Windows 2000™
workstation privacy and productivity.

MPSA will scan your system and build a customized report on items such as – missing security patches, weak passwords, Internet Explorer and Outlook Express security settings, and Office macro protection settings.

* * For each weakness identified on your computer, MPSA provides easy to understand information on the security issue at hand, how to fix it, and links to additional information about the issue.

Once you correct a reported deficiency, you can run the scan again and see the results of the change. Running MPSA on a regular basis helps ensure your system's configuration stays current and secure.

Shavlik's online self-audit coach can be found HERE and is very relevant tool for those of you on broadband connections.

If you don't run a fully functional firewall
then this should be a requirement for always-on connections.

We'd also like to point out the following system for those on any other operating system:

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
[Shields Up! @ Gibson Research Corporation]

It's somewhat less complex and should be ideal
for Windows 9x/ME™ and Linux etc. users trying to find security holes / gaps in their systems that need to be plugged.

Every reader to this site
would be well informed to try either or both.

Source: www.ispreview.co.uk/archives.shtml [29 Aug 2001]

With the growth of digital business and communications, security has become a key issue. It's important that information can be shared safely between colleagues, customers and suppliers. Security is also vital for encouraging customers to purchase online.

And if your business can't demonstrate a commitment to security, you run the risk of losing your place as a supplier.

Key facts:
On average, 60 per cent of organisations have suffered a security breach in the last two years¹

During 2001, the number of emails containing viruses detected by a leading scanning service rose above the one in 400 mark²

Unchecked viruses could cost businesses £907 billion world-wide by the end of 2002³

One survey found that 90 per cent of sampled businesses had experienced computer breaches in a 12-month period - up from 62 per cent in the previous year⁴

Security breaches are often caused by poorly implemented internal processes, lack of staff awareness and lax controls on contractors

40 per cent of breaches in security are due to operator error⁵
Not just adding to your costs: Getting your internet security right has significant benefits. In fact it could add value to your business by removing some of the barriers to doing business online. Operational continuity safeguard investments can help sustain your business's integrity, improve reliability of your service and give greater confidence to your customers. DTI Information Security Breaches Survey 2000. Message Labs, reported in the Guardian newspaper, August 2001. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC). Internet Security Investor Handbook - Lehman Brothers, March 2001. DTI Information Security Breaches Survey 2000.