Computer security is the process of preventing and detecting unauthorized use of your computer. Prevention measures help you to stop unauthorized users (also known as "intruders") from accessing any part of your computer system. Detection helps you to determine whether or not someone attempted to break into your system, if they were successful, and what they may have done. eLektrainc can configure your computers with detection software to alert you and take appropriate actions if intrusion has been detected.

   We use computers for everything from banking and investing to shopping and communicating with others through email or chat programs. Although you may not consider your communications "top secret," you probably do not want strangers reading your email, using your computer to attack other systems, sending forged email from your computer, or examining personal information stored on your computer (such as financial statements).

   Intruders (also referred to as hackers, attackers, or crackers) may not care about your identity. Often they want to gain control of your computer so they can use it to launch attacks on other computer systems.

   Having control of your computer gives them the ability to hide their true location as they launch attacks, often against high-profile computer systems such as government or financial systems. Even if you have a computer connected to the Internet only to play the latest games or to send email to friends and family, your computer may be a target.

   Intruders may be able to watch all your actions on the computer, or cause damage to your computer by reformatting your hard drive or changing your data.

   Unfortunately, intruders are always discovering new vulnerabilities (informally called "holes") to exploit in computer software. The complexity of software makes it increasingly difficult to thoroughly test the security of computer systems.

   When holes are discovered, computer vendors will usually develop patches to address the problem(s). However, it is up to you, the user, to obtain and install the patches, or correctly configure the software to operate more securely. Most of the incident reports of computer break-ins received at the CERT/CC could have been prevented if system administrators and users kept their computers up-to-date with patches and security fixes.

   Also, some software applications have default settings that allow other users to access your computer unless you change the settings to be more secure. Examples include chat programs that let outsiders execute commands on your computer or web browsers that could allow someone to place harmful programs on your computer that run when you click on them.

   eLektrainc uses URL filtering and content filtering tools to prevent your child from accessing these sites. Internet child safety is crucial in creating a fun and safe family Internet experience.

   As a responsible parent following these guidelines can ensure that your child is safe on the internet.

1. Place your computer in an open room with the monitor facing out. This allows you to see and control what is occurring on the Internet.
2. Educate your children about the Internet, both the positives and the potential dangers.
3. Bookmark child-friendly web sites. This allows your children to easily get to safe sites that they have used before.
4. Teach your children that Internet safety means never giving out personal information over the Internet.
5. Share your Internet child safety experiences, both good and bad, with others.
6. Teach your children to refrain from chat rooms.
7. Don't install Peer-to-peer applications. A high percentage of what occurs with children and peer-to-peer applications is related to either illegal or immoral activities.
8. Teach children to crash and tell. If they encounter a bad experience, they should feel comfortable in immediately turning off the computer and talking with a parent about the experience.
9. Never allow your children to meet with someone from an online session unless the parent approves.
10. Know the parents of your children's friends.
11. Teach children to never open email from someone they don't know.
12. Never respond to an unsubscribe on a pornographic email. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your ISP, and ask for assistance.