Computer security experts recognize three different types of computer security—physical security, network security, and executable security. Each different type has it’s own risks and it’s own implementations.
It All Starts With Physical Computer Security
Physical computer security is the most basic type of computer security and also the easiest to understand. In short, anyone who has physical access to the computer controls it. Passwords, hidden files, and other safeguards can’t keep out a determined attacker forever if he can physically access your computer.
Computer hosting companies take physical computer security very seriously—they hire guards, use secure doors, and even put computers on military bases or deserted islands just to keep them safe.
But most average people pay very little attention to physical computer security. For example, they put private files on their office computers—computers they leave unattended for 16 hours every weekday. Or they hand their computer with illegal files over to a computer repair technician without thinking that anyone who can fix a computer can access all of their files.
The same applies for External Hard Drives Security. It is ignored completely but people continue to store precious files on these devices and then proceed to leave them laying around for anyone to grab.
What You Can’t See Can Hurt You—Network Computer Security
Everyone today knows that the firewall is an essential piece of computer security. The firewall provides network security by blocking unauthorized network access attempts to your computer.
But the firewall only protects home computers. Servers on the Internet can’t use firewalls—their whole purpose is to accept access attempts from random strangers. This makes network security tricky.
Trickiest of all is the home computer that wants to be a part-time server. For example, you want to send a file or a print document to another computer on your home network.
Because network security is so complicated—and because networking itself is so important—most major computer security failures today are the result of network security problems.
Executable Security—What Happens When Things Go Wrong
But probably the security type we’re most familiar with is executable security—otherwise known as anti-virus security.
Blocking viruses is important, but it’s also big business, so it often gets hyped over the other types of computer security. Any half-way decent programmer can write a network computer security firewall, but most anti-virus software is written by teams of hundreds or even thousands of programmers due to its complexity.
We call this executable security because that’s what computer scientists call programs—executables. On Windows, especially older versions of Windows, an executable could do almost anything it wanted, so running a virus even once could ruin your computer.
Current versions of Windows include some protections against that, although the system isn’t perfect. Yet Microsoft’s progress has significantly increased executable computer security in the last decade, so we can only hope that it will continue to make our computers more reliable in the years to come.
My name is Mitz Pantic and I’ve been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. If you need any more information about computer security, I have hundreds of computer tips available for free on my website.
Hi guys! I am a computer freak who is obsessed with computer tips, building websites, money making. Finger in every pie, love working, addicted to caffeine. Multi multi tasker, likes juggling ten jobs, should have joined the circus. Ha Ha!
thanks for information, I just found out about this, …
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Twitter: theapptimes
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Interesting read…I never really thought much about physical security, but I guess it is a very important factor to consider as well.
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes not many people do! It is always about the security inside the computer!
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Thanks for your tips on PC security. You are right. Protecting it by blocking its viruses is quite important. Really hope Microsoft will let our PCs improve our performance as well in the coming years.
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
I think Microsoft is improving every day with all the updates and every time a new version comes out. We have come a long way with computers, but so have the viruses!
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It’s no doubt that Computer Security is very important, we know Physical computer security is the easiest way but we pay little attention to it.
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes we often forget about Physical computer security.
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Very nice information about the types of computer security. Many people use computers but they aren’t really aware on how to secure their gadgets.
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes I agree. We all forget how to care for the gadget and just use it..
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I never know these facts about computer security. Thanks for this post. Very informative indeed.
Twitter: tips4pc
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Now you know you can make sure you are looking after your security!
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Twitter: ComputerTooSlow
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Good tips. It is for sure important to have a great firewall and antivirus software in place. If a user is going to setup a “part-time server”, it is very important to do this carefully. For example, only open the ports that you need to open, make 100% sure this computer has a solid antivirus, and if you no longer need the computer to be a server, tighten up security on the firewall.
I also agree that it is important to lock/password your computer anytime you go away from your computer when in a public place.
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Twitter: tips4pc
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Yes I always do this as my daughter jumps on any computer that is left unattended and I do not want her messing stuff up!
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The tips that you have stated above is very helpful and reliable. I am certain that this serves as a new knowledge to people who are not yet familiar with the computer security. Thanks for this very informative blog. Your site really provide us with new knowledge and ideas.
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Twitter: tips4pc
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Hi there
Hope you are up with the security you need now. I always forget this stuff too!
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Interesting article and also good informative post about computer security….!!!
Twitter: AmandaBlogger
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Within last months I use such anti-virus program as Avast, and I’m much satisfied with it! It blocks all viruses immediately and warns about it
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Twitter: tips4pc
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Yes I have Avast too! Great program!
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Thanks for sharing this kind of tips to us very reliable and useful..You give me a lot of knowledge about computer..
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I have avast from last 5 years and there is without any even smallest issues!! thanks
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes I love Avast too! I am a big fan!
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“Interesting read…I never really thought much about physical security, but I guess it is a very important factor to consider as well.” – I agree.
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Useful and informative text, thanks for sharing it! I totally agree with you, the most of the users don’t care about physical protection of their data. The most of them are downloading illegal files on their office computers, as an IT assistant, I have seen many-many funny or terrible things as well. And they thing their data is in safe in their private folders….
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes a lot of people do download illegal stuff which leaves them open to threats as they are letting them in..
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Hi,
In today’s life computer hacking become a good bussiness for some people so it can be dangerous for your computerand so Your aerticle is really helpful so thanks for sharing your knowledge with me..
Thanks
Prash patel
Thank a lot for sharing this descriptive and interesting information. I prefer using Kasperskiy anti-virus
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Thanks for the very informative post. My personal computers were recently hit with virus’s, so i’m always looking for good info on computer security. I now use AVG (Anti Virus Guard) and so far it seems to work really well.
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The security problems are many, and I’m very interested to physical security. I wondered how to safely protect the data on my computer if I take it to repair to the assistance.
I think I’d back up my private data and I’d delete the data in my computer. Other solutions?
Twitter: WindowsTalk
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I think that would be a wise decision!
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The tips and the information you have provided here are very helpful…thanks a lot!
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Twitter: techsparx1
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thnx for this information abut computer securitry ……..ver informative helps me a lot to maintain my computer security
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I agree, this is really a help to me…
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As someone who was the victim of hacker recently, anything which improves password security can only be a good thing. I am so paranoid now that all of my passwords are a min of 12 characters and follow the microsoft guidelines on computer security.
For me the most security element is to set up well your firewall physical or the one provided by your OS.Using a computer within a shared network is not safe all time,people can control a use the data you are using.
Twitter: saikrishna1234
says:
Thanks for sharing this valuable post with us. The main problem occurs mainly from the .exe files when we get from net. Its better we use an Updated Antivirus running in Realtime. I prefer, Microsoft Security Essentials as the best one since the Virus databases update for every 7 days and keeps the system virus free giving real time scanning. Well, i forgot a thing its full of free only we require is that our windows should be a genuine version.
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes i agree you need a genuine copy of Windows and then you can get free software after that… There are some great spyware free programs out there for every occasion!
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Yes I must agree Mitz, network security is very complicated, especially for those of us who don’t have a lot of technical expertise. As far as my home computer goes I think I’m reasonably secure, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I get caught out.
I have been using Avast free anti-virus software for a few years now which seems to do a good job, I just need to spend a bit more time finding out what is available out there.
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Twitter: Janis167
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This is heavy topic for me, I had 3 of my sites hacked yesterday.
I just wanna to ask why its been attached or rather apply security but then, There’s still a kind of virus comes in.
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The security of computer hardware and its components is also necessary for the overall protection of data. As every firm is dependent on PCs, the technology of its security requires constant up-gradation.
Water Leak Detection
why bother about virus and malwares with Windows move on to Linux or OS 10 most apple fans like me may say. But a fairly decent antivirus that is the avira free + Mallwarebytes combination or kaspersky or bitdefender paid version would make life a lot easier for you in my opinion.
Excellent tips, thanks so much for sharing. You’re absolutely right, most people (myself included) just think about virus protection when we hear “computer security.” But clearly that’s not the only type of security. I never thought about physical security, your point about work computers being unattended for 16 hours a day never occurred to me. I’m definitely going to be more careful about the things I keep saved.
~Karen
It never really occurred to me how vulnerable our computers can be. And we use them everyday, buying things, inputting personal information and important files. These are great tips to make sure your information and files are secure in every way possible.
~Sam
Twitter: gravityinfo
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Thanks for sharing this information.it might be very useful for me.
Twitter: rickyrock626
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Physical security is very important for every computer.i didn’t know much about physical security but after read this post i learned new things.
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Twitter: namaserajesh
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Really good things here about computer security, just thanks.
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Hi there. Thanks a lot for sharing this. I don’t have much knowledge on computer security. And now thanks to your article, I got more knowledge. Great one!
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Twitter: tech_ticks
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Excellent written article on Computer Security, Thanks for sharing.
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