Any computer that accesses resources on the Internet is vulnerable to attack by cybercriminals. This means if you access a web-site, download a screen saver, download music, receive or send email, or check the stock market,you are vulnerable. The list of places and types of activities that make you vulnerable is not limited to ones listed above, but is literally endless.
Even if you never visit any place on the Internet, you could still be subject to attack if other computer in your dealership have been successfully breached. If your computer interacts with any other computer in any way, then it is vulnerable.
There are simple procedures or remedies that can dramatically reduce your computers vulnerabilities. Following them does not have to be onerous, but not following them will surely be onerous.
Your automobile has a firewall. It is a panel of metal and insulation that sits between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment. The firewall in your automobile has holes through it for electrical hookups, steering, braking, air conditioning, transmission, etc. These are necessary in order to make the car usable. If a small fire should break out in the engine compartment, little flame or smoke will immediately enter the passenger compartment because the firewall is not combustible and there are not many holes in the firewall. If the fire is long lasting or intense, then eventually flames will enter the passenger compartment.
Your computer network should have a firewall. Unlike an automotive firewall, the computer network firewall is called a router. When delivered from the manufacturer the router has few holes in it. But like an automotive firewall, some holes actually make the computer network work better. It may allow secure remote access from a trusted source to move through the firewall in order to provide services to your dealership.
Viruses and spy-ware are two different types of software that can be placed on your computer that can compromise the security of your data and the usability of your computer. It doesn't matter in this analysis what the definition of Viruses and spy-ware is. All of it is potentially detrimental to the security of your dealership.
Non-windows ® computers cannot catch viruses and spy-ware from Windows ® computers. But the non-Windows ® computer are prize targets for cyber-criminals. Unfortunately, even though your in-house server is not used to surf the web or do downloads it can be attacked from other infected computers in the dealership behind the firewall. Cybercriminals can actually run programs on infected computers without your knowledge. The can start and stop programs, snoop, capture password and many other nefarious acts. You may be logging into the secure manufacturers' web-site looking at your financial data, and the cyber criminal has your login and password.
The first step is avoid the criminals. Just like you would try to avoid walking downtown in a major city in the bad part of town after midnight, avoid the following activities:
Your computer and you network are being attacked if your Windows ® Computer is running slower that normal, there are unwanted toolbars in Internet Explorer ®, you click on a link to go to a site and other pages pop up before you get there, or you never get there. If your computer freezes, crashes, or misbehaves, then you are under attack.
If your Windows ® Computers are misbehaving, then your In-House server may already be under attack. If you are a Jarvis customer, then call us at 800-657-4499 and we will make a security examination of your Jarvis In-House server.
Windows ® is registered to Microsoft. Internet Explorer ® is registered to Microsoft. Outlook ® is registered to Microsoft. Outlook Express ® is registered to Microsoft.